Just the other day I tried use my Android to connect to a Wi-Fi network I’ve connected to before, but couldn’t. I had to introduce the password again since I did a factory reset on my device a while back. After typing in the password and seeing that my phone was trying to connect, the only thing I saw was an “Authentication error”.
I checked that I was connecting to the right network and made sure I was typing in the correct password. Still, that dreadful message appeared. Has this happened to you too? Here are some tips you can try to get rid of the problem and reconnect.
Try Airplane Mode
What happens when you enable Airplane Mode is that all radio-frequency signal transmission on your phone is turned off. You can use Bluetooth, WiFi, or even make a phone call.
This is a useful tip because sometimes your phone’s mobile network interferes with your phone trying to connect to a network.
To give the airplane mode a try, swipe down from the top of your display and turn off the mobile network and WiFi. Now, enable airplane mode and without turning this last feature off, go ahead and turn on the WiFi option.
If your phone connects to the WiFi network without any issues, then you can turn airplane mode off. Turn on Wifi and mobile network, and everything should be OK now.
Try Resetting The Wi-Fi Connection
Sometimes the answer lies in starting over, and that’s why resetting the WiFi connection could be the answer to your problems. Eliminating the wireless connection and then try to find/ connect to it again. This is a solution that has worked for many, and hopefully, it will work for you.
Go to your device’s Settings and tap on WiFi. Find the network you’re having trouble connecting to under WiFi Networks. Long-press on the network, either the SSID or name and you should see a small window with the options to either forget the network or modify network config.
Tap on the Forget Network option and distance yourself from the router until you’re only getting one bar signal. Once you have that one bar, connect to the network once again.
Change the Wireless Network
Another reason why you’re having this authentication problem is that of an IP conflict. If that’s your case, then the best thing you can do is change the wireless network setting from DHCP (default) to Static IP.
You can quickly do this by going to Settings and once again going into the WiFi option. Long-press on the network until you see the same window as before, but this time tap on modify network config.
Tap on the advanced options box and look for the option that says DHCP. When you tap on it, there is only going to be one other option that should be the Static option. Select it, and then you should see an IP address field.
When it appears, save the information you see in the static IP address field and erase it. Type in the same data again and tap on save. Only add the information if you’re sure it’s the correct one. If you have any doubts, it’s best that you call your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
Refresh All Your Network Settings
If the previous options have failed, then it looks like you have no choice but to refresh everything. By everything, I mean Bluetooth, mobile network, and wireless network simultaneously.
To do this go to Settings > Backup & reset > Network reset and tap on Reset Settings. The process shouldn’t take too long, but when it finishes, try to log onto the network that’s giving your problems and hopefully, you can connect.
Don’t worry about losing any important data since you won’t. This will though, wipe the data from all the connections you’ve ever made.
Conclusion
There are times when you might never know what caused this problem, but here you have the solution to get rid of it. Hopefully, you authentication error doesn’t require calling a tech guy.
Did I miss a method that you use to fix this problem? If so, share your thoughts in the comments, so others can benefit as well.
Hidden Man says
I think my router is blocked by wifi owner ,how can I unblock it .please help me
Michael Griemel says
A storm knocked out my inner connection with my carrier. A reset reset at our substation (I love out in the country) and when the tech arrived and tested at my home he seemed confused. Then I e,plaines that there needs to be a reset at the substation, he drove up the road, found what needed to be reset, and my service was restored. All of my Wi-Fi gear in my home was working again. 2TVs, my computer and my tablet. Everything except my Samsung Galaxy S8+. When I attempt to get the Wi-Fi on this device, it’s now requiring the Wi-Fi password. I put the correct OR in and my ST S8+ says it’s incorrect.
I followed all of the above ‘fixes’ but to no avail. I don’t want to do a hard reset, I did the “reset network settings” noted above and that didn’t work either…
Any suggestions?
