Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you onto the network…

Rick
1 min read

I looked all over the Internet for a long time to find this answer. Once I discovered it, I decided to post it here on HMR so that everyone can have it.

The problem arises in Windows XP while trying to connect to a secured network, often on a D-link router.

While trying to connect a new computer wirelessly, an error comes up stating that “Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you onto the network (Network name here).

Here’s how to fix it if it is WEP encryption…

Start –> Programs –> Accessories –> Communications –> Network Connections –> Right-click your Connection and select Properties –> Click on the Authentication tab –> Disable / uncheck the option IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network. Now, try to connect to your Wireless network; are you able to? (Note: you may need to restart the computer.)

If it is WPA encryption, make sure you are using the TKIP type and it is set correctly in both the router and the new machine’s connection.

Tags:Internet Mac new computer Windows

153 thoughts on “Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you onto the network…”

Chinmay November 10, 2009 at 10:37 am

A unique problem i am having…i m using a BELKIN router..i can use the wifi fine from my personal lappie..its all set up..but when i am trying to acess the same frm my second laptop (the official one!!), it is throwing me ” unable t find a certificate”………………..

surprisingly..when i am trying to connect this one thru wire from router, the net just wrks fine..nt sure whats the issue???

Thanks in advance!!
1. Rick November 10, 2009 at 11:00 pm
  
  Did you try the steps outlined above for your Ethernet connection?
2. 1. Chinmay November 11, 2009 at 5:25 am
    
    Yah Rick.. I tried out all here…not once but twice 🙂
    
    tht just doesn’t work out..the thing is ..it it my official laptop..so tried through admin login as well…just wondering what cud be the reason…
  2. 1. Rick November 11, 2009 at 7:00 pm
      
      Tough one…if I could see it, I might be able to help further. Sorry.
2x5x November 11, 2009 at 1:12 pm

Thanx, very very much 🙂
Kathryn December 1, 2009 at 6:31 pm

Thank you so much for this information. We just purchased a new Windows XP-based netbook and couldn’t figure out why we could connect to our D-Link router yet we kept getting these error messages. Your tip solved the problem.
Cheryl December 6, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Hey, I am unable to uncheck the IEEE 802.1x authentication because it’s all greyed out…. what do I do?
Alee January 5, 2010 at 12:32 am

Thanks. It worked first time.
mat January 9, 2010 at 12:14 am

thanks this worked
chris January 22, 2010 at 12:26 pm

Thank you, that was a quick and easy fix!
Bobby January 29, 2010 at 10:53 pm

I went to what you said and it’s already unchecked and greyed out, but I still can’t connect. I have a Linksys N router. Help please.
1. Rick February 3, 2010 at 10:05 am
  
  This work around is only for specific situations…if it didn’t work for you, you will need to consult with someone who can look at your setup. Good luck.
2. 1. Flounder March 1, 2011 at 5:46 pm
    
    I had the same problem and I followed the direction listed above plus I forgot I put a static ip address on my wireless which didn’t have a default gateway address. Changed it to obtain an IP address and it fixed my problem.
Plugged4Fun March 9, 2010 at 11:49 am

Thank you very much. This fixed my problem right away. I just bought the ASUS Eee 1005HA netbook and I’m using a Linksys router.
Carlos March 14, 2010 at 9:28 pm

Hello.
I just set up my new D-link router and I’m also confronting the same problem. I found out about this tip in another website but it is not doing anything. Actually I don’t know why it is hapenning only with this computer I have set up in my livingroom, with the administrative account it works just fine it conects to the network, but when I switch to the a limited account user, it starts giving me this problem. I did everything I read about this problem but seems like there is no answer.
Thanks
laila March 20, 2010 at 4:12 pm

Thank you!
shiva shankar March 26, 2010 at 3:50 am

ya this site uage helpfull
Amrish May 2, 2010 at 2:10 am

great!! Worked first time!
kaye May 11, 2010 at 3:18 pm

thanks, man! helped me out
ajith July 7, 2010 at 9:59 pm

Hey, All need to say the same solution…..the IEEE 802.1x authentication is now in uncheck condition and it’s all greyed out…. what do I do? Still it is showing the same problem……no other solutions???????
Gary January 10, 2011 at 2:10 pm

Restarted the computer after your fix and it worked.
kufre January 13, 2011 at 1:02 pm

That’s great! it was pretty ok!
partha_777 January 20, 2011 at 3:53 am

Thanks, it’s working fine… After uncheck the “Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network” box my internet speed also increased. But I have one question is this task safe for my Laptop? Any chance to hack or coming virus????
brad February 5, 2011 at 2:21 pm

sweet worked all gd for me thanks for posting the answer
Zaheer Usmani March 13, 2011 at 8:42 am

Thanks bro u r # 1
Kalyan March 20, 2011 at 12:23 am

Thank you so much for helping out with this post 🙂
Jim March 30, 2011 at 1:32 pm

Rick
Thank you. Solved my friends difficulty with a belkin router. Now they are suffers! Appreciate your sharing.
1. PRAT April 14, 2011 at 8:32 am
  
  Mine is WPA encryption, and I made sure that i am using the TKIP type and it is set correctly in both the router and the new machine’s connection. But unfortunately it does not work for my personal laptop. However, it works fine in my office laptop.
hello April 26, 2011 at 8:06 am

hey there is no ieee802 box in here!!!!
i really need internet now please help me .
1. Rick April 26, 2011 at 2:51 pm
  
  Might try resetting your router to its default factory settings (refer to manufacturer’s web site for your particular model)
Oldsailor65 April 28, 2011 at 1:37 pm

Thank you very much, it worked
EC May 3, 2011 at 12:47 pm

THANK YOU! I’m so grateful you decided to post this information when you did find it, it was of great help to me!