Category: Technology
What to Do When Your Wi-Fi Isn’t Working
Few technology problems are more frustrating than suddenly losing Wi-Fi. A webpage stops loading, a video freezes, your television disconnects, or your phone insists there’s no internet even though the Wi-Fi symbol is sitting right there.
The good news is that many Wi-Fi problems can be solved without technical expertise. The trick is figuring out where the problem is happening before you start changing settings.
Is it one app? One device? Your entire home? Or is your internet provider having a problem?
Working through a few simple steps in the right order can help you find the answer and often get everything connected again.
Helpful Resources: Browse Wi-Fi & Connectivity for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.
First, Understand Wi-Fi vs. Internet
Wi-Fi and internet aren’t exactly the same thing.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is the wireless connection between your device and your router.
Internet
The internet is the outside connection that allows your router to reach websites and online services.
Your device can sometimes show that it’s connected to Wi-Fi even when the internet connection itself isn’t working.
That’s why you may occasionally see messages such as:
Connected, no internet
or:
No internet connection
Your Wi-Fi may be working perfectly. The internet connection behind it may be the problem.
Start With One Simple Test
Before touching anything, try another website or app.
If one website won’t load but everything else works, your Wi-Fi probably isn’t the problem.
The website itself may be temporarily unavailable.
Try:
- Another website
- Another app
- A video
- An online search
If nothing works, continue troubleshooting.
Check Another Device
This is one of the fastest ways to narrow down the problem.
Try connecting another device to the same Wi-Fi network.
For example:
- Another phone
- Tablet
- Laptop
- Smart television
Then see whether the internet works.
If Other Devices Work
The problem is probably with your original device.
If Nothing Works
The problem is more likely related to:
- Your router
- Your modem
- Your internet connection
- Your internet provider
You’ve already eliminated a lot of possibilities with one simple test.
Check Whether Wi-Fi Is Turned On
Open your device’s Wi-Fi settings.
Make sure Wi-Fi is actually turned on.
It’s surprisingly easy to accidentally turn it off through:
- Quick settings
- Control Center
- Airplane Mode
- Device settings
If Wi-Fi is off, turn it back on and give the device a moment to reconnect.
Check Airplane Mode
Airplane Mode can disable wireless connections.
Look for an airplane symbol on your device.
If Airplane Mode is on:
- Turn it off.
- Wait a few seconds.
- Check whether Wi-Fi reconnects.
Some devices allow Wi-Fi to be manually turned back on while Airplane Mode remains active, so check both settings.
Make Sure You’re Connected to the Correct Network
Your device may see several nearby Wi-Fi networks.
Check that you’re connected to your own network.
You may see:
HomeWiFi
HomeWiFi-5G
NeighborWiFi
GuestNetwork
Apartment203
Make sure you recognize the network you’ve selected.
If you’re connected to an unfamiliar network, disconnect and choose the correct one.
Check the Wi-Fi Signal
Look at the Wi-Fi symbol on your device.
A weak signal may cause:
- Slow internet
- Videos that buffer
- Pages that don’t load
- Calls that freeze
- Frequent disconnections
If the signal is weak, move closer to your router and try again.
If the connection improves, distance or interference may be contributing to the problem.
Turn Wi-Fi Off and Back On
Sometimes your device simply needs to reconnect.
Try:
- Turn Wi-Fi off.
- Wait a few seconds.
- Turn Wi-Fi back on.
- Reconnect to your network if necessary.
This is quick, easy, and often worth trying before anything more complicated.
Restart Your Device
If Wi-Fi works on other devices but not yours, restart the problem device.
Restarting can clear temporary connection problems.
After the device starts again:
- Open Wi-Fi settings.
- Confirm Wi-Fi is turned on.
- Confirm you’re connected to the correct network.
- Try going online again.
Check Your Router
If several devices can’t connect to the internet, look at your router and modem.
Depending on your setup, you may have:
- One combined modem/router
- A separate modem and router
- A mesh Wi-Fi system
Look for obvious problems such as:
- No lights
- Unusual warning lights
- Loose cables
- A disconnected power cable
Don’t start pressing buttons yet.
Some buttons can change important settings.
What’s a Modem?
A modem connects your home network to your internet provider.
Depending on your internet service, it may connect through:
- Cable
- Fiber
- Telephone line
- Another type of service
In some homes, the modem and router are combined into one device.
What’s a Router?
The router creates and manages your home network.
It’s usually responsible for allowing your devices to connect through Wi-Fi.
Your:
- Phone
- Laptop
- Tablet
- Smart television
- Printer
- Smart home devices
may all connect through the router.
Restart Your Modem and Router
Restarting your networking equipment can solve many connection problems.
If you have one combined device:
- Unplug its power cable.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in.
- Give it several minutes to completely reconnect.
- Test your internet again.
