Repeated requests for password to the same Wifi network

28 Oct 2015

If you are repeatedly being requested to enter the password for the same Wifi network to which you have already connected previously, some possible causes and solutions are as follows.

The Microsoft WZC (Wireless Zero Configuration) service provided in the operating system may conflict with or corrupt the first saved wireless network. As a workaround, you could create a dummy first network, and then enter subsequent legitimate networks. Some possible steps for this workaround are as follows.

  1. In the list of WiFi networks, hold down on each network in turn and choose 'Remove Settings' (if this option is enabled).
  2. Tap on 'Add New...'
  3. Assign a dummy name to the network, such as 'DoNotDelete'.
  4. Set Authentication to 'Open' and Data Encryption to 'Disabled'.
  5. Tap Next and Finish.
  6. Tap on the network you want the device to connect to, and enter its authentication/encryption type and network key in the usual way.
  7. If the dummy “DoNotDelete” network ever does get deleted, all subsequent networks must also be deleted so this one can be re-added first in the list (pretty much starting again at step 1).

Otherwise, verify the security settings of the wireless network, which may be set to require manual password entry with every connection attempt regardless of history. Also verify that the DHCP is enabled and working properly.