Connecting to Hidden WiFi on Ubuntu

You connect to a hidden WiFi network on Ubuntu by manually entering the network’s name (SSID) and security details.

Hidden WiFi networks do not broadcast their SSID, meaning they won’t appear in your Ubuntu system’s list of available networks. This often leads users to search for methods to connect without the network name being visible by default.

To connect, you’ll typically need to know the exact SSID and the WiFi password for the hidden network. This process is straightforward in Ubuntu’s network settings.

How to connect to hidden WiFi networks with Ubuntu Linux

These steps apply to the default gnome-desktop-on-ubuntu-24-04/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="37951">GNOME desktop environment found in standard Ubuntu. If you are using Ubuntu flavors like Kubuntu or Xubuntu, the menu paths or settings windows may look different.

You must know your exact WiFi name and password. To start, open the Settings app from your desktop menu.

Alternatively, click the System menu at the top-right of your screen and select Settings.

Click the WiFi tab on the left side of the window.

Click the three-dot menu icon and select Connect to Hidden Network…

Type the hidden WiFi SSID

Enter the network details into the boxes provided:

• Network name: Type the hidden SSID here. It must be exact.
• Security type: Select your security protocol. Use WPA3-Personal if your router supports it, as it is the modern standard.
• Password: Enter your security key.

Click the Connect button when finished.

If the information is correct, your computer will join the network.

Using the Command Line

If you prefer the terminal or need to troubleshoot, you can use a command. Open your terminal and type: nmcli dev wifi connect <SSID> --hidden. Replace <SSID> with your network name. This is a quick alternative for advanced users.

Conclusion

Connecting to a hidden network is easy once you have the right details. Remember that hiding your network is not a substitute for strong security. Always use %%LNK0%% WPA3 encryption to keep your data safe. Using the %%LNK1%% Settings panel makes managing these connections simple for every Ubuntu user.