Can’t Connect to Hotel Wi-Fi? Here’s What to Do

So you’ve just checked in and can’t seem to use the hotel Wi-Fi for some reason. Hotel Wi-Fi is a free service the hotel provides for your entire stay. We know how important a fast and stable internet connection is nowadays. Not having this can cause frustration and even halt your work.

But don’t worry; we are here to help. If you can’t connect to the hotel Wi-Fi, it is most likely because you cannot access the captive portal. This guide will tell you exactly how to access that and connect to the hotel’s Wi-Fi. As a bonus, we will also share some troubleshooting steps you can try. So, without any further ado, let’s jump into it.

Basic Checks

Before we try to access the captive portal, let’s do some basic checks to ensure everything is fine. Try these solutions first, and then you can proceed with the rest.

Fix 1: Confirm Network Name and Password

First, make sure that the Wi-Fi you are trying to connect to is actually the Wi-Fi you are trying to connect to. Head over to the Wi-Fi network settings and make sure the network name is correct.

If the network name is correct, you should be checking the password next. Ensure you enter the correct password with all the characters in the same case as in the password.

The password is likely incorrect if you see a message saying “authenticating” or something similar. Get the correct password and move on to the next step.

Fix 2: Restart Your Device

You can try restarting your device if both the network name and password are correct. Sometimes, the issue can be due to a bug or glitch on your device itself. Restarting your device can fix minor glitches like these with ease.

iPhone: 

1. Press and hold the Side, Volume Up, or Volume Down buttons simultaneously for a few seconds to bring up the Slide to Power Off menu.
2. Once the menu appears, drag the slider to the right to power off your iPhone.
3. Now, press and hold the Side button to restart your iPhone.

Android:

1. Press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons or just the Power buttons for a few seconds to bring up the Power Off menu.
2. Tap on Restart and then tap on Restart again to restart your phone.

Fix 3: Forget and Reconnect

If the Wi-Fi still isn’t connecting, simply forget and reconnect. This will delete the Wi-Fi network from your device; you can now make a fresh start. Upon reconnecting, you should be able to use the hotel Wi-Fi normally.

iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi.
3. Then, tap on the “i” next to your Wi-Fi network.
4. Tap on Forget This Network.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Network and Internet.
3. Tap on Wi-Fi or Internet.
4. Tap on the gear icon next to the hotel Wi-Fi.
5. Tap Forget.

Fix 4: Airplane Mode Toggle

If the connection fails yet again, try toggling the Airplane mode. Toggling the Airplane will reset all your networks and fix any transient issues causing them. Simply turn on the Airplane mode and then turn it back off.

iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on the toggle next to Airplane mode to turn it on.
3. Turn off the toggle now.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet.
3. Turn on the toggle next to Airplane mode.
4. Turn off the toggle now.

Login Page Issues

Now that we have done the basic checks and resolved the issues with your device, we can start fixing the most common issue, that is, the captive portal issue. If the captive portal isn’t configured, you won’t be able to connect to the hotel Wi-Fi. Here are a few things that you can try:

Fix 5: Open Captive Portal Automatically

The captive portal allows you to access the login page for the hotel Wi-Fi. If the captive portal doesn’t load, you won’t be able to access the hotel’s Wi-Fi login page. This is because opening the captive portal manually is essential in case it does not open automatically.

You can access the captive portal by going to a shared website or attempting to access any URL; doing so will bring up the captive portal login page automatically.

Fix 6: Open Captive Portal Manually

If the captive portal doesn’t load automatically, you can manually enter the IPv4 Gateway address or your Router’s IP address in your browser’s address bar.

You can find the IP gateway address on the back of the Wi-Fi router. However, it can also be found in your Wi-Fi network settings. Follow the steps below:

iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi.
3. Then, tap on the “i” next to your Wi-Fi network.
4. You can find the gateway address listed next to the Router.
5. Enter this gateway address in your browser, which should redirect you to the captive portal.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Network and Internet.
3. Tap on Wi-Fi or Internet.
4. Tap on the gear icon next to the hotel Wi-Fi.
5. Scroll down and copy the address under Gateway.
6. Enter this gateway address in your browser, which should redirect you to the captive portal.

Additional Troubleshooting

If you are still facing the issue, you can try some additional troubleshooting steps to fix the issue. We will resolve any existing connectivity and device-related issues in this section.

Fix 7: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

If the browser cannot load the captive portal, you can try deleting the browser’s cache and cookies. This should resolve any browser-related issues preventing the captive portal from opening. Follow the steps below:

Chrome:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Tap on the three dots at the top and select History.
3. Tap Clear browsing data.
4. Tap on the Time range drop-down and select All Time.
5. Ensure these options are checked: Browsing history, Cookies and site data, and Cached images and files.
6. Tap Clear data.
7. Tap Clear to confirm.

Safari:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
3. Select Clear History and Website Data or something similar.
4. Tap on Delete to confirm.

Fix 8: Use a Different Browser

If you are still facing the issue, try using a different browser. For example, if you are using Chrome or Safari, you can try Brave or Microsoft Edge to access the captive portal. This will help determine if the issue is with the browser or not. If the captive portal loads on the other browser, there is an issue with your default browser.

