No internet access but connected? Here’s why and how to fix it

What does “connected but no internet access” mean?

If your device says it’s connected without internet, it means your Wi-Fi is working (you’re linked to your router), but your router isn’t successfully accessing the internet. To understand "why is my internet not working" in this scenario, imagine being on a call where the line is open, but the other person isn't responding. Your device and your router are talking, but the router isn’t getting a reply from the wider internet. This situation usually points to issues with your router, modem, internet provider, incorrect DNS settings, or IP address conflicts. 

Why does my Wi-Fi say it is connected, but I don’t have internet?

You might have no internet connection due to several reasons, including:.

1. 1.Your router can’t reach the internet. Maybe your ISP is having issues, or your router needs a reboot. If the internet connection is down at the source, the reboot won’t solve the issue.
2. 2.The modem isn’t working. If your modem is down or misconfigured, your router won’t be able to get online either, no matter how strong your network’s Wi-Fi signal is.
3. 3.Your device’s network adapter is acting up. Drivers become outdated, settings get corrupted, and suddenly your laptop says "connected, no internet." Windows is especially prone to this phenomenon.
4. 4.Too many devices on the network. If everyone’s streaming, gaming, or video calling on the same network at once, your bandwidth gets stretched thin. This may slow down your connection or knock you offline entirely. Then again, if you're the only one home, this probably isn’t the issue.
5. 5.Slow internet. A basic internet plan or poor signal strength can’t handle high demand and, in severe cases, can prevent you from accessing internet connection altogether. And sometimes, ISPs intentionally slow down connection speeds during peak hours, especially for certain types of traffic — this is known as throttling.
6. 6.Problems with DNS or IP settings. If your DNS or IP configuration is off, your device simply won’t know where to send requests.
7. 7.Wi-Fi authentication issue. Sometimes your device is actually not fully authenticated. This can happen if your saved Wi-Fi password is outdated, the router is glitching, or your device is failing to complete the login handshake.
8. 8.VPN or proxy interference. A misconfigured VPN or proxy server can block your internet connection even though your Wi-Fi is technically fine.
9. 9.Outdated firmware or router settings. Old firmware can cause weird bugs, crashes, or security issues. If you haven’t updated your router in a while, it may be time.
10. 10.Malware or a network breach. Malware infections or unauthorized network intrusions can mess with your internet connection. Malware can hijack network settings, overload your bandwidth, or block connections entirely. 

How to fix the “no internet access but connected” issue

Before calling your internet provider, try these quick fixes for your internet connection issues. You may solve the problem on your own in under five minutes.

Check your internet connection first

Before diving into settings or restarting any devices, check your internet connection. Try loading a website on another device or switch to mobile data and see if you get a connection. If no pages load on any device, the issue may be with your ISP, not your router or device.

Restart your modem, router, and device

Most internet connectivity issues start with the router. A quick restart can clear up glitches, refresh your connection, and get you back online.

Here's what to do:

1. 1.Turn off your router and modem.
2. 2.Wait 30 seconds.
3. 3.Turn them back on (modem first, then router).
4. 4.Restart your devices.
5. 5.Once everything’s back on, check if your internet connection is working.

Check for broken wires and cables

Make sure everything’s plugged in properly. Loose Ethernet cables between your modem and router can cut off the internet completely.

Check:

• The modem to wall socket connection
• The modem to router connection
•  The connection from the router to your device

If you see damage or fraying, replace the cable.

Remove some connected devices

Too many devices sucking up bandwidth? Try disconnecting a few and see if your internet comes back.

Pro tip: Log in to your router settings to see what devices are connected. Most routers have an admin panel accessible via your browser (check the underside of your router for login info).

Check for internet service provider (ISP) outages

If none of your devices have internet connection, but your Wi-Fi indicator is still on, your internet provider may be having technical problems.

Go to your ISP’s website (via cellular data) or check an outage tracker like Downdetector. If there’s a widespread issue, all you can do is wait.

Update the drivers for your network adapters

Outdated or buggy network drivers can break your internet connection, especially after a system update.

To update manually on Windows:

1. 1.Press “Win + X” and choose “Device Manager.”
2. 2.Expand “Network adapters.”
   
3. 3.Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose “Update driver.”
   
   
4. 4.Select “Search automatically for drivers.”

Use a VPN (in limited cases)

This won’t fix the root issue but can help in specific situations:

• You're on a restricted network (school, hotel, public Wi-Fi).
• Your ISP throttles certain activities.

In those cases, a VPN may bypass limitations and restore internet connection.

Note: If your entire internet is down, a VPN won’t help. It needs a working connection to operate.

