Connecting to Hidden WiFi on Ubuntu

How to connect to hidden WiFi networks with Ubuntu Linux

A hidden network does not announce its name, called the SSID, so it never shows up in the Wi-Fi list on your desktop. You have to tell Ubuntu the network name, the security type and the password yourself. You do this from the Settings app. It works the same way on Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 and newer releases with the default GNOME desktop.

Before you start, collect three things from your router or from whoever manages it: the exact SSID, the security type (WPA2 or WPA3 in most homes and offices) and the password. Network names are case-sensitive, so “HomeNet” and “homenet” are two different networks.

The steps below start from the Settings app. Once you enter the correct details, the computer connects right away. No restart is needed.

1. Open the Settings app from your desktop menu. You should see the Settings⚙️ window with a list of categories on the left.

If you can’t find Settings in the menu, there is a quicker way to reach it:

1. Click the System menu at the top-right of your screen. A panel opens with the network, volume and power controls.
2. Select Settings. The same Settings window opens.

2. Click the WiFi📶 tab on the left side of the window. The right side now shows the wireless switch and a list of visible networks. Your hidden network will not be in that list, and that is normal.

If there is no WiFi tab, Ubuntu has not detected a wireless adapter. This can happen on a desktop PC with no Wi-Fi card, or when a driver is missing. If the tab is there but the switch is off, turn it on first. Also check that Airplane Mode is not enabled.

3. Click the three-dot menu icon in the Wi-Fi📶 panel. A short menu drops down.
4. Select Connect to Hidden Network…. A dialog opens with fields for the network details.

Type the hidden WiFi SSID

Hidden networks do not broadcast their identity, so Ubuntu has no way to find the SSID on its own. You supply it in this dialog. Type the exact network name, pick the security type your router uses, and enter the wireless password.

If you are not sure which security type the router uses, check the router’s wireless settings page or ask the person who set it up. Choosing the wrong type is the most common reason a hidden connection fails.

5. Fill in the fields in the dialog:

• Network nameType the hidden SSID here. It must be exact, including capital letters, spaces and punctuation.
• Security typeSelect your security protocol. Use WPA3-Personal if your router supports it, as it is the modern standard. On some Ubuntu releases this field is labeled Wi-Fi security. If your router only supports WPA2, pick the WPA2 option instead, because WPA3 will not connect to a WPA2-only router.
• PasswordEnter your security key.

6. Click the Connect button when finished. The dialog closes and Ubuntu tries to join the network.

If the information is correct, your computer will join the network. The Wi-Fi icon in the top bar shows that you are connected. Ubuntu saves the network, so it reconnects automatically the next time the router is in range.

If the connection fails, check these points in order:

• Check the SSID for typing mistakes and wrong capitalization.
• Confirm the security type matches the router.
• Retype the password. A single wrong character will block the connection.
• Move closer to the router to rule out a weak signal.

To remove the saved network later, open Settings › Wi-Fi and use the settings option next to the connected network to forget it.

Using the Command Line

Connecting via the Command Line

You can also join a hidden network from the terminal. This is useful on a server, over SSH, or when the Settings app is not available. You need the same three details as before: the SSID, the security type and the password. The commands are shown next.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that hiding an SSID offers zero actual encryption. Anyone with basic tools can still detect that the network exists and read its name when devices connect. Always use WPA3 encryption where your router supports it, or WPA2 if it does not, to keep your data secure. Using the Settings panel makes managing these connections possible for every Ubuntu user.