% How to Connect a Chromebook to Wi-Fi GA
S
REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Computers, Laptops & Tablets > Google
How to Connect a Chromebook to Wi-Fi
Enjoy wireless connectivity with your Chrome OS laptop
By Ryan Dube Ryan Dube Writer University of Maine Ryan Dube is a freelance contributor to Lifewire and former Managing Editor of MakeUseOf, senior IT Analyst, and an automation engineer. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 17, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Google Microsoft Apple Google Tablets Accessories & Hardware
What to Know
Select the Wi-Fi network icon in the lower-right corner, then select Wi-Fi.
thumb_upLike (26)
commentReply (2)
shareShare
visibility199 views
thumb_up26 likes
comment
2 replies
E
Ella Rodriguez 1 minutes ago
Select a network, then choose Configure. Enter a password.If you use the network frequently, select ...
J
Jack Thompson 3 minutes ago
This is why knowing how to easily connect a Chromebook to Wi-Fi is important. Chromebooks come with ...
H
Harper Kim Member
access_time
8 minutes ago
Saturday, 03 May 2025
Select a network, then choose Configure. Enter a password.If you use the network frequently, select Prefer this network and Automatically connect to this network.Now that everything's configured, choose Connect. The network's status should change to say "Connected." Chromebooks are mobile and versatile, so they're commonly used on Wi-Fi networks in libraries, cafes, and other public networks.
thumb_upLike (33)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up33 likes
C
Chloe Santos Moderator
access_time
6 minutes ago
Saturday, 03 May 2025
This is why knowing how to easily connect a Chromebook to Wi-Fi is important. Chromebooks come with built-in Wi-Fi network cards, and Chrome OS makes viewing and connecting to Wi-Fi networks near you easy.
thumb_upLike (22)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up22 likes
E
Evelyn Zhang Member
access_time
4 minutes ago
Saturday, 03 May 2025
How to Share Wi-Fi Between Chromebook and Android
How to View Available Wi-Fi Networks
The first step to connect to a Wi-Fi network with your Chromebook is seeing which open or password-protected networks exist nearby. To view Wi-Fi networks, select the Wi-Fi network icon in the lower right corner of your Chromebook screen. In the pop-up window, select the Wi-Fi icon.
thumb_upLike (44)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up44 likes
comment
3 replies
Z
Zoe Mueller 2 minutes ago
If you've already configured your Chromebook to automatically connect to a network, you'll s...
A
Aria Nguyen 1 minutes ago
If you're already connected to one of them, you'll see 'connected' underneath it. Yo...
If you've already configured your Chromebook to automatically connect to a network, you'll see a Connected status here. Otherwise the status will read "Not connected." This opens a Network window with a list of all available networks.
thumb_upLike (15)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up15 likes
comment
3 replies
I
Isaac Schmidt 8 minutes ago
If you're already connected to one of them, you'll see 'connected' underneath it. Yo...
If you're already connected to one of them, you'll see 'connected' underneath it. You can select any of the displayed Wi-Fi networks to begin the connection process.
thumb_upLike (8)
commentReply (2)
thumb_up8 likes
comment
2 replies
C
Charlotte Lee 15 minutes ago
How to Connect to Wi-Fi Networks With Chromebook
When you select one of the listed networ...
E
Emma Wilson 12 minutes ago
Once you do, you see the status update to state you're connected. If the Wi-Fi network you selec...
T
Thomas Anderson Member
access_time
14 minutes ago
Saturday, 03 May 2025
How to Connect to Wi-Fi Networks With Chromebook
When you select one of the listed networks, you see options to connect to it. The same window can be used to connect to either open Wi-Fi networks without any password, or a secure network that requires one. If the Wi-Fi network you selected is an open network, just select Connect.
thumb_upLike (33)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up33 likes
comment
3 replies
L
Lucas Martinez 8 minutes ago
Once you do, you see the status update to state you're connected. If the Wi-Fi network you selec...
A
Amelia Singh 8 minutes ago
If the network you're connecting to is your home Wi-Fi network, or any other network that you co...
Once you do, you see the status update to state you're connected. If the Wi-Fi network you selected is a secure network, then select Configure. This opens a network configuration window with the network name, the network security type, and a field for you to enter the network password.
thumb_upLike (45)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up45 likes
H
Hannah Kim Member
access_time
45 minutes ago
Saturday, 03 May 2025
If the network you're connecting to is your home Wi-Fi network, or any other network that you connect to frequently, make sure to enable Prefer this network, and Automatically connect to this network. This ensures the network is considered your preferred network, and that your Chromebook automatically connects to it whenever you're nearby.
thumb_upLike (20)
commentReply (2)
thumb_up20 likes
comment
2 replies
E
Evelyn Zhang 20 minutes ago
If you're running Chrome OS 89 or later, it's easier to connect a Chromebook to Wi-Fi. You c...
