Optimized automated access network connectivity is provided. A network connecting device (NCD) may perform an optimized access network setup process upon boot-up to connect to an access network. The optimized process may be determined by a cloud-based machine-learning system based on learned connecting and network usage behaviors. The optimized process may include a sequence of network connectivity evaluations configured to minimize the setup time associated with discovering and connecting to an access network. The optimized process may further reduce or eliminate the probability of device failure due to an erroneous access network implementation by establishing communications with a test server prior to committing an access operating mode to non-volatile memory. The NCD may be configured to modify the device's master configuration settings to include the optimized process such that when a master reset is performed, the device may utilize the optimized process to discover and connect to the access network.