How to Connect to Hotel WiFi on Laptop?

Working while traveling? Then, you need to know how to connect to hotel WiFi on laptop. This article will help you save time trying to get online.

There’s no magic button to connect your laptop to the hotel WiFi. But there are some proven tricks you need to know to get connected.

A majority of the time, you can connect to public WiFis without any issues.

However, there are instances when something happens, and you need to follow these steps.

You can find out how, right now!

To connect to the hotel WiFi on your laptop, you need to ask the front desk for the network name and password. They’ll gladly give this to you, but that’s only the first step. You want to use the default connection settings as much as possible to avoid any incompatibilities.

Before we discuss the actual steps of connecting to a hotel WiFi using your laptop, here is a list of things you need to consider to establish a connection.

What to Consider When Connecting to Hotel WiFi on Laptop

When traveling, being able to get online is important. When your laptop is connected to your hotel WiFi, you can get work done.

If you are currently dealing with an issue, you should consider the following.

1. The Browser You Use Matters

Web browsers vary, and your preference may not load. You may need to use incognito mode or a whole new browser to establish a secure connection to the server.

2. WiFi Log In Page Does Not Load

There may be system errors or issues with your device. However, in most cases, the problem may be related to the network itself, and you can’t do anything about it.

3. Use Default Networking Settings

You may have added alternative DNS to your network settings. Make sure you turn them off to get login pages to load.

4. Ensure Your Security and Privacy

Make sure you select the most secure settings on your laptop and turn off any features that automatically connect your device to any available WiFi.

Now that you know everything you need about hotel WiFi networks let us proceed to the complete steps on how to connect successfully.

How to Connect a Laptop to Hotel WiFi

If you are traveling for work and staying in a hotel, you need to know how to connect to hotel WiFi on laptop.

You can access your hotel’s Internet in the same way you connect to your WiFi network at home.

There are some additional steps, like going through their login portal. Other than that, it’s pretty straightforward until you run into issues.

We’ll guide you on the complete steps, so you don’t run into any problems, and you can connect to the internet as soon as you walk in your hotel room door.

Step #1: Don’t Forget to Get the WiFi Details from the Front Desk

If you’re traveling and just checked into your hotel, one of the first things you need to do is get the WiFi details.

You don’t have to do it since they can always send someone to give them to you.

However, it will save you a lot of time if you ask for it while checking in.

Here’s where you’ll be able to find the WiFi information upon checking in:

1. Ask the front desk for WiFi access.
2. Examine your check-in documents for the WiFi information.
3. Check the sleeve of your key card for the WiFi password.

Note: Hotel staff won’t reveal their WiFi network details to non-guests to limit the number of people who has access to their network.

Step #2: Always Choose the Encrypted WiFi Connection

Now that you have your hotel’s WiFi name and password, you’ll be able to connect to it. Hotels, for convenience, will usually have two types of connections.

One is a guest network with no password, and another is more secure with a password.

Since you asked for the hotel’s front desk password, you can connect to the more secure network.

Here’s how to connect to your hotel’s secure WiFi network:

1. On your laptop’s taskbar, navigate to the Network icon.
2. Click on it and wait for your laptop to scan available networks.
3. Check the WiFi names against the information given to you by the staff.
4. Connect to the WiFi network with a lock icon.
5. Type in the password, then click Next to connect.

Note: If your laptop detects multiple networks with the same name, connect to the one with the strongest signal for the best experience.

Step #3: Switch Off Third-Party DNS Settings on Your Laptop

Hotel networks are not your typical kind. Some of them could be set up in a way where some of your configurations are incompatible with the network.

If you’re using third-party DNS servers like that of Google and Cloudflare, some networks won’t accept this.

For your laptop to access your hotel’s WiFi, you want to automatically change your settings to request from the network.

Here’s how to change your laptop’s DNS settings:

1. Right-click on the WiFi icon on your status bar.
2. Select Open Network and Internet Settings.
3. Under the Advanced section, click on Change adapter options.
4. Right-click on your active network adapter and select Properties.
5. Double-click on Internet Protocol, then select Obtain DNS server automatically.

Step #4: Open the Hotel WiFi’s Login Page

It’s now time to connect to your hotel’s WiFi network. Most hotel WiFi will have a login page to control those that can connect to the network.

To open the WiFi login page, you must connect to the network like normal.

After clicking on it, your browser should open up, loading the login page. Here, you’ll be able to type in your password and ultimately connect to the internet.

Here’s how to connect to your hotel’s WiFi network:

1. Connect to your hotel’s WiFi network.
2. Wait for the login page to open automatically.
3. If it doesn’t, open your web browser.
4. Go into Incognito Mode.
5. Type in any website URL to load the login page.

Note: If the login page does not open, proceed to Step #5 for other alternatives on how to open the page so you can connect to the internet.

Step #5: Force Open the WiFi Login Page (Alternative Methods)

Most of the time, the hotel WiFi log in page should pop out automatically.

However, there are instances when it won’t appear right away, leaving you in a bind where you can’t log in.

You would think that you will be unable to connect to the internet. Well, you can contact your hotel’s IT department, but that would also take time.

Don’t panic, there is a way to force open your hotel WiFi’s login page allowing you to complete the connection.

Let’s look at some ways to open it up so you can connect to the internet.

How to force open the WiFi login page on your laptop:

1. Restart your laptop.
2. Disconnect from the WiFi and reconnect after a few minutes.
3. Disable pop-up blockers on your default browser.
4. Clear DNS cache by typing ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt.
5. Temporarily switch off your Firewall.

Tip: After performing each of these steps, you’ll need to reconnect to the WiFi so your laptop can request a fresh set of connection settings.

Step #6: Use a VPN to Stay Secure

Since hotel WiFis are public networks, your connection can be vulnerable.

For some hotels that offer encrypted connections, you’re still not 100% sure since you don’t know their network’s infrastructure.

It helps to be vigilant, and one of the ways you can offer that added layer of security and privacy is to use a VPN.

Here’s how to use a VPN on your hotel WiFi:

1. Connect to your hotel WiFi.
2. Make sure that you’re also connected to the internet.
3. Close any open browsers and apps that use the internet.
4. Open your VPN app and connect to a server.
5. You can now open your browsers and apps once your VPN connects.

Tip: To ensure a secure connection whenever you’re connected to a hotel WiFi, we recommend Atlas VPN.

They offer excellent protection to keep your connection and activities secure.

These are the steps to connect your laptop to hotel WiFi networks. It can get tricky, especially if the login page does not come up right away.

However, there are a number of ways how you can successfully connect to their network.

Additionally, if you can’t access the internet right away, you can always contact your hotel’s IT department.

Read Next: Why Does My WiFi Say Disabled?

Bottom Line

Now that you know how to connect to hotel WiFi on laptop, you should have nothing to worry about whenever you go on business trips.

Connecting to any hotel WiFi is straightforward as long as you follow these steps.