Start with the simplest cause first

Most internet outages are not a problem with your connection at all — they are a problem with one device, one cable, or one setting that got changed without you noticing. Before you call your provider, spend five minutes checking the physical things you can see and touch. A loose cable, a router that needs to restart, or a single device that lost its connection will waste your time on hold if you skip this step.

The reason to start straightforward is that internet problems follow a chain: your device talks to your router, your router talks to your modem, and your modem talks to your provider's network. If any link in that chain is broken, you lose internet. But most of the time, the break is not in the chain itself — it is in the plug.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that all cables between your modem and router are plugged in firmly, and that both devices have power — this fixes roughly half of reported outages.
  • Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and waiting two minutes for it to fully restart.
  • If only one device cannot connect, the problem is that device, not your internet — forget the network and reconnect to it.
  • If all devices lose internet at the same time, check your modem's lights to see whether it has a connection to your provider's network.
  • Your provider's website or phone line can tell you whether there is an outage in your area, which means waiting is the only fix.

Check the cables and power first

Look at the back of your modem — the box that connects to the wall outlet and usually has lights on the front. You should see a cable running from the wall (the coaxial cable, which looks like a TV cable with a threaded connector) and a power cable. Both should be plugged in firmly. If either is loose, push it in until you feel it click or seat completely.

Now look at your router — the device with antennas that broadcasts your wireless signal. There should be a power cable plugged in and at least one cable running from the modem to the router (usually labeled "Internet" or "WAN" on the back). Push both in firmly. Loose cables are the single most common reason people think their internet is broken when it is actually just unplugged.

If both devices have power and all cables are tight, move to the next step. If a cable was loose, plug it back in and wait two minutes for the devices to restart themselves. Most modems and routers will show a light that blinks while they are starting up, then settles into a steady pattern once they are ready.

Restart your router and modem

If the cables are all connected and you still have no internet, restart both devices. Unplug the power cable from your modem first, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait two full minutes — this is longer than you think it should be, but modems need this time to reconnect to your provider's network. You will see lights blinking during this time. When the lights settle into a steady pattern (usually a solid light or a slow blink), the modem is ready.

Once the modem is fully restarted, unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait another two minutes for it to restart. During this time, your wireless network will disappear from the list of available networks on your phone or computer. When it reappears, try connecting to it again.

Restarting fixes most internet problems because it clears out temporary errors that build up over time. If you still have no internet after both devices have fully restarted, move to the next step.

Check whether the problem is one device or all devices

Try connecting to the internet on a different device — a phone, tablet, or another computer. If that device connects and works fine, the problem is not your internet. The problem is the first device. If no devices can connect, or if they all connect but cannot reach the internet, the problem is your router or modem.

If only one device is having trouble, the fix is to forget the network on that device and reconnect. On a phone or tablet, go to your Wi-Fi settings, find your network name, and tap "Forget". Then tap your network name again and enter your password. On a computer, do the same thing in your network settings. This clears out any corrupted connection information that device is holding onto.

If the device still cannot connect after you have forgotten and reconnected, restart that device itself — power it completely off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. If it still will not connect after that, the problem is with that device's Wi-Fi hardware, not your internet.

Look at your modem's lights to understand what is happening

Your modem has lights on the front that tell you what is working and what is not. The exact lights vary by modem model, but most have at least three: power, internet connection, and activity. Look at your modem right now and note which lights are on, which are off, and which are blinking.

The power light should be on or blinking steadily. If it is off, the modem has no power — check that the power cable is plugged in at both ends. The internet light (sometimes labeled "Online", "Internet", or "WAN") should be on or blinking steadily. If this light is off or red, your modem cannot reach your provider's network. This usually means either your provider has an outage, or the cable from the wall is loose or damaged.

If the power light is on but the internet light is off, unplug the modem, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. If the internet light still does not come on after two minutes, the problem is either an outage in your area or a problem with the cable from the wall. Check your provider's website for outages, or call their customer service line to report the problem.

Check for outages in your area

If your modem's internet light is off, or if all your devices lost internet at the same time, there may be an outage. Go to your provider's website — most have a status page or outage map you can check without logging in. Search for your address or zip code to see whether there is a known outage in your area.

If there is an outage, there is nothing you can do except wait. Your provider is already working on it. The status page will usually tell you how many customers are affected and when service is expected to return. If there is no outage listed but your modem still cannot connect, call your provider's customer service line. They can see on their end whether your modem is connecting to their network, and they can tell you whether the problem is on your side or theirs.

When you call, have your account number ready and be prepared to describe what you have already tried. Tell them you have checked the cables, restarted the modem and router, and confirmed that multiple devices cannot connect. This information helps them narrow down the problem faster.

What to do if nothing works

If you have restarted both devices, checked all the cables, confirmed that multiple devices cannot connect, and your modem's internet light is still off, the problem is either a damaged cable from the wall or a failure inside your modem. Neither of these is something you can fix yourself.

Call your provider and describe what you have done. They will either send a technician to check the cable and replace your modem if it is faulty, or they will walk you through a few more troubleshooting steps specific to your equipment. If your modem is rented from your provider, they will replace it at no cost. If you own your modem, you will need to buy a replacement — your provider can tell you which models are compatible with their network.

While you wait for a technician or replacement, you can use your phone's mobile hotspot to connect other devices to the internet temporarily. This is not a permanent solution, but it will let you work or browse while your internet is being repaired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does restarting the router actually fix anything?

Routers and modems are small computers that run software. Over time, that software can develop temporary errors or get stuck in a state where it is not responding correctly. Restarting clears the device's memory and forces it to reload its software fresh. Most of the time, this clears the error and the device works normally again.

What if my internet works fine but is very slow?

Slow internet is a different problem from no internet. Check how many devices are connected and using the internet at the same time — streaming video, downloading files, or video calls all use a lot of bandwidth. If too many devices are active at once, everything slows down. You can also restart your router, which sometimes improves speed. If speed is consistently slow even when only one device is using the internet, contact your provider to see whether the problem is on their network or in your home.

Can I fix my internet by restarting my computer instead of the router?

Restarting your computer will not fix your internet if the problem is with your router or modem. It will only help if the problem is with that specific computer's connection. If all your devices have lost internet, restarting one computer will not bring the internet back — you need to restart the router and modem.

What does it mean if my router is blinking red?

A red light usually means the router cannot connect to the modem, or the modem cannot connect to your provider's network. Check that the cable between your modem and router is plugged in firmly at both ends. If it is, restart both devices. If the light is still red after they have fully restarted, the problem is likely with your modem or the cable from the wall.

Should I unplug my router every night to save electricity?

You do not need to unplug your router every night. Modern routers use very little electricity when they are idle, and unplugging and replugging them frequently can wear out the power connector. Leave your router plugged in all the time unless you are troubleshooting a problem.