Can't connect to wifi in hotels

book12 · 17 July 2017 at 2:08PM

Whenever I use my phone to connect to wi-fi In Holiday Inn, Travel Lodge, or a Premier Inn, Google Chrome blocks it which means I can't use the internet. Same for other browsers on my phone.

Any way to resolve the issue?

I_have_spoken · 17 July 2017 at 2:35PM

Stay at home?

But seriously, what model phone do you have?

JJ_Egan · 17 July 2017 at 2:37PM

Remove Google Chrome .
But i don't understand other browsers not working if chrome is the culprit .

giraffe69 · 17 July 2017 at 2:42PM

My phone connects when going to these hotels without problem. I think you need to give us more detail about what the problem is.

Frozen_up_north · 17 July 2017 at 3:24PM

Is this due to security settings on your phone? Public and free WiFi (those shown without a padlock symbol) is not secure. Everything routed through them can potentially be intercepted.

I occasionally use free WiFi in pubs and bars, but always use a VPN to secure the connection.

I'm sure if you ask there will be others able to connect, compare settings.

Don't forget to get a VPN, I use a paid service by CyberGhost, but there are others too.

ukjoel · 17 July 2017 at 6:06PM

I had the same issue with chrome.
I use other browsers and it works fine.

glentoran99 · 17 July 2017 at 6:07PM

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

Is this due to security settings on your phone? Public and free WiFi (those shown without a padlock symbol) is not secure. Everything routed through them can potentially be intercepted.

I occasionally use free WiFi in pubs and bars, but always use a VPN to secure the connection.

I'm sure if you ask there will be others able to connect, compare settings.

Don't forget to get a VPN, I use a paid service by CyberGhost, but there are others too.

how do you know the VPN is secure? By its very nature you are taking your data through an extra place

Frozen_up_north · 17 July 2017 at 6:36PM

glentoran99 wrote: »

how do you know the VPN is secure? By its very nature you are taking your data through an extra place

A paid for VPN is likely to be more secure than a free WiFi.

lammy82 · 17 July 2017 at 7:45PM

It may be because your browser is trying to connect to an https site, and Chrome doesn't let the hotel's wifi intercept the secure connection to redirect you to the wifi logon page.

So, when it gets blocked try manually navigating to a non-https site like "bbc.co.uk" which should then allow the browser to be redirected to the wifi logon page.

securityguy · 19 July 2017 at 10:35AM

http://neverssl.com/

paddyrg · 19 July 2017 at 2:57PM

lammy82 wrote: »

It may be because your browser is trying to connect to an https site, and Chrome doesn't let the hotel's wifi intercept the secure connection to redirect you to the wifi logon page.

So, when it gets blocked try manually navigating to a non-https site like "bbc.co.uk" which should then allow the browser to be redirected to the wifi logon page.

Yes, this. It's a known "thing" with captive portals (as hotel etc landing pages are called). They help to set up a temporary IP address. Some devices like my old LG G4 automagically pop up a special page to get through the captive portal.

MSE Forum

Can't connect to wifi in hotels

Replies

KFC to scrap Colonel Club loyalty scheme

'Is buying a flat above a shop worth it in a good location?'

NHS and care worker freebies & discounts