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Android: Add a Wi-Fi Network Manually

If your router does not show up in the Wi-Fi list, the network is likely hidden or out of scanning range. Android lets you connect anyway by entering the network name and password by hand. You only need the exact SSID and the matching password to get online.

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Add a Wi-Fi Network Manually – Android 14: step 1 – Tap on Settings
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Android

Add a Wi-Fi Network Manually auf Android

When a router does not appear in the Wi-Fi list, Android usually has not detected any broadcast signal at all. This happens when the access point hides its SSID, when the signal is too weak to scan, or when the network runs on a frequency band your phone currently ignores.

Adding the network manually skips the scanning step completely. Android connects directly using the SSID and password you type in, as long as both match the router configuration exactly.

To add a network manually, open SettingsNetwork & internetInternetAdd network. Enter the SSID and password, then tap Save.

Case sensitivity matters for both the network name and the password. A single wrong character stops the connection attempt without a clear error message.

If the network still fails to connect after entering the details correctly, check the router security type. Android needs to match the correct encryption standard, otherwise the manual entry will not authenticate.

This method works best for known networks that are just not broadcasting visibly. It is not a fix for routers that are powered off, out of range, or blocking new devices with MAC filtering.

Frequently asked questions

Most routers stop broadcasting their name when SSID broadcast is disabled in the router settings. Weak signal strength or an unsupported frequency band can also keep the network out of the Android scan list.