Your Android is probably blocking Walmart's WiFi because it doesn't trust the network's security setup
Walmart's in-store WiFi uses an older security standard called WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or sometimes no password at all. Most Android phones made in the last five years reject these networks by default because they're genuinely unsafe — anyone nearby can intercept your data. Your phone isn't broken; it's protecting you from a network that would expose your passwords and payment information.
The second reason is simpler: you may have told Android to forget the network after a bad connection, and now it won't reconnect even if you ask it to. Or the Walmart network itself is overloaded because hundreds of phones are trying to use it at once, and your phone gives up trying.
Before you try anything below, restart your phone completely. Power it off, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. This clears temporary connection glitches and is the fix that works most often.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart's WiFi uses outdated security that Android phones reject automatically, which is a safety feature, not a malfunction.
- Restarting your phone clears most temporary connection problems and should be your first step.
- If you must use Walmart's network, you can override the security warning on most Android phones by going into WiFi settings and selecting the network manually.
- Using your phone's mobile data instead of WiFi is safer and often faster than fighting with the store network.
- If the network appears but won't connect after you select it, the store's router is likely overloaded and you should try again in a few minutes.
Check whether Walmart's network even appears in your list
Open Settings on your Android phone and tap WiFi. Look for a network name that starts with "Walmart" or "Walmart-Guest". If you see it in the list, skip to the next section. If you don't see it at all, your phone's WiFi radio may be off, or you're out of range of the router.
Make sure WiFi is turned on — the toggle at the top of the WiFi settings page should be blue or switched to the right. If it's already on, turn it off and back on again. Wait ten seconds for your phone to scan for networks, then look again.
If you still don't see any Walmart network, move closer to the front of the store where the routers usually sit. If you're in the back near the stockroom, the signal may not reach. Ask a store employee where the WiFi is strongest — they deal with this question often.
Override the security warning to connect
When you tap on the Walmart network, Android will usually show a warning that says something like "This network uses an older security type" or "WEP is not find". This is Android telling you the truth — the network is not find. But if you need to use it anyway, you can tell Android to connect anyway.
Tap Connect or OK on the warning. Your phone will connect to the network. You may see another prompt asking you to accept terms of service or sign in — if so, open your web browser and you should be taken to a Walmart login page automatically. You don't usually need to create an account; just accept the terms and you're in.
Once you're connected, your phone will remember this network. The next time you're at Walmart, it will connect automatically without showing the warning again.
What to do if the network appears but won't actually connect
Sometimes your phone will see the Walmart network, you'll tap it, and it will sit on "Connecting..." for a minute or two and then give up. This almost always means the store's router is overloaded — too many phones are trying to use it at once, and it can't handle the load.
Wait five to ten minutes and try again. The crowd of shoppers using WiFi changes throughout the day, and the router may have freed up capacity. If it still won't connect, try "forgetting" the network and reconnecting. Go back to WiFi settings, find the Walmart network, tap it, and select Forget. Then tap it again and try to connect fresh.
If you've tried twice and it still won't work, use your phone's mobile data instead. Your cellular connection is usually faster than Walmart's WiFi anyway, and you won't have to fight with an overloaded network.
Why using mobile data is often the better choice
Walmart's in-store WiFi is free, but it comes with real downsides. The network is shared by hundreds of people, so it's slow. It uses weak security, so anything you send over it can be intercepted. And it fails often because the routers can't handle the load.
Your phone's mobile data from your carrier is encrypted end-to-end, meaning only you and the company you're talking to can see what you're doing. It's faster than the store WiFi most of the time. If you have a data plan with your carrier, using it at Walmart costs you nothing extra and is the safer choice.
The only reason to use Walmart's WiFi is if you're completely out of mobile data and need to read something large. In that case, avoid logging into bank accounts, email, or shopping sites while you're on it.
Prevent connection problems before your next visit
If you know you'll be at Walmart regularly and want a reliable connection, the best move is to use mobile data and stop trying to use the store WiFi. But if you want the network to work smoothly when you do connect, make sure your phone's software is up to date. Go to Settings, tap About Phone, and look for System Update or Software Update. If an update is available, install it. Newer Android versions handle weak WiFi networks more gracefully.
You can also improve your phone's connection by turning off WiFi scanning when you're not using WiFi. Go to Settings, tap Location, then Location Services, and turn off WiFi Scanning. This stops your phone from constantly looking for networks and can reduce battery drain and connection confusion.
When to contact Walmart support instead
If you've restarted your phone, moved closer to the router, and tried connecting multiple times over several visits, and the network still won't work, the problem may be with your specific phone model or with Walmart's network setup at that location.
Visit the customer service desk at the store and tell them your Android phone won't connect to the WiFi. They can check whether the network is working properly and whether other phones are having the same problem. If the issue is widespread, they may be able to restart the router or escalate it to their IT team. If it's only your phone, they can't fix it, but at least you'll know the network itself is working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use Walmart's WiFi if I'm just browsing?
Browsing is safer than logging into accounts, but not completely safe. Someone on the same network can still see what websites you visit. Avoid logging into email, banking, or shopping accounts while on Walmart's WiFi. If you must log in, use your mobile data instead.
Why does my phone connect to Walmart's WiFi at one store but not another?
Different Walmart locations may have different routers or network setups. Some stores use newer equipment with better security, which your phone will connect to without warnings. Others use older equipment. If one store works and another doesn't, the difference is in the store's equipment, not your phone.
Can I make my Android connect to Walmart's WiFi automatically?
Once you've connected once and told Android to remember the network, it will connect automatically the next time you're in range. You won't have to tap anything. If you want to turn this off, go to WiFi settings, find the Walmart network, and select Forget.
What if I see multiple Walmart networks in my list?
Walmart stores with large buildings sometimes have multiple routers to cover the whole space. They usually have names like "Walmart-Guest" and "Walmart-Guest-2". Try connecting to whichever one has the strongest signal — your phone will show signal strength as bars next to the network name. Start with the one showing the most bars.
Does turning off WiFi security warnings make my phone less safe overall?
No. Turning off the warning for one network doesn't change your phone's security settings. Your phone will still warn you about other unsafe networks. You're only telling Android to trust this one specific network, and only while you're using it.