If you have separate modem and router equipment, follow the restart instructions provided by your internet provider or equipment manufacturer.
These devices can take several minutes to fully reconnect.
Don’t assume the restart failed because the internet isn’t back after ten seconds.
Don’t Press the Reset Button
This is important.
Restart and reset are not the same thing.
Restart
Turns the equipment off and back on.
Reset
May erase your network settings and return the equipment to its factory configuration.
Many routers have a small Reset button on the back.
Don’t press it as a normal troubleshooting step.
You may turn a small internet problem into a much larger setup project.
Check the Cables
Look at the cables connected to your modem and router.
Make sure:
- Power cables are firmly connected.
- Internet cables haven’t come loose.
- Ethernet cables are securely inserted.
- Nothing appears visibly damaged.
If someone recently moved furniture, cleaned around the equipment, or rearranged cables, a connection may have been loosened.
Check for an Internet Outage
Sometimes nothing is wrong with your equipment.
Your internet provider may be experiencing an outage.
If you have cellular service on your phone, turn Wi-Fi off temporarily and use mobile data to check:
- Your provider’s app
- Your provider’s website
- Any outage notifications you’ve received
You can also contact your internet provider.
If there’s an outage in your area, restarting your router seventeen more times isn’t going to negotiate with the internet gods.
You’ll need to wait for the provider to restore service.
Check Whether Your Bill Is Current
If your internet service suddenly stops and there’s no outage, check your account.
Service can sometimes be interrupted because of:
- A missed payment
- An expired payment method
- An account problem
- A service change
Use your provider’s official app or website rather than links from unexpected emails or text messages.
Forget the Network and Reconnect
If only one device is having trouble, you may be able to remove the saved Wi-Fi connection and reconnect.
This may be called:
Forget This Network
Forget Network
Remove Network
After forgetting it:
- Select your Wi-Fi network again.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password.
- Reconnect.
Make sure you know the Wi-Fi password before forgetting the network.
Otherwise, you may successfully remove the connection and then discover you’ve also removed your way back in.
Check the Wi-Fi Password
If a device refuses to connect, make sure you’re entering the correct password.
Wi-Fi passwords may be:
- Case-sensitive
- Long
- Difficult to distinguish
Watch for characters that look similar, such as:
O and 0
I and l
If your router still uses the original network information, the Wi-Fi name and password may be printed on a label on the equipment.
If someone changed the password, that original information may no longer work.
Did the Wi-Fi Password Change?
If your Wi-Fi password was recently changed, devices using the old password may stop connecting.
You’ll need to reconnect those devices using the new password.
This can include:
- Phones
- Tablets
- Computers
- Televisions
- Printers
- Gaming systems
- Smart speakers
- Smart home devices
Changing one Wi-Fi password can create quite the reunion tour of devices asking to be reconnected.
Move Closer to the Router
Wi-Fi signals weaken over distance.
Walls, floors, appliances, and other obstacles can also affect the signal.
If your Wi-Fi works near the router but becomes unreliable elsewhere, you may have a coverage problem rather than an internet problem.
Possible solutions may include:
- Moving the router
- Using a mesh Wi-Fi system
- Adding appropriate network equipment
- Connecting certain devices with Ethernet
Before buying anything, confirm that weak coverage is actually the problem.
Router Placement Matters
Your router generally works better when it’s:
- In an open area
- Away from the floor
- Not hidden inside a cabinet
- Located reasonably close to the center of the area you want covered
Avoid placing it behind large objects or surrounding it with clutter.
The router doesn’t need a ceremonial pedestal, but stuffing it behind a television, inside a cabinet, beneath three boxes isn’t doing it any favors.
Check Whether the Problem Happens in One Room
If Wi-Fi works well throughout most of your home but poorly in one location, make note of it.
That suggests a signal coverage issue.
Try testing the same device:
- Near the router
- In the problem room
- Somewhere in between
If performance gets worse as you move farther away, signal strength is likely involved.
What If Wi-Fi Is Connected but There’s No Internet?
If your device says it’s connected to Wi-Fi but nothing online works:
- Try another website.
- Try another device.
- Restart your device.
- Restart your modem/router.
- Check for an internet provider outage.
If every device has the same problem, your internet connection or networking equipment is more likely responsible.
What If Only One App Isn’t Working?
If websites and other apps work normally, Wi-Fi probably isn’t the problem.
Try:
- Closing and reopening the app.
- Checking for an app update.
- Restarting your device.
- Checking whether the service itself is having problems.
Don’t rebuild your home network because one app decided to have a difficult afternoon.
What If Wi-Fi Is Slow?
Slow Wi-Fi and no Wi-Fi aren’t the same problem.
If your connection works but is slow:
- Move closer to the router.
- Restart your networking equipment.
- Close unnecessary downloads.
- Check whether several devices are using the connection heavily.
