Why can't I enter WIFI passwords < 6 car. ?

[Android Central Question]

Hi,

I have a Levoto Tab 3 7' with Android 5.0.1

I go very often to the local library where I wish I could connect my tablet to the public WIFI. The problem is that the library's passwords are 6 letters long and my tablet doesn't offer me the possibility to validate the password before its length be at least 8 car. long.

Is there a way to go around that?

Thanks for the help.

Didier

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Do you have to enter the password as soon as you select the wi-fi network, or are you supposed to enter the password in a login website that comes up in the browser? Have you asked the library IT person about this?

 

[NorKayak]

Welcome to Android Central! Do you have to enter the password as soon as you select the wi-fi network, or are you supposed to enter the password in a login website that comes up in the browser? Have you asked the library IT person about this?

Hi Diddy,

Thanks for answering.

That's the strange thing too. With other devices (Laptop, phone), when wanting to connect with the library's WIFI, I'm redirected to a website to enter the username and password. Not with my Android tablet. With the tablet I'm asked directly to enter the password as soon I select the WIFI network. Not even ask for the username.

I use frequently other public wifi networks redirecting to websites to be accessed and I don't have the problem...

I asked the folk working at the library, they say they don't know... As to speak to the city's IT technician that seems to be a bit of an utopia.

I think the problem is really connected with the OS Android or at least the version installed in my device since there is no problem whatsoever with Windows or iOS...

Any idea?

Didier

 

[B. Diddy]

Are you absolutely sure the library wi-fi network you're selecting is an open one, and it isn't the library's internal network used by its staff only? Does the network you're selecting show a wi-fi icon with a lock on it?

 

[Rukbat]

And are you selecting the library's network at all? Wifi doesn't respect human ideas of location - the building next door could be running a router, and your phone could be picking that one up because it's stronger for some reason.

 

[NorKayak]

As I said, I come almost everyday in that library... So I'm quite sure I use the right network. I access the network with my phone and laptop alright but not with my tablet Android.

The problem, mainly I think, is that the validation password button is not enabled (remains in very light grey shade and non active) until the length of the password reaches 8 car...

 

[NorKayak]

---> 6 digits, button connect not enabled yet.

---> 8 digits and now the connect button is enabled...

 

[B. Diddy]

As I said, I come almost everyday in that library... So I'm quite sure I use the right network. I access the network with my phone and laptop alright but not with my tablet Android.

The problem, mainly I think, is that the validation password button is not enabled (remains in very light grey shade and non active) until the length of the password reaches 8 car...

Oh yes, we realize that you're familiar with the library's network. But there's still always the possibility that, for example, the IT department there decided to create a new internal network with a very similar name to the open public network. You wouldn't have noticed it on your phone and laptop, if their connection had been established a while ago -- those devices would remember the network. One example I can think of would be Xfinity's public wi-fi hotspots. The public one is "xfinitywifi," but I've often seen another one called "XFINITY" that's a password-secured network.

The other reason I keep wondering if this is the wrong wi-fi network is that you said the library's network is supposed to redirect you immediately to a login website. That kind of network typically doesn't also require a wi-fi password, since there's no need for one.

Sorry if I'm completely chasing a red herring here, but can you show us a screenshot of the available wi-fi network list when you're at the library?

 

[NorKayak]

Oh yes, we realize that you're familiar with the library's network. But there's still always the possibility that, for example, the IT department there decided to create a new internal network with a very similar name to the open public network. You wouldn't have noticed it on your phone and laptop, if their connection had been established a while ago -- those devices would remember the network. One example I can think of would be Xfinity's public wi-fi hotspots. The public one is "xfinitywifi," but I've often seen another one called "XFINITY" that's a password-secured network.

The other reason I keep wondering if this is the wrong wi-fi network is that you said the library's network is supposed to redirect you immediately to a login website. That kind of network typically doesn't also require a wi-fi password, since there's no need for one.

Sorry if I'm completely chasing a red herring here, but can you show us a screenshot of the available wi-fi network list when you're at the library?

Ok, here it is. I use the one called AK-Gjester. Gjester means Guests in Norwegian. The others AK- networks are town's networks not open to public... Little confusion possible.

Thanks for trying to help. It's a bit annoying not to be able to use my tablet here...

 

[chanchan05]

What happens if you cancel the password? Would you still have the connection to WiFi but no internet?

It's not an Android version problem per se, since I've used devices from 4.0 up to 7.0 on a wifi with a web login anf they work fine. It's possible to be a Lenovo issue though.

 

[NorKayak]

What happens if you cancel the password? Would you still have the connection to WiFi but no internet?

It's not an Android version problem per se, since I've used devices from 4.0 up to 7.0 on a wifi with a web login anf they work fine. It's possible to be a Lenovo issue though.

If I cancel the password I have nothing at all and the wifi icon is off. I connect to any other wifi with a web login, just not at the library...

 

[chanchan05]

If I cancel the password I have nothing at all and the wifi icon is off. I connect to any other wifi with a web login, just not at the library...

