Connected Without Internet? 15 Fixes to Get You Back Online

If you think patience is a virtue, try working with no internet access but you’re “connected” to the Wi-Fi network. We’ve all been there. It can get very frustrating when your internet starts acting up. Here’s what you need to know to fix the “connected with no internet” problem.

Let’s cover the obvious thing first. In our experience, it’s best to start with a simple reset of your modem. Of course, that’s not the only solution. Below, we reveal the 15 most common fixes for when your Wi-Fi says it’s connected without internet and how to fix it.

Looking for solutions on how to fix a problem with your wireless adapter or access point? We’ve sorted that out too.

Connected to WiFi, But No Internet Connection? The Quick Fix

If you have a wireless connection but no internet, the easiest solution is to restart your router and modem.

1. Switch off your router and modem.
2. Wait for a couple of seconds.
3. Switch them back on.
4. Reconnect to the network and wait for a while

What Does the Wi-Fi Connected, But No Internet Error Message Mean?

When you see the message connected – no internet, this usually means that your device is connected to the router, but the internet is not working. Unfortunately, that also means that means no TikTok, no YouTube, no Netflix, and no online games. Basically, it’s like stepping back in time.

So if you see the dreaded “connected but no internet” error message, you’ll be limited to tasks that don’t require an internet connection.

Take note that the error message may be different on different devices. Some users see:

• Connected, no Internet
• Wifi has no Internet Access
• No Internet connection
• WiFi connected but no Internet

On a related note, we recently discussed how to turn Wi-Fi on with an LG TV.

Common Causes for Internet Connectivity Issues

Our research shows several reasons why your device says it has no internet access but is connected. Remember, the problem isn’t necessarily the router. You’re showing as connected to the Wi-Fi, so the issue may exist with your internet service provider, your device, or something you recently installed. Note that we’ve seen this issue on all sorts of devices, including on the Mac forums.

Common issues include:

• Your internet server is down
• Antiviruses and security software are blocking internet access.
• The wireless drivers are outdated.
• The DNS cache is corrupted or configured wrong.
• The router or modem is damaged
• The IP address for your device is incorrect or missing.

If There’s No Internet Access On Only One Device

Once you’ve restarted your router, you’ll want to double-check to see if the problem exists on more than one device. If you’re having problems with connectivity on your computer or your phone only, then the problem is likely with your device and not the router or network.

If your PC is the only device that says connected but has no internet, your settings may be misconfigured, your drivers may be faulty, or there’s a problem with your IP address.

So, first try to connect another device to the same Wi-Fi network to confirm that the device you’re using is the only one having network connectivity issues. If the Wi-Fi works on your other devices, then try restarting your computer. This is the same advice we’ve seen from experts at Microsoft.

If There’s No Internet Access On the Entire Network

If you’ve tried testing the network with all of your devices but still do not have access to the internet even though you’re connected, then the problem is most likely with your router or modem. The reasons vary. You may have a damaged router or your service may be down.

Here’s a quick trick: Try to connect to another Wi-Fi network. If you connect successfully and show restored internet access, you’ll know for sure the issue is 100% not with your device. Instead, it’s a problem with your network components. If you’re still having the common connected without internet issue, you will need to keep troubleshooting.

Sometimes, this means you’ll need to buy a new router and modem combo. This is the one that we recommend you do so with if it comes to it:

Arris SURFBoard SBG7600AC2

How to Fix WiFi Connected Without Internet Issue

1. Check Your Wi-Fi

Sometimes, the problem might be in your router, so you should check your router and make sure that all the cables are ok.

A couple of other things you should check are:

• Check that you are connected to the correct network and that you have entered the correct password.
• Check the router light indicators. The lights should be on and/or blinking. If the lights are off, then your router may be damaged. Often, if the lights are on are red, then that means the servers are down, and there is no internet from your ISP.
• Sometimes, your network may have too many devices connected at once. Check to see which devices are connected and remove those that are unnecessary.
• Check your router settings and make sure the correct permissions are enabled.
• Try testing your wifi on different devices to see if the problem is with your device or the router itself.
• Scan your devices for any malware and remove them.

If all these checks come clear, then you can try the next step.

2. Restart Your Router and Modem

If you have a wireless connection but no internet, the easiest solution is to restart your router and modem. This solution is usually the first thing an IT pro will tell you to do, because it works a lot of the time.

