The most common reason your Chromebook won't connect is that it's looking for a network that isn't broadcasting, or the password you entered doesn't match what the router expects

Before you assume the Chromebook is broken, check three things: whether other devices in your home can connect to the same WiFi network, whether your router is actually on (look for lights on the front), and whether you typed the password correctly — Chromebooks are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter.

If other devices connect fine but your Chromebook doesn't, the problem is almost always either the Chromebook's network settings or its WiFi hardware. The fixes below walk through the most reliable solutions in order, starting with the fastest.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that your router is on and broadcasting by testing another device on the same network first.
  • Forget the network on your Chromebook and reconnect, entering the password exactly as it appears on your router label.
  • Restart your Chromebook completely — not sleep mode, but a full shutdown and restart.
  • If the problem persists after restarting, reset your Chromebook's network settings through the Settings menu.
  • If your Chromebook still won't connect after these steps, the WiFi hardware may be failing and you may need repair or replacement.

Forget the network and reconnect with the correct password

Your Chromebook may have stored incorrect information about your network. The fastest fix is to remove it and add it again.

Click the time in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click the WiFi icon (it looks like curved lines). Find your network name in the list and hover over it until a settings icon appears — it looks like a gear or three dots. Click it and select "Forget". Now click your network name again and enter your password exactly as it appears on your router. Most routers have the password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom.

If you don't know your password, you can find it by logging into your router directly from another device. Open a web browser, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and log in with the username and password printed on your router (usually "admin" and "admin" or a default password on the label). Look for a section called WiFi, Wireless, or Network Settings to find your password.

Restart your Chromebook completely

Putting your Chromebook to sleep is not the same as restarting it. A full restart clears temporary network settings and often fixes connection problems that forgetting the network alone won't solve.

Click the time in the bottom right corner. Click the power icon and select "Power off". Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on. Once it finishes starting up, try connecting to your WiFi again.

If restarting doesn't work, move to the next step. Do not skip this step even if it seems straightforward — most connection problems clear after a restart.

Reset your network settings through the Settings menu

If forgetting the network and restarting didn't work, your Chromebook's network settings may be corrupted. You can reset them without losing your files or accounts.

Click the time in the bottom right corner and click the settings icon (it looks like a gear). Click "Advanced" on the left side. Scroll down and click "Reset settings". Click "Powerwash" and then "Restart". Your Chromebook will restart and reset all network settings to their defaults. After it restarts, you'll need to sign back into your Google account, then try connecting to your WiFi again.

This step erases your saved networks and passwords, so you'll need to re-enter your WiFi password. It does not erase your files — those stay in your Google Drive.

Check whether your router is broadcasting your network name

Some routers have a setting that hides the network name from the list of available networks. If you don't see your network name when you click the WiFi icon, your router may have this setting turned on.

Log into your router from another device (using 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 as described above) and look for a setting called "Broadcast SSID" or "Hide Network". Make sure it is turned on or enabled. If it was off, turn it on, wait 30 seconds, and check your Chromebook's WiFi list again.

If you still don't see the network, you can connect manually. On your Chromebook, click the WiFi icon and look for an option that says "Add network" or "Connect to hidden network". Type your network name exactly as it appears in your router settings, then enter your password.

Test your Chromebook's WiFi hardware

If your Chromebook still won't connect after the steps above, the WiFi hardware inside may be failing. You can test this by trying to connect to a different network — a phone's hotspot, a friend's WiFi, or a public network at a library or coffee shop.

If your Chromebook connects to a different network without trouble, the problem is your home router or its settings, not your Chromebook. Go back and check your router's settings, or restart the router itself by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

If your Chromebook won't connect to any network, the WiFi hardware is likely damaged. Chromebooks are difficult to repair yourself, so contact the manufacturer or the place you bought it to discuss repair or replacement options.

Disable and re-enable WiFi on your Chromebook

Sometimes the WiFi radio inside your Chromebook gets stuck and needs to be turned off and back on. This is different from restarting the whole device.

Click the time in the bottom right corner. Click the WiFi icon and toggle it off — the icon should gray out. Wait 10 seconds, then click it again to turn WiFi back on. Your Chromebook will scan for networks again. Try connecting to your network.

This step takes less than a minute and fixes the problem in some cases, so it's worth trying even if it sounds too straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Chromebook say "Connected, no internet" when it connects to WiFi?

Your Chromebook connected to the router but the router itself doesn't have internet. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If other devices have internet, the problem is between your router and your internet provider — contact your provider's support line.

Can I connect my Chromebook to WiFi without a password?

Yes, if your network doesn't have a password set. When you click your network name, the Chromebook will connect without asking for one. However, leaving your WiFi open means anyone nearby can use your internet and access files on your network. It's safer to set a password through your router settings.

What if I forgot my WiFi password and can't find it on the router?

Log into your router from another device using 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, then look for WiFi or Wireless settings to see or change your password. If you can't remember your router's login password either, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding a small reset button on the back for 10 seconds — this erases all your settings and you'll need to set up the router again from scratch.

Does my Chromebook need to be updated to connect to WiFi?

Chromebooks usually update automatically when you restart them, and updates rarely affect WiFi connection. If your Chromebook is very old, it may not support newer WiFi standards that your router uses, but this is uncommon. Try the steps above first before assuming an update is needed.