Thank you in advance,
Exasperated in the Boondocks
Herb says
I tried all this and it did not work for me. My issue is little different. My wifi worked with no issues stayed connected. I was renting a modem from my isp I bought a netgear modem router combo . Kept the same network name and password, my phone and my wife’s phone will connect but will drop and say “incorrect password”. We sent the new modem back and got different brand did same thing sent that back and went back to the netgear does something. We kept the same network name and password so all the devices could connect but our phones and one pc keeps dropping wifi with incorrect password. So frustrating..
Desiree Hennequin says
Thank you. It fixed my authentication problem in no time.
Keep up the good work.👍
Mishqal Rathore says
Hello everyone, first of all thanks so much for this convenient way. I was totally exhausted due to that error and finally find the way thanks to u all 😌🙏.
Sam says
What eventually worked for me was to connect to a hotspot from another mobile. It connected to the hotspot straight away. After that it connected to my wifi network with no problem
Niamh Quinn says
Hi had this problem and none of those methods worked. What worked for me was changing the MAC address type to Phone MAC and it worked straight away. Hope this helps!
Farzana says
Hi my problem is that my son put wrong details into my samsumg galaxy A11! I want to put right details but the phone won’t allow it I tried reset network things like that it won’t allow any thing I don’t know what to do how can I put the right details in it. Also it says put identification details, ca certificate all that I’m in a mess? Can somebody tell me what to do! But the phone works in other places just not in my house I feel sad.
Theresa Hayes says
Thanks for the help. I tried everything you suggested, but nothing has worked. Not sure what to do now
Max G says
James Grieve You sure as f#*k took the long way around with that essay of yours!!!… a single paragraph would have been more than enough to make your point with room left over for a few entertaining sentences of you not trying so hard!… 👍🏿
Zaki says
After few days of finding, finally I manage to closed my case of Authentication problem with wifi trying to connect to Android mobile hotspot. It was found that my Huawei mobile hotspot has blacklisted my other fon trying to connect. After release it from blocklist.. I can connect without any issue.
James Grieve says
Hey everybody, I just wanted to put this out there, as it took me 12 very painful and frustrating weeks to get to the point where I finally understood the problem with:
Authentication Error / Could Not Authenticate Connection / Couldn’t Authenticate Connection………..
I went around and around in endless, tiresome, repeating, ever decreasing circles for 3 months and, in that time, piece-by-piece, I completely replaced the entire system:
PC / MiFi / Mobile Phone / Alexa / Smart-Plugs / Smart-Lights / Factory-Resets abound on everything here-there-and everywhere, plus all of the good advice on Airplane Mode / Forget Network / Static IP / Reset Wi-Fi / Etc / Etc / Etc / Etc………..
All to no avail…..!!!! Everything Failed…….!!!! Nothing Worked…….!!!!
The flowers in my garden grew down. Their colour was pain. Their fragrance was sorrow. Into my eyes grew their roots feeling for tears to nourish the black hopeless rose within me.
When, finally, the Eureka: I have found it! Moment finally, finally arrived, it was an instant relief, revelation and success………
Now, everything works, and it is SO wonderful, and SO simple…..!!!!!
So here it is: I do hope that you have bore with me thus-far because HERE IS THE ANSWER!!!!!!!
…….. If you are using a Mi-Fi / MiFi as your internet access point, and you have a: Smart-Home / SmartHome / Alexa / Smart-Plugs / SmartPlugs / Smart-Light / SmartLight / Arrangement……….
MiFi / Mi-Fi only supports 10 devices – There it is in a nutshell!
N.B. That is only a maximum of 8 Smart Devices + Alexa + Mobile Phone. So, when it came the moment to setup and connect device 11, my whole world fell apart and the garden got sad and miserable.
(I SO! wish I knew this in December!).
Some MiFi’s claim to handle 15 connected devices, some only 8 (may be true – check your MiFi Device!). My Huawei E5573 does 10 Max! [Remember to leave 2 slots available for Alexa and Mobile Phone!!].
So, I reconfigured my Smart-Home with 8 connected Smart Devices (+ Alexa + Mobile Phone). Simple. Logical limit understood and catered for. Everything works great!!!!!!!
Sing Hosanna. Glory be to God.