1. Switch off your router and modem.
2. Wait for a couple of seconds.
3. Switch them back on.
4. Reconnect to the network and wait for a while

This method will usually solve most minor issues concerning your network connectivity. If it doesn’t work, then you can try the other methods below.

3. Restart Your Receiving Device

If you tested your network on another device and found it working, then chances are that your device is the problem. You can try restarting your device and reconnecting to the wifi again to see if it will work.

4. Run Troubleshooter

Both Windows and Mac devices have a troubleshooter built-in in order to search for and fix problems that may arise in your device. Here’s a link to the Windows troubleshooter.

To run a troubleshooter specifically for the network:

1. Go to Start.
2. Open Settings.
3. Go to Update and Security.
4. Click Troubleshoot.

5. Choose Additional troubleshooters.

6. Click Internet Connections.

7. Click Run the Troubleshooter.
8. Wait for the troubleshooter to run, then choose “Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet.”

Once the troubleshooter is done searching for problems in your internet connection, it will show you the problems it found and how to fix them.

For Mac, you can run Apple diagnostics or Apple hardware tests. This inbuilt troubleshooter for iOS will detect any problems in your Mac, including network issues. To run it, restart your Mac, and as it boots, hold D. After you choose the language, the diagnostics will automatically begin.

5. Update Network Drivers

There may also be a communication issue as a result of outdated network drivers. This often happens when you update your PC. Fortunately, it’s also an easy fix for the connected without internet issue.

Here’s how to solve this:

1. Go to Start
2. In the search bar, type in Device manager and open it.
3. Go to Network adapters in the list and expand the section.

4. Select your WiFi adapter and right-click it.
5. Click Update driver.

Once the drivers are updated, it is always recommended to restart your device. When your PC reopens, connect to the wifi and test the connection.

One thing to note with this method is that you will need an internet connection to find and update the network driver. In this case, you may need to connect to another Wi-Fi connection or hotspot. Consider hot spotting your phone if you have enough data.

6. Flash DNS

DNS caches are used by your device to load pages on your browser quickly. Sometimes they can cause connectivity issues if it is corrupted by online malware or any other issue.

In this case, you should clear the DNS cache. To do this:

On Windows:

1. Go to Start.
2. In the search bar, type cmd. you can also use the keyboard shortcut Win + R to open Runs and type cmd in the bar. This will open the Command Prompt.
3. In the Command prompt, type in:

“ipconfig /flushdns”

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

4. Click Enter after each of the commands.

Once you are done, try testing the internet connection. You don’t necessarily need to restart your device for this method.

On Mac:

1. Go to Applications > Utilities folder and open the Terminal app. You can also go to Spotlight and search Terminal.
2. Type in the commands for flashing DNS. This command will vary depending on your OS version, here’s what they might be:
   • (OS X 10.10) Ventura & Monterey: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
   • (OS X 10.7 – 10.9) Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
   • (OS X 10.6) Yosemite: sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache
   • Tiger: lookupd -flushcache

3. Press Return to flush the DNS cache.

On Mobile Phone:

1. Go to Chrome
2. Type “ chrome://net-internals/#dns” in the URL tab.
3. Choose DNS
4. Tap “Clear Host Cache”

Once you have cleared the DNS cache on your device, disconnect and reconnect to the wifi and test the network. The steps are similar for other phone browsers too.

7. Change the Bandwidth from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz

The bandwidth refers to the frequency of the wifi router, which directly relates to how fast the reach of the network is. The 5 GHz bandwidth has a faster reach, but it also reduces the coverage area.

You can try changing the bandwidth with the following steps:

1. Go to Start > Settings.
2. Click Network & Internet.
3. Choose Change adapter options.

4. Right-click on the active network adapter.
5. Click Properties.

6. Click Configure on the right of the pop-up.

7. Go to Advanced and click on the Property called Wireless mode.

8. Click the Value drop-down on the right and set the mode to 802.11b/g.

9. Click OK to save the changes.

Once you’re done, try disconnecting and then reconnecting to the WiFi network to see if it will work.

8. Disable VPN

Most often, people use VPNs for added security on their devices when connecting to a network. They usually hide your device by assigning it an IP address from a different country or location. It’s a useful hack for personal security, but it can sometimes lead to connection issues.

