How to Join a Hidden Wi-Fi on Windows 11?

We can configure Wi-Fi networks so that their SSID (Wi-Fi name) doesn’t appear on the available networks section of any of the devices. These are the hidden Wi-Fi networks. There are many reasons which could make a network hidden, one of the top reasons being enhanced security. However, there is a way using which you can connect to any hidden network, provided you know its network name, security type, and password.

Here, hidden Wi-Fi networks are not more secure. They have the same encryption protocols, so the only thing that makes them unique is that they don’t broadcast their name. The main reason to hide a Wi-Fi network is to prevent unwanted users and casual attackers from trying to connect to it.

This risewindows article explains how you can connect to a hidden Wi-Fi network from your Windows 11.

How to Join a Hidden Wi-Fi on Windows 11 using Settings?

To connect to a hidden Wi-Fi network on Windows 11, execute the following steps:-

Step 1. First, open the Settings app by pressing the keyboard’s Windows + I keys.

Step 2. When Windows Settings opens, select the Network & internet category from the left sidebar.

Step 3. Then, on the right side pane, click the Wi-Fi  tab.

Step 4. Next, ensure Wi-Fi is turned on and choose Show available networks from the available options.

Step 5. After that, on the “Manage known networks” settings pane, click the New network button to bring up the “Add a new network” pop-up window.

Step 6. So, in the “Add a new network” window, fill/select the details of the hidden network.

• Network Name: You must type in the hidden Wi-Fi SSID in this field. The SSID is the Wi-Fi name you need to type exactly.
• Security type: Select the Security type from the drop-down menu. You can contact the network administrator if you’re not sure.
• Security key: Depending upon the connection type, you need to enter the security key/Wi-Fi password that you can get from the network administrator.

At last, select the corresponding checkboxes “Connect automatically” and “Connect even if this network is not broadcasting.”

Finally, click the Save button to connect to that Wi-Fi network when configuring the hidden network.

How to Connect a Hidden Wi-Fi on Windows 11 through Control Panel?

To connect or join a hidden Wi-Fi network on Windows 11 through Control Panel, do the following:-

Step 1. Firstly, open the Control Panel.

Step 2. Now, when Control Panel appears on your computer, select “View by” to Category. Then click the View network status and tasks link under the “Network and Internet” category.

Step 3. Then, click the link Set up a new connection or network in the “Change your networking settings” section.

Step 4. After that, choose Manually connect to a wireless network option and click the Next button.

Step 5. Next, in the following screen, enter the security information for your WiFi network in the appropriate fields, such as:-

• Network name in the Network name field.
• In the Security type field, select the type of security used by the hidden wireless network.
• In the Security key field, enter the password of the hidden WiFi network.
• Check the box that says “Start this connection automatically” if you want your device to connect to this network automatically when in range.
• Check the box that says “Connect even if the network is not broadcasting.” It makes Windows 11 search for the hidden network periodically, even if your device is not in its range.

That’s it for the article.

I hope this post will guide you well.

Good luck & keep learning, guys.

Also read: How to Force Wi-Fi to Connect Over 5GHz on Windows 11/10?