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Installed nextdns via the "sh ... curl" line. Captive portals stopped working. I uninstalled nextdns but captive p still don't work. Help

On my Linux Mint Cinnamon 21.3, I installed nextdns in the terminal this way:

sh -c 'sh -c "$(curl -sL https://nextdns.io/install)"'

I couldn't log into a public wifi that uses a captive portal, so I've decided to uninstall nextdns using that same command.

But even though https://my.nextdns.io/[my_special_id]/setup says "This device is not using NextDNS.", I still can't log into the same public wifi (the one that uses a captive portal).

What must I do to completely undo whatever that linux terminal command did to my linux laptop? I wish to be able to log into

35 replies

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    • Necks_Dee
    • 2 wk ago
    • Reported - view
     said:
    The objective is to test whether a clean system can even login to the library’s captive portal successfully or not (my thinking is that it will also fail with the same problem - which will conclude that the fault is with their system).

    But I can log into the public library's wifi on my phone. Plus,  there's so many people at that library with their laptops . I have been assuming they can connect to the wifi, too.

      • R_P_M
      • 13 days ago
      • Reported - view

       If that’s the situation then testing the live usb can connect is the only way to find out if something you’ve set (accidentally or otherwise) is at fault. Or the other possibility could be somehow your laptop was put on some blacklist because of some perceived attack or something (just a guess, no idea if they even do this).

      • Necks_Dee
      • 13 days ago
      • Reported - view

      on the live mint usb, i don't need to install nextdns, right. you would like me to just try to connect to the library wifi as is, yes?

      • R_P_M
      • 13 days ago
      • Reported - view

      Yes, that’s correct. This is to check a “clean” system can connect and login without errors. 

      Oh, just to add. If you do manage to login ok using the live USB , the connectivity may actually persist when booting into your normal system. 

      • Necks_Dee
      • 10 days ago
      • Reported - view

      I'm typing this to you on Live Mint USB.

      I'm getting the same error message when connecting to the library captive portal.

      "Hmm. We're having trouble finding that site.

      We can't connect to the server at captiveportal-login DOT librarywebsite DOT com

      If you entered the right address, you can:

      Try again later

      Check your internet connection

      Check that firefox has permission to access the web (you might be connected  but behind a firewall)

      • R_P_M
      • 9 days ago
      • Reported - view

       I found your comment about typing on the live USB a bit confusing. If you weren’t able to login successfully, how were you able to reply?!

      Anyway, if it did still not connect, maybe it is blocking your device for some reason.

      Maybe, since you’re using Linux mint, you could try changing the MAC address for the connection (device might then be seen as different and not blocked). Or the other option is to try a cheap USB WiFi dongle to connect rather than using the built in WiFi. 
      This is all “shots in the dark” right now because it’s nothing to do with NextDNS or anything you have done directly. It can only be something on the library’s setup that’s stopping you from logging in. 

      • Necks_Dee
      • 9 days ago
      • Reported - view

      M because I am on my phone I cannot write a lot,I will address just the first paragraph in your reply. At the place I go to with the library wi-fi, there is another Wi-Fi available. So I switch over from the non-working Library Wi-Fi to the working Community Wi-Fi

      • R_P_M
      • 3 days ago
      • Reported - view

      Ah, ok I understand now.

      So it seems the library system doesn't like your laptop's wifi for some reason. Do you know how to change the MAC address for your WiFi connection or do you need the steps?

      • Necks_Dee
      • 3 days ago
      • Reported - view

      thanks RPM for being my constant help. Could you kindly provide the steps to change MAC?

      BTW, will changing MAC mess things up when I'm connected to other wifi networks?

      • R_P_M
      • 2 days ago
      • Reported - view

      I believe the change is only for the current WiFi connection but if it worries you, try the setting using the Live USB first.

      Ok, here are the steps:

      1. Access "Network" via the control center or in the Preferences section.
      2. Connect to Library WiFi and cog wheel will appear on the name line. Tap cog.
      3. Window shows connection details (local IP, Default Route=Router, DNS & other info).
      4. Click button "Advanced settings" (or something similar) at the bottom of window.
      5. Then on the Identity section you will find the MAC settings.

      That's the main steps, I'll need to test out the Cinnamon Live USB on my machine, see how the clone MAC works for myself.

      • R_P_M
      • 2 days ago
      • Reported - view

      Bad news on the testing front. My home WiFi did not allow a clone MAC address at all, it did not connect. I've no idea if this will work for the Library WiFi.

      Also some of the steps were a bit off, there's no Advanced settings button but Identity section appears from the cog window. I did find a different way to get to changing the clone MAC options. It's labelled as "Advanced Network settings" (or similar) in the main menu or from the WiFi menu Network Connections. Just select the WiFi name then edit cog and the Clone MAC is right there. The drop down list has extra options like Random & Stable (the other ones just keep the MAC the same presumably).

      Anyway, this option may not work, it simply refused to connect to my WiFi, so could fail for you with the Library WiFi.

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