How to allow ChromeOS users to connect to any network

Problem

You are not able to connect to any WiFi network outside your organization.

Environment

  • ChromeOS
  • Chromebooks

Solution

IMPORTANT: Make sure that there is no restriction for the network connection by following the steps described below.

  1. Log in to the Admin console.
  2. Go to Devices > Network.
  3. Choose the organizational unit where the users are.
  4. Go to General settings. 
  5. For Auto-connect remove the restriction, then Save.
  6. For WiFi networks remove the restriction, then Save.
  7. Make sure that the Chromebooks are connected to the assigned WiFi while the policies are being pushed, so they can connect to a different network.
  8. Check that the configuration reached the device:
    1. Open chrome://policy
    2. Search for the policy DeviceOpenNetworkConfiguration and review the following:
      • DisableNetworkTypes is not present.
      • AllowOnlyPolicyNetworksToAutoconnect is false.

Cause

The root cause are the policies that only allow the device to connect to specific configured WiFi.