Thanks, but I just tried it with 1.8.5 and still getting the same issue.This is probably the known issue with Imager WiFi settings with 1.9.4 on Windows 11
https://github.com/raspberrypi/rpi-imager/issues/1067
So, we could use 1.8.5 to work around it.
Brand new Pi Zero 2 W, can only get wifi to work in headless mode if I connect to a monitor and use raspi-config to set the wifi settings manually.
I'm looking for the true headless experience where it uses the wifi settings I specify in the imager and connect over SSH on first boot.
Sadly, you and numerous others seem to be the victims of a 'deadly embrace' that is preventing progress on resolving this Issue.
A Developer in the Github discussion of that Issue has dismissed it as "not waiting long enough", which seems to have blocked any further investigation that might result in s solution. Furthermore he calls for further discussion to take place here in these Forums. The workaround yo have described appears to be the official advice: "connect an HDMI monitor and a USB keyboard to your Raspberry Pi Zero"
This reply itself is not going to help, but I will use it to post a further Report to the Forum Moderators asking for their help to unblock this impasse.
Statistics: Posted by B.Goode — Wed Jul 09, 2025 6:58 am