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How to Fix Wi-Fi Connected But No Internet
Router & WiFiIntermediate10-20 minutes

How to Fix Wi-Fi Connected But No Internet

Difficulty
Intermediate
Time
10-20 minutes
Category
Router & WiFi

Your device shows it's connected to Wi-Fi, but nothing loads - here's how to fix the 'connected but no internet' problem in minutes.

💡What's Happening

You see the Wi-Fi icon showing a strong connection, but when you try to browse, nothing loads. Email won't sync, apps won't refresh, and you're stuck staring at loading spinners. This is one of the most common and frustrating Wi-Fi issues because everything looks fine, but nothing actually works. The good news? This usually has a simple fix, and we'll walk you through it step by step.

✓Quick Checks (Do These First)

  • Test another device. Does your phone also have the problem? If only one device is affected, it's not the router.
  • Check the router lights. Is the Internet/WAN light solid or flashing? If it's off or red, your ISP connection is down.
  • Try a website, not just one app. Sometimes apps fail while browsers work, or vice versa.
  • Check if Ethernet works. If you can plug in directly, does that give you internet? This tells you if it's Wi-Fi-specific.
  • Look for ISP outages. Check your provider's website or social media for reported outages in your area.

🔧Step-by-Step Fixes

Fix 1: Restart Your Router and Modem (The Right Way)

This fixes about 70% of "connected but no internet" issues. But you need to do it in the right order:

  1. Unplug your modem (the device from your ISP) from power
  2. Unplug your router from power
  3. Wait 30 full seconds (this clears the memory)
  4. Plug in the modem first and wait until all lights are stable (2-3 minutes)
  5. Now plug in your router and wait for it to fully boot up
  6. Try connecting again

Why this works: Your modem needs to re-establish the connection with your ISP before your router can distribute that connection.

Fix 2: Forget and Reconnect to the Network

Sometimes your device has saved incorrect connection settings.

On Windows:

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray
  2. Click Network & Internet settings
  3. Select Wi-Fi then Manage known networks
  4. Click your network and choose Forget
  5. Reconnect and enter your password again

On iPhone/Android:

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi
  2. Tap the (i) or gear icon next to your network
  3. Choose Forget This Network
  4. Reconnect with your password

Fix 3: Reset Your Network Settings on Your Device

If forgetting the network didn't work, a full network reset often does.

On Windows:

  1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings
  2. Click Network reset
  3. Click Reset now and confirm
  4. Your computer will restart - reconnect to Wi-Fi after

On iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
  2. Tap Reset then Reset Network Settings
  3. Enter your passcode and confirm

Fix 4: Change Your DNS Servers

Sometimes your ISP's DNS servers are down or slow. Switching to public DNS can instantly fix connectivity.

  1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi
  2. Click Hardware properties next to your network
  3. Click Edit next to IP assignment
  4. Change to Manual and turn on IPv4
  5. Enter these DNS servers:
    • Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8 (Google)
    • Alternate DNS: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)
  6. Save and test your connection

Fix 5: Check for IP Address Conflicts

  1. Open Command Prompt (press Win + R, type cmd)
  2. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter
  3. Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter
  4. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter
  5. Close Command Prompt and test your connection

⚠️If Nothing Worked

If all devices show connected but have no internet, and you've restarted everything, the problem is likely with your ISP connection itself. Try accessing your router's admin page (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). If the router shows "no WAN connection" or "no internet," you'll need to contact your ISP. The issue could also be a faulty modem or a problem with the cable/fiber line coming into your home.

📞When to Call a Pro

If you've tried these steps and still can't get online after an hour, or if the problem keeps coming back daily, it's time to get expert help. The issue could be router firmware problems, ISP configuration issues, or even interference from nearby networks.

Need Professional Help?

If you're in the Tampa Bay area and need hands-on assistance, Geeks in Sneaks provides friendly, on-site tech support in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin.

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Related Topics

wifiinternettroubleshootingrouterconnectivity

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