Troubleshoot Devices on the BOWDOIN-PSK Network

Issues

  • My PS5, Xbox, Switch, or smart TV won't connect to BOWDOIN-PSK even though I registered it.
  • I registered my device but the password doesn't work.
  • My device used to work on BOWDOIN-PSK but stopped connecting.
  • My TV or game console keeps failing to join the wireless network.
  • I connected to BOWDOIN-GUEST first, and now my device won't join BOWDOIN-PSK.
  • Can Bowdoin Bot fix my device's BOWDOIN-PSK connection?
  • I lost my device's BOWDOIN-PSK password.
  • My device's MAC address looks different every time. Why won't it register correctly?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff troubleshooting connection problems with gaming consoles, smart TVs, streaming devices, and other consumer electronics on the BOWDOIN-PSK wireless network. Examples include PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Echo devices.

For first-time registration steps, see Register Game Consoles for BOWDOIN-PSK or Register Streaming Devices and Smart Speakers for BOWDOIN-PSK in the Related Articles section.

Resolution

Fix a BOWDOIN-PSK device with Bowdoin Bot

Bowdoin Bot can fix the most common BOWDOIN-PSK problems in a few minutes, any time of day. Bowdoin Bot checks the device's registration, removes any BOWDOIN-GUEST record that blocks the device, gives the device a new password, and registers the device again if its registration expired.

  1. Open Bowdoin Bot from the chat button on any page of the Bowdoin IT knowledge base, and type My game console won't connect to BOWDOIN-PSK (or the name of your device).
  2. Sign in with your Bowdoin account when Bowdoin Bot asks you to.
  3. Choose the device from the list of devices registered to you, or select It's not on this list and type the device's Wi-Fi MAC address.
  4. Confirm the change. Bowdoin Bot shows the device's new password in the chat, and the BOWDOIN-PSK registration system emails the same password to your Bowdoin email. The old password stops working.
  5. On the device, forget BOWDOIN-PSK if it's saved, then join BOWDOIN-PSK with the new password, typed exactly as shown.
  6. Tell Bowdoin Bot whether the device connected. If the device still can't connect, Bowdoin Bot sends what it did to Bowdoin IT for follow-up and offers a live chat when someone is available.
Note: Bowdoin Bot only changes devices registered to your Bowdoin email address. If Bowdoin Bot has never seen the device on the network with the MAC address on its registration, Bowdoin Bot asks you to check the MAC address before changing anything, because a mistyped MAC address is a common cause of connection problems.

Device was connected to BOWDOIN-GUEST at any point

BOWDOIN-GUEST and BOWDOIN-PSK share some underlying network components. A device that connects to BOWDOIN-GUEST at any time, before or after registering for BOWDOIN-PSK, is recorded under the wrong network profile and cannot join BOWDOIN-PSK.

Bowdoin Bot can remove the BOWDOIN-GUEST record and give the device a new password, using the steps in the Fix a BOWDOIN-PSK device with Bowdoin Bot section of this article. If Bowdoin Bot can't finish the fix, Bowdoin Bot sends the details to Bowdoin IT, or you can contact the Service Desk and a technician will remove the BOWDOIN-GUEST record for you.

Avoid BOWDOIN-GUEST entirely. Never connect a device you intend to use on BOWDOIN-PSK to the BOWDOIN-GUEST network. A device that joins BOWDOIN-GUEST will stop working on BOWDOIN-PSK until the BOWDOIN-GUEST record is removed.

Wrong or lost password

Each registered device has its own password, sent by email when the device is registered. Make sure the password is entered exactly as it appears in the registration email, including capital letters.

If the password still doesn't work, or you no longer have the email, ask Bowdoin Bot for a new password, or sign in to bowdoin-psk.bowdoin.edu, open the device's registration, and generate a new password.

Expired registration

Device registrations on BOWDOIN-PSK expire once a year. Registrations carry over between fall and spring semesters but not from one academic year to the next. A device that stopped connecting after a summer break most likely has an expired registration.

To register the device again, ask Bowdoin Bot, or follow the steps in Register Game Consoles for BOWDOIN-PSK or Register Streaming Devices and Smart Speakers for BOWDOIN-PSK in the Related Articles section.

Device uses MAC address randomization

Some devices randomize the Media Access Control (MAC) address they broadcast as a privacy feature. Because a BOWDOIN-PSK registration is tied to one specific MAC address, a device that randomizes its address will fail to connect even after a successful registration, because the network sees a different address each time.

Find the MAC address randomization setting in the device's network or Wi-Fi settings. The setting may be labeled Use device MAC, Private address, or MAC randomization. Turn randomization off, then register the device again using the device's fixed hardware MAC address.

Device is not compatible with BOWDOIN-PSK

Some smart devices require a phone or tablet to be on the same wireless network during setup. Because phones and tablets use the BOWDOIN or eduroam networks rather than BOWDOIN-PSK, setup for these devices cannot be completed on campus. Most Google Home, Google Nest, and Chromecast products, many smart lights, and similar devices that depend on a companion app are affected.

See Unable to set up Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Nest Audio and Unable to setup smart lights or smart switches in a dorm room or office space in the Related Articles section for details on those device types.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
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Related Articles (4)

Register Game Consoles for BOWDOIN-PSK
Instructions for registering a game console (PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch) for the BOWDOIN-PSK wireless network, either in a chat with Bowdoin Bot or at the BOWDOIN-PSK registration portal. Also covers finding the console's Wi-Fi MAC address and connecting with the console's own password.
Register Streaming Devices and Smart Speakers for BOWDOIN-PSK
Instructions for registering streaming devices, smart TVs, and smart speakers such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Echo for the BOWDOIN-PSK wireless network, either in a chat with Bowdoin Bot or at the BOWDOIN-PSK registration portal. Also covers finding the device's Wi-Fi MAC address and connecting with the device's own password.
Unable to set up Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Nest Audio
Explains why Google Home, Google Nest, and other Google smart speakers cannot be set up on Bowdoin's campus wireless network due to WPA2-Enterprise security requirements and network segmentation. Applies to all students and staff.
Unable to setup smart lights or smart switches in a dorm room or office space
Explains why smart lights, smart bulbs, smart switches, and similar consumer smart home devices cannot be set up or used on Bowdoin's campus network due to WPA2-Enterprise security and network segmentation. Applies to students in dorm rooms and employees in offices.

Related Services / Offerings (1)

Register a Connected Device
Register a game console, smart TV, or streaming device on Bowdoin's BOWDOIN-PSK network. This button opens the self-service registration portal — it does not create a ticket.