Ok, I guess the title is a little misleading, but if you click the nm-applet, select a new wifi AP, it will just say “Connection Failed” instantly in the top corner, and does not ask for a password. If you then click the nm-applet again, hit “network settings” and then “settings” icon by the network you just attempted to connect to, and then add a password (the password field is blank and red), save and try to connect again then it will work (assuming you type the password correctly).
I believe the solution (after googling) is installing gnome-keyring which is required by nm-applet for passwords. I tested this on the t440p with endeavouros and low and behold, the prompt to enter a password popped up.
Am I missing something else? Is this just missing from packages list in the cinnamon install? Or is this a “feature” or something else?