Fix: “Network Security Key Mismatch” Error on Windows

This article will show you how to Fix “Network Security Key Mismatch” Error on Windows. If you try to connect to a wireless network on Windows 11 and get the message “The network security key isn’t correct,” this post will help. Even though the error message makes it clear that the problem is caused by a wrong network security key or password, several users have said they keep getting this error even when they use the right WiFi password.

The error could be caused by a network driver that is out of date. Or, you might get this error if the network driver is broken or corrupted. After users type in their password to connect to their wireless network, the “Network security key mismatch” error message appears. This problem is usually caused by a single wireless network, and most of the time it’s a network that a person has set up at home.

Even though this message says that users have entered the wrong password, users who have had this problem say that the password is correct. From what I’ve found online, the problem seems to happen most often on Windows. Many people who had this problem were lucky enough to be able to fix it without much trouble. They put their answers online, so we decided to put them in this article along with step-by-step how to Fix “Network Security Key Mismatch” Error on Windows. If you do what’s written below, the problem should go away quickly.

What Is the “Network Security Key Mismatch” Error?

When you try to connect your Windows computer to a wireless network, you may get the “network security key mismatch” error. This error message means that the network security key (password) you entered to connect to the wireless network is wrong. But sometimes the error can happen even when the right security key is used. This error message is often caused by your third-party antivirus program, a broken network driver, or a problem with the IP address.

A Network Security Key is a password or digital signature that tells a wireless network that you are allowed to use it. It lets you set up a secure connection between the user who wants to get on the network and the network itself. It also helps you verify your home or office network and protects it from unwanted or unauthorized access.

Why Does the “Network Security Key Mismatch” Error Occur?

1. Incorrect Key Entry: Mistyping the security key during connection setup.
2. Key Change: If the network security key has been changed, but the device still uses the old key.
3. Router Configuration: Incorrect settings or configurations in the router, leading to a key mismatch.
4. Driver Issues: Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause communication problems.
5. Network Interference: Physical objects or other electronic devices can interfere with the network signal.
6. Authentication Problems: Issues with the authentication process between the device and the router.
7. Security Type Mismatch: Selecting the wrong security protocol (e.g., WEP instead of WPA) can lead to key mismatches.

Fix: “Network Security Key Mismatch” Error on Windows

Reinstall the Network Driver

1. Press the shortcut key (Windows key + X).
2. Choose Device Manager from the menu that comes up.
3. Open up the node for Network adapters.
4. Right-click on the adapter for your network.
5. Click the Uninstall button after choosing “Uninstall device.”
6. Turn your computer back on.

Forget the Wireless Network

1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I.
2. Select Network & Internet from the left list, and click on Wi-Fi in the right list.
3. Choose the option to handle known networks.
4. Click the Forget button next to the connection causing the error.
5. Turn your computer back on.
6. Enter the network security key to reconnect to the wireless network.

Refresh IP Settings

1. Press Win+S to open Windows Search tool.
2. Type cmd in search box.
3. Right-click Command Prompt in search results.
4. Choose Run as administrator.
5. Type each command in Command Prompt, then press Enter:
   • ipconfig/release
   • ipconfig/renew
6. Close Command Prompt and restart computer to check wireless network.

Reset Network

1. Go to Settings in Windows. Press Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. Select Network and Internet from the menu on the left.
3. To get to network reset, scroll down and click on Advanced network settings.
4. Click on Network reset in the section called “More settings.”
5. Click on Reset now to finish.

Disable Your Third-Party Antivirus Software

1. Stop the security program by right-clicking its icon in the system tray.
2. Select “Disable” from the menu that appears upon right-clicking.
3. Refer to the user manual for your security program for more detailed instructions on turning it off.

Conclusion

Do you get the message “Network Security Key Mismatch” Error when you try to connect your computer to a wireless network? Don’t worry—you’re not the only one. This is a common problem with Windows that can be caused by a number of things, like corrupt network drivers or a strong antivirus setting. The good news is that this problem is easy to fix. In this guide, we’ll look at five good ways to Fix “Network Security Key Mismatch” Error on Windows for good.

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