When trying to connect to a Wi-Fi network that denies you access, you might wonder what that means or how to fix it. It could mean that too many devices are connected to the Wi-Fi network, or the person running the Wi-Fi network has blocked your IP address from accessing it. Sometimes you can be blocked from a Wi-Fi network if you use the wrong password. The solution might be as simple as keying in the correct password!
Keep reading this to learn how to unblock yourself from a Wi-Fi network!
Why is My Device Blocked from Wi-Fi?
There are a few reasons your device might be blocked from a Wi-Fi network. Maybe you accidentally typed in the wrong password too many times. Or perhaps someone who has access to the network changed the password and didn’t tell you.
Whatever the reason, being blocked from a Wi-Fi network can be frustrating. Luckily, there are ways to unblock yourself on any network. A lot of time, it’s as simple as typing in the correct password and pressing enter. If that doesn’t work, there is usually an option for a forgotten password or admin.
If you still have issues, try opening up your laptop’s settings screen, then go down to;
- Wi-Fi settings.
- Click edit under “Wi-Fi networks connected,”
- Find your blocked connection, click on it and remove it by clicking delete below that line.
- Click done when finished.
Simple Hacks to Unblock Yourself from Wi-Fi Network
Ensure the network’s security settings are correct. When a network uses WEP, it’s easy to hack into, and WPA2 is more secure, but it can still be hacked. It is safest to use WPA3.
Change the MAC address of your computer: By changing this identifier, you can trick the system into thinking you are a different device and gain access.
Use VPN:�? VPNs encrypt your traffic and route it through a server, so no one can see what you’re doing.
Note: You can also use an HTTP proxy to unblock yourself from a Wi-Fi network.
How Can You Unblock Yourself from Wi-Fi?
1.�?Look at the Router
The first thing you’ll want to do is identify the router. This is usually easy to do, as routers are often labeled with the network’s name. Once you’ve found the router, look at it to see if there is a physical switch that says Wi-Fi. If there is, turn off the button, and you should be good to go.
However, you’ll need to access the router’s settings if there isn’t a physical switch. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open your browser and key in the router’s IP address (located at the bottom of the device). For example, 192.168.1.1
- Enter your username and password (usually admin).
- Select Wireless Settings in the menu.
- Find Wireless Security or Network Name (SSID).
- Disable security
Now change the SSID from your original name to something else or disable it altogether. When you’re done with all of these steps, click Apply Settings. That should unblock you from that network.
2.�?Check Your Device Settings
Many devices will allow you to automatically connect to networks that you’ve connected to in the past. If this is turned on, your device will attempt connecting to the network even if it’s blocked.
To turn this off, go into your device’s settings and look for the option to disable an automatic network connection. Once you’ve found it, please disable it and try connecting to the network again.
�?Determine Where You’re Connecting from: The problem could also be caused by where you’re trying to connect from. Some schools or businesses block visitors who don’t use the correct IP address, but others require visitors to log in through an authentication process first.
�?Contact whoever runs the network (usually an IT department) and ask them how they want people to connect when visiting their building.
3.�?Scan Your Device for Malware
Any time you can’t connect to a Wi-Fi network, the best thing you should do is scan your device for malware. Malware can block you from connecting to any network, not just Wi-Fi. To check for malware;
- Download and install a malware scanner.
- Connect your device to the scanner with a USB cable.
- Run the scan. Depending on your device’s storage size, this may take several minutes or longer.
- If the scan finds malware, follow the instructions to remove it from your device.
- Try connecting to the Wi-Fi network again.
- If the problem persists, consult an IT professional specializing in Wi-Fi networks.
4.�?Reset your Router to Factory Settings
If you’ve been blocked from a Wi-Fi network, try resetting your router to its factory settings. This removes any customizations that have been made, including any blocks.
To do this, find the reset button on your router and hold it down for 30 seconds. Once the router is reset, try connecting to the Wi-Fi network again. If you’re still having trouble, contact your ISP for help. Sometimes ISPs add blocks and blacklist specific sites. If you contact your ISP and ask them nicely, these blocks can be removed.