H
Hannah Kim 8 minutes ago
You don't need to enter your credentials again. With the password and automatic options selected...
S
Sophia Chen Member
access_time
40 minutes ago
Saturday, 03 May 2025
If you're running Chrome OS 89 or later, it's easier to connect a Chromebook to Wi-Fi. You can connect to trusted networks automatically if you connected to them previously from other devices with the same Google Account.
thumb_upLike (8)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up8 likes
comment
3 replies
V
Victoria Lopez 17 minutes ago
You don't need to enter your credentials again. With the password and automatic options selected...
N
Nathan Chen 23 minutes ago
Open Chromebook's settings using the same process as above, select Network, select the Network dropd...
You don't need to enter your credentials again. With the password and automatic options selected, select Connect and the Wi-Fi network status changes to 'connected.'
Other Chromebook Wi-Fi Connection Options
If Wi-Fi networks are non-standard such as using non-standard DNS servers or hidden networks, you may need to go through some extra steps to connect a Chromebook to that Wi-Fi network. If connecting to a corporate Wi-Fi network where the company uses custom DNS server names, you need to change this setting before you can connect.
thumb_upLike (19)
commentReply (2)
thumb_up19 likes
comment
2 replies
H
Harper Kim 45 minutes ago
Open Chromebook's settings using the same process as above, select Network, select the Network dropd...
I
Isaac Schmidt 14 minutes ago
Then, go into the Network settings, select the Add connection dropdown, then select Add Wi-Fi. In th...
J
Jack Thompson Member
access_time
48 minutes ago
Saturday, 03 May 2025
Open Chromebook's settings using the same process as above, select Network, select the Network dropdown. Under Name Servers, select Custom name servers, then type the custom DNS servers provided to you by your IT Department. If the Wi-Fi network you're trying to connect to with your Chromebook is a hidden network, obtain the network name from the network administrator.
thumb_upLike (3)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up3 likes
comment
3 replies
B
Brandon Kumar 37 minutes ago
Then, go into the Network settings, select the Add connection dropdown, then select Add Wi-Fi. In th...
E
Ethan Thomas 26 minutes ago
You'll also notice on the network screen that there's an option to connect to a VPN. This is...
Then, go into the Network settings, select the Add connection dropdown, then select Add Wi-Fi. In the Join Wi-Fi network pop-up window, type the name of the network in the SSID field, the network security type in the Security field, and the password (provided to you by the network administrator) in the Password field. Select Connect to connect to that hidden network.
thumb_upLike (20)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up20 likes
comment
3 replies
I
Isabella Johnson 3 minutes ago
You'll also notice on the network screen that there's an option to connect to a VPN. This is...
E
Elijah Patel 4 minutes ago
Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
Subscribe Tell us why! Othe...
You'll also notice on the network screen that there's an option to connect to a VPN. This is not a Wi-Fi network, but Chromebooks are fully capable of connecting to any VPN network. Was this page helpful?
thumb_upLike (18)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up18 likes
comment
3 replies
L
Liam Wilson 31 minutes ago
Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
Subscribe Tell us why! Othe...
Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Fix it When Chromebook Won't Connect to Wi-Fi How to Connect Google Home to Wi-Fi How to Connect Chromebook to Your TV How to Connect AirPods to Chromebook Connecting a PC to a Wireless Home Network Fixing an iPad That Won't Connect to Wi-Fi How to Add and Connect a Printer to Your Chromebook How to Find a Wi-Fi Password on an iPhone How to Connect to a Hidden Network How to Turn Your Windows Laptop Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot How to Fix Wi-Fi Authentication Problems on Android How to Change DNS Servers in Windows How to Connect a Router to the Internet What to Know About Connecting to a Hidden Network How to Add a Wi-Fi Network to Any Device How to Reset Wi-Fi Adapter Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
thumb_upLike (3)
commentReply (2)
thumb_up3 likes
comment
2 replies
M
Mia Anderson 10 minutes ago
Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies...
A
Alexander Wang 54 minutes ago
How to Connect a Chromebook to Wi-Fi GA
S
REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search C...
S
Scarlett Brown Member
access_time
80 minutes ago
Saturday, 03 May 2025
Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
thumb_upLike (49)
commentReply (2)
thumb_up49 likes
comment
2 replies
A
Aria Nguyen 39 minutes ago
How to Connect a Chromebook to Wi-Fi GA
S
REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search C...
S
Sofia Garcia 32 minutes ago
Select a network, then choose Configure. Enter a password.If you use the network frequently, select ...