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Scan Wi-Fi networks with nmcli

Trigger a fresh wireless scan and list SSIDs with signal strength and security, no GUI needed.

LinuxnetworkWi-FinetworkmanagerLow risk
Run nmcli device wifi rescan && nmcli device wifi list to refresh and show nearby networks sorted by signal.

01Command

Command
$ nmcli device wifi rescan && nmcli device wifi list

02What it does

NetworkManager caches scan results, so the list can lag reality by minutes; device wifi rescan forces a new probe and device wifi list prints the table — SSID, BSSID, mode, channel, rate, signal bars and security type. The output is what you would see in a desktop applet, and the same connection can then be made with nmcli device wifi connect SSID password.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
RequirementsNetworkManager (nmcli) — standard on Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch derivatives with GNOME/KDE. No root needed for scanning.
!Warning: Rescan takes a few seconds to return fresh data, and the command errors if the device is managed by another tool (wpa_supplicant alone, iwd, or rfkill-blocked). Scanning does reveal your MAC to nearby APs; if you randomize MACs, check the wifi.cloned-mac-address setting.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • nmcli(1) — Debian bookworm
    Debian Manpages · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents 'nmcli device wifi [list]' and 'nmcli device wifi rescan' with the SSID/BARS/SIGNAL fields shown by the list output.
  • nmcli(1) - Ubuntu manpage
    Ubuntu Manpages · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Same commands: device wifi rescan triggers a new scan and device wifi list prints available APs with signal strength.

Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: Network

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