Basically, if the VPN is not working properly, you can get the “connected to the router but no internet” problem.

Here’s how to disable your VPN:

1. Go to Start > Settings in Windows.
2. Click the Network & Internet option.
3. Select the VPN category in the left-hand menu.
4. On the right, select the VPN connection you want to disable.
5. Click Disconnect if you want to disconnect or Remove if you want to delete it.

Now that your VPN is disabled, try testing your network connection again.

9. Temporarily Disable Antivirus

Security software often blocks internet access due for many reasons. Temporarily disabling it is also a way to fix the problem connected to the router but no internet.

Disabling third-party antivirus software on Win 10 is generally very easy. All you need to do is to go to the Windows taskbar at the bottom of your laptop screen and right-click the program icon at the right of the Windows taskbar.

Next, choose Disable or Exit to turn it off temporarily. You can also turn it back on with the same method.

In order to disable Windows security, you’ll need to follow the following steps.

1. Go to Start.
2. Go to the search bar and type “Windows Security“.
3. In the search results, click on the Windows Security app
4. Navigate to to Virus & threat protection.
5. Select Manage settings.
6. Turn the Real-time protection toggle to Off.

If your internet works after using this method, then you need to go through your firewall and antivirus app and find the settings that are blocking the internet.

If you still can’t find the setting that’s the problem, try downloading another antivirus or reinstalling your existing one.

10. Check your DNS Settings and Confirm your IP configuration is correct

The DNS configuration is what allows a user to have internet access and when it is down it will usually lead to your device not having internet. It acts as a shortcut to loading pages that you have visited before much faster. An IP addresses a unique address that identifies your device to the local network and the internet. The IP address usually lasts around 24 hours then your device is assigned another one.

If it is invalid, then the network is unable to identify your device, and you can’t use the internet even though your device is connected to it. This issue happens when you have multiple routers on the same network, when two devices are assigned the same IP address, or when your device is assigned a static IP address.

Below are the steps you should follow to check your DNS and IP address settings

1. Open Run on your windows computer by pressing Win+R
2. Type “ncpa.cpl” and then press Enter on your keyboard.

3. Right-click on your network connection which in this case is your ethernet connection, and select Properties.

4. Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/ IPv4)

5. Then make sure that Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected and click on Ok. If the options were already selected, then move on to the next step.

12. Check MAC Address Filtering

Another reason when Wi-Fi is working but there’s no internet is that the MAC address filter in your router denies your device. If the MAC address filter is enabled and is set to deny, then that means it is filtering out your device. You can check these settings in the router’s management console in your internet browser.

To do this:

1. Go to Start.
2. Type Cmd in the search bar.
3. Click the Command prompt, and to the right, choose Run as Administrator.

4. Once the command prompt is open, type in “ipconfig” and click Enter. The IP address will appear at the bottom.

5. Select theDefault Gateway IP Address and copy it.
6. Open your browser and paste the Default Gateway IP Address number in the URL tab. This will open up the management console for the router.
7. This is where you have to enter your credentials. But, these are not the same username and password you would use to log into your wifi. However, you can still get this info from the sticker or plate on the rear of the router. If you can’t find the information, the username and password are often both “admin” by default.
8. Now you should be in the settings section. Make sure the MAC address filtering section is set to disabled and that there are no other rules set that cause filtering.

13.  Disable Any Proxy Servers

A Proxy server acts as an intermediary between a server and a device like a PC or a phone. It is used to help protect a private network.

All of your network traffic needs to flow through the proxy server. If there’s an issue with the proxy server, there may be problems with the network, like slow speeds to having no network even though you’re connected to the wifi.

So if you’re beset with the connected without internet problem, disable the proxy server. This will let you access the web directly. Here’s how to disable the proxy server:

1. Go to Start.
2. Go to Settings.
3. In settings, click the Network & Internet option.
4. From the left menu, choose Proxy.
5. Go to the Manual proxy setup section, and toggle off the Use a proxy server.

If you’re wondering whether it’s safe to turn off the proxy, it should be fine as long as you don’t want to hide your IP address from the sites you enter.