So what I'm thinking here now is for some reason the captive portal opens that password thing instead of a webpage. Honestly it's my first time seeing this.

 

[Javier P]

I'm inclined to agree with chanchan05, maybe the captive portal is being handled wrongly. You could try a couple of things. First forget that particular network in your WiFi settings. Then go to settings - apps - all - scroll down until you find CaptivePortalLogin - clear data. This will delete any previous web login credentials that you have used before (not the network passwords).

Next time you are in the library switch WiFi on and wait for the login notification to appear on the status bar (WiFi icon with a faint interrogation mark top right). Then try to open a page in your browser and see if you get the captive portal this time.

 

[NorKayak]

I'm inclined to agree with chanchan05, maybe the captive portal is being handled wrongly. You could try a couple of things. First forget that particular network in your WiFi settings. Then go to settings - apps - all - scroll down until you find CaptivePortalLogin - clear data. This will delete any previous web login credentials that you have used before (not the network passwords).

Next time you are in the library switch WiFi on and wait for the login notification to appear on the status bar (WiFi icon with a faint interrogation mark top right). Then try to open a page in your browser and see if you get the captive portal this time.

Thanks Javier. I'll try that on monday and keep you posted....

A good weekend to all.

 

[B. Diddy]

What still puzzles me is that the padlock icon associated with the network's wi-fi icon implies that it requires a wi-fi password, rather than logging in on a website (which is what the captive portal is). When you try again on Monday, bring one of your other devices that does login successfully, and see if the wi-fi icon for the network on that device also shows a padlock.

And just to be sure - what's CoC Gjest? I see that icon doesn't have a padlock, but if it's completely unrelated to the library, then never mind.

 

[chanchan05]

What still puzzles me is that the padlock icon associated with the network's wi-fi icon implies that it requires a wi-fi password, rather than logging in on a website (which is what the captive portal is). When you try again on Monday, bring one of your other devices that does login successfully, and see if the wi-fi icon for the network on that device also shows a padlock.

And just to be sure - what's CoC Gjest? I see that icon doesn't have a padlock, but if it's completely unrelated to the library, then never mind.

You have a point there. One of our more locked down networks at work requires both a wifi password and a website login.

 

[Javier P]

Re: Why can't I enter WIFI passwords &lt; 6 car. ?

What still puzzles me is that the padlock icon associated with the network's wi-fi icon implies that it requires a wi-fi password, rather than logging in on a website (which is what the captive portal is). When you try again on Monday, bring one of your other devices that does login successfully, and see if the wi-fi icon for the network on that device also shows a padlock.

And just to be sure - what's CoC Gjest? I see that icon doesn't have a padlock, but if it's completely unrelated to the library, then never mind.

Yep, I thought the same while zooming in that screenshot. Public WiFi networks with captive portal usually don't need a password, just the splash screen credentials. Let's see how it goes on Monday.

Very good point comparing the network status on other device.

 

[NorKayak]

I'm inclined to agree with chanchan05, maybe the captive portal is being handled wrongly. You could try a couple of things. First forget that particular network in your WiFi settings. Then go to settings - apps - all - scroll down until you find CaptivePortalLogin - clear data. This will delete any previous web login credentials that you have used before (not the network passwords).

Next time you are in the library switch WiFi on and wait for the login notification to appear on the status bar (WiFi icon with a faint interrogation mark top right). Then try to open a page in your browser and see if you get the captive portal this time.

It seems I have a refractory kind of tablet. Tried to do as you said. But after Setting -> Apps I have only 3 options:
- Manage apps.
- Running services.
- Storage use.
Couldn't find a CaptivePortalLogin function. I have the Android ver 5.0.1...

Here is the screen capture of my laptop which log successfully:



And that one of the web site where I'm redirected:

 

[Javier P]

Re: Why can't I enter WIFI passwords &lt; 6 car. ?

The CaptivePortalLogin is a system app, so I guess you could find it in the 'manage apps' section. I'm not sure about that particular tablet, just look for the section where all your apps (system and downloaded) are listed.

Also, did you manage to 'forget' that network in the WiFi settings? No difference?

 

[Javier P]

Or ... Maybe we are troubleshooting this the wrong way. I'm going to think out loud, so some things will sound pretty obvious. Sorry about that, I'm just trying to understand what's going on.

There are two different passwords. One for the web login (captive portal/splash screen). There are no limitations for this password, so we'll let it alone. For the network password Android comes with the WPA/WPA-2 standard, which requires a password with 8+ characters. Now, if you're certain that the network password (not the web login) is 6 characters long maybe the library is still using the old security system (WEP).

Most laptops can handle this kind of security very easily, but it's not the same with mobile devices. Try this. Forget the connection in the WiFi settings - switch WiFi off and back on - go to the available networks list but don't select any of them - scroll down the list and there should be an option to 'add network manually' (or something similar) - tap there and enter the network info (name - security WEP - password).

See if it works with that 6 characters password.