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| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +title: "If your Arduino device can’t connect to a Wi-Fi network" |
| 3 | +--- |
| 4 | + |
| 5 | +Learn how to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity issues if your Arduino device can't connect to a network. Check the sections below to identify and resolve potential issues. |
| 6 | + |
| 7 | +--- |
| 8 | + |
| 9 | +## 1. Connect to a 2.4 GHz network |
| 10 | + |
| 11 | +Arduino boards and most IoT devices can only be used with 2.4 GHz networks. The 2.4 GHz band offers better range and signal strength through obstacles compared to the 5 GHz band. Learn [how to check if your network operates on the 2.4 GHz band](https://support.arduino.cc/hc/en-us/articles/14144656051740-Supported-Wi-Fi-bands). |
| 12 | + |
| 13 | +> [!TIP] |
| 14 | +If your network operates on the 5 GHz band, a quick solution is to [create a 2.4 GHz network using the hotspot feature on an Android or iOS device](https://support.arduino.cc/hc/en-us/articles/14144656051740-Supported-Wi-Fi-bands#create-hotspot). |
| 15 | + |
| 16 | +## 2. Avoid common network names |
| 17 | + |
| 18 | +Make sure your Wi-Fi network has a distinct name. Avoid using generic names like 'default' or 'home' to prevent your device from accidentally connecting to a different network with the same name, which can lead to performance issues. |
| 19 | + |
| 20 | +## 3. Reset network credentials for your Thing |
| 21 | + |
| 22 | +### Verifying or changing network credentials in Arduino Cloud |
| 23 | + |
| 24 | +If the Wi-Fi connection is not working, you might need to reset the [network credentials](https://support.arduino.cc/hc/en-us/articles/360016495559-Add-and-connect-a-device-to-Arduino-Cloud#:~:text=Click%20the%20Network,adding%20the%20device) for your Thing in Arduino Cloud. |
| 25 | + |
| 26 | +1. Navigate to the [Thing](https://app.arduino.cc/things) that is experiencing Wi-Fi issues. |
| 27 | + |
| 28 | +1. Under **Network**, click the button labeled "Change" |
| 29 | + |
| 30 | +1. Re-enter your Wi-Fi credentials with your Wi-Fi Name (SSID) and Password (Encryption Key). Ensure there are no typos and the credentials match those set on your router. |
| 31 | + |
| 32 | +1. Open the sketch and click the **Upload** button to properly apply the new network settings to your device. |
| 33 | + |
| 34 | +### Verifying or changing the credentials defined in the sketch |
| 35 | + |
| 36 | +To verify or change the network credentials directly defined in a sketch, whether the sketch was created in Arduino Cloud or IDE, follow these steps: |
| 37 | + |
| 38 | +1. Locate the section in your Arduino sketch where the network credentials are defined. This is typically in the main sketch file, the `arduino_secrets.h` file (for the IDE), or the **Secret** tab (for Arduino Cloud). |
| 39 | + |
| 40 | +1. Check the variables for SSID and password to ensure they match your network credentials. You may also need to modify the "key index" value if you're using a WEP encrypted network. |
| 41 | + |
| 42 | +1. After making any necessary changes, save the sketch. |
| 43 | + |
| 44 | +1. Upload the modified sketch by clicking the Upload button in the Arduino IDE or Cloud Editor. |
| 45 | + |
| 46 | +Additionally, you can check Serial Monitor for error messages. This can provide insight into what might be going wrong during the connection process. |
| 47 | + |
| 48 | +## 4. Check your power supply |
| 49 | + |
| 50 | +Wi-Fi connectivity problems are often caused by insufficient power. Since Wi-Fi usage demands more power than other operations, ensure your device is adequately powered by: |
| 51 | + |
| 52 | +- Connecting your device directly to a USB port on your computer or a dedicated power source. USB hubs might not supply sufficient power, especially if multiple devices are connected. |
| 53 | + |
| 54 | +- Ensuring you are using a high-quality USB cable capable of delivering consistent power. |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +- Verifying that your power supply meets the necessary input voltage for your device. You can find hardware information for your device in [Arduino Docs](https://docs.arduino.cc/hardware/). |
| 57 | + |
| 58 | +For more detailed information about power supplies, you can find additional guidance [here](https://support.arduino.cc/hc/en-us/articles/360018922259-What-power-supply-can-I-use-with-my-Arduino-board). |
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