How to force a public wi-fi network login page to open, when you can't get it

You open your laptop at an airport, at a coffee shop, or in your hotel room.You sit down to work, but don't use the internet.Your browser won't let you connect to the internet even if you try hard.The popover login screen never loads.

We've all been there.As a remote team that has spent a lot of time working from coffee shops and coworking spaces, we've wasted more time trying to get online than we would like to admit.

Most of the time, there is no magic button to connect to coffee shop, hotel, and airport wi-fi.

If you need a copy of these tips when your wi-fi isn't working, be sure to download our cheat sheet at the end of this video.

The login screen isn't showing up most of the time with public wi-fi.It's only a problem with open, public, undeficiency wi-fi networks.

You don't need a password if you connect to an open network at your friend's house.You need to create an account or enter a code from a receipt to use airport wi-fi.You have to use a custom login screen to do that.

The best solution is to only use secure connections.Typically shown with a padlock beside their name in your wi-fi menu, encrypted networks ask for a password in a standard dialog like the one above.Once you've entered the password, you won't need to do it again on that device as your computer will remember it.

It is easier to log in to a secure wi-fi connection.Anything you do on a non-HTTPS site can be viewed by anyone on the network.Your data is likely safer due to the fact that networks with WPA2 passwords are far harder to attack.

You could log in to either of the networks if you wanted to.Choose the network with the highest level of security.

No secure network available?The tips will help you get that open network login screen.

The trick that usually gets login pages to load is to turn off your alternate DNS server.

It is much easier to visit websites if the domain name zapier.com matches the server's address.

If you don't know where to change your DNS settings, your computer will automatically pick up the server from the public wi-fi network.With public wi-fi, your login page is more likely to load, and you won't need these tips.

If you've ever added any of the alternatives to your network settings, it may be a problem.When you use an alternative DNS server, your computer won't be told which login page to open by the public wi-fi network.

Mac: Open System Preferences, select Network, Advanced, and then click the DNS tab.If you want to apply your changes, tap the - button to remove the server from the list.

Click the Network and Sharing Center when you right-click your network icon in the system tray.Click your connection name, select Properties, then click Internet Protocol Version 4.There is an option to use the default DNS server.

The i button is beside your network name.Go to the menu and tap Automatic.

Once you're connected, you could add your custom server settings to speed up your page load time and get around some restrictions.There are two great options to use for that.

Load the default page is an easy trick.If you enter the address in your browser address bar, you can get the default login page to load, but 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 address.The last number should be replaced with 1 in your browser.If that doesn't work, you can check the network settings for the router's address.

If you're trying to connect to a company's public wi-fi network on a flight or in a mall, open the website of that company.Most public wi-fi networks have a link to their website where you can browse without logging in.On a Delta flight, I opened delta.com and was able to view information about the trip, but I didn't have a password.

The problem could be that your browser cache is still trying to use the information it knows to access sites, instead of loading the login page.Sometimes you can get out of the loop by visiting a new place.

You would have to log back in to everything if you clear your browser cache.You can open an Incognito window in your browser.If you want to visit a non-HTTPS site, example.com is a great option.

You can manually visit the site your device tries to open in the background when connecting to a new wi-fi network.You can force your browser to test the connection by going to captive.apple.com.Each of the default pages works on any platform.

The reason you need to load a non-HTTPS site is that your browser will prevent your network from redirecting you to a login screen if you try to visit a secure site.

A new network location is a simple way to clear your network settings on a Mac.Network locations can be used to store your network settings for different locations, for example 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.

Select Network again when you open your System Preferences.Click the + icon if you want to add a new location.Try to connect to the network you want after selecting it.

When you're back at your office or home, switch back to your default network location.

Nothing works sometimes.restart is the only thing that usually fixes every electronic device.

Didn't work?If you can't log out of your account, just restart your computer.

That didn't work?Maybe it's time to ask if anyone else can use the internet.It's possible that the connection is down, or that it needs to be restarted.

If you can get the screen to load, you should be able to get back to work.

Don't stop there, you've already gone to all the trouble to get connected to a wi-fi network.If you're on a public wi-fi network, you should use a virtual private network to keep your data private.You may need to use a virtual private network to access your company's data and services.

For around $10 per month, you can get a PureVPN connection, typically with apps that make it easy to use on your computer and mobile devices.If you only work outside of your home or office occasionally, TunnelBear will give you 500MB of free data per month.You could use a similar tool to set up a server on your own.

As soon as you get past the login screen, turn on your PureVPN whenever you're on public wi-fi.It's not worth compromising your security with free wi-fi.

In our guide, you can learn more about why to use a virtual private network.Another great way to keep your data secure is with a password manager app, which will allow you to use a random password for each site.The best password manager apps are listed here.

If public wi-fi isn't working, you can use your cell connection to get online.If you have a data plan that supports it, all newer devices allow you to share your connection over the internet.You can make a private network to connect your other devices.If you only need to get your laptop online, you can do the same over a cable.

You won't be able to re-open this page and refresh your memory about how to get your wi-fi to connect if you're offline.

We made a PDF cheat sheet for you.The article's core tips are included in a quick PDF that you can save and share with your friends and colleagues.

You'll have these tips the next time you need them if you keep a copy of this How to connect to public wi-fi.

There are a few extra tips in the original published January 16, 2017; updated September 21, 2017; November 13, 2018, and December 3, 2020.