Captive Portal redirection takes too long on W11

Question

I've some Windows11 trying to conect through a wired connection. These W11 are located into a Guest network through the NAC device configured. This NAC sends an ACL that redirects the user into a captive portal link where the user has to login before having internet access.

The issue or the not desired behaviour I'm facing is when a laptop is connected, as it does not open the captive portal automatically and some times the user has to wait some minutes and try manually the redirection (trying to access to some random website so the browser redirects the user to the captive portal) as if the user tries the manual redirection just right after the connection, the browser shows it does not have internet connectivity. The laptop gets a correct IP and from the Switch I can see that the ACL with the redirection is also asigned to the connection.

Any help is appreciated :)

Answer 1

Hello Alberto,

Thank you for your question and for reaching out with your question today.

The behavior you're experiencing with the Windows 11 laptops and the captive portal redirection can be influenced by various factors. Here are some suggestions to help troubleshoot and improve the captive portal experience:

1. Clear browser cache: In some cases, the browser cache can prevent the automatic redirection to the captive portal. Ask the users to clear their browser cache and cookies before attempting to access the internet.
2. Disable proxy settings: Verify that the laptops do not have any proxy settings configured in the browser or system settings. Proxy settings can interfere with the captive portal redirection process. Ensure that the laptops are set to use direct internet connection without any proxy configuration.
3. Update network drivers: Ensure that the network drivers on the Windows 11 laptops are up to date. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause connectivity issues or interfere with the captive portal redirection process. Visit the laptop manufacturer's website or Windows Update to check for and install any available network driver updates.
4. Check captive portal settings: Review the configuration of the captive portal on the NAC device. Ensure that it is correctly configured to redirect users to the captive portal page upon connection. Double-check any authentication settings, redirect URLs, and timeout values to ensure they align with your desired behavior.
5. Test with different browsers: Try accessing the captive portal with different browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge) on the Windows 11 laptops. Some browsers may handle captive portal redirection differently, so testing with multiple browsers can help identify any browser-specific issues.
6. Verify DNS resolution: Confirm that the laptops can resolve DNS properly. Incorrect DNS settings can lead to issues with captive portal redirection. Ensure that the laptops are configured to use the correct DNS servers or obtain DNS automatically from the network.
7. Monitor network traffic: Use network monitoring tools to observe the network traffic between the laptops and the NAC device during the captive portal redirection process. This can help identify any issues or discrepancies in the network communication.

If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with the vendor or manufacturer of the NAC device for further troubleshooting and assistance. They can provide insights specific to the configuration and behavior of the device, helping you address the captive portal redirection issue effectively.

I used AI provided by ChatGPT to formulate part of this response. I have verified that the information is accurate before sharing it with you.

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