How to force a public Wi-Fi network login page to open
https://zapier.com/blog/open-wifi-login-page/
1. Turn off alternative 3rd party DNS servers 1. Turn off alternative 3rd party DNS servers.css-ta0psl-MaxWidthImage-RichImageComponentStyled-Image{border-radius:5px;object-fit:cover;width:100%;height:100%;border:1px solid #e6e6e6;border-radius:5px;height:auto;width:100%;}You might speed up your internet with a different DNS server—but not when connecting to public Wi-Fi.If there's one other tip to remember, it's this—the trick that usually gets login pages to load: turn off your alternate DNS server.DNS servers, or domain name servers, match domain names such as zapier.com to its server's IP address—which makes it much easier to visit websites than typing in 52.0.36.104.If you don't know where to change your DNS settings, you're likely fine; your computer by default automatically picks up a DNS server from the Wi-Fi router, which is what the public Wi-Fi expects you to use automatically. And that's good, at least with public Wi-Fi: your login page is more likely to load, and you won't need these tips.If you've ever added Google DNS, OpenDNS, or any other alternative DNS to your network settings, though, that may be your problem. Many public Wi-Fi networks use their DNS server to tell your computer which login page to open—which doesn't work when you're using an alternative DNS server.To fix that, just open your DNS settings and remove any alternate DNS servers. Here's how:.css-npawn4-UL{list-style:disc;margin-left:10px;padding-left:10px;}.css-1q3815n-LI{display:list-item;}Mac: Open System Preferences, select Network, Advanced, and then click the DNS tab. Select any DNS servers listed, and then tap the - button to remove them and apply your changes.Windows: Right-click your network icon in the system tray and select Open Internet and Network Settings, then click Network and Sharing Center. Click your connection name (typically Wi-Fi), select Properties, then click Internet Protocol Version 4 and select Properties again. There select Option an IP address automatically to use the default DNS servers.iOS: Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, and tap the i button beside your network name. Select Configure DNS and tap Automatic.Android: Open Settings, tap Advanced, then tap Private DNS. Choose Automatic. With that done, turn off your Wi-Fi then turn it back on—and the login screen should open.If not, you might need to clear the DNS cache on your computer. Here's how:Windows: Open Command Prompt, and enter ipconfig /flushdnsMac: Open Terminal, and enter sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponderNow re-connect to the Wi-Fi network, and it should work.Tip: Once you're connected, you could add your custom DNS server settings again to speed up your page load time and get around some content restrictions. For that, Google DNS (8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4) and OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 | 208.67.220.220) are two great options to use.2. Try to open the router's default page 2. Try to open the router's default pageIf you can guess the login page for your Wi-Fi network, sometimes you can get it to open.Still not connected? It's time to try to force your browser to open the login page.An easy trick is to load the router's default page. Try entering 192.168.1.1, 127.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, or http://localhost in your browser address bar, and you might get the default login page to load (or you might see a router settings login page—in which case, don't try to log in unless you're at home).If that doesn't work, open your network settings again, and note your computer's IP address as in the screenshot above. Try entering that IP address in your browser, replacing the last number with 1. Or, check the TCP/IP tab in your Network settings for the router's IP address if that doesn't work.Or, if you're trying to connect to a company's public Wi-Fi network—perhaps Gogo internet on a flight or your cell carrier's Wi-Fi network in a mall—try opening that company's website. Most public Wi-Fi networks let you browse their company site without logging in, and they often have a link to their Wi-Fi login page. For instance, on a Delta flight, I opened delta.com and was able to view info about the trip and finally get the Wi-Fi login page to load.3. Open a non-HTTPS site in incognito 3. Open a non-HTTPS site in incognitoSometimes you just need to try loading a new pageThe problem could be that your browser cache is still trying to use the DNS info it knows to access sites, instead of loading the Wi-Fi login page. And sometimes you can break it out of that loop by visiting something new.You could clear your browser cache, but that's annoying, and you'd have to log back in to everything. Instead, open an Incognito window in your browser, which loads with a clean slate. Then try visiting a non-HTTPS site; is a great option as it's non-secured and maintained by ICANN.Another good option is to manually visit the site your device tries to open in the background when connecting to new Wi-Fi networks. You may have noticed your device loading captive.apple.com when connecting to Wi-Fi; you could go to that site directly to force your browser to test the connection. Here are the default pages, each of which works on any platform:Apple iOS and macOS: Microsoft Windows: Google Android and Chrome: Tip: The reason you need to load a non-HTTPS site is that if you try to visit a secure site and your network tries to redirect your browser to a login screen, your browser will prevent the redirect to keep your data secure—something that will also keep you from logging in to that Wi-Fi network.4. Create a new network location 4. Create a new network locationOn Macs, a new network location gives you a clean networking startOn a Mac, there's another simple way to clear your network settings and likely get the login screen to load: a new network location. Network locations store your network settings for different locations, perhaps to make your computer use a different DNS at home than at the office or for an easy way to change which networks you connect to by default.Open your System Preferences and select Network again. Click the dropdown at the top, select Edit Locations, then click the + icon and add a new location. Select it, and then try to connect to the network you want.Just remember to switch back to your default network location when you're back at your office or home.5. Restart 5. RestartSometimes nothing works. In that case, do the one thing that typically fixes every electronic device: restart.Turn off your Wi-Fi, then turn it back on.Didn't work? Try logging out of your account on your computer and then log back in—or just restart your computer.Still stuck? That didn't work? Might be time to ask around and see if anyone else can use the internet. Perhaps that Wi-Fi connection is just down, or the router needs to be restarted.That evasive Wi-Fi login screenWith any luck, you should be able to get the Wi-Fi network screen to load and can get back to work—hopefully without trying everything in this list!
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