# Networking: wlan0: WPA: 4-way handshake failed - pre-shared key may be incorrect / WRONG_KEY

**Code:** `4-way handshake timeout / Incorrect password` · **Category:** Networking · **Seen on:** Linux, Android, Windows, Networking

The Wi-Fi association started but key negotiation failed, almost always a wrong password.

## Meaning

Re-enter the passphrase (watch case and look-alike characters), forget and rejoin the network, and make sure the access point security mode (WPA2/WPA3 transition, WPA3-only) is supported by the client. Weak signal can also time out the handshake.

## Common causes

- Wrong Wi-Fi password
- WPA3-only or mixed mode unsupported by an old adapter
- Saved profile with the old password
- Very weak signal during the handshake
- MAC filtering or too many clients on the access point

## Quick fix

1. Forget the network and join again with the correct password
2. Test with WPA2/WPA3 transition mode
3. Move closer to confirm it is not a signal problem

## Detailed fix by platform

### Linux

1. `journalctl -u wpa_supplicant -n 50 | grep -iE "handshake|WRONG_KEY|PSK"`

## How to diagnose

1. **Password** — Correct, case-sensitive?
2. **Security mode** — Supported?
3. **Signal** — Strong enough?

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Source: [WhatIsMyError](https://whatismyerror.com/errors/networking/wifi-wpa-handshake-timeout-wrong-password)