14. Check Time Synchronization

It is very important that your devices and network’s time is synchronized. This is because time can affect the way the devices and the network communicate. Synchronized time allows the TDMA algorithm to work in wireless networks, which is why it may cause your network to be connected but without internet.

In order to set the time and date in Windows:

1. Go to the Taskbar at the bottom of your windows.
2. Right-click on the clock icon there. A menu will open.
3. Select Adjust date/time.

4. Check whether the “Set the time automatically” option is ON. If it’s not, turn it on.

5. Check whether the “Set the time zone automatically” is also ON.
6. Click on the Sync now option.

You can now test your internet connection.

15. Reset your Network

If the methods above haven’t worked out for you, then it may be time for a network reset. This is usually a last resort when all else fails.

Here are the steps for how to reset your network on Windows:

1. Go to your Start > Settings.
2. Click the  “Network and Internet” option.
3. Choose the “Network Reset” option, which should appear under advanced network settings.

4. This will open another window with the prompt for the Network reset. Click Reset Now.

Your PC will automatically restart, and you can set up your wireless networks again. Then try testing the internet. Here’s how to reset the network on Mac:

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences.
2. Go to Network.
3. Click on Wi-Fi in the drop-down menu on the left of the screen
4. Click the minus (-) button to remove it. Then add it again by clicking the plus button (+) and selecting Wi-Fi in the Interface options.
5. Select Apply.

Additional Methods You Can Try to Solve Connected With No Internet Errors

There actually many more troubleshooting methods you can use to solve wifi connected but no internet. We’ve mentioned 15 of the easiest and fastest methods in this article, but you can also try:

1. Update the firmware for your router.
2. Remove wifi range extenders. Having too many extenders can affect your router’s network connection.
3. Turn off 5 GHz bandwidth or change the wireless channel.
4. Change the position or location of your router.
5. Reset the router and modem to factory settings.
6. Contact your Internet service provider.

However, you should note that some of these methods are riskier than the methods we’ve mentioned above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is My Router Connected, But There’s No Internet?

There are a number of reasons why your router may be connected but there is no internet. Some of them include:

• Your internet server is down
• Antiviruses and security software are blocking internet access.
• The wireless drivers are outdated.
• The DNS cache is corrupted or configured wrong.
• The router or modem is damaged
• The IP address for your device is incorrect or missing.

What Lights Should Be on My Router?

There are LED lights that are typically in most routers that indicate the status of the network:

Power: The first light is the LED light that shows that the router is on. It is most commonly green in color.

It may either be on steadily, which means the router is working, or it may be blinking, meaning that the router is booting or doing a self-test. If the power light is red, this usually means that there isn’t enough power.

Internet: The internet LED light indicates the status of the network. There are usually three internet lights. The Downstream (DS) and Upstream lights shows that there is a signal from the internet provider, and that the router has established a connection to the network provider.

The internet light itself indicates that your IP address has been established with the network provider. If it is red, then there is a problem with your login and password.

Ethernet: There are usually 3 to 4 ethernet lights on a router. They light up when a device is connected to the router through an ethernet cable otherwise they are often off.

Extra lights include the WAN light and the WLAN light.

What Does the WiFi Connected but No Internet Error Message Mean?

When you see this message, it usually means that your device is connected to the network, but the internet is not working. This means that you can’t surf the net are perform any tasks that require an internet connection.

Wrapping Up: Connected without Internet

As this article demonstrates, we know more than a dozen ways to fix the problem where your device is connected without internet. Our fixes have all been tested and resolve the issue for various circumstances. If the solutions don’t work for your situation, try contacting your service provider to help you solve the issue.

If you found this article useful, please share it with a friend! You can also take a look at our related content below.

Related:

• How to Share Wifi Passwords on all Devices
• How to Turn Off Private Browsing in All the Popular Browsers
• Safari vs Google Chrome
• How to Make Chrome the Default Browser [Mac, Windows, iOS, Android]
• How to Reopen Closed Tabs in Chrome, Safari, and Other Browsers
• How to Export Chrome Bookmarks in 6 Simple Steps
• Top 10 Best Firefox Extensions For Productivity & More
• Top 7 Best Safari Extensions to Get
• Top 19 Best Mac Apps to Install for Productivity, Entertainment, & More
• Why Does My Wifi Keep Disconnecting? [5 Quick Fixes]