Wi-Fi Connected but No Internet? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• An internet service problem, such as an outage
• A router or modem that needs a restart
• Wi-Fi or Airplane Mode settings on your device
• VPN, security software, a firewall or proxy settings
• Your device not getting an IP address from the router
• Out-of-date router firmware
• A public Wi-Fi sign-in page you haven’t completed

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start by finding out where the problem is, then work through the steps for your device, and open a webpage after each one to see if you’re back online.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check if the problem is your device or the network

   Testing another device and another network tells you where to look next.

   Try the same Wi-Fi network on another device, like a laptop or another phone. If other devices can use the network, the problem is most likely with your device. If they can’t get online either, there might be a service outage, so contact your internet service provider.

   To see if the issue is only with your own Wi-Fi network, try connecting your device to Wi-Fi in a different location.

   On Windows 11, you can start with the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It runs diagnostics and attempts to fix most problems.

   Good to know

   If Windows shows the Wi-Fi Connected icon but you still have connectivity issues, Microsoft says the problem might be with a specific app or website, or a firewall blocking your internet connection.

2. 2

   Step 2: Turn Wi-Fi off and on and check Airplane Mode

   Make sure Wi-Fi is on and Airplane Mode is off, then reconnect to your network.

   On iPhone, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi and make sure Wi-Fi is turned on. A blue checkmark shows you’re connected. Then go back to Settings and make sure Airplane Mode is off.

   On Windows, turn Wi-Fi off, turn it on again and reconnect to your wireless network. Open Settings, select Network & Internet, then Airplane mode, and make sure Airplane mode is turned off.

   On Android, open your Settings app and tap Network & Internet or Connections, then Wi-Fi, and turn Wi-Fi on. Depending on your device, these options may be different. On a Pixel phone, you can also turn Wi-Fi off and on again to reconnect, and make sure Airplane mode is off, then turn it on and off again.

   On Android, you can also reset your internet connection: swipe down from the top of the screen, touch and hold Internet, then tap Reset. If you’re on a phone or video call, the call will end.

   Good to know

   On Android, you can also open Settings and tap Network & internet or Connections, depending on your device, then turn Wi-Fi off and mobile data on to see if there’s a difference. Turn mobile data off and Wi-Fi back on afterward.

3. 3

   Step 3: Restart your phone or computer

   A restart is sometimes all it takes to fix a bad connection.

   On Android, restart your device. On a Pixel phone, press the power button for a few seconds, then tap Restart on the screen.

   On Windows, save your work and close your apps, then select Start, then Power, then Restart.

   On iPhone, restart your device if the Wi-Fi setting appears dimmed (grayed out).

4. 4

   Step 4: Forget and rejoin the Wi-Fi network

   Remove the saved network from your device, then join it again.

   On Windows, open Settings, select Network & internet, then Wi-Fi, then Manage known networks. Select your Wi-Fi network and click Forget. Then select the network again and enter the password to reconnect.

   On Android, open your device’s Settings app and tap Network & internet, then Internet. Touch and hold the saved network and tap Forget. To join it again, tap it in the list, or at the bottom of the list tap Add network. You may need to enter the network name (SSID) and security details.

   On a Pixel phone, public networks like those at cafes or airports often have a webpage for you to complete. If you don’t find an authorization page after you connect, check for a notification that asks you to sign in, or open a new page in a new window. If that doesn’t work, open Settings, tap Network & internet, then Internet, touch and hold the network name and tap Forget. Turn Wi-Fi off and then on again, tap the network name, tap the sign-in notification and agree to the terms.

   Good to know

   Google notes that some of its Android Wi-Fi steps work only on Android 12 and up.

5. 5

   Step 5: Check VPN, security software, apps and proxy settings

   Software and settings on your device can keep it from getting online, so check the ones Apple, Microsoft and Google list.

   On iPhone, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi and make sure Connectivity Assist is off. If you have VPN or security software installed, uninstall it, restart your device and test the Wi-Fi connection again. If that fixes it but you must use the software, contact your VPN manager or the security software provider.

   On Windows, open Settings, select Network & Internet, then Proxy, and turn off any manual proxy settings.