The flowers in my garden grew up. Their colour was comfort. Their fragrance was happiness. Into my heart grew confidence of feeling for the future of 21st Century Technology to nourish the beautiful rose within me.
If my little post here saves you 12 minutes of the 12 weeks of pain and frustration that I have suffered, then I give this time to you as a gift!
TECHNOLOGY / COMMUNICATION MANUFACTURERS COME ON! YOU NEED TO BE DOING A BETTER TECHNOLOGY / COMMINICATION JOB HERE!
Iago Grievesy.
Dear Technipages, please publish this post so as to help others……….
Mark says
Still not getting WiFi even if I put the code in still keeps saying Authentication problem
Naqeebullah Noorzai says
Hi. I am Naqeebullah noorzai my GT-19300 wi-fi had authentication problem please help me
Pavan says
Hi there,
I had authentication problem so I did factory reset but also the problem didnt get solved . pls give me some solutions
Sabrina C says
I tried everything you said and still no luck :( anything else that I can do? I can’t really afford to fix it right now.. any help is appreciated!!
E4MA says
thanks a lot..
tried all stages till i got to resetting.
it did work. thanks a lot
Liping says
Hi ,
Both works thanks
Jan says
Thank you so much for this really easy to understand fix. Worked a treat.
Mohsin says
Switching Airplane mode worked for me. Once the wifi started as suggested turned off airplane mode & back to wifi only.
It worked on iphone as well as android devices.
Thanks a lot for your help!
DANNY says
HI. I HAD DROP WIFI ISSUE ON ALL MY GALAXY PHONES. WHEN DROPS I MUST SWIPE DOWN THE BAR, LONG TAP ON THE WIFI NETWORK NAME THEN DISPLAYS THIS NETWORK DETAILS AND ITS CONNECTS AUTOMATICALLY. TRIED MANY THINGS DIDNT WORK.
ANYONE HAS THIS ISSUE?
THANKS
Jenelle says
Thank you so much! I’ve been dealing with this problem for a year. The airplane mode worked for me!!
Mieshka says
How do I reset my network if I don’t have a option like this on my phone.
Tim Hague says
No joy.
“Reset Network Settings” option does not exist.
Authentication Failure Error still rules!
Abi says
I tried everything, None worked except Airplane mode.
Thank you!
Aisha says
Sirs /Mesdames. Thank you for the much needed help. Struggling almost all evening with authentication problem. Stressed. Found you and tried the airplane mode option. Voila. Back in the high life again 🤗Thank you so much 💞
Mike says
Thanks for the ideas’s I was having this error on ALL Phones… while wiired Computer was working.
I tried all the above ideas, but what work was: Changing the Wifi password to something new.
Take care!
Alfonse Brown says
Thanks mate. The airplane tip did it ! I previously had the issue almost every time the phone went back from sleep mode. My phone is a BlackView 7000 Pro with Android 7.
Hans J. Beauvoir says
Hello, I’m trying to connect to a Wi-Fi network from my school but it keeps on saying Couldn’t authenticate connection. What does that mean? Also, my T-Mobile service isn’t working either, I don’t even know what’s wrong. Can you tell me what to do about the solution about making the wi-fi network available on my Samsung Galaxy S9 again? Also, I reset my network settings because I wanted to fix the problem but it still not working. The wi-fi works on my computer not my phone and I’m so devastated. I need to fix the issue. What advices do you have for me? I’m not resetting my phone because it has all my contacts, photos, songs and everything I love. I need a solution to make the network work on my phone again. The T-Mobile service line isn’t working at all for me, could you tell me how to fix that? I need to have answers about this mess. All of my wifi-networks, bluetooth network are gone because I accidentally reset the settings for those. Can you please tell me how to fix them? Thank you very much!
AdmairahMacapasir says
Is this options is applicable in every devices,like tablets and Ipads?
