Start with the simplest checks first
Before you assume something is broken, check three things in this order: whether your Wi-Fi is actually on, whether you are connected to the right network, and whether other devices in your home can reach the internet. A computer that will not connect often has a switch or setting turned off, not a hardware failure.
On Windows, look for a Wi-Fi icon in the bottom right corner of your screen. On Mac, look in the top right. If the icon shows an X or looks crossed out, Wi-Fi is disabled. Click it and turn Wi-Fi on. Some laptops also have a physical switch or keyboard shortcut (often Fn plus a key with a Wi-Fi symbol) that turns the radio off entirely — check your keyboard and the sides of your laptop.
If Wi-Fi is on but you see no networks listed, or you see your network but cannot connect to it, move to the next section. If other devices connect fine, the problem is specific to your computer.
Key Takeaways
- Check whether Wi-Fi is turned on at the switch or in settings before assuming hardware is broken.
- Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait two minutes for it to fully start.
- If your computer connects but has no internet, the problem is usually your router or internet service, not your computer.
- Forgetting and reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network clears out old connection settings that often cause repeated connection failures.
- If nothing works, contact your internet service provider to check whether your account is active and your modem is working.
Restart your router and modem
Most connection problems clear up when you restart the equipment that creates your Wi-Fi signal. Unplug your router — the box with antennas or the flat device that broadcasts Wi-Fi — and leave it unplugged for 30 seconds. While it is unplugged, also unplug your modem if you have a separate one (the modem is the box your internet service provider installed; the router is the device you bought or rented separately). Wait 30 seconds, then plug the modem back in first and wait for its lights to stop blinking and settle into a steady pattern. Then plug in the router and wait two minutes for it to fully start.
After the router has restarted, try connecting your computer again. Many connection failures are caused by the router getting confused about which devices are on the network, and a restart clears that confusion.
Forget the network and reconnect
If your computer sees the Wi-Fi network but cannot connect, or connects and then when ready disconnects, the problem is usually old connection settings stored on your computer. The fix is to forget the network entirely and reconnect from scratch.
On Windows, go to Settings, then Network and Internet, then Wi-Fi, then Manage Known Networks. Find your network name in the list, click it, and click Forget. Then go back to the Wi-Fi list, find your network again, click it, enter your password, and connect.
On Mac, go to System Settings, then Wi-Fi, then click Details next to your network name. Click Forget Network, then close the window. Go back to Wi-Fi, find your network in the list, click it, enter your password, and connect.
Check whether you are actually online
A computer can show a connected Wi-Fi symbol but still have no internet. This happens when your computer is talking to the router, but the router is not talking to your internet service provider. To test this, open a web browser and try to visit a website like google.com. If the page does not load, you have no internet even though Wi-Fi shows connected.
When this happens, the problem is almost never your computer — it is your router or your internet service. Restart your router again using the steps above. If that does not work, check whether your modem's lights are normal. Most modems have a light that shows internet connection status; if that light is off or red, your internet service is down or your modem is not working.
Look for driver problems on Windows
On Windows computers, the software that controls your Wi-Fi card is called a driver. If the driver is outdated or corrupted, your computer may not see any Wi-Fi networks at all, or may connect and disconnect repeatedly. You can check this by opening Device Manager.
Right-click the Start button and click Device Manager. Look for Network Adapters and click the arrow next to it to expand the list. You should see something with "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi" in the name. If there is a yellow exclamation mark next to it, the driver has a problem. Right-click it and click Update Driver, then let Windows search for and install the latest version. Restart your computer when finished.
If you do not see a wireless adapter listed at all, your Wi-Fi card may not be recognized. This is rare but can happen after a Windows update. In this case, visit your computer manufacturer's support website, find your exact model number, and read the Wi-Fi driver from there. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install it.
Check your internet service account
If your computer connects to Wi-Fi, other devices connect fine, but you have no internet, the problem may be with your internet service provider account rather than your equipment. Log into your internet service provider's website or app using a phone on mobile data (not your home Wi-Fi). Check whether your account shows as active and whether there are any alerts about service interruptions, unpaid bills, or data limits being reached.
If your account shows suspended or past due, contact your internet service provider to resolve the billing issue. If the account is active but service is still down, call your provider's support line. They can run a test on your modem from their end and tell you whether the problem is on their side or yours.
When to contact your internet service provider
Contact your internet service provider if restarting your router and modem does not restore internet, if your modem's lights show no connection, or if you have confirmed that your computer connects to Wi-Fi but cannot reach any websites. Have your account number ready and be prepared to describe what you have already tried.
Your provider can check whether there is an outage in your area, test your modem remotely, and send a technician if needed. They can also tell you whether your service is currently active and whether there are any service limits or blocks on your account. If they determine the problem is your equipment, they can walk you through more advanced troubleshooting or arrange a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my computer connect to Wi-Fi but show no internet?
Your computer is talking to the router, but the router is not connected to your internet service. Restart your router and modem. If that does not work, check your modem's lights — if the internet light is off or red, your service is down or your modem is not working. Contact your internet service provider if the lights do not return to normal after a restart.
My computer sees the Wi-Fi network but will not connect. What should I do?
Forget the network and reconnect. Go to your Wi-Fi settings, find the network in the list of known networks, click Forget, then reconnect and re-enter your password. This clears out old settings that often cause connection failures. If that does not work, restart your router.
How do I know if my Wi-Fi card is broken?
If your computer does not see any Wi-Fi networks at all, and restarting the router does not help, check Device Manager on Windows for a yellow exclamation mark next to your wireless adapter. If you see one, update the driver. If you see no wireless adapter listed, the card may not be recognized, and you should visit your computer manufacturer's support website to read and install the driver manually.
Should I restart my router every time I lose internet?
Restart it once and see if that fixes it. If you have to restart your router more than once a week to restore internet, something is wrong — either your router is failing, your internet service is unstable, or there is interference from other devices. Contact your internet service provider to investigate.
What if I have tried everything and still have no internet?
Contact your internet service provider. Tell them what you have already tried — restarting the router, checking the modem lights, and confirming that your account is active. They can test your modem from their end, check for outages, and determine whether the problem is your equipment or their service.