Whenever your computer connects to a new wireless network, it automatically creates a new profile for that wireless network.<\/p>\n
The profile contains the network name (SSID), the Pre-shared key (PSK), and other crucial security information necessary for the network.<\/p>\n
But the process doesn\u2019t always go smoothly. Sometimes it fails, resulting in the \u201cincorrect PSK provided for network SSID\u201d error. The error might also arise after the PSK has been altered when updating the router\u2019s password.<\/p>\n
So, what is the PSK of a network, and how do I change my PSK provided for network SSID? In this post, we answer these questions and more.<\/p>\n
We also share the various methods to fix the \u201cincorrect PSK provided for network SSID\u201d error.<\/p>\n
A\u00a0Pre-Shared Key (PSK)\u00a0is a long series of seemingly random letters and numbers automatically generated when a device joins a network via a Wi-Fi access point (AP).<\/p>\n
When a user logs into a Wi-Fi network using the SSID (network\u2019s name) and password (or passphrase), your computer uses these details to create the PSK.<\/p>\n
The PSK, in conjunction with other information, creates an even more complex encryption key to protect the data you send over the network.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what a PSK looks like:<\/p>\n
The pre-shared key (PSK) is sort of a client authentication method that uses a super-long string (64 hexadecimal digits) to generate an encryption key for each wireless client.<\/p>\n
The PSK plays a significant role in the encryption process to help keep the network secure.<\/p>\n
Usually, the network administrator or the person who set up your network has access to the pre-shared key.<\/p>\n
If the wireless network was set up by your internet service provider (ISP), you can find the information in the documentation that came with your wireless device.<\/p>\n
You can also find the PSK using these steps:<\/p>\n
These steps and settings may vary depending on the type of router you’re using.<\/p>\n
As we\u2019ve noted earlier, various reasons might cause the \u201cincorrect PSK provided for network SSID\u201d error on your computer.<\/p>\n
One common cause for the error is if your router is using the default Windows adapter.<\/p>\n
The adapter treats the router as WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access II) network as if it’s using WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption (or vice versa).<\/p>\n
When this happens, the authentication fails, even if you input the correct password.<\/p>\n
The error can also result due to a corrupt network driver or a wrong password. Issues in the network profile or faulty router or modem could also be to blame for this error.<\/p>\n
Regardless of what might have triggered the \u201cincorrect PSK provided for network SSID” error, here are the possible solutions to fix it.<\/p>\n
Before we get technical, the first solution would be to restart your modem or router. If you\u2019ve been using your network device nonstop for a long time, a restart might be a good idea.<\/p>\n
Simply turn off your modem\/router and wait for at least three minutes to let it cool off.<\/p>\n
Turn the device back on and wait for it to connect. Restarting your wireless device refreshes the internet connection, and hopefully, fixes the error.<\/p>\n
As we\u2019ve mentioned above, if Windows is using the default adapter, the network device might fail to recognize the encryption mechanism.<\/p>\n
To resolve this, you\u2019ll need to download and install a dedicated driver that will eliminate the incompatibility issue.<\/p>\n
Since you can’t connect to your Wi-Fi, you can use an ethernet connection or hotspot.<\/p>\n
Alternatively, you can download the driver on another computer and transfer it to a USB drive that you\u2019ll connect to your machine.<\/p>\n
You have two options to update your network driver:<\/p>\n
Manually update your network driver<\/strong><\/p>\n You first need to establish your wireless adapter’s manufacturer and determine the model. Once you do:<\/p>\n Alternatively, if you manage to get your computer online, you can use Windows Update to install the latest driver for your network.<\/p>\n To do so:<\/p>\n Automatically update your network driver<\/strong><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have the time or computer skills to update your network driver manually, or if using Windows Update doesn\u2019t install the correct driver, we recommend using\u00a0Auslogics Driver Updater<\/a>.<\/p>\n The program works by scanning your computer to look for all the installed drivers. It then identifies device drivers that are either outdated, damaged, or missing.<\/p>\n Once the scan is complete, you’ll see all drivers with issues listed. Find your network driver and update it. Alternatively, click the\u00a0Update drivers<\/em>\u00a0button to update all the outdated drivers at once.<\/p>\n Driver Updater will display the date you installed the driver and the date when the latest available driver for your device was released.<\/p>\n The good thing about this software is that you\u2019ll never run into driver-related hardware glitches, thanks to the scheduler, which activates automatic maintenance.<\/p>\n This ensures that whenever a new driver update is available, Driver Updater automatically installs it on your PC so you can enjoy a smoother performance.<\/p>\n\n
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Windows + X<\/code>\u00a0hotkeys and select\u00a0Device Manager<\/em>.<\/li>\n