Start with the simplest checks first
Before you troubleshoot anything technical, verify three things: your WiFi network is actually broadcasting, your computer's WiFi is turned on, and you are trying to connect to the right network. Open your WiFi settings and look for your network name in the list of available networks. If you do not see it, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully boot.
If your network appears in the list but your computer will not connect, or if it connects and then when ready disconnects, the problem is usually one of four things: a wrong password, an outdated driver, interference from other devices, or a setting that is blocking the connection. The next sections walk through each one.
Key Takeaways
- Check that your WiFi network appears in your available networks list; if not, restart your router and wait two minutes before trying again.
- Verify you are typing the correct password — WiFi passwords are case-sensitive and spaces count.
- Update your computer's WiFi driver through Device Manager (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac), as outdated drivers are a common cause of connection failure.
- Move your computer closer to the router to rule out range or interference issues before assuming the problem is with your device.
- If your computer connects but drops the connection repeatedly, forget the network and reconnect from scratch rather than trying to repair the existing connection.
Verify your password is correct
WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are treated as different characters. If you type "MyPassword" instead of "mypassword", the connection will fail. Spaces and special characters also count. If you are not certain of your password, check your router itself — most routers have the WiFi password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom.
If you have changed your password since you last connected, your computer may still be trying to use the old one. In that case, forget the network entirely and reconnect. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, find your network, and select Forget. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Network > WiFi > Advanced, find your network in the list, select it, and click the minus button. Then reconnect and enter the current password.
Update your WiFi driver on Windows
Your computer's WiFi driver is the software that lets it communicate with your router. If the driver is outdated or corrupted, your computer may not connect even if everything else is working. On Windows, you can update it through Device Manager. Press the Windows key and type "Device Manager", then open it. Look for "Network adapters" and expand that section.
Find the entry that mentions WiFi, Wireless, or your adapter's brand name (common ones are Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom, or Realtek). Right-click it and select "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software". Windows will check for a newer version and install it if one is found. Restart your computer after the update completes, then try connecting to WiFi again.
If automatic update finds nothing, visit your computer's manufacturer website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.) and search for your specific model number. read the WiFi driver from their support page and install it manually. This is more reliable than the automatic search, especially if your computer is older.
Update your WiFi driver on Mac
Mac computers update their WiFi drivers as part of the operating system. Go to the Apple menu, select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older Macs), then click "General" and "Software Update". Install any available updates and restart your computer. If updates are already installed, your driver is current.
If you have already updated and still cannot connect, restart your Mac in Safe Mode to rule out third-party software interfering with WiFi. Shut down your Mac completely. Turn it back on and when ready hold the Shift key until you see "Safe Mode" in the login window. Log in and try connecting to WiFi. If it works in Safe Mode, a third-party program is likely the problem — check what you installed recently and uninstall it.
Check for interference and range issues
WiFi signals weaken with distance and are blocked by walls, metal, and water. If your computer is far from the router or separated by multiple walls, the signal may be too weak to connect reliably. Move your computer closer to the router — ideally within 30 feet and in the same room — and try connecting again. If it works, your problem is range or interference, not your computer.
Other devices can also interfere with WiFi. Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and some Bluetooth devices operate on the same frequency as WiFi and can cause connection problems. If you have any of these devices near your router, move them away or turn them off temporarily while you test the connection. If your router has a 5 GHz band available, try connecting to that instead of 2.4 GHz — it has shorter range but less interference from household devices.
Restart your computer and router together
A restart clears temporary memory issues that can prevent connection. Shut down your computer completely (not sleep mode). Unplug your router and wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait two minutes for the router to fully restart — you will see lights stop blinking and stabilize. Turn your computer back on and try connecting to WiFi.
If restarting does not work, try connecting to a different network if one is available — a neighbor's WiFi, a mobile hotspot, or a public network. If your computer connects to a different network without problems, the issue is with your router or your router's settings, not your computer. If your computer cannot connect to any network, the problem is with your computer's WiFi hardware or driver.
Forget the network and reconnect from scratch
If your computer connects but drops the connection repeatedly, or connects very slowly, forgetting and reconnecting often fixes the problem better than trying to repair the existing connection. The steps are the same as the password section above: on Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks and select Forget. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Network > WiFi > Advanced and click the minus button.
After forgetting the network, restart your router (unplug for 30 seconds, plug back in, wait two minutes). Then reconnect to your WiFi network and enter your password. This forces your computer to create a fresh connection profile instead of using old settings that may be corrupted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my computer connect but then disconnect after a few minutes?
This usually means your computer is losing the signal or the router is dropping the connection. Try forgetting the network and reconnecting from scratch. If it still disconnects, move your computer closer to the router to rule out range issues. If the problem persists, your router may need to be restarted or updated.
My password is correct but it still says it is wrong. What do I do?
Check that Caps Lock is not on — WiFi passwords are case-sensitive. If you are certain the password is correct, restart your router and try again. If that does not work, reset your router to factory settings (usually a button you hold for 10 seconds) and set up your WiFi network again with a new password.
Can I connect to WiFi on my phone but not my computer?
This means your router is working and your WiFi network is broadcasting. The problem is with your computer's WiFi hardware or driver. Update your WiFi driver (see the Windows or Mac sections above) and restart your computer. If that does not work, your computer's WiFi card may be failing and may need replacement.
What if none of these steps work?
Try connecting with an Ethernet cable if your computer has an Ethernet port. If that works, your WiFi hardware is the problem. If Ethernet does not work either, the problem is with your computer's network settings or hardware, not your WiFi. Contact your computer's manufacturer for support.