The most common reason your device won't connect is a mismatch between what your device is trying to do and what your router is set up to do
Your WiFi connection fails for one of three reasons: your router isn't broadcasting the network, your device can't find or remember the password, or there's a setting conflict between them. Most of the time it's the second one — you typed the password wrong, or your device is trying to connect using an old password you changed. The rest of the time it's a setting you didn't know you had, like your router only accepting certain types of devices, or your phone's WiFi being turned off entirely.
The good news is that you can test each of these in order, starting with the simplest, without needing to call anyone or buy anything new. Most fixes take less than five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Check that WiFi is actually turned on in your device's settings — this solves roughly one in five connection problems.
- Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and waiting two minutes for it to fully start.
- Delete the saved network from your device and reconnect using the password printed on the back of your router, typed exactly as shown.
- If your device connects but the internet doesn't work, restart your modem separately from your router — they are two different machines.
- If nothing works after these steps, your router may have a setting that blocks your device type, which you can change in the router's admin panel using the IP address printed on the back.
Check that WiFi is actually on in your device
Before anything else, verify that WiFi is enabled on the device itself. On phones and tablets, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu and look for a WiFi icon. If it's grayed out or has a line through it, tap it to turn WiFi on. On Windows computers, click the network icon in the bottom right corner of the taskbar and toggle WiFi on. On Mac, click the WiFi icon in the top right corner of the menu bar.
This sounds obvious, but it's the actual cause in a surprising number of cases — someone turned it off to save battery, or it got disabled after an update. If WiFi was already on, move to the next step.
Restart your router and wait for it to fully boot
Unplug your router from the power outlet. Wait 30 seconds — actually wait, don't just count to three. While you're waiting, unplug your modem too if you have a separate one (it's usually the smaller box). After 30 seconds, plug the modem back in first and wait for its lights to stabilize — usually about one minute. Then plug the router back in.
Now wait two full minutes. Your router needs time to start up completely. You'll know it's ready when the WiFi light stops blinking and stays solid, or when the light pattern becomes steady. During this time, don't try to connect yet.
Once the router is fully booted, try connecting to the network again. A restart fixes roughly 40 percent of connection problems because it clears out temporary settings that got stuck.
Delete the saved network and reconnect with the correct password
Your device may be trying to connect using an old or incorrect password. The fix is to forget the network entirely and reconnect from scratch. On your phone or tablet, go to Settings, then WiFi, find your network name in the list, and tap the information icon or "forget this network." On a computer, go to Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, find your network, and click "Forget."
Now look at the back or bottom of your router. You'll see a sticker with the network name (called the SSID) and the password (called the WiFi key or passphrase). The password is usually a long string of letters, numbers, and symbols. Open your device's WiFi settings again, select your network from the list, and type the password exactly as it appears on the sticker — capital letters matter, and spaces matter.
If you've changed the password since you set up the router and you don't remember the new one, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings. Look for a small reset button (usually recessed) on the back of the router, press it with a paperclip for 10 seconds, and wait for the router to restart. This will erase your custom password and return it to the one printed on the sticker.
Verify that your device actually has internet, not just a connection
Sometimes your device connects to the WiFi network but still can't reach the internet. This usually means your modem — the device that connects to your internet service provider — has lost its connection. Your router and modem are separate machines, even if they look like one box.
Check the lights on your modem. Look for a light labeled "Internet," "Online," or "WAN." If it's off or red, your modem has lost connection to your provider. Unplug the modem, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart, then check the light again. If it's now on and green or blue, your internet should work.
If the modem light stays off, your internet service may be down in your area, or there may be a problem with your account. Call your internet provider's customer service number — it's usually on your bill or on the provider's website.
Check if your router is blocking your device type
Some routers have a setting that only allows certain types of devices to connect — for example, only devices that support the newest WiFi standard. If you've tried everything above and your device still won't connect, this might be the issue, especially if other devices in your house connect fine.
To check this, you need to log into your router's settings panel. Open a web browser on any device that is connected to the internet (even your phone using cellular data works). Type the IP address from the back of your router into the address bar — it usually looks like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You'll be asked for a username and password; these are also on the back of the router, usually "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's serial number.
Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Wireless," "WiFi," or "Advanced." Find a setting that mentions "WiFi standard," "802.11," or "band." If it's set to "WiFi 6 only" or "5GHz only," your older device won't be able to connect. Change it to "Mixed" or "Auto" to allow older devices. Save the changes and restart the router. Your device should now connect.
What to do if you still can't connect after these steps
If none of the above worked, the problem is likely a hardware failure in either your router or your device. Try connecting a different device to the same router — if it works, your original device has a WiFi hardware problem. If no devices can connect, your router's WiFi radio may have failed.
Before replacing anything, try one more thing: log into your router's settings panel again and look for a "Reboot" or "Restart" button. Click it and wait two minutes. Sometimes the router's WiFi radio gets stuck and a reboot from inside the settings panel fixes it when unplugging doesn't.
If the reboot doesn't work and you've confirmed other devices can't connect either, your router needs to be replaced. If only your device won't connect but other devices work fine, the issue is with that device's WiFi hardware, and you may need to take it to a repair shop or contact the manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my WiFi work sometimes but not other times?
This usually means your router is overheating or running out of memory. Routers that sit in enclosed spaces or run continuously for weeks can get hot and start dropping connections. Move your router to an open space with airflow, and restart it once a week by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If it still drops randomly, the router may be failing and should be replaced.
My device says "connected, no internet" — what does that mean?
Your device is talking to the router, but the router can't reach the internet. This is a modem problem, not a router problem. Check that your modem's internet light is on and solid. If it's off or blinking, unplug the modem for 30 seconds and plug it back in. If the light still won't turn on, call your internet provider.
Can I connect to WiFi if I don't know the password?
Not without resetting the router. If you've lost the password, look at the back of the router — it's printed there. If the sticker is worn off, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, which returns the password to what's printed on the sticker. This erases any custom password you set.
Why won't my old phone connect even though my laptop does?
Your router may be set to only accept newer WiFi standards. Log into your router's settings using the IP address on the back, find the WiFi standard setting, and change it from "WiFi 6 only" or "5GHz only" to "Mixed" or "Auto." This allows older devices to connect alongside newer ones.
Should I buy a new router if nothing works?
Not when ready. Try restarting the router from inside its settings panel using the reboot button, not just unplugging it. If that doesn't work, test whether other devices can connect — if they can, your problem device has a hardware issue, not your router. If no devices can connect, your router likely needs replacement.