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…”

kaf November 16, 2011 at 6:58 am

Great post, it works
1. David June 23, 2012 at 12:41 pm
  
  I have been looking for this answer for long time. It works.
  
  THX
Anon November 18, 2011 at 2:14 pm

The authentication tab is greyed out……have no idea how to solve it
albert November 22, 2011 at 12:54 pm

did what you said, now i tells ma it has limited or no conductivity……
1. Rick K May 16, 2012 at 9:52 am
  
  Re-boot
ayenaunt December 7, 2011 at 3:31 am

thanks a lot. it really works in a few minutes for non-IT person like me…
Gnufio December 29, 2011 at 4:02 pm

I tried all I read in this blog and others. Did everything as instructed and nothing. I been working with this for two weeks. My other laptop is an old compaq pressario. I even went and bought a miniwireless N USB adapter( advise frfom a friend) an nothing. At this point I’m lost. Any other suggestions?

Thanks
1. Rick December 29, 2011 at 5:42 pm
  
  If none of this works (including other helpful suggestions from commenters), throw in the towel and pony up $30 for a new router.
billa January 5, 2012 at 10:42 pm

its not working
in my pc
Andrea January 24, 2012 at 4:29 am

I have tried everything every one has posted, but still not working and no its not router as have 3 other laptops using ir ???? HELP
Andrew Robinson January 26, 2012 at 3:02 am

Even now, in 2013, this advice got an old eMachines computer back online with a Belkin G wireless card. Thank you very much!
willscarlet February 6, 2012 at 3:51 pm

Thank You it worked for XP logging on to network
Al Wright February 7, 2012 at 4:48 am

Thanks Rick, I really appreciate the straight forward and easy to follow steps. It worked the first time I tried it. You are the man. 🙂
Phil February 18, 2012 at 9:42 am

Excellent. Worked immediately, solved me a lot of headaches. Thank you.
khorshid March 15, 2012 at 11:10 am

i dont know what i have to do plz help me
i have 3 laptop and 2 desktop in 3 laptop i could conect to the router very easy but in desktops no 🙁 ,
i reinstall windows of my desktops wich is xp and now i have new windows in both of my desktops but i can not connect the internet to them
in my laptops security type are wpa2-personal and Encryption are AES
and i don’t know what i have to do plz help me
even i don’t how can i set my router
Krish March 24, 2012 at 2:08 pm

Worked for me in 30 seconds and saved me a $39 tech-assist fee from Comcast – you’re my hero!
Anon March 29, 2012 at 8:36 pm

Thanks, it worked. Now do you know how to set a Linksys WRT54GS as a Repeater? I got to the step where I use a TFTP but whenever I try, it doesn’t work.
Jason McFarland April 4, 2012 at 9:12 pm

good work man, that worked…Thank you.
Santhosh May 1, 2012 at 12:12 pm

Worked great! Thanks a million.
Muzo May 3, 2012 at 2:44 am

Thanks alot man, being trying for months to solve problem till i came across your post and it worked wonders within seconds
Jimmy Castro May 4, 2012 at 10:35 pm

I had the same issue downloaded sp2 and sp3 from Microsoft direct transferred on usb to my xp pro system and installed sp2 & sp3, the wireless card i configured I set to wpa2 and it authenticated.
Zoey May 26, 2012 at 9:48 pm

It worked but when I type in my correct password it says ‘The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits depending on your network configuration. This can be entered as 5 to 13 ascii characters or 10 to 26 hexadecimal characters.’
Arun June 28, 2012 at 10:23 am

Thanks dear, it cleared my problem. Was bothering me for a no. of days.

Thx.
Arun June 28, 2012 at 10:26 am

Great dear, It really worked instantly, even no restarting required in my PC.

Thx a lot. was troubling me for no. of days.
Zaddeo July 2, 2012 at 4:26 pm

No Authentication tab, security tab, status or preferred network on my XP Home.
1. Teresa July 30, 2012 at 9:45 am
  
  Zaddeo – that may mean that your computer uses something other than windows to connect wireless – like the Dell Wireless utility or something like that, so you would have to check the settings there for the same information.
Manesh P July 14, 2012 at 12:44 am

Thanks a ton. This one was really helpful
peter July 18, 2012 at 2:14 pm

Thanks a lot, I was getting this annoying message over and over.
it worked for me!
gajendra August 24, 2012 at 5:55 am

window was unable to find certificate to log you on to the network