Why Your PC Won't Connect to the Internet — and How to Fix It

Start with the simplest checks first

Before you troubleshoot software or settings, confirm that the physical connection itself is working. If you use an Ethernet cable, unplug it from both your PC and your router, wait ten seconds, and plug it back in firmly at both ends — the connector should click. If you use Wi-Fi, look at your router: it should have lights on. If all lights are off, the router has no power; if lights are on but one labeled "internet" or "WAN" is red or off, your router itself cannot reach the internet.

Next, restart your router. Unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears temporary connection problems that affect most home networks. While it restarts, restart your PC as well — a straightforward reboot fixes roughly half of connection problems because Windows clears network settings that have gotten stuck. After both devices are back on, wait another 30 seconds before testing.

Key Takeaways

Check that your router has power and that the internet light is on; if not, the problem is between your router and your internet provider, not your PC.
Restart both your router and your PC, waiting 30 seconds after unplugging the router before plugging it back in.
On Windows, open Settings > Network & Internet and look for a red X or a message saying you have no internet; if you see one, your PC recognizes the network but cannot reach the internet.
If your PC connects to Wi-Fi but the internet does not work, forget the network and reconnect; this forces Windows to re-enter your password correctly.
If nothing works after these steps, contact your internet provider to confirm they have not had an outage in your area.

Check what Windows thinks is happening

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet. You will see either "Connected" with a green checkmark, or a message saying you have no internet connection, or a red X. Each one tells you something different about where the problem is.

If you see "Connected" with a green checkmark, your PC is talking to the router, but the router cannot reach the internet. This means the problem is between your router and your internet provider — not your PC. Skip ahead to the section on contacting your provider. If you see a red X or a message that you have no internet, your PC recognizes the network but cannot reach it. This is usually a password problem or a setting Windows got wrong.

Reconnect to Wi-Fi if you use wireless

If you connect by Wi-Fi, Windows sometimes stores a password incorrectly or holds onto old settings that no longer work. The fastest fix is to forget the network and reconnect. In Settings > Network & Internet, click "Wi-Fi" on the left, then "Manage known networks". Find your network name in the list, click it, and click "Forget". Your PC will disconnect.

Now click "Wi-Fi" again and look for your network name in the list of available networks. Click it, enter your Wi-Fi password (the one on the back of your router or in your router's setup email), and click "Next". Windows will reconnect. If you do not remember your password, you can find it by logging into your router's settings page — usually printed on the router itself as an address like 192.168.1.1 — but reconnecting and re-entering it is faster for most people.

Check your network settings if you use Ethernet

If you connect with an Ethernet cable and Windows still shows no internet after restarting, the problem is usually that Windows has the wrong network settings. In Settings > Network & Internet, click "Ethernet" on the left. You should see your connection listed. Click it, then scroll down and click "Edit" next to "IP settings".

A window will open showing how your PC gets its address on the network. The setting should say "Automatic (DHCP)" — this means your router assigns your PC an address automatically, which is how most home networks work. If it says something else, like "Manual" or "Static", click the dropdown and change it to "Automatic (DHCP)". Click "Save" and wait 10 seconds. Your PC will get a new address from the router and usually connect to the internet.

Run Windows' built-in network troubleshooter

Windows has a tool that can find and fix some connection problems automatically. In Settings > Network & Internet, scroll down and click "Troubleshoot" or "Network troubleshooter". Windows will run a diagnostic and either fix the problem or tell you what it found. If it fixes something, restart your PC and test the connection again.

The troubleshooter catches problems like a driver that needs updating or a setting that got changed. It will not fix problems between your router and your internet provider, and it sometimes misdiagnoses the issue, but it is worth running because it takes less than a minute and solves the problem in many cases.

Check if your internet provider has an outage

If your router shows no internet light, or if Windows says your PC is connected but the internet does not work, the problem may not be your PC or router at all — it may be your internet provider. Use your phone's mobile data to visit your provider's website or call their customer service number. Ask whether they have reported an outage in your area. Most providers have an outage map you can check online.

If there is an outage, there is nothing you can do except wait. If there is no outage, tell the provider that your router shows no internet connection. They can run a test from their end to see whether the signal is reaching your home. If the signal is reaching your router but your router is not connecting, they may need to send a technician or replace your router.

Update or reinstall your network driver

Your PC uses a piece of software called a driver to talk to your network card — the hardware that connects to the internet. If the driver is old or corrupted, your PC may not connect even though the hardware is fine. Open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key and typing "device manager", then click the app.

Look for "Network adapters" in the list and click the arrow next to it to expand it. You will see one or more adapters listed — usually something like "Ethernet" or "Wi-Fi" or a brand name like "Intel". Right-click it and click "Update driver". Windows will search for a newer version. If it finds one, install it and restart your PC. If it does not find one, right-click the adapter again, click "Uninstall device", and restart your PC. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically when it starts up.

Frequently Asked Questions

My router shows internet light on, but my PC still has no connection. What do I do?

The problem is between your PC and the router, not between the router and the internet. Try restarting your PC first. If that does not work, go to Settings > Network & Internet and check whether Windows says you are connected to the network. If yes, run the network troubleshooter. If no, try forgetting and reconnecting to Wi-Fi, or check your Ethernet cable connection.

I can connect to Wi-Fi but websites will not load. What is the difference?

Your PC is talking to the router, but the router cannot reach the internet. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If that does not work, check whether the internet light on the router is on. If it is off or red, contact your internet provider — the problem is on their end.

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

Use your phone's mobile data to visit your provider's website and look for an outage map, or call their customer service number. You can also ask neighbors whether their internet is working. If multiple people in your area have no internet, it is likely an outage.

Do I need to change any settings in Windows if I just got a new router?

Usually no. When you plug in a new router, restart your PC, and reconnect to Wi-Fi with the new network name and password, Windows should connect automatically. If it does not, try forgetting the network and reconnecting, or check that you entered the password correctly.

What if I have tried everything and my PC still will not connect?

Contact your internet provider and tell them you have restarted your router and PC, confirmed the internet light is on, and checked for outages. They can run diagnostics from their end and tell you whether the problem is your equipment or theirs. If it is yours, they may replace your router or send a technician.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.