   On a Pixel phone, a downloaded app can cause the problem. Restart your phone in safe mode and try the Wi-Fi network again. If it works in safe mode, a downloaded app is most likely the cause: restart to exit safe mode, then uninstall recently downloaded apps one by one and check the connection. If Wi-Fi doesn’t work in safe mode, there’s likely a problem with the Wi-Fi network or internet connection.

   On a Pixel phone, an incorrect date and time can also cause Wi-Fi connection problems. Open Settings, tap System, then Date & time, and turn on Set time automatically.

   Good to know

   Airplane mode turns on automatically when a Pixel phone enters safe mode. Google recommends turning it off so you can keep using Wi-Fi.

6. 6

   Step 6: Restart your router and modem

   Unplugging your router and modem refreshes the network connection and creates a new connection to your internet service provider.

   Unplug the router and modem from power, then plug them back in. This can resolve minor connection issues. Everyone connected to your Wi-Fi network is disconnected for a short time while you do this.

   If you have a single modem and router combo device, you only need to restart that one device.

   Google’s Android help suggests checking your router’s manual for its instructions. Often you can unplug the router, make sure its lights go out, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait 30 seconds for all the lights to come back on.

   Good to know

   Microsoft’s steps give an order: unplug the router, then the modem, and wait at least 30 seconds. Plug the modem back in first and wait for its lights to stop blinking, then plug in the router. Wait a few minutes for both to fully power on; the status lights show when they’re ready.

7. 7

   Step 7: Check the router’s range, band and firmware

   The router itself can be the reason your device joins the network but can’t get online.

   Make sure your router is turned on and that you’re in range, since you might be too far from the signal. Many routers broadcast 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz as separate networks. If you see both, try joining the other one, for example 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz.

   On Android, look for the Wi-Fi connection indicator at the top of your screen. If it isn’t displayed, or none of the bars are filled in, you may be out of range of the network, so move closer to the router and try again.

   Update your router with the latest firmware. For help, contact the router’s manufacturer or see the documentation for your router.

   Good to know

   If you don’t manage your network and don’t know how to make configuration changes, contact your internet service provider.

8. 8

   Step 8: Renew the IP address and flush DNS on Windows

   These commands release and renew your IP address and flush the DNS cache.

   Select Search on the taskbar and type command prompt. To the right of Command Prompt, select Run as administrator, then Yes. Then type each command below and press Enter after each one:

   • ipconfig /release
   • ipconfig /renew
   • ipconfig /flushdns

   Good to know

   If your IP address looks like 169.254.x.x, Windows couldn’t get an IP address from your router. If you’re not using static IP addresses, check that DHCP is enabled on your router, using your router’s documentation.

9. 9

   Step 9: Test the connection to your router on Windows

   A ping test shows whether the problem is between your PC and the router or beyond it.

   In an administrator Command Prompt, type ipconfig and press Enter. Find your Wi-Fi network in the results and note the IP address next to Default gateway. Then type ping followed by that address, and press Enter.

   If you get replies, your PC is connected to your Wi-Fi router, so there might be a problem with your modem or internet service provider. Contact your provider, or check online on another device for a service outage.

   If the router doesn’t reply, try connecting your PC directly to your modem with an Ethernet cable. If the internet works that way, the problem is the Wi-Fi router, so make sure it has the latest firmware and see its documentation.

10. 10

    Step 10: Update your software, then reset network settings as a last step

    Install any updates first, and treat a network settings reset as the last thing to try.

    On Windows, select Start, then Settings, then Windows Update, then Check for updates, and install any new updates. On a Pixel phone, check for the latest system update once you’re connected again, since updates can bring improvements that help fix issues.

    Reset network settings only if the other steps don’t help. On iPhone, open the Settings app, tap General, then the option that begins Transfer or Reset, then Reset, then Reset Network Settings. This resets all Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings.

    On Windows 11, open Settings, select Network & internet, then Advanced network settings, then Network reset. Select Reset now, then Yes, and wait for your PC to restart. On Windows 10, network reset is under Status, then Network reset.

    Good to know

    Network reset on Windows removes your network adapters and their settings, then reinstalls them with default settings after the restart. You might need to set up VPN software again afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions