Fixing WiFi When There’s No Internet Connection

Having trouble connecting to your WiFi when there’s no internet connection? Learn how to troubleshoot and fix the problem with these simple steps.

Confirm if your internet provider is down

To confirm if your internet provider is down, you can check their website or social media for any updates on outages in your area. If there are no reported issues, try resetting your modem or router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If that doesn’t work, update your network adapter driver or use a Driver Updater tool to do it for you. Check your device’s settings to make sure you’re connected to the correct Wi-Fi network and that the password is correct. If you’re still having trouble, try restarting your computer or device. If you’re seeing an error message or alert, search online for solutions or call your ISP for help. Most internet connection issues can be resolved with these simple steps and fixes.

Reboot your modem and/or router

If you’re experiencing internet connection difficulties, rebooting your modem and/or router may be the answer. Most routers and modems have a reset button or you can unplug the power source for about 30 seconds before plugging it back in. This can help fix issues like slow or no internet access, as well as error messages like “connected secured, no internet.” After resetting your modem and/or router, wait a few minutes for it to fully reboot before trying to connect to Wi-Fi again. If the problem persists, check your network connection settings on your computer or device and make sure your password is correct. It’s also a good idea to update your network adapter driver using a tool like Driver Updater to ensure it’s working properly.

Check router settings for correct permissions

Check router settings for correct permissions. Ensure that your devices have the correct permissions to access the internet. To do this, log in to your router’s settings page, usually found by typing your router’s IP address into your browser’s address bar. Check that your PC, phone, or tablet has been granted permission to access the internet. If you see an error alert or internet error message, double-check your settings. Make sure all your systems and drivers are up to date. If you’re still having issues, try resetting your router or contacting your ISP for further assistance. By checking your router settings, you may be able to fix internet connection difficulties and get your WiFi indicator back up and running.

Perform a network reset

Perform a network reset to fix internet connection issues. On a Windows PC, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status and click on Network reset. This will remove all network adapters, reset the system network settings, and reinstall all network drivers. If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Reset and select Reset Network Settings. For Android phones, go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options and select Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. After the reset, reconnect to your network and check if the issue is resolved. If the problem persists, try other fixes or contact your internet service provider.

Understand the “WiFi connected but no internet” error message

The “WiFi connected but no internet” error message can be frustrating to deal with, but there are some steps you can take to fix it.

First, check if the issue is with your device or the network connection. If it’s a network issue, it could be due to an outage or internet connection problem in your area.

If it’s a device issue, restart your device and router. Make sure your Wi-Fi adapter is on and your device is connected to the right network. Check if the IP address is correct, and try forgetting the network and reconnecting to it.

If you’re using a Windows PC, try running the network troubleshooter. For iPhone, iPad, or Android phone users, make sure the Wi-Fi symbol says “connected” and “secured”.

If none of these steps work, it’s possible that the issue is with the network’s servers. In that case, the only solution is to wait for the issue to be fixed.

Troubleshoot if the issue is with one device or the entire network

If you’re facing internet connection errors, the first step is to determine whether the issue is with one device or the entire network. Connect other devices in the house to the Wi-Fi network and see if they have internet access. If they do, the issue is likely with the one device that isn’t connecting. If no device has internet access, chances are there’s an outage or your home network is experiencing problems.

If you’re receiving an error alert or message, try searching for it online to find a solution. Check if your Wi-Fi adapter is turned on and your device is connected to the correct network. Look for the Wi-Fi indicator or symbol on your device to ensure it’s connected and secured. On Windows 10 and 8, click on the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar to troubleshoot the problem. For iPhone, OnePlus, Android phones, or Sandisk Connect, check if the device is connected and secured to the network.

If none of these steps work, it’s time to call in a professional or contact your internet service provider for an answer.

