Northwest Missouri State University provides secure wired and wireless networks to faculty, staff and students with a valid Northwest Network Account. Campus visitors without Northwest Network Accounts can also access the internet via the campus wired network and guest Wi-Fi.
Northwest Provides Three Wireless (Wi-Fi) Networks
- Secure Wi-Fi
- Can be accessed by faculty, staff, students and alumni who have a current valid Northwest Network Account username and password.
- Allows users to access the internet and all Northwest Network Account login-specific services and resources, including printing to a campus networked printer.
- Is available in all campus academic buildings and residence halls.
- Personal Wi-Fi
- Can be accessed by students living in the residence halls.
- Allows students to connect personal devices to campus Wi-Fi that cannot connect to the Secure Wi-Fi.
- Requires a personal password that is sent to your Northwest email account.
- Guest Wi-Fi
- Can be accessed by visitors and others who do not have a current valid Northwest Network Account username and password.
- Allows users to access the internet and complete most online tasks like checking email or conducting a Google search.
- Does not allow for printing to a campus networked printer or accessing other Northwest Network Account login-specific resources.
- Is available in public gathering areas like B.D. Owens Library, the Student Union and the Station.
How do I get onto the internet on campus with my university-issued laptop?
If you have a campus-issued laptop computer, accessing Northwest's Secure wireless network is fast and easy. Simply do the following:
- Turn on your laptop.
- Make sure the Wi-Fi connectivity light is enabled.
- Typically located within the keyboard area of your laptop
- Log in with your Northwest Network Account current username and password.
- Make sure you are connected to the NWMSU_Secure wireless network by checking the available networks.
- The wireless icon is typically located in the lower right hand side of the screen on the taskbar.
- To see if you have Wi-Fi, click on the icon and see if it says that you are connected to NWMSU_Secure wireless.
- Once you are connected to NWMSU_Secure, you will have full internet access.
How do I get onto the internet on campus with a non-campus issued laptop?
- See the Laptop & Tablet tab for instructions.
Can I get my smartphone onto Northwest wireless (Wi-Fi)?
- Yes, you can!
- See the Smartphone tab for instructions.
Who do I contact if I need help with wireless connectivity?
Northwest Wi-Fi & Your Personal Laptop or Tablet
Getting on the internet on campus with a non-campus issued laptop or tablet?
If you have a Northwest Network Account username and password and want to connect to the Secure wireless network with your personally-owned computer that has a Windows 10 operating system (OS), make sure your wireless card is being controlled by Windows and not a third party. You must have a valid Northwest Network Account username and password to use the Secure wireless network.
Windows Wireless Connection Instructions
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Windows 10 - Basic Steps
- Click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar (lower right side).
- If you don't see the icon, you typically have to click the up arrow to make it visible.
- Also, make sure you are not in airplane mode.
- Click the Wi-Fi network you want to join such as NWMSU_Secure.
- Click the Connect button.
- You can also uncheck the box that says Connect automatically if you prefer to manually connect in the future.
- Enter your Northwest Network Account username and password when prompted.
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Windows 11 - Basic Steps
- Click the battery, sound or Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar (lower right side).
- Click the arrow next to the Wi-Fi icon in the quick settings window.
- Click the Wi-Fi network you want to join such as NWMSU_Secure.
- Click the Connect button.
- You can also uncheck the box that says Connect automatically if you prefer to manually connect in the future.
- Enter your Northwest Network Account username and password when prompted.
Troubleshooting tip: Having difficulty getting connected? Make sure your Northwest Network Account password is not expired. You will not be able to get on Northwest's secure wireless network if your password is expired!
Mac Wireless Connection Instructions
Easily get on NWMSU_Secure Wi-Fi by doing the following:
- Turn on your Mac.
- Your Mac should automatically search and find available networks in the area.
- Click on the wireless icon in the top right menu bar of your screen.
- Select the NWMSU_Secure option.
- A screen should appear for you to enter your Northwest Network Account username and password.
- Make sure your password is not expired.
- If your password is expired, you will not be able to connect to NWMSU_Secure Wi-Fi.
- Select for your device to either remember the password or to save your credentials in the keychain.
- It may take a few minutes for your device to acquire the network information.
- If it asks for your password information again, go ahead and enter it again.
