InfoTech ExpressSolution

Networking

Wi-Fi connected but there's no internet

'Connected, no internet' with pages that time out. Narrow it to the device, the router or the provider before changing settings.

Easy10–20 min6 steps

Read before you start

Do not factory-reset the router without your provider's login details. The reset wipes the settings your connection needs.

This guide is for you if

  • Wi-Fi shows 'Connected, no internet'
  • Pages time out while other devices work
  • Speed drops to nothing for minutes at a time

Step by step

Work top to bottom

0 of 6 steps done

  1. Confirm the scope

    Test another device on the same network. If everything is down, the problem is the router, modem or provider — not your computer.

  2. Power-cycle the chain

    Unplug the modem and router, wait 30 seconds, plug in the modem first, wait for its lights to settle, then the router. Give it two minutes before testing.

    Order matters: modem first, router second.

  3. Forget and rejoin the network

    Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks → Forget. macOS: System Settings → Wi-Fi → Details → Forget This Network. Rejoin with the password.

  4. Flush DNS and renew the address

    Windows: ipconfig /flushdns, then ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew. macOS: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.

  5. Remove the middlemen

    Disconnect any VPN, turn off prox-ies in network settings, and test with a cable if one is available. A VPN left connected is a very common cause.

  6. Check the provider and the router

    Look for an outage in your area, then log into the router and check that it has a WAN address. Working lights with no WAN address points at the line or the provider's equipment.