Member Avatar for Member #758415

So, here's the big deal. I recently installed Ubuntu 10.04 LTS alongside my Windows 7 install. It's great, all of the drivers are working, and I love the graphical effects! Anyway, I can't get it to connect to my home network. It is in range (sitting right next to it on my laptop) and it connects to other networks perfectly. It's just WPA that's giving me grief. Can somebody help me here as would like to install some apps but cannot with no access to Ubuntu Software Center!

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Dani AI

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Quick expert note: when an otherwise healthy Ubuntu 10.04 install can see an AP but fails to join WPA networks, the usual culprits are (a) the userland network stack (NetworkManager/wpa_supplicant), (b) a driver/firmware limitation, or (c) a router-side encryption/mode mismatch. 's pointer about router settings and 's followup that Wicd worked are useful clues — success with Wicd usually means the hardware and key are OK and the problem sits in how NetworkManager or wpa_supplicant is interacting with the card or AP.

Quick diagnostics to run from a terminal:

sudo lshw -C network
iwconfig
sudo iwlist scan
sudo tail -f /var/log/syslog
  • lshw shows the driver/firmware in use.
  • iwlist scan shows the APs and whether they advertise WPA/WPA2/TKIP/AES.
  • Watch syslog while attempting to connect; look for wpa_supplicant or kernel authentication messages and exact error strings.

If the logs show driver errors, use "Additional Drivers" (Hardware Drivers) to try the proprietary Broadcom/other driver. If the logs show authentication timeouts or no wpa_supplicant activity, try switching to Wicd (install wicd/wicd-gtk) as a workaround — remove or stop NetworkManager only after Wicd is confirmed working, because removing NetworkManager will change how interfaces are managed.

Router tips: temporarily disable WPS and try a WPA2-only (AES/CCMP) setting if possible; avoid mixed WPA/WPA2/TKIP modes during troubleshooting.

Note: Ubuntu 10.04 is very old; upgrading to a supported LTS gives a newer wpa_supplicant, drivers, and fewer networking bugs. If Wicd fixed it here, consider keeping it or using the diagnostic steps above to fix NetworkManager permanently.

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Member Avatar for ryan461

Check if your router has WPS enabled. If your wireless card doesnt support it, or if Ubuntu doesnt support it, you wont be able to connect to the network. Also check that your encryption settings for WPA are the same as the router.

Member Avatar for Member #758415

Yes, it's all compatible and my router has WPS enabled. wicd let me connect, but thanks :)

Edited by Member #758415 because: Spelling error: spelt router wrong
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