Start with the device that's not connecting
Before you blame your internet provider, check whether the problem is your device or your connection. Restart the device that cannot connect — your phone, laptop, or tablet — by turning it completely off and back on. This clears temporary glitches that block connection attempts.
While it restarts, look at other devices in your home. If your phone connects to WiFi but your laptop does not, the problem is your laptop, not your internet. If nothing connects — no phone, no laptop, no smart TV — the problem is your home network or your internet service itself. This distinction saves you hours, because the fix is completely different.
Key Takeaways
- Restart the device that will not connect first; if other devices work fine, the problem is that one device, not your internet.
- Check whether you are connected to WiFi at all — many devices show "no internet" when they have straightforward disconnected from your network.
- Restart your router (the box that broadcasts WiFi) by unplugging it for 30 seconds, which fixes most connection problems.
- If your router has no lights on, or only a power light, your internet service itself may be down — call your provider to confirm.
- Wired connections (ethernet cable plugged into your device) bypass WiFi problems entirely and tell you whether the issue is WiFi or your service.
Check whether you are actually connected to WiFi
Many people think they have no internet when they have straightforward disconnected from WiFi without noticing. On your phone or laptop, look at the WiFi symbol in the top corner or system tray. If it shows no WiFi icon, or a WiFi icon with an X through it, you are not connected to your network.
Open your WiFi settings and look for your network name — usually something like "Netgear-5G" or "Xfinity" or your own custom name. If you see it in the list, tap it and enter your WiFi password. If you do not see it at all, your router may be off or too far away. If you see it but cannot connect even with the correct password, restart your router (see the next section).
Restart your router to fix most connection problems
Your router is the box that broadcasts WiFi to your home — usually a rectangular device with lights on the front, sitting near where your internet cable enters the house. Restarting it fixes the majority of internet problems because it clears the router's memory and forces it to reconnect to your internet service.
Unplug the power cable from the back of the router. Wait 30 seconds — this is not when ready; the router needs time to fully power down. Plug it back in and wait two to three minutes for it to restart completely. You will see lights come on: usually a power light first, then other lights as it connects. Once the lights stabilize, try connecting again.
If your router has no lights at all after you plug it back in, the power cable may be loose or the outlet may be dead. Try plugging a lamp into the same outlet to confirm the outlet works. If the outlet is fine but the router still has no lights, the router itself may have failed.
Use a wired connection to test whether WiFi is the problem
If restarting the router did not work, connect one device directly to the router using an ethernet cable — a thin cable that looks like a thick phone cord. Plug one end into the ethernet port on your device (usually on the side of a laptop; phones and tablets do not have this port) and the other end into one of the ports on the back of the router.
If the wired connection works, your internet service is fine and the problem is WiFi. Restart the router again, or move closer to it. If the wired connection also does not work, your internet service itself is down or disconnected.
Check your router's lights to see if your service is connected
Look at the lights on the front of your router. Most routers have a light labeled "Internet," "WAN," or "Online" — check your router's manual or look up the model online to find which light means "connected to the internet." If that light is off or red, your internet service is not connected to your router.
Check the cable that runs from the wall into your router — it should be plugged firmly into the port labeled "Internet," "WAN," or "Modem." If it is loose, push it in until you hear a click. If the light still does not turn on after 30 seconds, the cable may be damaged or your internet service may be down in your area.
Call your internet provider and tell them your internet light is off. They can check whether service is down in your neighborhood or whether the problem is on their end of the line. Have your account number ready — it is usually on your bill.
Restart your modem if you have one
Some homes have two boxes: a modem (which connects to the internet service) and a router (which broadcasts WiFi). If you have both, restart the modem first by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then restart the router. The modem needs to reconnect to your service before the router can use that connection.
If you have only one box, it is a combined modem-router and you only need to restart that one. If you are not sure, look at the cables: the modem has a cable running to the wall (from your internet provider), and the router has WiFi antennas or is labeled as a router.
Move closer to the router or remove obstacles
WiFi travels through air but is blocked by walls, metal, and water. If you are far from your router or in a different room with thick walls between you and it, your signal may be too weak to connect. Move closer to the router and try again. If connection works nearby but not in other rooms, the router is too far away or the walls are blocking the signal.
Thick concrete, metal pipes, and even fish tanks weaken WiFi. If your router is in a basement or closet, move it to a central, open location in your home — a shelf in the middle of the house works better than a corner. If you cannot move the router, you may need a WiFi extender or a second router to reach distant rooms.
Check whether your internet service is actually down
If your router lights show no internet connection and a wired device also cannot connect, your service may be down. Check your provider's website or call their customer service number to ask whether there is an outage in your area. Most providers have an outage map you can check online without calling.
If service is down, there is nothing you can do except wait. Your provider will restore it and notify you when it is back. If service is not down but you still have no connection, the problem is likely the cable from the wall to your modem, or a problem inside your provider's network that they need to fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does restarting the router actually fix things?
Routers store information about connections in temporary memory. Over time, this memory fills up or becomes corrupted, which prevents new connections or causes existing ones to drop. Unplugging the router clears this memory completely, forcing it to start fresh and reconnect properly to your service.
What is the difference between a modem and a router?
A modem receives internet service from your provider's line and converts it into a signal your devices can use. A router takes that signal and broadcasts it as WiFi so multiple devices can connect wirelessly. Many homes now have a combined device that does both jobs.
Can I fix no internet by changing my WiFi password?
Changing your password will not fix a connection problem, but it can help if you suspect someone else is using your WiFi and slowing it down. If you cannot connect at all, the problem is not the password — it is the connection itself.
Should I unplug my router every day?
No. Restart it only when you have connection problems. Routers are designed to run continuously. Unplugging it daily can actually shorten its lifespan and is unnecessary if everything is working.
What if nothing I try fixes the problem?
Call your internet provider. If you have tried restarting both your modem and router, checked that the cables are plugged in, and confirmed that other devices cannot connect either, the problem is likely on their end of the line or with the equipment they provided.