It can be frustrating when a graphical Wi-Fi application in a Linux environment (like EndeavourOS) fails to connect to a network, especially when you know the hardware works and the password is correct. This issue almost always points to a software configuration problem rather than a hardware fault.
Table of Contents
This guide provides several troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue without needing to restart your computer.
Understanding the Problem
When you use a command-line tool to connect to Wi-Fi, you are interacting directly with the lower-level networking components. The “Wi-Fi app” is a graphical front-end that relies on a background service, most commonly NetworkManager, to handle connections. When the app fails but commands work, the problem usually lies with this service, a saved connection profile, or a software conflict.
Solution 1: Restart the NetworkManager Service
The simplest and often most effective first step is to restart the network management service. This can resolve temporary glitches without a full reboot.
- Open a terminal.
- Type the following command and press Enter. You will be prompted for your password.
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager - After the command completes, try connecting to the Wi-Fi network again using your graphical app.
Solution 2: Delete the Old Wi-Fi Connection Profile
The saved settings for your Wi-Fi network may have become corrupted. Deleting this profile and creating a new one from scratch can solve the problem.
Method A: Using the Graphical Interface
- Click on your network icon and go to your Wi-Fi Settings or Network Connections.
- Find the problematic Wi-Fi network in your list of saved networks.
- Select it and choose the option to “Forget” or “Delete” the connection.
- Try connecting to the network again, entering the password as if it were the first time.
Method B: Using the Terminal (More Powerful)
- Open a terminal and list all saved connections with this command:
nmcli connection show - Identify the name of your Wi-Fi network from the list (e.g., “MyHomeWifi”).
- Delete that specific connection profile using its name. Be sure to use quotes if the name has spaces:
nmcli connection delete "MyHomeWifi" - Use your graphical app to find the network and connect again.
Solution 3: Check for Conflicting Network Services
If you have previously used other network tools, another service might be conflicting with NetworkManager.
- Open a terminal and check if other common services are running:
systemctl is-active netctlsystemctl is-active wpa_supplicant - If any of these services are listed as “active,” you should disable them to prevent conflicts. Use the following commands, replacing
<service_name>with the name of the active service:sudo systemctl stop <service_name>sudo systemctl disable <service_name> - Restart NetworkManager again with
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManagerand try to connect.
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