You’re connected to Wi-Fi, the signal is strong, but… no websites load, apps don’t sync, and nothing works. This frustrating situation is more common than you’d think—and it doesn’t always mean your internet provider is down.
Let’s explore the most common reasons why your internet isn’t working despite an active Wi-Fi connection, and how to fix each one.
1. No Internet Access From the Router
Your device may be connected to the Wi-Fi router, but the router itself may not have a working internet connection.
How to check:
- Open your router’s admin panel (usually
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1) - Look for a status like “Disconnected”, “No Internet”, or “WAN Down”
Fix:
- Restart the router and modem
- Check if the internet LED on the router is red or off
- If the problem persists, contact your ISP
2. DNS Server Issues
Sometimes your computer can’t translate domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses due to a DNS error—even if the connection is fine.
Fix:
Change your DNS server to a public one like:
- Google DNS:
8.8.8.8and8.8.4.4 - Cloudflare:
1.1.1.1
On Windows:
- Go to Network settings → Change adapter options
- Right-click your connection → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4
- Set preferred and alternate DNS manually
3. IP Address Conflict or Missing IP
If two devices on your network have the same IP address, or your device didn’t get one, you may have local connection but no internet access.
Fix:
- Restart your device
- Run the command:
ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew(on Windows Command Prompt with admin rights)
- Reboot your router
4. Router Overload or Crash
Older or cheaper routers can become unstable with too many devices or long uptime.
Fix:
- Restart the router
- Check for firmware updates
- If it happens regularly, consider upgrading to a modern router
5. ISP Problems or Outage
Sometimes everything on your side is fine, but your ISP is having an outage or maintenance.
Fix:
- Test the connection with another device
- Try using mobile data to check the ISP’s status page or social media
- Call their support if the issue lasts more than 30 minutes
6. Parental Controls, Firewalls, or VPNs
Some routers or security apps may block access to the internet for certain devices or types of traffic.
Fix:
- Disable VPN temporarily
- Check your router’s access control or parental settings
- Make sure your firewall isn’t overly restrictive
7. Device-Specific Issues
Sometimes only one device is affected.
Fix:
- Forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect
- Clear network settings
- On Windows:
netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset - On Android/iPhone: Reset network settings in system options
Final Tips
If you want a quick diagnostic:
- Test with another device
- Try switching from Wi-Fi to Ethernet (if available)
- Use your phone’s hotspot to see if the issue is with the network or device
Final Thoughts
When Wi-Fi works but the internet doesn’t, the cause is usually a router or DNS issue, a misconfigured device, or a temporary ISP problem. By following the steps above, you can often fix the issue yourself without waiting on tech support.