Disable proxy and check time synchronization

To fix WiFi when there’s no internet connection, try disabling the proxy and checking time synchronization. To disable the proxy on Windows 10 or Windows 8: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and toggle off “Use a proxy server.” To check time synchronization: Go to Date and Time settings and make sure the “Set time automatically” option is turned on. If your WiFi indicator shows that you’re connected, but you’re still not able to access the internet, try restarting your router or resetting your network settings. If you’re still experiencing internet connection issues, it’s possible that there’s an outage or other technical problem with your home network or the servers of the websites you’re trying to access.

Flush DNS cache and update network adapter driver

  • Flush DNS cache:
    • Open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin)
    • Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter
    • Wait for the message that says “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache”
      Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter
Wait for the message that says "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache"
  • Update network adapter driver:
    • Open the Device Manager by pressing Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager
    • Expand the Network adapters section
    • Right-click on your network adapter and select Update driver
    • Select Search automatically for updated driver software
      Right-click on your network adapter and select Update driver
Select Search automatically for updated driver software
    • Wait for the update process to finish

Change DNS server address and turn off IPv6

To fix WiFi when there’s no internet connection, you can try changing your DNS server address and turning off IPv6. This can help resolve internet connection errors and outages.

To change your DNS server address, go to your network settings and look for the option to change DNS settings. Enter the new DNS server address, such as 8.8.8.8 for Google’s DNS.

To turn off IPv6, go to your network settings and look for the option to disable IPv6. This can help if your internet error message says something about IPv6 not being supported.

It’s important to note that these steps may not work for everyone, as there can be many reasons for internet connection issues. However, changing DNS server address and turning off IPv6 are simple solutions that have helped many people in the past.

If these steps don’t work for you, try resetting your router or modem, or contacting your internet service provider for further assistance.

Run a malware scan and temporarily disable firewall and antivirus

  • Run a malware scan:
    • Open your preferred anti-malware software
      Run a malware scan:
Open your preferred anti-malware software
    • Select the option to run a full system scan
    • Wait for the scan to complete and follow any prompts to remove any detected malware
  • Temporarily disable firewall:
    • Open the Control Panel
    • Select “System and Security”
      Open the Control Panel
Select "System and Security"
    • Select “Windows Defender Firewall”
    • Select “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off”
    • Select “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)” for both private and public networks
  • Temporarily disable antivirus:
    • Open the antivirus software on your computer
    • Select the option to disable antivirus protection
      Open the antivirus software on your computer
Select the option to disable antivirus protection
    • Choose a time frame for how long you want the protection to be disabled
    • Confirm that you want to disable the antivirus protection

Resolve the error message across the entire network

If you’re experiencing an error message across your entire network when trying to access the internet, there are a few steps you can take to try and resolve the issue. First, try resetting your modem and router by unplugging them for 30 seconds and plugging them back in. If that doesn’t work, check to make sure all cables and connections are secure and in place. If you’re still having trouble, try switching your router to Safe Mode to rule out any issues with your system. Another possible solution is to reset your network settings on your device by going to the Settings app and selecting Reset Network Settings. If none of these steps work, it may be worth contacting your internet service provider or seeking assistance from a professional.

Check modem lights and obtain IP and DNS automatically

Modem Lights Meaning
Power Indicates if the modem is powered on or not
Online Indicates if the modem is connected to the internet or not
DS Indicates if the modem is receiving downstream data or not
US Indicates if the modem is sending upstream data or not
WiFi Indicates if the modem’s WiFi network is broadcasting or not

To obtain IP and DNS automatically, follow these steps:

  1. Connect to the modem’s WiFi network
  2. Open a web browser
  3. Type in the modem’s default IP address in the URL bar (e.g. 192.168.0.1)
  4. Enter the default username and password to access the modem’s settings page
    Type in the modem's default IP address in the URL bar (e.g. 192.168.0.1)
Enter the default username and password to access the modem's settings page
  5. Look for the Network or Internet section
  6. Select the option to obtain IP and DNS automatically (also known as DHCP)
    Look for the Network or Internet section
Select the option to obtain IP and DNS automatically (also known as DHCP)
  7. Save the changes and wait for the modem to restart
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