📖Configure Network

If no Internet, then what's the computer for?

The simplest way to connect to the network (LAN, Wireless, VPN) is from the Network system indicator in the Panel: just click the Network indicator and select the connection type you need.

The same but a little wider functionality is present in the Network section of the System Settings.

Connect to Wired Network

As a rule, all you need to connect to a wired network is plug in a network cable. One end of the cable must be plugged into the Ethernet port on your computer, and the other end — into a switch, router, network wall socket, etc.

🟢 If the connection is successfully set, the Wired network indicator is displayed in the Panel. When you go to the System Settings (Network --> Wired), you can see the IP address of your computer, IP of your router, IP of the DNS server and other info.

If more than one type of wired connections are available, you might see names like PCI Ethernet or USB Ethernet instead of Wired.

🔴 If the Wired indicator in the Panel is inactive and crossed , the connection failed. To solve this, you can do the following:

• Click the Wired indicator in the Panel, and check if the Wired toggle is enabled. You can check the same toggle in the Network section of the System Settings.

• Make sure the network cable is plugged in correctly. Sometimes, there is a light indicator beside the Ethernet port which is lit if the cable is plugged in and the connection is established.

• In case you are connecting via a router or a switch, check whether those are powered and functional.

• If no connection yet, your network may not support automatic setup (DHCP). Consult your Internet provider, go to the System Settings (Network --> Wired), and click Additional Settings in the bottom to create a connection with a fixed IP address.

• If nothing of the above helped, contact the technical support of your Internet provider.

Modern slim laptops often do not have an Ethernet port at all, so you are to use Wi-Fi connection instead.

Connect to Wireless Network

If your computer is equipped with the wireless (Wi-Fi) connection option, you can manage and connect to Wi-Fi networks.

To connect to a Wi-Fi network from the Panel:

1. Click the Network indicator, and enable the Wi-Fi connection by turning on the associated toggle in the pop-up.

2. You can see a list of available wireless connections. Select the one you need (yours is often at the top).

3. As a rule, wireless networks are protected by passwords. Enter the password, and click Connect.

To connect to a Wi-Fi network from the System Settings:

1. Open System Settings, navigate to the Network section, and enable the Wireless toggle.

2. You can see a list of available wireless connections. Select the one you need (yours is often at the top).

3. As a rule, wireless networks are protected by passwords. Enter the password, and click Connect.

🟢 If you are connected successfully, you can see the Wi-Fi Network active indicator in the Panel. More curved bars indicate a stronger connection.

🔴 If it looks like the connection fails, there could be a lot of reasons why. You can try the following as a solution:

• If the Wi-Fi indicator in the Panel is inactive and crossed , click it and check if the Wi-Fi toggle is enabled. You can check the same toggle in the Network section of the System Settings.
• If the Wi-Fi indicator is active but the connection seems to be lost, you may be out of range, so try to get closer to the Wi-Fi router with your device, or try other W-Fi connections if possible.

• If you do not see your Wi-Fi network, there's a chance that the network is hidden.

• Check whether your Wi-Fi router is powered and functional.

• Reset you Wi-Fi router.

• If other devices can easily connect to the same Wi-Fi network, check whether your device is blocked in the router settings (for example, by MAC-address).

• If nothing of the above helped, contact the technical support of your Internet provider.

Connect to Hidden Wi-Fi Network

Wireless network can be "hidden". That means it won’t show up in the list of available Wi-Fi networks. To connect to a hidden wireless network:

1. In the Panel, click the Network indicator, and select Connect to Hidden Network. Alternatively, you can do the same from the System Settings (Network --> Wireless).

2. In the dialog window choose either of the following:

   • Select a previously-connected hidden network from the Connection drop-down list, and click Connect.

   • For a new connection, type the network name, choose the type of wireless security, enter the password, and click Connect.

Hiding wireless networks may seem more secure because people don’t have an idea about them. In fact, a hidden network is a bit harder to find, still it can be detected.

Connect to VPN

To connect to VPN (Virtual Private Network), you need to add at least one such connection in the Network settings. In elementary OS, the easiest way to do that is to add a previously downloaded and saved OpenVPN configuration file.

Create a VPN connection:

1. In the System Settings, navigate to Network --> VPN.

2. In the bottom, click ➕ icon, and select Import a saved VPN configuration.

3. Click Create, and choose a previously saved configuration file.

4. Complete the fields with the username and password if required, and click Save.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 to add as many VPN connections as you need.

You can select other options than importing a saved configuration, provided you have all the skills and data to complete the settings. A saved file fills everything in automatically.

Connect to the added VPN:

In the Panel, click the Network indicator, and select one of the added VPN connections. You will be notified when the connection is established.

🔴 If the connection fails, there could be different reasons for that: wrong username and password, the configuration file is outdated, incomplete settings, etc. As a solution, you can try other VPN configuration files.

To remove a VPN connection, select one in the list and click minus icon in the bottom.

Create Wi-Fi Hotspot

The Hotspot option enables you to turn your computer into a Wi-Fi hotspot. This means you can share your computer's Internet connection with other devices, such as smartphones or tablets, allowing them to connect to the Internet through your computer.

To enable the Hotspot:

1. In the System Settings, navigate to Network --> Hotspot.

2. Select a new connection, give it a name, and assign a password. Other devices will need these to connect to the hotspot you create.

3. In the top-right, enable the Hotspot toggle.

Enabling Hotspot is only available if your computer supports Wired Internet connection because it will disconnect your device from any connected Wireless networks. You will not be able to connect to a wireless network while Hotspot is active.

Define Proxy Settings

The proxy configuration option allows you to set up a proxy server for your network connections. A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your computer and the Internet, allowing you to route your Internet traffic through it. This can be helpful for various reasons, such as bypassing network restrictions, improving security, or enhancing privacy.

To configure your proxy settings:

1. In the System Settings, navigate to Network --> Proxy.

2. Enable the Proxy toggle.

3. Select Configuration tab.

4. Choose either automatic or manual configuration, fill in the required data, and click Apply.

5. Select Exceptions to optionally add ignored hosts.

You need to have certain skills to configure proxy settings. Do it if you are sure in what you are doing, and when you have reasons for that.