- Test another device.
- Check whether your internet provider is having problems.
Large downloads, online gaming, video streaming, backups, and software updates can all use significant bandwidth.
Run a Speed Test
An internet speed test can help determine how your connection is performing.
Before testing:
- Stop large downloads.
- Pause unnecessary streaming.
- Stand reasonably close to your router.
Compare the results with the internet service you’re paying for.
Remember that Wi-Fi speeds can vary based on your device, location, network traffic, and equipment.
What If Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting?
Frequent disconnections may be caused by:
- Weak signal
- Router problems
- Device problems
- Software issues
- Internet provider problems
- Outdated equipment
Start by determining whether the problem happens:
- On one device
- On every device
- In one part of your home
- At particular times
Patterns can help identify the cause.
Check for Updates
If one device repeatedly has Wi-Fi problems, check for system updates.
Updates may fix:
- Connection problems
- Compatibility issues
- Software bugs
Use your device’s official update settings.
Avoid unexpected pop-ups claiming you need special software to “repair” your Wi-Fi.
Be Careful With “Wi-Fi Repair” Software
You generally don’t need to download random software from the internet to repair a basic Wi-Fi problem.
Be cautious with websites claiming they can:
- Instantly repair your internet
- Clean your network
- Remove mysterious Wi-Fi errors
- Dramatically increase your internet speed
Some may be unnecessary, misleading, or unsafe.
Use your device manufacturer’s or internet provider’s official troubleshooting resources when you need additional help.
When to Contact Your Internet Provider
Contact your provider if:
- Multiple devices can’t access the internet.
- Restarting your equipment doesn’t help.
- You see unusual modem warning lights.
- Your connection repeatedly drops.
- Your internet is consistently much slower than expected.
- You suspect an outage or account problem.
- Your equipment appears to have failed.
Tell them what you’ve already tried.
For example:
“I’ve restarted the modem and router, tested three devices, and none of them can connect to the internet.”
That’s much more useful than:
“The Wi-Fi is broken.”
Be Careful With Tech Support Scams
When you’re having internet problems, you may search online for technical support.
Make sure you’re contacting your actual internet provider or equipment manufacturer.
Scammers may create fake support websites and phone numbers.
Be suspicious if someone asks you to:
- Buy gift cards
- Send cryptocurrency
- Provide banking information unnecessarily
- Share passwords
- Provide verification codes
- Install unfamiliar remote-access software
Use contact information from your provider’s official website, app, bill, or account information.
Wi-Fi Troubleshooting Order
When your Wi-Fi stops working, try this sequence:
Step 1
Try another website or app.
Step 2
Try another device.
Step 3
Check that Wi-Fi is turned on.
Step 4
Make sure you’re connected to the correct network.
Step 5
Check Airplane Mode.
Step 6
Turn Wi-Fi off and back on.
Step 7
Restart the problem device.
Step 8
Check your modem/router and cables.
Step 9
Restart your networking equipment.
Step 10
Check for an internet provider outage.
Step 11
Forget and reconnect to the network if only one device is affected.
Step 12
Contact your internet provider if the problem continues.
Following the same order each time prevents you from jumping randomly between solutions.
Wi-Fi Troubleshooting Checklist
Determine the Problem
✔ Try another website
✔ Try another app
✔ Test another device
✔ Determine whether one or every device is affected
Check Your Device
✔ Make sure Wi-Fi is on
✔ Check Airplane Mode
✔ Connect to the correct network
✔ Check signal strength
✔ Restart the device
Check Your Home Network
✔ Check modem/router power
✔ Check cables
✔ Restart networking equipment
✔ Wait several minutes for reconnection
✔ Don’t press the factory Reset button
If It Still Doesn’t Work
✔ Check for an outage
✔ Check your internet account
✔ Forget and reconnect to Wi-Fi if appropriate
✔ Check for device updates
✔ Contact your internet provider
Common Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Assuming one broken website means your Wi-Fi is down.
- Troubleshooting your router before checking whether other devices work.
- Confusing Wi-Fi with the internet connection itself.
- Pressing the router’s Reset button when you only intended to restart it.
- Forgetting to wait for the router to fully reconnect.
- Forgetting a Wi-Fi network before making sure you know the password.
- Assuming a weak signal means your internet provider is down.
- Buying new equipment before determining what the problem actually is.
- Downloading unfamiliar “Wi-Fi repair” software.
- Calling a support number from an unfamiliar website.
- Repeatedly restarting equipment during a confirmed internet outage.
- Changing several settings at once without knowing which change affected the problem.
When your Wi-Fi stops working, the most useful question isn’t “How do I fix the Wi-Fi?” It’s “Where is the problem?” Test another website, test another device, and work outward from there. Once you know whether the problem is your app, device, Wi-Fi network, or internet service, figuring out what to do next becomes much easier.
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