5.�?Change Your IP Address
Your device’s IP address is what identifies your computer on a network. If you’re blocked from a Wi-Fi network, it’s likely because the network administrator has blacklisted your IP address. To unblock yourself, you’ll need to change your IP address.
Here’s how:
- Go to Network and Sharing Center from the Control Panel.
- In the left pane, click Change adapter settings.
- Right-click your wireless connection and select Properties.
- Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and choose Properties.
- Enter an address not already used by another device on that network.
- Be sure to enter an unused IP within a range of addresses assigned to that subnet. For example, if you’re connected to a router with an address of 192.168.1.1, the last three digits should be different than those used by other devices connecting to that router.
- �?Restart your computer after changing this setting and reconnect to the internet using your new IP address
Can I Bypass Wi-Fi Restrictions By Using VPN?
A Virtual Private Network or VPN is a private network that encrypts and routes your internet traffic through an intermediary server. This can help you bypass Wi-Fi restrictions, and access blocked websites and content. However, not all VPNs are created equal. Some VPNs are more likely to be detected and blocked by firewalls than others.
If you’re looking for a VPN to help bypass Wi-Fi restrictions, do your research before choosing one. Choosing the wrong VPN could lead to detection and blocks.
How to Bypass a Restricted School Wi-Fi
There are a few tricks to bypass the restrictions if you’re trying to access a restricted school Wi-Fi network. One way is to use a VPN, which will encrypt your traffic and make it harder for the network administrator to block your device.
Another way is to use a proxy server, which will route your traffic through another server so that it appears you’re coming from a different IP address.
How to Remove a Blocked IP Address
If you want to remove a blocked IP address from a Wi-Fi network, you’ll need to access the router’s settings and remove the IP address from the list of blocked devices. The exact procedure varies depending on your router, but the general idea is the same. Once you’ve removed the IP address, you should be able to connect to the Wi-Fi network without any issues.
How to Unblock Yourself from Wi-Fi on a Desktop
So you intend to unblock yourself from Wi-Fi on the desktop? Here is how:
- Right-click on the wireless icon in your screen’s taskbar and select Open Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on Change adapter settings.
- Right-click on your wireless network adapter
- Select Properties.
- Select the Wireless Networks tab.
- Select the network you want to unblock yourself from and click Remove.
- Close the window and try to reconnect to the network.
- Restart your computer and try again if it’s not responsive.
- If you’re still having trouble, you may need to contact your ISP or the administrator of the Wi-Fi network for help.
Unblocking Yourself from Wi-Fi on an Android Device
Here is how to unblock yourself from a Wi-Fi network on an Android device:
- Go to Settings > Wireless & networks > Wi-Fi settings.
- Tap and hold on to the network you want to forget.
- A menu will pop up, and you should select Forget network.
- You’ll be prompted to successfully confirm your selection and disconnect from that Wi-Fi network.
- Try connecting to the network afresh.
Unblocking Yourself from Wi-Fi on an iPhone
The process for unblocking yourself from a Wi-Fi network is slightly different depending on what type of iPhone you have.
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Data Roaming (or Cellular).
- Navigate down to the list of available networks with the blue circle next to them, and toggle off the switch for whichever one it is that’s giving you trouble.
If your phone is older than iPhone 6 or doesn’t support iOS 10+, things get more complicated because Apple doesn’t provide this option in their Settings app as they do for newer iPhones. Instead, it will require third-party software such as iFunbox or Appsync to unblock yourself.
Conclusion
You can try a few things if you’re having issues connecting to a Wi-Fi network. First, check to see if the network is secure. If it is, you’ll need the password to connect.
If the network is open, try restarting your device or moving closer to the router. You can try resetting your device’s wireless settings if you still have trouble.
Reference 1: https://certsimple.com/how-to-unblock-yourself-from-a-wifi-network/ Reference 2: https://xtrium.com/how-to-unblock-a-device-from-wifi/