Start with the simplest fixes first
Most computers that won't connect to WiFi are actually connected to the network but can't reach the internet, or they're looking for a password they've forgotten. Before you restart your router or call your internet provider, check three things: whether your WiFi is actually turned on, whether your computer sees the network name, and whether you're entering the password correctly.
The most common reason a computer won't connect is that WiFi is disabled on the computer itself, not the router. Many laptops have a physical switch or a keyboard shortcut (often Fn plus a key with a WiFi symbol) that turns the radio off. Desktops with WiFi cards have the same issue. Check your keyboard first — if you see a key with an airplane or WiFi icon, hold Fn and press it. On Windows, look in the bottom right corner of the screen for a WiFi icon; on Mac, look in the top right. If the icon shows WiFi is off, click it to turn it back on.
Key Takeaways
- Check whether WiFi is physically disabled on your computer using a keyboard shortcut or settings menu before assuming the router is broken.
- If your computer sees the network but won't connect, you are probably entering the password wrong — the password is case-sensitive and includes numbers or symbols.
- "Connected but no internet" means your computer reached the router but the router has no internet, which is a router problem, not a computer problem.
- Forgetting the network and reconnecting forces your computer to ask for the password again, which fixes most connection problems that restart alone does not.
- If your computer connects but drops off repeatedly, move closer to the router or check whether other devices are using the same WiFi channel.
Your computer sees the network but won't connect
When your computer shows your WiFi network in the list but refuses to connect, the problem is almost always the password. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters are different from lowercase letters. They also often contain numbers or symbols that look similar to each other — a zero looks like the letter O, and a one looks like the letter l. Type the password slowly and check each character.
If you are certain the password is correct, forget the network and reconnect. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, find your network, and click Forget. On Mac, go to System Settings > WiFi, click Details next to your network name, then click Forget. After you forget it, reconnect by selecting the network again and entering the password fresh. This forces your computer to clear out any corrupted connection information it stored.
If forgetting and reconnecting does not work, restart your computer. Many connection problems that seem permanent are actually temporary glitches in how Windows or macOS is talking to your WiFi card, and a restart clears them out.
Your computer is connected but has no internet
A computer that shows "Connected" next to the WiFi network name but cannot reach websites or load email is connected to the router but the router itself has no internet. This is not a computer problem — it is a router or internet provider problem. Your computer is doing its job correctly.
Check whether other devices in your home can reach the internet. If your phone, tablet, or another computer can browse the web, then your first computer's WiFi card is working fine and the problem is specific to that one device. If nothing can reach the internet, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait two to three minutes for it to fully restart, then try again.
If restarting the router does not restore internet to any device, contact your internet provider — the problem is with their service, not your equipment.
Your computer connects and disconnects repeatedly
A computer that connects for a few minutes then drops off, or that connects only when you are very close to the router, usually has a signal strength problem. WiFi signals weaken with distance and through walls. Move your computer closer to the router and try again. If the problem stops, you have found your answer: you need to move the router to a more central location, use a WiFi extender, or accept that this spot in your home has weak signal.
If moving closer does not help, the problem may be WiFi channel interference. WiFi networks broadcast on different channels, and if your router and a neighbor's router are both using the same channel, they interfere with each other. On Windows, read a free WiFi analyzer app like WiFi Analyzer from the Microsoft Store. On Mac, hold Option and click the WiFi icon in the menu bar to see which channel you are using. If you see many networks on the same channel, log into your router's settings (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 into a web browser) and switch to a less crowded channel. The exact steps vary by router model, so check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website.
Your computer does not see the network at all
If your computer does not show your WiFi network in the list of available networks, but other devices do see it, your computer's WiFi card may not be working. First, make sure WiFi is not disabled. Check the keyboard shortcut again and look in Settings to confirm the WiFi radio is on.
Next, restart your computer. If the network still does not appear after restart, the WiFi card itself may have failed. On a laptop, you can sometimes replace the card yourself — search for your laptop model plus "WiFi card replacement" to see whether it is user-replaceable. On a desktop, you can buy a USB WiFi adapter for under $20 and plug it into any USB port. If neither option appeals to you, take the computer to a repair shop or contact the manufacturer.
Your computer connects only to your old network
If you recently changed your WiFi network name or password, your computer may still be trying to connect to the old one. Forget the old network using the steps above (Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks on Windows, or System Settings > WiFi > Details > Forget on Mac), then reconnect to the new network.
If you changed the password but kept the same network name, forgetting and reconnecting will prompt your computer to ask for the new password. If you changed the network name entirely, your computer will not see the old network anymore once you forget it, and you can connect to the new one normally.
Your computer connects but is very slow
A computer that connects successfully but loads websites slowly or drops video calls is usually too far from the router or on a crowded WiFi channel. Try moving closer to the router first. If that does not help, check your WiFi channel using the steps in the "Your computer connects and disconnects repeatedly" section above, and switch to a less crowded channel if needed.
You can also check how many devices are connected to your router. If 15 devices are all streaming video at once, the network will be slow for everyone. Disconnect devices you are not using, or ask other people in your home to pause streaming while you work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my password keep saying it is wrong when I know it is correct?
WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". They also often contain numbers that look like letters — check whether you are typing a zero instead of the letter O, or a one instead of the letter l. Type it very slowly and look at each character as you type.
My computer was working fine yesterday and now it won't connect. What changed?
Check whether WiFi is disabled on your computer — you may have accidentally hit the keyboard shortcut. If WiFi is on, restart your computer. If other devices can still reach the internet, the problem is specific to your computer and a restart usually fixes it.
Can I use a USB WiFi adapter if my computer's built-in WiFi does not work?
Yes. USB WiFi adapters are inexpensive and work on both Windows and Mac. Plug it into any USB port, install the driver if Windows asks you to, and your computer will treat it like a built-in card. You can find them at any electronics store or online.
How do I know if my WiFi card is broken or just disabled?
Check Settings first — on Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi and make sure WiFi is toggled on. On Mac, go to System Settings > WiFi and check that WiFi is enabled. If it is on and your computer still does not see any networks while other devices do, the card may have failed.
Should I restart my router if my computer won't connect?
Only if other devices also cannot reach the internet. If your phone or another computer can browse the web, restarting the router will not fix your computer's problem — the issue is with that specific computer, not the router.