Hi All,
I have a question. Keep in mind I don't use Mac often.
I am running a Mac Book Air. I'm pretty sure it's a 2016 model.
OK. So, I am feeling very dumb right now. Here is the problem:
I am trying to connect to a wireless network, but I can't seem to do it successfully. I go to System Preferences -> Network and connect to the network. I get a standard password field to enter my key, but I noticed something weird. It is asking me for a 64 character hexadecimal key. And I tried entering my normal key, but the Join button continues to be dimmed no matter what I do.
Now, just to clarify, I know about hexadecimal and all that stuff. I am a programmer for goodness sake and have my CS degree. But I feel I shouldn't have to enter a long string of text to access a wireless network! I thought the mac was supposed to be more user friendly? :)
Sorry for that mini rant.
Anyway, you guys have any idea as to what I should do? Is there an easier way to join a Wireless network?
I know there is something obvious I'm probably missing.
Oh, and I'm running High Sierra, which I am trying to get upgraded.
Thanks for any help.
Comments
same problem on 2013 macbook air
This is quite a weird problem. I've seen this on so many mac computers it's not even funny.
The funny thing is, when I created a script that would convert the wifi password in plane text to hex, the passwords wouldn't work. For example, if I had a wifi password of "11111111" and then converted it to hex, I would get "3131313131313131", which isn't even 64 characters. I thaught that maybe putting padding on the hex would make it work (such as 3131313131313131000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000) would work, but it doesn't.
I am still having this problem on a 2013 macbook running macOS 10.13.6.
I don't know lots about networking, but here is what someone says about it on stack exchange.
"You are connecting to a WPA2 network in WPA-PSK (pre-shared key) mode. In this mode, you'll usually be able to authenticate by entering a password as a string of ASCII characters (up to 63 characters). macOS will generate a 256-bit authentication key from the password using a series of manipulations (known as salting and hashing) that ensures that eavesdroppers cannot easily grab your password midair.
However, it is also possible in this mode to authenticate by having the user directly enter the actual authentication key. This can be used if macOS cannot determine with the WiFi access point exactly how those manipulations described above should be done. The user is then prompted to enter exactly 64 hexadecimal characters that is equivalent to a 256-bit authentication key. This method is not commonly used in a home user setting."
What I think is happening is the mac is trying to connect in psk, and it wants the hex of that authentication key. ans the authentication key appears to not be the same as the user faceing password, so when converting it to hex and entering the converted values, the wifi network isn't recieving the correct key.
Now how to fix it?
I don't even know.
I was looking for an answer when I found your thread.
I was hopeing to find comments on here that tell me how to fix this, but none.
Oh well.
Hope this helps 3 years later,
Levi
Apple Support Article
This is a bit dated, but might be useful. . .
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1311621?sortBy=best
thanks
sounds like something using airport utility.
It was my understanding that you could only manage airport base stations and not other wifi routers. The one that this mac was trying to connect to is your regular AT&T router.
Thanks for sharing though, it was interesting.