Note: Some browsers, such as Chrome, may give you a warning message when trying to access the captive portal; if you see one, simply tap on “Continue to site.”

Fix 9: Open Webpages in Incognito Mode

If you still face the issue, try using the incognito mode on your browser. First, try opening any random webpage to see if that triggers the captive portal automatically; if it doesn’t, you can manually enter the IP gateway address and access it.

Fix 10: Disable VPN

You may be connected to the Wi-Fi, but the Wi-Fi isn’t working because you are connected to a VPN. It is also possible that you are unable to access the captive portal because of the VPN. Turn off any VPN that you might have set up. Follow the steps below:

iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Then, tap on VPN & Device Management > VPN.
4. Turn off the toggle next to Status.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet.
3. Tap on VPN.
4. Tap on the VPN you are connected to and tap Disconnect.

Note: You can also turn off the VPN from the VPN app itself.

Fix 11: Check the Signal Strength

Wi-Fi connectivity issues could also be caused by weak Wi-Fi signals, especially when the Wi-Fi router is not inside your hotel room. Check the strength of the signal at the current location.

You might consider moving to a different area if the coverage is weak. Ensuring the signal strength is within the recommended range for a steady connection is essential. If possible, remove any physical obstructions between your device and the Router.

Fix 12: Update your Device’s Software

If your device runs on an outdated software version, it might face issues while connecting to the hotel’s Wi-Fi. Updating the software on your device is important for maintaining compatibility and security.

An outdated device may lack the necessary protocols to connect to the hotel’s Wi-Fi without any hitches. Thankful, a simple software update should fix this issue. Follow the steps below:

iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General.
3. Then, tap Software Update.
4. If an update is available, tap on Download and Install.
5. Once the update has been installed, restart your iPhone.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap System.
3. Then, tap on Software update.
4. Tap on Check for updates.
5. If an update is available, tap on Download & install.
6. Finally, tap on Restart to apply the update.

Fix 13: Reset your Network Settings

If the issue persists, you can reset your device’s network settings and see if that helps fix the issue. Resetting your network settings will delete all your saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, VPNs, and more. Follow the steps below:

iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Scroll down and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Then, tap on Reset. 
5. Tap on Reset Network Settings. 
6. Then, you may have to enter your iPhone’s passcode here.
7. Finally, tap on Reset Network Settings. 
8. This will reset all your Wi-Fi networks, VPNs, Bluetooth networks, and everything else related to networks.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on System.
3. Then, tap on Reset and select Reset Wi-Fi, mobile and Bluetooth. 
4. Tap on Reset settings.
5. You must enter your lock screen’s PIN, pattern, or password.
6. Finally, tap Reset settings.

Alternatives

If you are still facing an issue connecting to the hotel Wi-Fi, you can try some of these alternatives or contact your hotel’s reception or management and ask them to resolve the issue.

Fix 13: Use a Mobile Hotspot

If you’re having trouble connecting to the hotel Wi-Fi, use the mobile hotspot or mobile data. If you are trying to get the Wi-Fi connected to a computer that cannot connect, you can use your phone’s cellular data to access the internet on the computer using the hotspot feature. You can turn this feature on in the settings:

iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Personal Hotspot. If you don’t see the option, tap on Cellular/Mobile Data > Personal Hotspot.
3. Turn on the toggle next to Allow Others To Join.
4. Use the password from here to connect to the hotspot on your other devices.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet.
3. Tap on Hotspot and tethering.
4. Tap on Wi-Fi hotspot.
5. Turn on the toggle next to Use Wi-Fi hotspot.
6. Use the network name and password from here to connect to the hotspot on your other devices.

The use of mobile data is involved, but it provides a solid backup in case the hotel’s Wi-Fi is unreliable. To make sure, confirm whether your cellular plan supports personal hotspots or not.

Fix 11: Connect to a Wired Network

If the issue is with wireless connectivity, a direct and stable connection can be achieved by connecting to the network via a cable. In addition to wireless Internet access, several hotels also have wired Ethernet connections.

To avoid all the wireless connectivity problems, connect to the hotel’s wired network directly using an Ethernet connection. Make sure your device can connect to the internet over Ethernet or use an adapter that can.

Fix 12: Contact the Hotel Management

If the connection problems persist, it might be time to call for assistance. After exhausting all other options, the best course of action is to contact the hotel’s IT assistance, if there is one. You can contact the reception or management only if there is none.

The hotel personnel may fix any problems, verify network settings, and give detailed instructions. In addition to helping with specific problems, they may also validate login credentials or resolve technical issues or overloads caused by many guests using the same Wi-Fi.

Final Words

Most hotels use a captive portal that has to be logged into to be able to access their Wi-Fi. This is something that many people are unaware of, which leads to their inability to connect to the hotel’s Wi-Fi. Hopefully, this guide has resolved your issue, and you can happily surf the internet on the hotel Wi-Fi.

If you still face any issues, try the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the article. You can call the hotel reception or management for assistance if that doesn’t work. In the comments section below, let us know if you have any further questions.