Tim says
Did all the above. All other devices in my home work on both routers. I just got the phone did all the set up used it for a day and received a notification that I had a Samsung update and it hasn’t worked since. Did the system reset and tried to set the phone up again but still will not connect. Still getting authentication error.
yulieth Roman says
Hello, Thanks by the post, I have same problem, I tried all these steps and like DD Chhaya say “authentication problem remains”. Well I’ ill need go to the tech man I saw today and Ask her what do ?I though he ill cost me much for service but he told mm very sad, I bought a used samsung A30 the IMEI is legal “until moment”LOL the guy i bought, lie me about cell so the Tech is who ill help me to solve this then I tried recover this beauty phone, then I flashed and I say all this to the tech and he only cover me 20 usd for fox it.Omg I need goo jajaja I hope it can be good because it was for work by phone. Money….
Awhi says
My partners phone wont connect to his wifi at home without using his mums phones bluetooth ive tried all of these things and they arent worming would someone be able to help me
Li Nico says
My Android TV-Box has no option to set an static IP . According to manual “Advanced option” allows for setting a static IP, subnet, gateway and DNS server. But I see just a “limited/unlimited connection” option. Nothing else!
Geri S Hoekzema says
Airplane mode helped, will try the reset. Thank you!
Dick Hannigan says
I appreciate the concise instructions. I happened to start on option 2 (Reset Wi-Fi connection but couldn’t get my signal strength to go down to one bar so moved on to option 3 (Change wireless connection). Was not quite thru with option 3 instructions when the Wi-Fi connected! My biggest problem was I forgot my MAC Wi-Fi password which is required in all the options. It wasn’t posted on my router (I must have changed it in the past.) I took a wild guess and that did the trick during option 3 . Tatoo your Wi-Fi password on your forehead so you don’t forget it! Thanks again.
Danilo says
Thank you for this article, it helped with airplane mode. :)
Ollie Pelich says
My issue was 2 routers. I have DSL. That is my wired internet signal. I then take the output of the lan router and send that into my 300BPS Wifi router.
Always keep your instruction booklet or at the minimum the network setup CD.
Remember, even if you cant get online, you can still use your browser, I use Chrome , an type in your modems access number I.e. https:// 197.543.6.8 this will take you to your modem setting front door. You will be asked for password. Forgot? Look under the modem. In tiny print the default password will be admin. Same for user. Once here you can 1. Change your security password (although it still reverts to admin) or 2. Run the basic network setup CD.
With that you be back up and running.
It works with lan = wired to computer.
It also works with wifi.
Remember as long as there is a tether to your internet you can get into your wifi router front door page too using the specific http:// address.
One point to remember if using more than one router you will need to remember to http router address. Try not to mix them up.
And at the end of all this I noticed that the problem lies with Cell phone manufacturer or service provider. Thought I didnt have wifi got an error. Created a wifi network on the PS 4 gaming console and it accepted it. But my cell- dont have a data plan, would not work.
Nasra Aden says
I had all problems above, and tried all the steps you recommended.
I then tried Auto reconnect. It solved the issue. My phone is working ok now. I hope this helps you.
Alison Boland says
Thanks so much, I had been trying all night to fix this matter. Had one more go this morning with your suggestions and it worked using Setting the Network Connections.
Very pleased!
Les Brown says
Disable the auto protect, then once connected switch it back on. Must be a problem with auto protect handshake with wifi
jess griffin says
my issue started after my provider had me do a network reset on my phone. they said i would need to reset my wifi after the reset. i could not get it to reset my wifi. i kept getting “authentication error” with every attempt at reconnecting it. on the phone for an hr with provider before being told my sim card was broken. i decided to head out to comcasts store, my cell and internet provider, after work to see if that really was the issue. however while at work i was able to connect to my works internet i obviously this was not the case. while at home all my other wifi devices were connected so it didn’t seem like it was my router. i had even reset it hoping my cell would pick it up prior to calling my provider and nothing different. after realizing it had to be my router and cell not communicating correctly i went back to check out my router and found a small square button on the top labeled “WPS”. did some googling and saw this was a way to connect your phone to the wifi, pushed that magic button and it instantly reconnected with no issue since.
Andy says
Same here Authentication error on my 2g wifi network.
The only thing that had changed was I’m rolling out lots of IP switches for lights appliances smart home stuff all of which only operate on 2G wifi .
