Troubleshoot Wi-Fi Connection Issues on Your MacOS or Windows 11 Device

Questions

• Why can't I connect to Bowdoin's wireless network even with the correct username and password?
• What should I do if my device keeps asking for my login information repeatedly?
• How can I forget and rejoin the Bowdoin wireless network on macOS or Windows 11?
• Why does my device say the connection isn’t secure even though I’m using the college network?
• What are the recommended settings for connecting to Bowdoin's enterprise Wi-Fi?

Environment

This article applies to students, faculty, and staff at Bowdoin College who are trying to connect to the campus’s secure wireless network. The network uses your Bowdoin username and password for login. These instructions are intended for users with macOS (version 12 Monterey and newer) or Windows 11 devices experiencing issues with connecting, staying connected, or authentication errors.

Resolution

1. Forget the Network and Reconnect
   If you're having trouble connecting or staying connected, it helps to clear saved settings:
   • macOS:
     1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and choose "Wi-Fi Settings."
     2. Find the Bowdoin network (often called “BOWDOIN” or “eduroam”) in the list of known networks.
     3. Select it and click the “Forget” or “Remove” option.
     4. Reconnect by selecting the network and entering your Bowdoin username or email address, and password.
   • Windows 11:
     1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom-right system tray.
     2. Select “Network & Internet settings” > “Wi-Fi” > “Manage known networks.”
     3. Find the Bowdoin Wi-Fi, click it, and choose “Forget.”
     4. Reconnect by clicking the network and entering your Bowdoin login credentials.
2. Ensure You're Entering the Correct Login Information
   Your username should be the first part of your Bowdoin email address (e.g., jdoe@bowdoin.edu) if connecting to BOWDOIN and your full email address (e.g. jdoe@bowdoin.edu) if connecting to eduroam, and your password is the same one used for other Bowdoin services like Email or Workday. Be sure to enter this correctly, and note that usernames are case-insensitive but passwords are case-sensitive.
3. Accept the Security Certificate
   The first time you connect, your device may prompt you to trust a security certificate:
   • Make sure it displays “radius.bowdoin.edu” as the server name.
   • Click “Continue” or “Trust” if prompted.
   • On macOS, you may be prompted to enter your device password to confirm the change.
4. Check the Time and Date
   If the time or date on your device is incorrect, it may prevent a secure connection:
   • macOS: Go to System Settings > General > Date & Time and enable automatic settings.
   • Windows 11: Open Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time, and make sure "Set time automatically" is turned on.
5. Restart Your Device
   Restarting your laptop or desktop can help resolve temporary glitches that may impact network connectivity.
6. Contact IT Support If Needed
   If none of these steps resolve your issue, be sure to contact the Service Desk.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you can chat with Bowdoin Bot of contact the Bowdoin College Service Desk by phone at (207) 725-3030 or in person at the Tech Hub in Smith Union.