Advanced troubleshooting if your Wi-Fi is still not working

Tried the basics and still stuck? Time to try more advanced fixes for your internet connection issues.

Run a built-in internet troubleshooting tool

Before getting into manual fixes, let your system try to diagnose the problem for you. Both Windows and macOS have built-in tools that can catch common network issues and apply quick fixes.

On Windows:

1. 1.In the taskbar search box, type "Find and fix network problems." 
2. 2.Click "Identify and repair network problems" in the results.
3. 3.In the troubleshooter window, click “Advanced” > “Run as administrator” > “Next.”
4. 4.Follow the prompts.

On Mac:

1. 1.Hold “Option” and click the Wi-Fi icon in the top menu.
2. 2.Select “Open wireless diagnostics.”
   
3. 3.Follow the instructions.
   

Clear DNS cache

Sometimes, your device is using outdated info to reach websites. Flushing your DNS cache forces your system to fetch fresh data.

On Windows:

1. 1.Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. 2.Type “ipconfig /flushdns” and hit Enter.
   

On Mac:

1. 1.Open Terminal.
2. 2.Type: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
   
3. 3.Press “Enter” and enter your password.

On smartphones:

You usually just need to switch airplane mode on and off or reboot the device.

Reset network settings

If previous solutions haven’t resolved your internet connection problems, try resetting your network settings. Just note that it will revert all your network settings to default, so you’ll have to reconfigure from scratch.

On Windows:

1. 1.Go to “Settings” > “Network & internet” > “Status.”
   
2. 2.Click “Network reset” at the bottom.
3. 3.Restart your PC.

On Mac:

1. 1.Open “System settings” > “Network.”
   
   
2. 2.Remove the Wi-Fi network and re-add it.

Fix IP configuration and default gateway

The default gateway is basically the route your device takes to access the internet. It’s usually your router’s IP. If it’s misconfigured, you’ll be stuck with no internet, even if you’re technically connected.

The gateway usually goes back to default if you do a factory reset or update your network drivers. If that doesn’t help, you can manually reset it by flushing your TCP/IP stack.

On Windows:

1. 1.Press “Windows + R,” type “cmd,” and hit “Enter.”
2. 2.In Command Prompt, run these one at a time:

netsh winsock reset  

netsh int ip reset  

1. 1.Restart your PC.

On Mac:

1. 1.Go to “System settings” > “Network.”
2. 2.Choose your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click "Details."
   
3. 3.Under “TCP/IP,” click “Renew DHCP lease.”
   
4. 4.Click “Apply” to save changes.

Check for IP address conflicts

If two devices on your network end up with the same IP address, they can knock each other offline. It’s a common cause of the “connected but no internet” issue.

On Windows:

1. 1.Open Command Prompt.
2. 2.Type:

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

The steps on Mac are the same as for the gateway refresh above:

1. 1.Go to “System settings” > “Network” > “Wi-Fi.”
2. 2.Click “Details” for your Wi-Fi.
3. 3.Click “TCP/IP” on the left, then click “Renew DHCP lease.”
4. 4.Click “Apply” to confirm.

Change Wi-Fi channels

If your internet keeps dropping or slowing down, nearby routers may be causing interference, especially in apartments or densely packed buildings.

How to fix it:

1. 1.Log in to your router settings.
2. 2.Look for “Wireless Settings.”
3. 3.Try switching from “Auto” to channels 1, 6, or 11. Test each one and see which performs best in your space.

Disable VPN or proxy servers

VPNs and proxies are useful, but sometimes they get in the way. If you’re connected to Wi-Fi but have no internet, turn them off and test your connection.

On Windows:

1. 1.Go to “Settings” > “Network & internet” > “Proxy.”
   
2. 2.Turn everything off.

On Mac:

1. 1.Go to “System settings” > “Network” > “Advanced” > “Proxies.”
   
2. 2.Uncheck everything.
   

Scan for viruses and malware

A router virus or malware-infected device on your network can hijack settings, redirect traffic, or block your connection entirely.

Switch off your antivirus software

Your antivirus is there to protect your device from infected files, but it can also get in the way. A misconfigured antivirus or firewall can block your internet connection. Try turning it off briefly to see if the connection comes back.

If it does, you’ll need to tweak the settings or switch to a less aggressive security tool. Just remember to turn protection back on right after testing.

Ask your internet service provider for help

If you’ve tried everything and still can’t connect, it’s time to contact your internet provider. The issue might be on its end, or you could have faulty equipment that needs replacing.

When you call, be ready to tell the service representative:

• You’re connected to Wi-Fi but have no internet.
• What you’ve already tried.

They may walk you through more steps, reset your connection from their end, or send a technician out to help identify and fix the problem.