Connected to WiFi but no internet: a calm troubleshooting guide

Your PC shows the Wi-Fi icon, the network name says Connected, yet web pages won't load and Windows adds the words No internet. This is confusing because it looks like two contradicting messages. In fact, they're both true: your computer is connected to your router, but the connection from there to the internet isn't working — or your PC can't use it.

The trick is to work out where the break is. That tells you what to fix and saves a lot of guesswork.

1. Find out where the problem is

Pick up a phone, switch its mobile data off, and connect it to the same Wi-Fi. Then try to open a website.

• The phone can't browse either: the problem is the router or your internet service. Start at step 2, and if that doesn't help, jump to step 10.
• The phone works fine: the problem is on your PC. Skip to step 3.

Also look at your router's lights. Most routers have an Internet, WAN or globe-shaped light. If it's red, orange or off, the router has lost its connection to your provider.

2. Restart the router and modem correctly

Restarting in the right order matters if you have a separate modem and router.

1. Unplug the power from the modem and the router (if they're separate boxes).
2. Wait a full 60 seconds. This lets the provider's equipment release your old connection.
3. Plug in the modem first and wait until its lights are steady (about 2 minutes).
4. Plug in the router and wait another 2 minutes.
5. Test the internet on your PC again.

Avoid pressing the tiny recessed Reset button on the router. That erases your Wi-Fi name, password and provider settings, which is a much bigger job to redo.

3. Forget the network and reconnect

This makes Windows set up the connection from scratch, which clears out bad saved settings.

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Select Manage known networks.
3. Find your network and select Forget.
4. Select the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar, choose your network, and enter the password again.

Make sure you have your Wi-Fi password to hand before you do this. It's often printed on a sticker on the router.

4. Run the network troubleshooter

1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Next to Network and Internet, select Run. On newer versions of Windows 11, this opens the Get Help app.
3. Apply any fixes it recommends.

5. Reset DNS and network settings with commands

These commands clear Windows' saved internet addresses and reset the parts of Windows that handle network traffic. They're safe and widely used.

1. Select Start, type terminal, right-click Terminal and choose Run as administrator.
2. Type each command below and press Enter after each one:

3. Restart your PC — the last two commands only take effect after a restart.

6. Try a different DNS server

DNS is the internet's address book: it turns names like example.com into numbers computers understand. If your provider's DNS server is having problems, pages won't load even though you're connected. A well-known sign is that apps such as messaging or streaming work, but websites don't.

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, then select your network's properties (the [Your network] properties link).
2. Next to DNS server assignment, select Edit.
3. Change Automatic to Manual and switch on IPv4.
4. Enter a public DNS service, for example Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) or Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
5. Select Save and test again.

To undo this later, go back to the same setting and choose Automatic (DHCP).

7. Check VPN, proxy and security software

A VPN that failed to connect, or a proxy setting left behind by a program, can block all browsing.

• If you use a VPN app, disconnect it or close it completely and test again.
• Open Settings > Network & internet > Proxy. Under Manual proxy setup, make sure Use a proxy server is off unless your workplace told you to use one.
• Third-party firewalls and security suites occasionally block connections after an update. Check the program's own settings or temporarily pause its web protection to test. Turn it back on afterwards.

8. Update or roll back the Wi-Fi driver

If the problem started right after a Windows update, the Wi-Fi driver may be at fault.

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters and find your Wi-Fi adapter (its name usually includes Wireless, Wi-Fi or 802.11).
3. Right-click it and choose Properties, then open the Driver tab.
4. If the problem is new, select Roll Back Driver (if available). Otherwise, check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates for a newer driver, or get one from your PC maker's official support site using another device.

It's also worth checking the adapter's power settings: on the Power Management tab (if present), untick Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

9. Use Network reset

This is the last step on the PC side. It removes and reinstalls all network adapters and returns networking settings to factory defaults.

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
2. Select Network reset, then Reset now.
3. Your PC restarts after about five minutes.

Afterwards you'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi with your password, and reinstall or reconfigure any VPN software.

10. When to contact your internet provider

If no device in your home can browse, and restarting the router didn't help, the problem is most likely on your provider's side. Before calling:

• Check your provider's official service-status page or app using mobile data.
• Make sure your account and bill are up to date.
• Note which router lights are on, off or blinking and what colour they are — support staff will ask.

Use the phone number printed on your bill, router or the provider's official website — not one from a search ad or popup.

Frequently asked questions