- A pop-up window will prompt you to trust a certificate from randy.bianlifan.com. Click the Trust button.
- You should now be connected to Northwest's Secure wireless network.
Northwest Wi-Fi & Your Personal Smartphone
Getting your smartphone on the campus wireless network (Wi-Fi)?
Learn how to connect to Northwest Wi-Fi using either an iPhone or Android smartphone. The below instructions are typical, but may vary depending on model and operating system.
iPhone Instructions
- Go to Settings.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
- Select the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to join.
- Northwest has three available networks Secure, Personal and Guest for you to choose.
- Faculty, staff, students and organizations with valid Northwest Network Account usernames and passwords should select Secure.
- Secure Wi-Fi networks are password-protected and will typically have a lock icon by their names.
- After selecting NWMSU_Secure, enter your full Northwest Network Account username and current, non-expired password to join the Secure network.
- Select to join the network.
- If you cannot join the network, your password is typically the problem.
- Either you typed it incorrectly or it is expired and needs to be changed prior to Wi-Fi setup.
- If the latter is the case, see instructions for the Northwest Network Account.
- After you join Northwest's Secure wireless network, you will typically see a checkmark next to the network in question and the Wi-Fi icon located in the upper-left side of your display will indicate that you are connected.
Android Instructions
- At the Home screen, select the Apps icon.
- Select Settings.
- Make sure the Wi-Fi master control icon is On and not Off.
- If it is set to Off, typically all you need to do is slide the master control from Off to On to activate the phone's Wi-Fi.
- On some Android models, after tapping Settings, go to Connections and then Wi-Fi.
- You should see a list of available networks.
- Choose the Wi-Fi network you want to join by touching the name.
- Available networks should typically display under Wi-Fi Networks.
- Northwest has three available networks Secure, Personal and Guest for you to choose from.
- Faculty, staff, students and organizations with valid Northwest Network Account usernames and passwords should select NWMSU_Secure.
- Secure Wi-Fi networks are password-protected and will typically have a Lock icon by their names.
- If you are joining NWMSU_Secure, you will be prompted to type in your Northwest Network Account username and password.
- Enter your Northwest Network Account username and valid, non-expired password.
- Select the Connect button.
- If you can't join the network, your password is typically the problem.
- Either you typed it incorrectly or it is expired and needs to be changed prior to Wi-Fi setup.
- If the latter is the case, see instructions on Understanding Your Northwest Login Credentials.
- After you join Northwest's Secure wireless network, you will typically see a checkmark next to the network in question and the Wi-Fi icon in the upper-left side of your display will indicate that you are connected.
Manual Wireless setup on your Android
If you do not see available networks to select from on your Android smartphone, you may need to manually add a network connection. To add the connection manually, do the following:
- Go to the Home screen.
- Select Apps.
- Select Settings.
- Select Connections.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Select Add network (+).
- Enter the Network SSID.
- This is the name of the network you are connecting to: NWMSU_Secure
- Select the Security level of the network and any options required for connectivity on your phone, which are usually located in Advanced options.
- Northwest information you should know to help guide you is:
- Northwest Security is WPA2-Enterprise.
- Northwest Network Authentication method is Microsoft Protected EAP (PEAP)/MSCHAPv2.
- Encryption type is AES.
- If you select a security level that does not match your access point, you will not be able to connect.
- Since NWMSU_Secure is a secure network, you will need to enter your Northwest Network Account username and valid, non-expired password where indicated.
- Select Connect to store the new information and connect to the network.
- If you can't join the network, your password is typically the problem.
- Either you typed it incorrectly or it is expired and needs to be changed prior to Wi-Fi setup.
- If the latter is the case, see instructions for the Northwest Network Account.
- After you join Northwest's Secure wireless network, you will typically see a checkmark next to the network in question and the Wi-Fi icon in the upper-left side of your display will indicate that you are connected.
Northwest Wi-Fi & Your Other Personal Devices
- Personal Wi-Fi
- Can be accessed by students living in the residence halls.
- Allows students to connect personal devices to campus Wi-Fi that cannot connect to the Secure Wi-Fi.
- Requires a personal password that is sent to your Northwest email account.
Any Questions?
- See Tech Help
- Contact the Northwest Technology Service Center.
