You can connect your laptop to eduroam using your University email and your password.

eduroam (education roaming) is the secure, world-wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community. eduroam works across all our campuses and in the Halls of Residence. 

All staff and students can connect to eduroam and if you are on the go across campus, your Wi-Fi connection will move with you. If you lose connection between sites, you will automatically be reconnected as soon as you get back in range.

Please follow this article to connect your laptop to eduroam. You can also use the eduroam Configuration Assistant Tool. Please follow the instructions on their website for this option.

Connecting using Windows

The following instructions shows screenshots taken from a Windows 10 device, though you will see similar options on Windows 11.

To connect to eduroam, use your University username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: abc1ed22@soton.ac.uk) and your University password.

 

Connecting to eduroam

1. Click on the Wi-Fi symbol, then click on eduroam. 

 

Make sure the Wi-Fi tile is turned on, and the tile is blue.

2. Enter your University email (abc1d23@soton.ac.uk) and password

3. To make it easier to connect in the future, tick the ‘Connect automatically’ box.

 

Common issues while connecting to eduroam

Incorrect username or password

If you know you are entering the correct details, but are still unable to connect, you can ‘forget’ a network:

1. Type Settings on the search box.
2. Click Network & Internet.
3. Click Wi-Fi on the left pane of the Network & Internet window.
4. Click Manage Wi-Fi settings.
5. Select the network name and click Forget.

Then try to connect again.

 

Losing your connection to eduroam

When you lose your connection to eduroam, try entering again your University email (abc1d23@soton.ac.uk) and password.

If this option does not work, follow the guidance below to re-connect:

1. Click on Connections
2. Right-click on the eduroam network
3. Click on 'Forget'
4. Wait a few moments, reconnect and re-enter your University email (abc1d23@soton.ac.uk) and password. 

 

Cannot connect to this network

If no networks are appearing at all, open ‘network reset’ from the start menu, then click on ‘reset now’.

Note this will set all networks back to default. This includes metered connections, saved passwords any custom DNS settings.

If that still does not work, please come on-site and try to connect again.

 

No networks listed

If no networks are appearing at all, open ‘network reset’ from the start menu, then click on ‘reset now.

Note this will set all networks back to default. This includes metered connections, saved passwords any custom DNS settings.

 

Connected but limited or no Internet

Set the default DNS and IP address:

1. Click on Start button

2. Click on Settings.

3. Choose Network & Internet.

4. Click on Change adapter options.

5. Select Wi-Fi.

6. Right-click the Wi-Fi button and choose Properties.

7. Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

8. Click Properties.

9. Check Obtain an IP address automatically, check Obtain DNS server address automatically, and then click OK.

If this does not work, you can clear the DNS cache by running this command in command prompt:  ipconfig /flushdns.

 

Corrupt network driver

1. Remove the network cable
2. Open Device Manager from the start menu
3. Click on the arrow In front of Network Adapters
4. Find the Ethernet connection
5. Right click on it then click uninstall device. Click OK
6. Restart the machine and boot into Windows
7. Plug in the network cable

 

Other things to try

• Avoid third party anti-virus software or firewalls, as they can cause connection issues. For example, Norton and McAfee are known to block connections.
  Try temporarily disabling them and trying again. Windows defender is more than enough for the majority of use cases.
• Custom DNS settings and IP’s will not work on eduroam. Please set them back to ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’.
• VPN can also cause connection issues. 
• Incorrect time zones can stop a successful connection.
• Some laptops have a physical Wi-Fi switch which will disable all wireless connections.
• Check that the device has 'air plane mode' turned off.
• Be as close to the access point as you can for the best connection.
• Other wireless devices in the same area can interfere with the connection and cause network congestion. 
• Keep your device up to date with the latest software and drivers.
• Check for and install any Windows updates, then restart the machine. 

 

If you are still unable to connect

If you are still unable to connect, you can run the troubleshooter for more detailed information about what is causing the issue.

1. Type Settings on the search box
2. Click Updates and Security
3. Click Troubleshoot
4. Click Network adapter
5. Click Run the troubleshooter

Follow the on-screen instructions.

If you are still having issues connecting, please make a note of the ‘problems found’ from the troubleshooter and contact Serviceline.

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Connecting using MacOS

1. Select the Wi-Fi icon on the menu bar

2. Select eduroam from the list

3. Enter your University email (abc1d23@soton.ac.uk) and password

4. Select OK

5. A new dialogue box will appear. Select "Continue". 

You should now be connected to eduroam.