Any of the people that have commented so far been playing with smart home gear?
Maybe my router on the way out all other devices connect ok.
The alexa devices do to drop out occasionally but reconnect after a few hours
Or did you get a fix ?
K.dott says
Ive tried everything on my samsung galaxy s10e
This is not the first time with samsung that i have had a connection issue with my wifi and receieve the authentication error message. I have had the same issue as “Appleton” before where it will connect for just a few minutes then disconnect for days.
My wifi is connecting fine with my computer and smart TV but for the love of god will not connect to my phone!
Please someone help me fix this!!!
KMB says
I tried all the options that you gave but still the same error…please help me please
Appleton says
I too tried all the steps and the error remains. Is it possible that the phone itself may have a fault? If I connect today for an hour, then I don’t connect till days later for about an hour. Frustrating.
SR says
Nothing has worked for me. Still have the same issue.
JOYCE ELLIS says
I tried all the options one by one including data reset. but authentication problem remains but now i get the welcome – start- ( an unauthorized attempt has been made to reset you device to factory default settings)- OK – WiFi- (authentication error occurred) -it will not let me go no further, i cant get to any apps or setting button, at the top right corner is battery % rectangle with an airplane. i have watch all videos tried everything but now i cant get to any thing HELP ME PLEASE!!!
I csn’t get pass the Connect to Wi-Fi screen and all
my screen apps disappeared.
Irene says
The flight mode option worked for me… Thanks so much!
Simeon says
I tried all these, including resetting all network connections, and still getting the authentication Error message.
Any other ideas?
Mz Kay says
I tried all the options one by one including data reset. but authentication problem remains but now i get the welcome – start- ( an unauthorized attempt has been made to reset you device to factory default settings)- OK – WiFi- (authentication error occurred) -it will not let me go no further, i cant get to any apps or setting button, at the top right corner is battery % rectangle with an airplane. i have watch all videos tried everything but now i cant get to any thing HELP ME PLEASE!!!
bggplanet says
I did the Airplane mode and so far the WIFI is staying connected. Keeping fingers crossed that it will remain connected. Thanks a bunch!
Brian says
Step one worked for me (enabling airplane mode). Thanks a lot :-)
Yohannes Degefu says
Thanks, it helped!
anne nelson says
Thanks I tried 1 no worky but going down to 1 bar then doing the long hold etc. did but only on the 2nd try. I figure I did something wrong in the steps the first time since it worked 2nd time. I think it was because I did not turn airplane mode back ON before beginning the second method. But, it’s all good now. I have a Motorola phone which is really pretty good for the money but it never happened with my Samsung. Anyway, I owe you a thank you!
Kristin says
Even i tried all of the steps there is still authentication error. I hope you can help me, I badly need to connect to our wifi as soon as possible.
Minnie says
Thank you! Thank you! I did the airplane mode and it didn’t work and I did Method 2
and it didn’t work and I was about to do Method 3 when suddenly wifi was connected! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
George says
Still have the issue after each step was tried. And I don’t think it’s my ISP either because i have 2 networks and the other is still properly connecting. The problem is the other network has a much weaker signal and tends to drop.
Ash says
I just got back from an international trip I was unable to use my phone in Japan, Singapore and Kashmir. However I used the local wifi service to communicate with my family here in USA.
But when I got back home last week ever since I am unable to use my home wifi service. I tried to restart my phone as well as my home network router but I don’t get any internet connection.
Any solution will be appreciated.
Thanks
Tom says
I only have this problem with my Comcast/Infinity supplied wifi.
Lois Heath says
Airplane mode fixed my issue, Thank you :)
Milvi Zuch says
DD chhaya i also still hAVE THIS STUPID PROBLEM
Kimberly Waters says
I should also include; for me, a restart of the phone revolves the issue temporarily, but it eventually resurfaces.
Cecilia says
I managed to solve my problem using method no. 2. – Tap on the “Forget Network”. distance myself from the router and turn on the WIFI. TQVM! :)
DD Chhaya says
I tried all the options one by one including data reset. but authentication problem remains