What "can't connect to network" means
When your device says it can't connect to a network, it means your computer, phone, or tablet cannot reach the internet or a local network — either because the connection is broken, the password is wrong, or your device and the network aren't communicating properly. This is different from being connected but having no internet speed; "can't connect" means the handshake between your device and the network never happened at all.
The message usually appears when you try to join a WiFi network, connect to a wired Ethernet cable, or access a work network. Your device is trying to introduce itself to the network, but something in that introduction is failing. The network might not exist, might not be accepting new devices, might have rejected your password, or might be too far away for your device to reach.
Key Takeaways
- A connection failure means your device and network are not communicating, which is different from being connected but having slow internet.
- The most common causes are a wrong password, the network being turned off, your device being out of range, or your WiFi adapter needing to be restarted.
- Restarting your device and your router fixes most connection problems within a few minutes.
- If you cannot connect to any network at all, your device's WiFi or Ethernet hardware may be damaged or disabled.
Why your device cannot find or reach the network
Your device searches for networks by broadcasting a request into the air (for WiFi) or checking the cable (for Ethernet). If the network is not broadcasting, is turned off, or is too far away, your device will not see it in the list. If the network exists but your device is out of range — usually more than 150 feet from the router through walls — the signal becomes too weak to connect.
Sometimes the network appears in your list but you cannot connect to it. This usually means the password you entered is incorrect, the network is full and not accepting new devices, or the network's security settings are blocking your device type. Older devices sometimes cannot connect to newer security standards, and newer devices sometimes cannot connect to very old networks.
The most common fixes that work when ready
Restart your device. Turn off your phone, tablet, or computer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears temporary connection errors and resets your device's network adapter — the hardware that handles WiFi or Ethernet. Most connection problems disappear after this step alone.
Restart your router. Unplug your router (the box that broadcasts your WiFi), wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Let it sit for two minutes while it boots up. This clears temporary errors on the router's side and forces it to reset its connection list. If you have a separate modem (the box that connects to your internet service provider), unplug that first, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, wait two minutes for it to fully start, then do the same with the router.
Forget the network and reconnect. On your device, go to your network settings, find the network name in your saved networks list, and select "forget" or "remove." Then search for the network again and reconnect, entering the password carefully. This clears any corrupted connection information your device stored.
Check the password. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you are typing the password by hand, turn on the option to show the password as you type so you can see what you are entering. The default password is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router.
When the problem is on your device, not the network
If you cannot connect to any network — not just one — the problem is likely with your device's hardware or settings. Check whether WiFi is actually turned on. On most devices, there is a WiFi icon in the settings menu or a physical button or keyboard shortcut that turns WiFi on and off. Some devices have an airplane mode that disables all wireless connections; make sure that is off.
If WiFi is on but you still cannot see any networks at all, your device's WiFi adapter may be damaged or disabled. On Windows computers, you can check this by opening Device Manager (right-click the Start menu and select it), looking for "Network adapters," and seeing whether your WiFi adapter is listed. If it has a yellow warning symbol or says "disabled," right-click it and select "Enable device." If it is not listed at all, the hardware may be damaged and you may need to take the device to a repair shop.
On phones and tablets, a hardware problem is less common but possible. If restarting the device does not work, try connecting to a different network — a friend's WiFi or a public network — to see whether the problem follows you. If you cannot connect to any network anywhere, the WiFi hardware itself may be faulty.
When the problem is with the network, not your device
If other devices can connect to the network but yours cannot, the network may be blocking your device. Some routers have a feature that limits which devices can connect; if you recently added a new device or changed its name, the network owner may need to allow it. Ask whoever manages the network (your household member, your workplace IT department, or your internet service provider) whether your device is on an allowed list.
If the network is a work network, school network, or public WiFi, it may require you to open a web browser and log in through a login page before you can use the internet. Connect to the network first, then open any website in your browser — you should be redirected to a login screen automatically. If that does not happen, try typing a straightforward address like example.com into your browser.
If the network itself is down, no device will connect. Check whether the router has power and whether its lights are on. If the lights are off or red, unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. If the lights stay off, the router may have lost power or failed. Check that the power cable is plugged into both the router and the wall outlet.
What to do if nothing works
If you have restarted both your device and your router, checked the password, and confirmed that other devices can connect, the problem may be more complex. Write down the exact error message your device is showing — it often contains a code or specific reason for the failure. Take a photo of it if you can.
Contact your internet service provider (the company you pay for internet) or the network owner (your workplace, school, or the business whose WiFi you are trying to use). Give them the device name, the network name, and the exact error message. They can check their logs to see whether your device tried to connect and what went wrong.
If you are trying to connect to a work or school network and nothing works, contact your IT department or help desk. If you are trying to connect to your own home network and other devices work fine, your device's network hardware may be damaged and you may need professional repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between "can't connect" and "no internet"?
"Can't connect" means your device never joined the network in the first place — it is not even on the network yet. "No internet" means your device is connected to the network, but the network itself has no internet access. You can be connected to a network and still have no internet if the router is not working properly or the internet service is down.
Why does my device say "can't connect" even though I can see the network?
The network is broadcasting (so you can see it), but your device cannot complete the connection. The most common reason is a wrong password. Other reasons include the network being full, your device being too far away, or the network's security settings blocking your device type. Try moving closer to the router and re-entering the password carefully.
Does restarting my router erase my WiFi password?
No. Restarting (unplugging and plugging back in) keeps all your settings. A full factory reset would erase everything, but that is a different action you have to do intentionally. A straightforward restart is safe and will not change your password.
Can a weak WiFi signal cause a "can't connect" message?
Yes. If you are very far from the router or there are many walls between you and it, the signal may be too weak for your device to connect. Try moving closer to the router. If you can connect when you are near it but not from other rooms, you may need a WiFi extender or a new router with stronger range.
What if my device connects but then when ready disconnects?
This is different from "can't connect" — your device is connecting but then losing the connection. Restart both your device and router. If it keeps happening, the network may be unstable, your device may have a hardware problem, or there may be interference from other devices. Try connecting to a different network to see whether the problem follows your device.