Network Connectivity

Students can easily connect to UNC’s WiFi by selecting UNC-Student from the list of available networks.

Services

Staying connected on campus is essential, and UNC provides secure wireless access through our networks.

Whether you’re using a Windows laptop, Mac computer, Android phone, or Apple device, we’ve got step-by-step instructions to help you get online quickly and easily.

In addition to computer and mobile device setup, we also offer guidance for connecting personal non-computer devices—like gaming consoles, smart TVs, and more.

Be sure to check out our FAQs for troubleshooting tips and answers to common questions.

Let’s get you connected and ready to explore everything UNC has to offer!

We’ve ugpraded our Wi-Fi infrastructure to use Extreme Networks.

This upgrade will improve your wireless Experience substantially. We now have the two following networks:

  • BearsDen: This option works best for your personal devices in dorms.
  • Bears: This option works best for UNC owned secure device login.

Follow the instructions below to connect your devices to one of our two networks.

Connecting to BearsDen

This option works best for your personal devices in dorms.

Need more help connecting? Contact IM&T’s Tech Support!

Note: Before starting to connect, close all Internet Browsers, including Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc.

Step 1: Check your Email

  1. Locate the email in your inbox from “ExtremeNetworks” with the subject line “Login Credentials”
  2. Inside, you will find an access key that you will use to login to the network
  3. Keep this email open or copy the access key—you will need it shortly

Step 2: Open Wi-Fi Settings

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar (system tray)
  2. If you don’t see it, click the upward arrow (^) to show hidden icons
  3. Ensure Wi-Fi is turned ON
  4. Locate “BearsDen” within your available networks and click it
  5. Click Connect

Step 3: Enter your Login Credentials

  1. When prompted, go back to your email and copy your access key
  2. Paste the access key into the Password field
  3. Click OK or Connect

Step 4: Trust the Certificate

After the previous step, a certificate warning may appear

  • Click Connect to accept and trust the certificate
  • This is required to complete the connection

You’re connected!

You should now see “BearsDen” listed as your connected network in the Wi-Fi menu

Step 1: Check your Email

  1. Locate the email in your inbox from “ExtremeNetworks” with the subject line “Login Credentials”
  2. Inside, you will find an access key that you will use to login to the network
  3. Keep this email open or copy the access key—you will need it shortly

Step 2: Open Wi-Fi Settings

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar
  2. If you don’t see it, go to System Settings → Wi-Fi and enable “Show Wi-Fi status in menu bar”
  3. Ensure Wi-Fi is turned ON
  4. Locate “BearsDen” within your available networks and click it

Step 3: Enter your Login Credentials

  1. When prompted, go back to your email and copy your access key
  2. Paste the access key into the Password field
  3. Click Join

Step 4: Trust the Certificate

After the previous step, a certificate warning may appear

  • Click Continue to accept and trust the certificate
  • You may be prompted to enter your Mac login password to confirm
  • This is required to complete the connection

You’re connected!

You should now see “BearsDen” listed as your connected network in the Wi-Fi menu

The Wi-Fi icon in your menu bar will display as solid, indicating a successful connection

Step 1: Check your Email

  1. Locate the email in your inbox from “ExtremeNetworks” with the subject line “Login Credentials”
  2. Inside, you will find an access key that you will use to login to the network
  3. Keep this email open or copy the access key—you will need it shortly

Step 2: Open Wi-Fi Settings

  1. Open the Settings app on your Android device
  2. Tap Network & Internet (this may also appear as Connections or Wi-Fi depending on your device)
  3. Tap Wi-Fi and ensure it is turned ON
  4. Locate “BearsDen” within your available networks and tap it

Note: If you can’t find these options, try swiping down from the top of your screen and long-pressing the Wi-Fi icon to jump directly to Wi-Fi settings.

Step 3: Enter your Login Credentials

  1. When prompted, go back to your email and copy your access key
  2. Paste the access key into the Password field
  3. Tap Connect

Step 4: Trust the Certificate

  • If a certificate prompt appears, tap Connect or Trust to proceed
  • This is required to complete the connection

Note: Some Android devices will skip this step and connect automatically.

You’re connected!

You should now see “BearsDen” listed as your connected network in the Wi-Fi menu

The Wi-Fi icon will appear in the top status bar of your screen

Step 1: Check your Email

  1. Locate the email in your inbox from “ExtremeNetworks” with the subject line “Login Credentials”
  2. Inside, you will find an access key that you will use to login to the network
  3. Keep this email open or copy the access key—you will need it shortly

Step 2: Open Wi-Fi Settings

  1. Open Settings
  2. Select Wi-Fi
  3. Ensure Wi-Fi is ON
  4. Locate “BearsDen” within your available networks and tap it

Step 3: Enter your Login Credentials

  1. Go back to your email, and copy and paste your credentials
  2. Press join.

Step 4: Trust the Certificate

  • If a certificate prompt appears, tap Trust in the top right corner
  • This is required to complete the connection

You’re connected!

You should now see a checkmark next to BearsDen

The Wi-Fi icon will appear at the top of your screen

Connecting to Bears

This option works best for UNC owned secure device login.

Need more help connecting? Contact IM&T’s Tech Support!

