SOVLED! Fix “Incorrect PSK Provided For Network”

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Since the “Incorrect PSK provided for network” error is usually caused by bugs, the best solution is to disconnect and reconnect to the network. Besides that, you should consider resetting the router/modem, updating the network adapter driver, updating Windows, performing SFC and DISM scans, etc. Unable to carry out the solutions on your own? In that case, this article could help you out.

“Incorrect PSK Provided For Network”: Why

It’s not uncommon for Windows computers to run into errors while establishing network connections. Still, once it comes to “Incorrect PSK provided for network”, you should take these suspects into account: 

  • Bugs
  • Router/modem
  • Network adapter driver
  • Windows
  • Corruption

What Must Be Done

Disconnect And Reconnect To The Network

  • Step 1: Look to the right of the taskbar, right-click the Network icon and pick Open Network and Internet Settings.
  • Step 2: Select Wi-Fi then choose Manage known networks.
  • Step 3: Locate your network, click it and pick Forget.
  • Step 4: Restart your computer.
  • Step 5: When the screen comes back on, reconnect to your network and see how things turn out.

Alternatively, 

  • Step 1: Go to Search bar, type Control Panel and press Enter.
  • Step 2: Change View by to Small icons, select Network and Sharing Centre then choose Set up a new connection or network.
  • Step 3: Click Manually connect to a wireless network and pick Next.
  • Step 4: Enter the name of your network as well as its security key. As for Security Type, it’s strongly recommended that you opt for WPA2-Personal. After you finish, select Next and choose Use the existing network. 
  • Step 5: Restart your computer. 

Note: Depending on the situation, you could use Command Prompt to establish connection to the network. 

  • Step 1: Go to Search bar, type cmd and hit Run as administrator.
  • Step 2: In Command Prompt (Admin), run the command netsh wlan show profiles
  • Step 3: Proceed to run the command netsh wlan connect name= “X” in Command Prompt (Admin). X is a stand-in for the name of your network. 

Reset Router/Modem

All in all, routers/modems allow computers to connect to the Internet but if they act up, network connection would go haywire. You keep coming across the “Incorrect PSK provided for network” error? Then it won’t hurt to reset your router/modem at least once. Depending on the model, you have to hit the power button, sever the power supply and so on. 

Update The Network Adapter Driver

  • Step 1: Go to Search bar, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device Manager. 
  • Step 2: Locate your network adapter, right-click it and pitch Update driver.
  • Step 3: Hit Search automatically for updated driver software 
  • Step 4: The moment the update completes, restart your computer.
  • Step 5: Determine whether the issue persists. 

Update Windows

  • Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings, click Update & Security and pick Check for updates.
  • Step 2: If an update is available, allow Windows to download and install it.
  • Step 3: Restart your computer as soon as the process wraps up.

Perform SFC And DISM Scans

  • Step 1: Go to Search bar, type cmd and hit Run as administrator. 
  • Step 2: In Command Prompt (Admin), run the command sfc /scannow to perform the SFC scan. 
  • Step 3: When the SFC scan concludes, run each of the following commands to perform the DISM scan:
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  • Step 4: Run the command exit to close Command Prompt.
  • Step 5: Restart your computer. 

Questions And Answers

What exactly is PSK?

Pre-Shared Key (PSK) is a form of password that encrypts and decrypts data for secured network’s traffic. Network’s users must exchange prior to communication. 

Which one is superior, pre-shared key or digital certificate?

A digital certificate is safer than a pre-shared key since it is much longer and harder to exploit. Moreover, with a digital certificate, you can revoke the certificate from the server if you lose access to your computer. 

Why is my wireless network not showing up?

If your network is not showing up in the list of available networks, a couple of possibilities:

  • The device is outside of the range of the router/modem. 
  • The presence of obstacles (walls, appliances, wireless devices and so on)
  • Hardware issues (router/modem, network adaptor, …)

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