 

Common issues while connecting to eduroam

eduroam could not be joined

1. Select the Wi-Fi icon on the menu bar

2. Select 'Wi-Fi Settings...’

3. Go to the eduroam section and select "Details..."

4. Select the button "Forget This Network"

5. Confirm your choice by pressing the button "Remove"

6. Go to the eduroam section and select "Connect"

7.  Enter your University email (abc1d23@soton.ac.uk) and password

8. Select OK

9. If it says "no IP address", please

1. Turn off the Wi-Fi 
2. Turn on the Wi-Fi  

10. If requested, enter your University email (abc1d23@soton.ac.uk) and password again

 

Connected but no internet

1. Select the Wi-Fi icon on the menu bar

2. Select 'Wi-Fi Settings...’

3. Go to the eduroam section and select "Details..."

4. Click on the ‘DNS’ tab, then remove any custom DNS settings by:

1. selecting the one DNS number each time
2. selecting the '-' (minus) button.

5. Turn off the Wi-Fi 

6. Turn on the Wi-Fi

 

Losing your connection to eduroam

When you lose your connection to eduroam, try entering again your University email (for example: abc1d23@soton.ac.uk) and password.

If this option does not work, follow the guidance below to re-connect:

1. Select the Apple logo on the menu bar
2. Select System settings...
3. Select Network preferences
   
   
4. Select "Wi-Fi"
5. Go to eduroam
6. Select the button "Details..."
7. Select the button "Forget This Network"
   
8. Confirm your choice by pressing the button "Remove"
   
9. Wait a few moments and try to reconnect to eduroam
10. Re-enter your university email (abc1d23@soton.ac.uk) and password

 

Invalid Password

1. Select the Spotlight icon (magnifying glass) on the menu bar, near the top right corner of the screen. You can also Press Command-Space bar for the Spotlight.

2. Type ‘Keychain Access’.

3. Go to the "Search keychains field" and look for eduroam 

4. Then select ‘eduroam’ from the list then press the backspace key.

5. Now try to connect again with the correct account details.

 

Profiles

To find and remove the eduroam profile on your Mac, please:

1. Select the Apple icon on the top-left corner of your screen

2. From the drop-down menu, select the option System Settings

3. Select Privacy & Security

4. Scroll down and select Profiles

5. Select eduroam

6. Select the minus button (-) the Remove.

Check Wireless Diagnostics

Wireless Diagnostics is a built-in WiFi troubleshooting tool in macOS. It can help you determine what’s causing a problem with your network connection.

If you computer is not connecting to Wi-Fi, you can use it to investigate your wireless configurations:

1. Select the Spotlight icon (magnifying glass) on the menu bar, near the top right corner of the screen. You can also Press Command-Space bar for the Spotlight.

2. Enter Wireless Diagnostics and open the application

3. Select Continue to run Diagnostics. If prompted, please enter your admin password (not the password related to your university account)

Wait for the tool to finish scanning and follow on-screen recommendations to help resolve any concerns
wireless diagnostics.

You can set up Wireless Monitoring by:

1. selecting the option Monitor my Wi-Fi connection from the pop-up menu 
2. Selecting Continue.

This will create a log that could help you or a technician understand why your WiFi connection is unstable.

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Connecting using ChromeOS on Chromebooks

1. At the bottom right, select the time
2. Select 'Not connected'. Note: If you see your Wi-Fi network name and a signal strength, your Chromebook is already connected to Wi-Fi.
3. Turn on Wi-Fi. Your Chromebook will automatically look for available networks and show them to you in a list.
4. Select the ‘eduroam’ network. If it is not listed then you are not near an eduroam wireless point and need to move to another location (more central University location).
5. Complete the connection configuration as follow:
   
   1. EAP method: PEAP
   2. EAP Phase 2 Authentication: MSCHAPv2
   3. Identity: Enter your university email (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk)
   4. Password: Your IT account password
6. Tick the 'Save identity' and password option 
7. Domain Suffix Match: enter 'soton.ac.uk'
8. Select 'Connect'

You will now be connected to the eduroam wireless network. You should not need to re-enter your details until your iSolutions password is changed.

Common issues while connecting to eduroam

If you are facing issues connecting your Chromebook to eduroam, get in touch with iSolutions or visit our IT helpdesk at Hartley Library.

Losing your connection to eduroam

If you lose your connection to eduroam, please follow the guidance below to re-connect:

1. Select settings 

2. Select your connections / networks

3. Select Wi-Fi

4. "Forget" the eduroam connection by doing:

1.  Select the eduroam network
2.  Select 'More' (an icon with three dots in column)
3. Select 'Forget'

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Getting IT help

iSolutions is ready to help you if you need IT support. You can both:

• email or call our staff
• access in-person support at the Tech Hubs in the Hartley Library (on Highfield campus) or in the Sir James Matthews Building.

Find more information about ServiceLine and Tech Hubs on the web page “ServiceLine - The IT Service Desk”.

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Related content

eduroam Configuration Assistant Tool

How to connect your mobile device to eduroam