The most common reason your device won't connect is that it's trying to use an old or incorrect password

When a device fails to connect to WiFi, it's usually because the password stored on that device doesn't match what your router is currently broadcasting. Your phone or laptop remembers passwords from past connections, and if you've changed your router's password recently—or if someone else set it up and you're using the wrong one—the device will keep trying the old password and fail. The fix is to "forget" the network on your device and reconnect with the correct password.

The second most common reason is that your device is out of range or the signal is too weak to maintain a connection. WiFi has a physical limit—most home routers reach reliably about 150 feet in open space, less through walls and floors. If you're far from the router or there are many obstacles between you and it, the connection drops or won't establish in the first place.

Less often, the problem is with the router itself: it may need a restart, an update, or there may be a setting that's blocking your specific device. This guide walks you through the fixes in order, starting with the simplest.

Key Takeaways

  • Forgetting the network on your device and reconnecting with the correct password fixes most connection problems in under two minutes.
  • If your device connects but drops constantly, move closer to the router or remove obstacles like metal filing cabinets and microwaves between you and it.
  • Restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds clears temporary errors that prevent new devices from connecting.
  • If one device won't connect but others do, the problem is almost always the device itself, not the router.
  • Check your router's manual or the label on the back for the default password if you don't know what you set it to.

Forget the network and reconnect with the correct password

Start here. This solves the problem about 70 percent of the time.

On an iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, tap WiFi, find your network name in the list, tap the information icon (a circle with an "i"), and tap "Forget This Network". Then tap your network name again and enter the password. Make sure you're typing the password exactly as it is—capital letters, numbers, and special characters all matter. If you don't know the password, see the section below on finding it.

On an Android phone: Open Settings, go to WiFi, long-press your network name, and tap "Forget". Then tap the network again and enter the password. The process is the same: type it exactly as it appears.

On a Windows computer: Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi. Click "Manage known networks", find your network, click it, and select "Forget". Then click your network in the available networks list and enter the password.

On a Mac: Click the WiFi icon in the top-right corner, hold Option, and click your network name. Click "Forget". Then click the WiFi icon again, select your network, and enter the password.

Find your WiFi password if you don't know it

If you've forgotten the password, you have three options. The fastest is to check any device that's already connected—it will show you the password. On an iPhone connected to your WiFi, go to Settings, WiFi, tap the information icon next to your network, and tap "Password". On Android, go to Settings, WiFi, long-press your network, and tap "Share". On Windows, right-click your network in Settings and select "Properties", then scroll down to "Security type and encryption type"—the password is listed as "Security key".

If no device is connected, look at your router itself. Most routers have a label on the back or bottom with the default network name and password printed on it. The password may be labeled "WiFi Password", "Network Key", "PSK", or straightforward "Password". Write it down exactly as printed, including capital letters.

If the label is missing or unreadable, you can reset the router to its factory settings, which restores the default password. Hold the reset button (usually a small recessed button on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your settings, so only do this if you're prepared to set up the router again from scratch. After a factory reset, use the default password from the router's manual or the manufacturer's website.

Move closer to the router or remove obstacles

WiFi travels through air but is blocked or weakened by walls, metal, water, and certain appliances. If your device connects but drops frequently, or if it won't connect from a particular room, distance and obstacles are likely the cause.

Try moving your device to the same room as the router and attempt to connect. If it works there but not in your usual location, the signal is too weak at that distance. Move the router to a more central location in your home, or move your device closer when you need to use it. If moving the router isn't practical, a WiFi extender or mesh system can expand the range, but that's a separate setup process.

Check for metal objects, microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and thick walls between your device and the router. Metal filing cabinets, refrigerators, and metal-framed furniture all weaken the signal. If possible, move the router away from these obstacles or position it higher up—routers broadcast better when they're elevated and have clear space around them.

Restart your router

A router that's been running for weeks or months can develop temporary errors that prevent new devices from connecting, even though existing devices work fine. A restart clears these errors.

Unplug the power cable from the back of your router. Wait 30 seconds—this is important, as it gives the router time to fully power down. Plug it back in and wait two to three minutes for it to fully restart. You'll see lights on the front of the router blink as it boots up. Once the lights stabilize (usually a solid light or a steady pattern), try connecting your device again.

If restarting doesn't work and you have multiple devices, check whether other devices can connect. If they can, the problem is with the one device that won't connect, not the router. If no devices can connect, move to the next section.

Check if your router is blocking your device

Some routers have a feature that blocks specific devices or MAC addresses. This is rare in home routers but possible if someone else set up your network or if you've changed settings yourself. Check your router's settings by opening a web browser and typing the router's IP address—usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You'll be prompted for a username and password; these are often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password on the router's label.

Once logged in, look for a section called "Device Management", "MAC Filtering", "Access Control", or "Blocked Devices". If you see your device listed as blocked, remove it. The exact steps vary by router brand, so check your router's manual if you're unsure where this setting is.

If you can't log into the router or don't recognize the settings, contact the person who set it up, or restart the router to factory settings as described in the password section above.

Update your router's firmware

Routers receive software updates that fix bugs and improve compatibility with newer devices. If your router hasn't been updated in months or years, it may not recognize your device properly.

Log into your router's settings as described in the previous section. Look for a section called "Administration", "System", "Maintenance", or "Firmware Update". Check whether an update is available. If one is, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. Do not unplug the router during an update—let it complete fully, which usually takes five to ten minutes.

After the update finishes, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Try connecting your device again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my device connect for a few seconds then disconnect?

This usually means the signal is weak or unstable. Move closer to the router, remove obstacles between you and it, or restart the router. If the problem persists only in one location, that spot is too far from the router or blocked by too much material. If it happens everywhere, the router may be failing and need replacement.

My device says "can't connect to this network" but other devices work fine

The problem is with your device, not the router. Forget the network on that device and reconnect with the correct password. If that doesn't work, restart the device itself. If it still fails, check whether the router is blocking that device's MAC address in the device management settings.

I just changed my WiFi password and now nothing connects

Every device that was connected before needs to forget the old network and reconnect with the new password. Go through each device—phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV—and repeat the forget-and-reconnect process. This can take a few minutes if you have many devices.

My device connects to other WiFi networks but not mine

Your device can connect to WiFi in general, so the problem is specific to your network. Check that you're typing your password correctly—it's case-sensitive. If you're sure the password is right, restart your router. If that doesn't work, try forgetting the network and reconnecting. If your device still won't connect to your network but connects to others, your router may not support that device's WiFi standard, which is rare but possible with very old routers and very new devices.

Do I need to restart my router every time I want to connect a new device?

No. Restart the router only if a new device won't connect after you've entered the correct password and moved close to the router. Most of the time, forgetting and reconnecting with the correct password is all you need.