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Thursday, December 5th, 2024 6:56 PM

How do I connect to the router wirelessly in linux?

I received my first xfinity modem yesterday.  I connect with an ethernet cable successfully, set it up.  I want to connect wirelessly.  'iwlist scan' shows the router and its parameters.  I configure my wifi adaptor using those parameters with iwconfig.  But dhcpcd fails discovery until it times out.  How do I figure out what I'm doing wrong?

Official Employee

 • 

1.3K Messages

8 days ago

Hello, @Arthur_P! Thanks for taking the time to visit our Xfinity Community Forum and for creating this post with your connectivity concerns. You've come to the right place! Our Digital Care Team is awesome to work with because we'll do everything we can to review and resolve issues as quickly as possible. It seems you've successfully connected to the Xfinity modem's Wi-Fi network, but your device isn't acquiring an IP address via DHCP. This is crucial for internet access.

 

Potential Solutions:

1. Verify Wi-Fi Configuration:
- SSID and Password: Ensure you're using the correct SSID (network name) and password for the Xfinity modem's Wi-Fi network.
- Encryption: Double-check the encryption type (WPA2, WPA3, etc.) and ensure your device supports it.
- Channel: While you might have manually configured the channel using iwconfig, it's generally best to let the modem automatically select the optimal channel.

 

2. DHCP Client Issues:
- DHCP Client Status: Use the dhclient command to diagnose DHCP client issues. Run dhclient -v to get more detailed output.
- Firewall Rules: If you have a firewall, ensure it's not blocking DHCP traffic.
- Router Interference: If you have other routers or access points nearby, they might interfere with the Xfinity modem's Wi-Fi signal. Try changing the Wi-Fi channel on the Xfinity modem or the interfering device.

 

3. Xfinity Modem Configuration:
- Wi-Fi Settings: Log into the Xfinity modem's web interface and check the Wi-Fi settings. Ensure the network is enabled and broadcasting.
- DHCP Server: Verify that the DHCP server is enabled and functioning correctly. You might need to reset the modem or contact us for assistance.

 

Additional Tips:
- Automatic Connection: Instead of manually configuring the Wi-Fi connection with iwconfig, try using your device's built-in Wi-Fi settings to connect to the Xfinity modem's network.
- Restart Devices: Restarting your device and the Xfinity modem can sometimes resolve temporary issues.
- Check for Firmware Updates: Ensure your device's wireless drivers and firmware are up-to-date.
- Consult Xfinity Support: If you're still facing issues, let us know so that we can provide specific guidance tailored to your modem model and network setup by bringing up your account and taking a closer look.

 

By systematically checking these aspects, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue preventing your device from obtaining a DHCP lease and connecting to the internet.

 

Please provide more details if you need further assistance:
- Device OS: (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Xfinity Modem Model:
- Specific error messages or logs:
- Any recent changes to your network setup:

 

With this information, we can offer more specific troubleshooting steps! Thanks again.

2 Messages

It turned out my problem was my out-of-date-ness.  I was trying to connect with iw or iwconfig, both of  which don't support WPA.  I needed to use wpa_supplicant.  Once I did that, which required figuring out how to use it, I connected.  I haven't connected to a secure network in 15 years.

Official Employee

 • 

1.7K Messages

Gotcha @Arthur_P! Thanks for reporting back to let us know and we're glad to hear that you were able to get connected. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns at this time. 

 

I am an Official Xfinity Employee.
Official Employees are from multiple teams within Xfinity: CARE, Product, Leadership.
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