KB0012434

Wireless Networks (WiFi)

Connect to UVA's Unencrypted wahoo WiFi

UVA’s main wireless (WiFi) network is eduroam. If you have a supported operating system, connect to encrypted eduroam WiFi. The information on this page is for getting connected to the unencrypted wahoo WiFi network, which is provided for devices that cannot connect to eduroam.

Get Connected to wahoo WiFi:

Step 1: Connect Your Device to the UVA WiFi Setup WiFi Network

Get your devices like Roku, Apple TV, game consoles, Chromebooks, Kindles, and other devices connected.

Step 2: Register Your Device on the Network

Before you start: wahoo requires registration of the physical WiFi “MAC Address” of devices. Many devices are configured to randomize the WiFi “MAC address”, and this will not work with wahoo. Before registering your device, check your device’s WiFi settings and confirm it is not using private/randomized MAC addresses. You may need to check with your device manufacturer for instructions on changing this setting.

NOTE: On the Network Registration screen, be sure to select “Yes” for “This is a wireless device”.

UVA Faculty, Staff, & Students:
- Register directly from your device, or
- Register your device using your computer (opens in a new window).
Guests:
- You must have a UVA sponsor to access wahoo WiFi.
  - Your sponsor can register for you using the UVA Network Device Registration, or
  - You may register yourself, using the Guest Network Registration and your sponsor-provided PIN.

Step 3: Add wahoo to Your Device (Hidden Network)

Note: Newly registered devices will need to be powered off fully and restarted before connecting to wahoo WiFi.

Mac OS X

In an area where the wahoo network is available (you will see eduroam network listed anytime you are in range of wahoo, even though wahoo may not display)....
Click the AirPort menu bar icon [] located at the top of your screen. (If AirPort is off [], select Turn AirPort On and then click the AirPort icon again.) From the drop-down menu, select Other….

The Closed Network window will appear.
In the Network Name field, type wahoo (lowercase).
Leave the Wireless Security drop-down set to None.
Click the OK button (if you get an error, please confirm that your AirPort card is registered correctly).

Windows Computer

In an area where the wahoo network is available (you will see eduroam network listed anytime you are in range of wahoo, even though wahoo may not display)....
Click the WiFi icon [] in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen.
Select Network & Internet settings.
Select Set up a connection or network, then Manually connect to a wireless network. Click the Next button.
Configure your wahoo connection by entering the following settings:
1. Network name: wahoo (lowercase).
2. Security type: No authentication (Open).
3. Click the box labeled Connect even if the network is not broadcasting.
Click the Next button and then Close button.
Go back and click on the WiFi icon [], select wahoo, and click the Connect button.

iOS Device

In an area where UVA's unencrypted wahoo network is available (you will see eduroam WiFi network listed anytime you are in range of wahoo, even though wahoo may not display)....
From the Home screen of your device, tap Settings, then Wi-Fi, then Other.
In Network Name field, type wahoo.
In the Security field, indicate none.
At the bottom right of your screen, tap Join.

Android & Other Mobile Devices

In an area where the wahoo network is available (you will see eduroam network listed anytime you are in range of wahoo, even though wahoo may not display)....
Go to Settings, then Add Wi-Fi network.
In the pop-up that appears, under Network SSID, type wahoo. In the Security field, indicate none.
Look for a check box to indicate the network is hidden and check it.
Look for an Advanced button and if there is a check box to indicate the network is hidden, check it.
Save the settings.

Streaming & Other Devices (Game Consoles, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Kindle, Chromebooks, etc.)

Streaming devices are not supported on eduroam WiFi, so they must connect to wahoo WiFi. See a full list of unsupported devices.

Information Technology Services (ITS) does not support these devices and provides instructions only as a courtesy.

In an area where the wahoo network is available (you will see eduroam network listed anytime you are in range of wahoo, even though wahoo may not display)....
Plug in values from the table below where appropriate:

UVA wahoo Wireless Network Configuration Settings

Setting	Value
Network Name or SSID	wahoo (lowercase)
Network type	Infrastructure or AP (not “ad hoc”)
Authentication	None/open
Encryption	None (no WEP or WPA; see wireless security statement)

Short URL for this page: https://in.virginia.edu/wahoo

Last Updated: April 26, 2024