Wi-Fi connected but no internet

You're connected to the Wi-Fi network (the icon shows bars) but nothing loads. This is almost always the router or the link between it and your provider — not your PC.

Updated 1 September 2026 · 31 min read

Why this happens

The router has lost its link to the internet provider (the single most common cause).
The PC's network adapter or IP address is in a bad state.
DNS is misconfigured and can't turn web addresses into locations.
A router firmware glitch or an IP conflict on your network.

The key to this one is separating two connections: your PC to the Wi-Fi, and the router to the internet. When you see 'connected, no internet', the first link is working and the second one has dropped. That changes where you should look — mostly at the router and the provider, not deep inside Windows.

Test with a second device

This is the single most useful step. If your phone or tablet also has no internet, the problem is the router or the provider, and no amount of fiddling with your PC will help. If only your PC is affected, the fault is on your PC's side and the next steps will sort it.

Reboot the router properly

Unplug the router's power (not just the PC), wait a full 30 seconds, plug it back in, and give it two minutes to come back. Many routers also have a physical reset — but a full power cycle first. A large share of these outages are a router that has simply wedged.

Check the provider

If every device is down, it's likely the provider. Check their status page or app, or ring them. A neighbour on the same provider having the same problem confirms a local outage.

On the PC side: reset the adapter

On Windows, open Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi, turn Wi-Fi off and on. Then open Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset (or, on older versions, run netsh winsock reset from an administrator Command Prompt and restart). This clears a stuck adapter state and a bad IP address.

Fix DNS

If pages load slowly or some sites don't, DNS is a likely culprit. On Windows, go to the Wi-Fi connection's properties → IPv4 → Use the following DNS server addresses, and enter 8.8.8.8 and 1.1.1.1, or switch back to Obtain automatically and reboot. On a Mac, System Settings → Wi-Fi → Details → DNS and do the same.

Forget and rejoin the network

Forget the Wi-Fi network on your PC and reconnect by re-entering the password. This clears a corrupted saved profile that can cause a 'connected but no internet' state.

Quick rule of thumb: one device down → look at that device. All devices down → look at the router, then the provider. This saves you hours of unnecessary PC tinkering.

Step-by-step

1 Test a phone or tablet on the same Wi-Fi

If it's also down, the fault is the router or provider, not your PC. If only the PC is down, continue.

2 Power-cycle the router

Unplug the router, wait 30 seconds, plug in, wait two minutes. This alone often restores internet.

3 Reset the PC's network

Toggle Wi-Fi off/on, then run a Network Reset (or netsh winsock reset + restart) to clear a stuck adapter state.

4 Check DNS and rejoin the network

Set DNS to 8.8.8.8 / 1.1.1.1 or automatic, and forget + rejoin the Wi-Fi to clear a bad saved profile.

Frequently asked questions

Does this mean my internet is down?

Not necessarily — "connected" just means you're linked to the Wi-Fi. If other devices on the same network also can't get online, it's the router or the ISP, not your PC. If only this PC is affected, the problem is local and the fixes below will usually find it.

What's the quickest first fix?

Reboot the router (and, if there's one, the modem) and wait a full minute for it to come back. It clears the most common causes — a hung router, a dropped connection, or a bad DNS cache — in about a minute.

Why does my Wi-Fi cut in and out?

Usually distance or interference, or the 2.4 GHz band being congested. Moving closer, switching to the 5 GHz band, or upgrading to a router with a newer standard (Wi-Fi 6/6E) all help.

Is it safe to change my DNS?

Yes. Setting a public DNS like 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1 is a standard, reversible setting. If something looks wrong, you can switch back to "automatic" at any time.