If you regularly connect to wireless internet networks, then you may have had trouble connecting on at least several occasions. Wireless technology has come a long ways, but it’s still not perfect. Fortunately, Windows will usually tell you why it is having trouble connecting.
One of the most common errors is the “Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on to the network” message. Fortunately, it’s also one of the easiest to solve.
Windows will display this error message after trying to connect to a wireless network for at least several seconds. It occurs most frequently on laptops running Windows XP and Windows Vista, although it may also be seen on Windows 7.
To fix this problem, open up your wireless network connection menu. This can be accessed by clicking on the connectivity meter in your system tray (the five vertical bars). Find the network you’re trying to connect to. Then, right click on it and select ‘properties’.
Windows XP users won’t be able to do this. Instead of right clicking on the network itself, select the ‘Change advanced settings’ tool which can be found on the left hand side of the wireless network connection box. Then, navigate to the ‘wireless networks’ tab, highlight your desired network, and then click on ‘Properties’.
Click on the ‘authentication’ tab at the top of the box menu that opens. There will be a line that says ‘Enable IEEE 802.1 x authentication for this network’. Uncheck the box beside that line and try to reconnect with the wireless network.
Why does this work? Well, when that box is checked, it tells your computer to check for the Wi-Fi network’s authentication code. If an authentication code doesn’t exist, then your computer will continue searching for it regardless, preventing you from ever connecting to the network.