Note: Before starting to connect, close all Internet Browsers, including Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc.

Step 1: Open Wi-Fi Settings

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar (system tray)
  2. If you don’t see it, click the upward arrow (^) to show hidden icons
  3. Ensure Wi-Fi is turned ON
  4. Locate “Bears” within your available networks and click it
  5. Click Connect

Step 2: Enter your Login Credentials

  1. Enter your UNCO Bears email address in the Identity or Username field:
    • Students: your email with the domain @bears.unco.edu
    • Faculty: your first.last@unco.edu
  2. Enter your UNCO Bears password in the Password field
  3. Click OK or Connect.

Step 3: Trust the Certificate

After the previous step, a certificate warning may appear

  • Click Connect to accept and trust the certificate
  • This is required to complete the connection

You’re connected!

You should now see “Bears” listed as your connected network in the Wi-Fi menu

The Wi-Fi icon in your taskbar will show as connected.

Step 1: Open Wi-Fi Settings

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar
  2. If you don’t see it, go to System Settings → Wi-Fi and enable “Show Wi-Fi status in menu bar”
  3. Ensure Wi-Fi is turned ON
  4. Locate “Bears” within your available networks and click it

Step 2: Enter your Login Credentials

  1. Enter your UNCO Bears email address in the Identity or Username field:
    • Students: your email with the domain @bears.unco.edu
    • Faculty: your first.last@unco.edu
  2. Enter your UNCO Bears password in the Password field
  3. Click Join

Step 3: Trust the Certificate

After the previous step, a certificate warning may appear

  • Click Continue to accept and trust the certificate
  • You may be prompted to enter your Mac login password to confirm
  • This is required to complete the connection

You’re connected!

You should now see “BearsDen” listed as your connected network in the Wi-Fi menu

The Wi-Fi icon in your menu bar will display as solid, indicating a successful connection

Step 1: Open Wi-Fi Settings

  1. Open the Settings app on your Android device
  2. Tap Network & Internet (this may also appear as Connections or Wi-Fi depending on your device)
  3. Tap Wi-Fi and ensure it is turned ON
  4. Locate “Bears” within your available networks and tap it

Note: If you can’t find these options, try swiping down from the top of your screen and long-pressing the Wi-Fi icon to jump directly to Wi-Fi settings.

Step 2: Enter your Login Credentials

  1. Enter your UNCO Bears email address in the Identity or Username field:
    • Students: your email with the domain @bears.unco.edu
    • Faculty: your first.last@unco.edu
  2. Enter your UNCO Bears password in the Password field
  3. Tap Connect

Step 3: Trust the Certificate

  • If a certificate prompt appears, tap Connect or Trust to proceed
  • This is required to complete the connection

Note: Some Android devices will skip this step and connect automatically.

You’re connected!

You should now see “Bears” listed as your connected network in the Wi-Fi menu

The Wi-Fi icon will appear in the top status bar of your screen

Step 1: Open Wi-Fi Settings

  1. Open Settings
  2. Select Wi-Fi
  3. Ensure Wi-Fi is ON
  4. Locate “Bears” within your available networks and tap it

Step 2: Enter your Login Credentials

  1. Enter your UNCO bears email address:
    • Students: This will be your email with the domain: @bears.unco.edu
    • Faculty: This will be your first.last@unco.edu
  2. Enter your UNCO bears password
  3. Press Join (the blue check mark in the upper-right corner) to proceed

Step 3: Trust the Certificate

  • If a certificate prompt appears, tap Trust in the top right corner
  • This is required to complete the connection

You’re connected!

You should now see a checkmark next to Bears

The Wi-Fi icon will appear at the top of your screen

Non-Computer Devices

Non-Computer devices (gaming consoles, smart tvs, etc.) will connect to the BearsDen network using the access key located in the “Login Credentials” email you received from “Extreme Networks”.

  • Locate “BearsDen” in your devices Wi-Fi settings and connect
  • Enter your access key
  • If prompted to trust a Certificate, choose Trust or Connect

Need more help connecting? Contact IM&T’s Tech Support!

Wireless Printers

Gaming Devices

  • Nintendo Switch
  • Nintendo Wii U
  • Nintendo 3DS/2DS
  • Playstation 5
  • Playstation 4
  • Playstation 3
    Playstation Portable (PSP)
  • Xbox Series S and X
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox 360
  • Steam Decks

Streaming Devices

  • Amazon Echo
  • Amazon Echo Dot
  • Amazon Echo Show
  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Amazon Fire TV Stick
  • Apple TV (including Airplay feature)
  • Roku
  • Roku TV
  • Smart TVs
  • Smart Blu-ray players
  • Wireless speakers

Please note that certain types of devices are not allowed to be used on campus, including but not limited to:

  • Personal routers
  • Access points
  • Network switches
  • Cell signal boosters
  • WiFi Cameras
  • Cell Phone Repeaters

Please note that certain types of devices may or may not be able to connect to our wireless network:

  • Google Home devices
  • Google Chromecast devices
  • Nintendo Wii (USB-to-Ethernet adapter required)
  • WiFi Connected Speakers

Support

WE'RE HERE TO HELP!
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970-351-4357

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Michener Tech Den