Start with the simplest fixes first

When your internet stops working, the problem is usually something you can fix yourself in under five minutes. Before you call your provider or restart your modem, check three things: whether other devices in your home can connect, whether your device is in airplane mode, and whether you are physically close enough to your router. Most connection failures happen at one of these three points, and fixing them requires no technical knowledge.

The reason to check these first is that they tell you whether the problem is with your internet service itself or with your device. If your phone connects but your laptop does not, the problem is your laptop. If nothing connects, the problem is your home network or your service. This distinction saves you time because it points you toward the right fix.

Key Takeaways

  • Check whether other devices can connect to your network before troubleshooting your device, because this tells you whether the problem is your internet service or your device alone.
  • Restart your modem and router by unplugging them for 30 seconds, then plugging them back in — this fixes most connection problems that are not caused by your device settings.
  • If your device shows your network but cannot connect, forget the network in your settings and reconnect by entering your password again.
  • If your modem has no lights or only red lights, your internet service may be down in your area — contact your provider to confirm.
  • Moving closer to your router or reducing the number of devices connected can restore a weak signal, especially on older routers.

Check whether the problem is your device or your internet service

Pick another device in your home — a phone, tablet, or another computer. Try to connect it to your Wi-Fi network. If it connects and works normally, your internet service is fine and the problem is with the device that is not connecting. If nothing connects, or if everything connects but nothing loads web pages, your internet service itself is down or your router is not working.

This matters because the fixes are completely different. A device problem usually means restarting that device or forgetting and reconnecting to your network. A service problem means restarting your modem and router, or contacting your provider. Knowing which one you have saves you from wasting time on the wrong steps.

Restart your modem and router

Unplug your modem — the box that connects to the cable or phone line coming into your home. Wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in. Wait for the lights to stop blinking and settle into a steady pattern, which usually takes two to three minutes. Then do the same with your router, the separate box that broadcasts Wi-Fi (or the combined modem-router unit if you have one device instead of two).

This works because restarting clears out temporary errors that build up over time. Most internet problems that are not caused by your device settings or your provider's network go away after a restart. If your modem or router has no lights at all, or only red lights, check that the power cable is plugged in firmly at both ends. If lights still do not appear, the device may be broken and you will need to contact your provider for a replacement.

After the restart is complete, try connecting again. If you still cannot connect, move to the next step.

Forget your network and reconnect on your device

On the device that is not connecting, go to your network settings. Find your Wi-Fi network in the list of available networks. Select it and choose "Forget" or "Remove" (the exact wording depends on whether you have a phone, tablet, or computer, and which operating system it uses). Then look for your network again in the list, select it, and enter your Wi-Fi password.

This step fixes connection problems caused by outdated or corrupted network information stored on your device. Sometimes your device remembers an old password, or remembers settings that no longer match your router, and cannot reconnect until you clear that memory and start fresh. This is especially common after you have changed your Wi-Fi password or moved to a new router.

If you do not know your Wi-Fi password, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — it is usually printed there. If you have changed the password and do not remember it, you can reset your router to factory settings, but this will erase any customizations you have made. Contact your provider if you need help with this step.

Check your device's airplane mode and Wi-Fi settings

On your device, look for airplane mode in your settings. If it is turned on, turn it off. Airplane mode disables all wireless connections, including Wi-Fi, so your device cannot connect to anything even if your network is working perfectly. This is the most common reason a device suddenly loses internet when nothing else has changed.

Also check that Wi-Fi is turned on in your settings. On phones and tablets, this is usually a toggle switch in the main settings menu or in the quick settings panel you pull down from the top of the screen. On computers, look for a Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (bottom right on Windows, top right on Mac) and make sure it shows that Wi-Fi is on, not off.

After you have confirmed both airplane mode is off and Wi-Fi is on, try connecting to your network again.

Move closer to your router and reduce connected devices

Wi-Fi signal gets weaker the farther you are from your router. If you are in a different room or on a different floor, move closer and try again. Walls, especially those with metal or thick insulation, block signal more than open space does. If you can connect when you are close to the router but lose connection when you move away, your signal is too weak in that area.

Also check how many devices are connected to your network. Every device using Wi-Fi shares the available bandwidth, and older routers can only handle so many connections at once. If you have many devices connected — phones, tablets, computers, smart home devices, streaming devices — try disconnecting some of them and see if the remaining devices work better. If this fixes the problem, your router may be overloaded and you might benefit from a newer model or from moving some devices to a wired connection if possible.

Contact your provider if the modem shows no lights or only red lights

Your modem's lights tell you whether your internet service is working. A steady green or blue light usually means everything is fine. A blinking light means data is moving. A red light or no light at all usually means your service is down or your modem is not communicating with your provider's network.

If your modem shows no lights after you have waited five minutes following a restart, or if it shows only red lights, contact your internet provider. Have your account number ready. Tell them what lights you see on your modem. They can check whether service is down in your area, whether there is a problem with your account, or whether your modem needs to be replaced. This is not something you can fix on your own — your provider needs to investigate on their end.

While you wait for your provider to respond, you can use mobile data on your phone if you have it, or go to a nearby coffee shop or library that offers free Wi-Fi.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait after restarting my modem before trying to connect?

Wait two to three minutes after plugging your modem back in. The lights will blink as it boots up, and you should wait until they settle into a steady pattern before trying to connect. If you try too soon, the modem may not have finished starting up and you will get a false result.

What if I restart my modem and router but still have no internet?

Try forgetting your network on your device and reconnecting with your password. If that does not work, check whether other devices can connect — if they cannot, your service may be down. Contact your provider and describe what lights you see on your modem. If other devices do connect, the problem is with your device and you may need to restart it or check its settings.

Can I fix my internet by restarting my device instead of my modem?

Restarting your device helps if the problem is with that device alone — for example, if your phone cannot connect but other devices can. If nothing in your home can connect, restarting your device will not help. Restart your modem and router instead.

Why does my internet work sometimes but not other times?

Intermittent connection problems are usually caused by a weak Wi-Fi signal, too many devices connected at once, or interference from other wireless devices. Try moving closer to your router, disconnecting devices you are not using, or restarting your router. If the problem continues, contact your provider to check whether your service is stable.

Is it safe to unplug my modem and router?

Yes, unplugging them for 30 seconds is completely safe and is the standard way to restart them. You will not lose any settings or damage the devices. Just make sure you wait the full 30 seconds before plugging them back in, and wait for them to fully restart before trying to connect.