Start with the simplest checks first

Before you assume something is broken, check three things in this order: whether your modem has power, whether your router is powered on, and whether you are connected to the right network. Most internet problems stop here.

Look at your modem — the box your internet service provider installed, usually near where the cable or phone line enters your home. It should have lights on it. If all the lights are dark, unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait two minutes for it to restart. If the lights still do not come on, check that the power cable is actually plugged into both the modem and the wall outlet.

Next, check your router — the separate device that broadcasts WiFi, usually sitting on a shelf or mounted on a wall. It should also have lights. If it is off, press the power button or plug it in. If it is on but you still have no internet, unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in. This restart fixes roughly half of all connection problems.

Finally, on your phone or computer, open the WiFi settings and look at the network you are connected to. If you see your network name but it says "no internet" or "connected, no internet", you are connected to the router but the router cannot reach the modem. If you are not connected to any network at all, look for your network name in the list and select it, then enter your WiFi password.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that both your modem and router have power and lights on before troubleshooting anything else.
  • Restart your modem first, then your router, and wait two minutes after each restart for them to fully come back online.
  • If your device shows "connected, no internet", the problem is between your modem and your internet service provider, not your WiFi.
  • If you see a red or orange light on your modem, contact your internet service provider — that usually means an outage or account problem they need to fix.
  • Restart your phone or computer if it connects to WiFi but websites will not load, because the device itself may need to refresh its connection.

Understand what the lights on your modem mean

Your modem has lights that tell you what is happening. Most modems have at least three: power, internet, and WiFi or network. The exact names and colors vary by brand, but the pattern is the same.

A solid green or blue light means that part is working. A red or orange light means that part has a problem. A blinking light means data is moving through that connection right now — blinking is normal and expected.

The most important light is the one labeled "internet", "online", "WAN", or sometimes just a globe icon. If that light is red, orange, or off, your modem cannot reach your internet service provider. Restart the modem and wait two minutes. If the light is still not green after two minutes, the problem is on your service provider's side — contact them. If the internet light is green but your WiFi light is red or off, restart the router.

Write down what color each light is before you call your service provider. They will ask, and having the answer ready saves time.

Restart your modem and router in the right order

The order matters. Always restart the modem first, wait for it to fully come back online, then restart the router.

To restart your modem: unplug the power cable from the back of the modem. Wait 30 seconds — actually wait, do not just count to five. Set a timer if you have to. Plug it back in. The lights will go dark, then start coming back on one by one. Wait two full minutes. During this time, the modem is reconnecting to your service provider. Do not unplug it again.

Once the modem lights are stable and the internet light is green, unplug your router. Wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in. Wait another two minutes for the router to fully restart and broadcast WiFi again. Only after both devices have finished restarting should you try to connect.

If you have a combined modem-router unit (one box instead of two), the same process applies — unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, wait two minutes.

Check whether the problem is your WiFi or your internet connection

These are two different things, and knowing which one is broken saves you time. Your WiFi is the wireless signal your router sends. Your internet connection is the line coming from your service provider into your modem.

If your phone or computer shows "connected to WiFi" but websites will not load, the problem is one of three things: your device needs to restart, your router cannot reach your modem, or your modem cannot reach your service provider.

Start by restarting the device itself. Turn off your phone or close your laptop completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Open a web browser and try to load a website. If it works now, the device just needed to refresh its connection.

If restarting the device does not work, look at your modem lights. If the internet light is green, your modem is connected to your service provider. Restart your router. If the internet light is red or orange, restart your modem and wait two minutes. If the light is still not green, contact your service provider — the problem is on their end.

If your device will not connect to WiFi at all — you do not see your network name in the list — restart your router. If you still do not see it after two minutes, check that the WiFi is actually turned on. Some routers have a WiFi button on the front that you can press to turn it off by accident.

Know when to contact your internet service provider

Contact your service provider when you have done the restarts and the problem is still there. Have this information ready: your account number (on your bill), what color the lights are on your modem right now, and what you have already tried.

You definitely need to call if the internet light on your modem is red or orange and stays that way after a restart. You also need to call if the modem lights look normal but you still cannot reach any websites, and restarting both the modem and your device did not fix it.

Before you call, write down the model number of your modem — it is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom. Your service provider may ask for it. Also note what time the problem started, because they can check their system to see if there was an outage in your area.

If you are on hold with your service provider, they may ask you to restart your modem again while you are on the phone. This is normal. They want to see the lights come back on in real time so they can tell whether the modem is connecting properly.

Prevent future outages by protecting your equipment

Your modem and router are sensitive to power surges. If lightning strikes nearby or if there is a sudden power spike, they can be damaged. Plug both into a surge protector power strip — not just a regular power strip, but one that specifically says "surge protection" on it.

Keep your modem and router in a cool, dry place with some air around them. Do not put them in a closet or cover them with blankets. They generate heat and need to breathe. If they overheat, they can shut down or restart on their own.

Restart your modem and router once a month, even if they are working fine. Unplug both, wait 30 seconds, plug them back in in order. This clears out temporary problems before they become real ones. Many people do this on the first day of each month so they remember.

Keep the cables connected firmly. Check the cable that comes from the wall and the cable that connects your modem to your router once every few months. If a cable is loose, push it in until you hear or feel it click.

Troubleshoot when only one device cannot connect

If your phone or computer will not connect to WiFi but other devices in your home are working fine, the problem is with that one device, not your internet.

First, restart the device. Turn it completely off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Try to connect to WiFi again.

If that does not work, "forget" the WiFi network and reconnect. On most phones, go to Settings, then WiFi, find your network name, and tap "Forget". Then look for your network name again in the list, select it, and enter your WiFi password. On a computer, do the same thing through your WiFi settings.

If the device still will not connect, move it closer to the router. If it connects when you are close but not when you are far away, your WiFi signal is weak in that part of your home. This is a different problem than "no internet" — your router may need to be moved to a more central location, or you may need a WiFi extender. But your internet itself is working.

If the device still will not connect even when close to the router, restart the router. If it still will not connect after that, the device's WiFi hardware may be damaged. Try connecting to a different WiFi network if you can — a friend's home or a coffee shop — to confirm whether the problem is your device or your home network.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait after restarting my modem before I try to use the internet?

Wait two full minutes. The modem needs time to reconnect to your service provider's system. If you try to use the internet before two minutes have passed, you may think it is still broken when it is actually still starting up. Set a timer on your phone so you do not guess.

What if restarting does not fix the problem?

Check the lights on your modem. If the internet light is green, restart your router and your device. If the internet light is red or orange, the problem is with your service provider's connection, and you need to contact them. If you have done all the restarts and the lights look normal but the internet still does not work, contact your service provider with the modem model number and the color of each light.

Can I restart my modem too many times?

No. Restarting is safe and does not damage the modem. You can restart it as many times as you need to. However, do not unplug it and plug it back in over and over in quick succession — wait at least 30 seconds between restarts so the modem has time to fully shut down.

Why do I need to restart the modem before the router?

The router depends on the modem to reach the internet. If you restart the router first, it will try to connect to a modem that is still starting up, and it may not connect properly. Restart the modem first, wait for it to fully come online, then restart the router.

What should I do if my internet keeps dropping and reconnecting?

This usually means your modem is losing its connection to your service provider. Restart the modem and wait two minutes. If it keeps dropping after that, check that all cables are plugged in firmly. If the problem continues, contact your service provider — the line coming into your home may be damaged or unstable.