Start with the simplest checks first

Most connection problems come from something you can fix in under a minute. Before you assume your internet is down, check whether your device is actually trying to connect. On Windows, look at the network icon in the bottom right corner of your screen — if it shows a red X or a warning symbol, your device has lost the connection. On Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top right and see whether Wi-Fi is turned on at all.

If Wi-Fi is off, turn it back on. If it is on but you do not see your network name in the list, your router may have restarted or lost power. Walk over to your router — the box that sends the wireless signal — and check whether the lights are on. If the power light is off or blinking red, unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart.

If you are using a wired connection with an ethernet cable, make sure the cable is plugged firmly into both your computer and the router. A loose connection is one of the most common reasons a wired device suddenly loses internet.

Key Takeaways

  • Check whether Wi-Fi is actually turned on in your device settings, and whether your router has power — most problems stop here.
  • Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, which fixes temporary glitches that prevent new connections.
  • Forget your network and reconnect to it, which clears out old connection settings that may be corrupted.
  • If other devices connect but yours does not, the problem is your device, not your internet — try updating your network drivers or resetting network settings.
  • If nothing connects, contact your internet provider to check whether your account is active and your modem is working.

Forget the network and reconnect

If your device sees the network but will not connect, or connects and then when ready drops, the problem is usually old connection information stored on your device. Your computer remembers passwords and settings from the last time it connected, and sometimes that information gets corrupted.

On Windows, go to Settings, then Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi, then Manage Known Networks. Find your network name and click Forget. Then go back to the Wi-Fi list, find your network again, and click Connect. When prompted, enter your Wi-Fi password — the one on the sticker on your router, or the one your internet provider gave you.

On Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top right, then System Settings, then Wi-Fi, then Details. Find your network in the list, click the minus sign to remove it, then reconnect by selecting it from the Wi-Fi menu and entering your password.

Check whether other devices can connect

If your phone, tablet, or another computer connects to the same Wi-Fi without trouble, the problem is your device, not your internet. This tells you to focus on fixing your computer rather than calling your internet provider.

On Windows, go to Settings, then Network & Internet, then Status, then Troubleshoot. Windows will run a diagnostic and either fix the problem or tell you what it found. If it does not help, go to Device Manager — right-click the Start button and select Device Manager — and look for Network Adapters. Expand that section and right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, then select Update Driver. Windows will search for a newer version.

On Mac, hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon to see detailed connection information. If it shows "Not Associated" or a long list of errors, restart your computer. If that does not work, go to System Settings, then Network, then Wi-Fi, then Advanced, and remove your network from the list, then reconnect.

Restart your device, not just the connection

A full restart clears temporary files and resets your network settings in ways that a straightforward disconnect cannot. Restarting solves roughly one in three connection problems that are not caused by a dead router or a down internet line.

On Windows, click the Start button, then the Power icon, then Restart. On Mac, click the Apple menu, then Restart. Wait for your computer to fully shut down and start back up — this usually takes one to three minutes. Once you are back at your desktop, try connecting to Wi-Fi again.

If you have a laptop, close it completely rather than just putting it to sleep. Sleep mode does not fully reset your network hardware the way a real restart does.

Reset your network settings if nothing else works

If you have tried forgetting the network, updating drivers, and restarting, but your device still will not connect while other devices do, your network settings may be deeply corrupted. Resetting them erases all saved networks and passwords, so you will need to reconnect to everything, but it often fixes connection problems that nothing else can touch.

On Windows, go to Settings, then System, then Recovery, then Reset This PC. Choose Keep My Files, and Windows will reinstall itself while keeping your documents and programs. This takes 20 to 45 minutes and will restart your computer several times.

On Mac, this is more involved. Go to System Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset, then Erase All Content and Settings. This completely wipes your computer and reinstalls macOS from scratch. Back up your files first using Time Machine or another backup method, because this process deletes everything.

Check your internet provider's status if nothing connects

If multiple devices cannot connect, or if your device connects but has no internet even though the connection shows as active, the problem is likely your internet service itself, not your device or router.

First, restart your modem — the device that connects your router to your internet provider's network. It is usually a separate box from your router, though some providers combine them into one unit. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait three to five minutes for it to fully restart. This fixes temporary outages that your provider's network experienced.

Next, check your internet provider's website or call their customer service number to see whether there is a known outage in your area. Most providers have a status page you can check without logging in. If there is an outage, you will have to wait for them to fix it — this usually takes a few hours but can take longer.

If there is no outage, your modem or account may have a problem. Your provider can check whether your modem is communicating with their network and whether your account is active. Have your account number ready when you call.

Know the difference between no connection and no internet

Your device can show a connected Wi-Fi symbol but still have no internet. This happens when your router is working but your modem is not, or when your internet provider's service is down. The difference matters because it tells you where the problem actually is.

To test this, open a web browser and try to visit a website like google.com. If the page does not load and you see an error message, you have no internet even though you are connected to Wi-Fi. If you cannot even see the Wi-Fi network in your list, you have no connection to the router itself.

No connection usually means your router needs a restart or your device needs to forget and rejoin the network. No internet usually means your modem needs a restart or your provider's service is down. Testing which one you have narrows down where to look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Wi-Fi work for a few minutes then stop?

This usually means your router is overheating or your device is too far away. Move closer to the router and make sure it has space around it — do not put it in a closet or behind other equipment. If it still drops, restart the router. If restarting does not help, your router may be failing and need replacement.

My device says "connected, no internet" — what does that mean?

Your device is talking to the router, but the router cannot reach your internet provider's network. Restart your modem first. If that does not work, check your provider's website for outages, or call them to see whether your account is active or your modem is recognized on their network.

How do I know if my internet provider is having an outage?

Visit your provider's website and look for a status page or outage map — most major providers have one. You can also call their customer service number. If multiple devices in your home cannot connect and your modem shows no internet light, an outage is likely.

Should I restart my router or my modem?

Start with your router — that is the device sending Wi-Fi to your devices. If restarting the router does not help and multiple devices cannot connect, restart your modem next. The modem is the device that connects to your internet provider's network, usually a separate box but sometimes combined with the router into one unit.

What if I restart everything and it still does not work?

Contact your internet provider's customer service. Have your account number ready and tell them what you have already tried. They can check whether your modem is communicating with their network, whether your account is active, and whether there are any service issues affecting your address.