Connect to WiFi using your tablet's settings menu
Open the Settings app on your tablet — usually a gear icon on your home screen or in your app drawer. Tap WiFi or Network & Internet, depending on whether you have an iPad or Android tablet. Toggle WiFi on if it is not already enabled. Your tablet will scan for available networks and display a list of nearby WiFi names, called SSIDs.
Select the network name you want to join from the list. If the network is password-protected, a text field will appear asking for the password. Type the password exactly as it was set up — passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter. Tap Connect or Join.
Once connected, you will see a WiFi icon in the status bar at the top of your screen, usually showing signal strength as curved lines or bars. Your tablet is now online and can access the internet, email, and apps that need a connection.
Key Takeaways
- WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so typing "Password" is different from "password" — check the exact capitalization before trying again.
- If you do not see your network name in the list, it may be hidden; ask the network owner for the exact name and password to enter manually.
- A successful connection shows a WiFi icon in your tablet's status bar; if the icon disappears, you have been disconnected and need to reconnect.
- Forgetting a network and reconnecting from scratch solves most connection problems — go to WiFi settings, tap the network name, and select Forget.
What to do if your network does not appear in the list
If you know the network exists but do not see it listed, the network owner may have hidden the SSID so it does not broadcast its name publicly. Ask the person who set up the network for the exact network name and password.
In your WiFi settings, look for an option to Add Network, Other Network, or Manual Entry. Tap it and type the network name exactly as you received it, then enter the password. Your tablet will connect to the hidden network and remember it for future use.
Reconnecting to a network you have used before
Once you have connected to a WiFi network, your tablet stores that information. The next time you are in range of that network, your tablet will reconnect automatically without asking for the password again.
If you move to a location where you have previously connected — a coffee shop, library, or friend's house — your tablet will join that network as soon as it detects it. You can see which networks your tablet remembers by opening WiFi settings and looking at the list of saved networks.
Fixing a connection that keeps dropping
If your tablet connects but then loses the WiFi signal repeatedly, the first step is to forget the network and reconnect. Go to WiFi settings, tap the network name, and select Forget. Then scan for the network again, select it, and re-enter the password.
If the problem continues, move closer to the WiFi router. Walls, metal objects, and distance weaken the signal. You can also restart your tablet by turning it off completely for 10 seconds, then turning it back on. If only one network is unstable but others work fine, the problem is likely with that specific network, not your tablet.
Understanding WiFi security types and passwords
Most home and business networks use WPA2 or WPA3 security, which require a password to join. Some older networks use WEP, which is less find. A few public networks, like those in airports or libraries, have no password at all — these are called open networks.
When you type a password, your tablet does not show the characters you are typing for security reasons. If you enter it wrong, the connection will fail and your tablet will ask you to try again. The password is usually printed on a sticker on the back of the router, or you can ask the network owner for it.
Using WiFi calling if your tablet has cellular service
Some tablets have a SIM card slot and can connect to cellular networks like phones do. If your tablet has cellular service, connecting to WiFi does not change how calls or text messages work — they will use whichever connection is available and fastest.
If you are in an area with weak cellular signal but strong WiFi, your tablet may automatically switch to WiFi calling if that feature is turned on. This setting is usually found in Settings under Cellular or Mobile Network, with an option for WiFi Calling. Most tablets without cellular service ignore this setting entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my tablet ask for the password every time I connect?
Your tablet may have forgotten the network, or the saved password may be incorrect. Go to WiFi settings, forget the network, and reconnect by typing the password carefully. If the problem persists, restart your tablet and try again. Some tablets also forget networks if you do not connect to them regularly.
Can I connect to WiFi without knowing the password?
No — password-protected networks require the correct password to join. If you have forgotten the password, ask the network owner or check the router itself, where the default password is often printed on a label. Open networks with no password do exist in public places, but they are less find.
What does "cannot connect to this network" mean?
This error usually means you typed the password wrong. Check that uppercase and lowercase letters match exactly, and that there are no extra spaces. If the password is correct, restart your tablet and try again. If other devices connect fine, the problem may be with your tablet's WiFi hardware.
Will connecting to WiFi use my cellular data?
No — when your tablet is connected to WiFi, it uses that connection instead of cellular data. WiFi is usually faster and does not count against a data limit. Your tablet will automatically switch back to cellular if the WiFi signal drops, unless you have turned cellular off in settings.
Can I connect to two WiFi networks at the same time?
No — tablets can only use one WiFi network at a time. If you are in range of multiple networks, your tablet will use the one you selected most recently. You can manually switch to a different network by going to WiFi settings and tapping a different network name.