Wi-Fi connected, but no internet? Start here.

A Wi-Fi connection means your device can connect to the local wireless network. It does not prove that the router can reach the internet. Start by narrowing down where the failure happens before changing settings.

Check a second device

Open two unrelated websites on another device connected to the same Wi-Fi. Make sure that device is not silently using mobile data.

• If both devices fail, investigate the router, modem, or internet provider.
• If only one device fails, focus on that device’s network settings and software.
• If only one website fails, the website itself may be unavailable.

This comparison is usually more useful than repeatedly reconnecting the same device.

Check for a sign-in page

Hotels, airports, and cafés may require you to accept terms before connecting. Look for a network sign-in notification. If necessary, visit an ordinary HTTP page to prompt the portal.

Never ignore a certificate warning or enter sensitive information into a suspicious portal. Confirm the network name with the venue.

Restart the connection carefully

Disconnect and reconnect Wi-Fi on the affected device. If the issue affects multiple devices, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to restart your router and modem. Wait for their normal connection lights to return.

A restart is different from a factory reset. Do not press a reset pinhole: that may erase your configuration.

Isolate VPN and proxy settings

If the problem began after installing a VPN or changing proxy settings, review that change. On a personal device, temporarily disconnect the VPN and compare the result on a trusted network. Re-enable it after testing.

For a work-managed device, contact your administrator before changing security or network policies.

Contact your provider with evidence

Check your provider’s service-status page using another connection. If you contact support, explain which devices fail, whether Ethernet works, what lights the modem displays, and when the problem started.

Avoid changing several settings at once. Record each change and undo it if it does not help.

What to read next

If websites fail by name, understanding what DNS does can help you describe the symptoms. A DNS explanation is not a reason to change providers before identifying the fault.