Internet not working usually shows up as pages that never load, apps that spin forever, or a WiFi symbol with a warning mark. It feels like one problem but it has three very different sources: your phone or laptop, your router or SIM, and the provider's network. Finding which one takes two minutes, and it saves a lot of random tapping.
This hub starts with that test, then gives the fixes in order from the safest to the slowest, and links to a guide for each case: mobile data, SIM trouble, WiFi, hotspot, 5G, home fibre and the individual operators. It also answers the common "why internet is not working today" question without guessing about outages, which only the provider can confirm.
Common causes
1Airplane mode or data switched off
How to tellNo signal icon, or mobile data toggle is off after an update or reboot
What fixes itTurn airplane mode off and mobile data on, then wait for the bars
2Weak signal at your location
How to tellEmpty or single bar that improves by a window or outdoors
What fixes itChange position, go outdoors, or try WiFi calling
3Plan expired or data limit reached
How to tellCalls work, data does not; speed drops hard after a daily limit
What fixes itCheck balance, validity and the daily data left in the operator app
4Router or fibre line fault
How to tellAll devices at home lose internet; the router shows a red or blinking light
What fixes itRestart the router; if a red light stays, report it to the provider
5Wrong network settings or APN
How to tellStarted after a new SIM, eSIM or reset; WiFi still works
What fixes itReset network settings or re-enter the APN given by the operator
6Outage or heavy congestion
How to tellNeighbours with the same operator are offline too
What fixes itWait and check the operator's official status page or account
7Browser, DNS or app cache problem
How to tellSome sites open and others do not; error says DNS or cannot reach site
What fixes itTry another browser, clear its cache, or use a private window
Where to start
Test with a second device
Pick up a different phone or laptop connected to your WiFi, or borrow a friend's phone that uses your operator. If the other device works, your device is the problem. If it fails too, the cause is the router, the line or the provider.
Switch airplane mode on, wait, switch off
Turn it on for about 15 seconds, then off. This makes the phone search for the network again and fixes many cases where bars are present but data is stuck. Do the same with mobile data off and on.
Restart the phone or computer
A restart clears a stuck network session. Do it before changing any deep settings.
Restart the router properly
Switch off the router at the socket, wait a full minute, switch on and give it three to five minutes to settle. Check that the cable from the wall to the router is firm. Look at the lights: a steady red or a blinking warning light on the line input means the fault is on the line.
Forget and rejoin the WiFi network
In WiFi settings, tap the network name and choose Forget, then connect again with the password. This fixes the "connected, no internet" state after a router change.
Check balance, validity and daily data
Many plans cut speed or stop data after the daily limit even though the month has data left. Look in the operator's app or the balance SMS. If data ended, the fix is a top-up or waiting for the next day.
Check the SIM and network mode
Eject the SIM tray, clean the gold contacts gently and refit the card. In mobile network settings, choose automatic as the network type, or to 4G if 5G is unstable in your area.
Reset network settings
On Android or iPhone, find the reset network settings option under system or general settings. It clears saved WiFi, Bluetooth pairings and APN edits, but not photos or apps. Reconnect afterwards.
Report it to the provider
If a red light stays on the router, or several people on the same operator are offline for hours, contact the provider through its official app or store with the details of what you tried.
Is your internet not working, or is the service down?
The question "why is the internet not working today" has two answers: you, or them. To find out, check three things. First, other devices on the same connection. Second, the provider's own status page or official social account, which post notices during big faults. Third, a friend on a different network opening the same site. If only one website or app fails, the fault is with that service, not with your internet.
Your phone shows full bars, but the browser says This site can't be reached for every site. Chat apps also stay on connecting. That pattern, with signal but no pages, points to the data session, plan limit or APN, not to weak coverage.
Never assume a specific outage without a notice from the provider, because the same symptoms also come from your router or plan.
Network not working in mobile: what to do on a phone
If your phone network is not working and bars are missing, work from the outside in. Check airplane mode, then the SIM, then the network mode, then the operator's balance. The question "if network is not working in mobile what to do" usually ends with one of these. For a phone that shows bars but no data, see mobile data not working. For a phone that shows no service or invalid SIM, see SIM card not working. If you only lose the internet when a call is running, read the next section.
Internet not working while on call
If internet is not working while on call, the cause is often how the network is set up for calls. On older 3G or some 4G setups without voice over LTE, the phone cannot use data and voice together. Check that VoLTE or 4G calling is turned on in mobile network settings, that the preferred network is set to 4G or 5G and not 2G or 3G, and that the SIM is not set to a dual SIM mode where data stays on the other SIM. If your phone does not support the calling feature your operator uses, data may pause during calls and a call over WiFi can help, see WiFi calling.
All network, SIM and WiFi guides
Pick the guide that matches what you see. The operator guides carry the operator's name in their page titles, so look for the one that matches your SIM or broadband.
| Guide | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Mobile data not working | Data switched on but pages and apps do not load. |
| SIM card not working | No SIM, invalid SIM or no service messages. |
| 5G not working | 5G icon missing or speeds no better than 4G. |
| Mobile hotspot not working | Other devices cannot join or get internet from your phone. |
| WiFi not working | Connected with no internet, or WiFi that will not connect at all. |
| WiFi calling not working | Calls over WiFi that fail to start or drop. |
| Call forwarding not working | Forwarded calls that never reach the other number. |
| Jio network not working | Signal, calls and data problems on that operator's SIM. |
| Jio SIM not working | SIM not detected, not activated or no service. |
| Jio 5G not working | 5G not showing or not connecting on that operator. |
| JioFiber and Jio AirFiber not working | Home broadband and wireless home internet from that operator. |
| Airtel network not working | Signal, calls and data problems on that operator's SIM. |
| Airtel SIM not working | SIM not detected, not activated or no service. |
| Airtel unlimited 5G not working | The unlimited 5G benefit not applying or not working. |
| Airtel Xstream Fiber WiFi not working | Home fibre WiFi that is slow, red-lit or offline. |
| Vi network not working | Weak signal, calls and data problems on that network. |
| BSNL network not working | Signal, calls and data problems on that network. |
Net banking and sites that fail while others work
When net banking is not working but other sites load, the internet is fine and the bank's site or your browser is the issue. Try a private window, another browser or mobile data, and check the bank's official notice for planned maintenance. Never enter details on a link from a message. If a payment was cut, read the UPI not working guide and use the bank or app's in-app help. This page is general information, and disputes go through the bank.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my internet not working today?
A provider fault, congestion, a plan limit or a problem at your end can all cause it. Check other devices, the provider's official status page, and a friend on another network before changing any settings.
Why is my phone network not working but WiFi works?
Then the router and internet line are fine and the issue is with the SIM, mobile data setting, plan or local coverage. Check airplane mode, data toggle, balance and network mode.
What should I do if network is not working in mobile?
Toggle airplane mode, restart, reseat the SIM, pick automatic network mode, then check balance and validity. If bars remain empty after that, visit the operator's store.
Why does my internet stop when I am on a call?
The phone or network may not support data and voice together in the mode it is using. Turn on VoLTE or 4G calling, prefer 4G or 5G over 3G, and try calling over WiFi.
How long should I wait before calling the provider?
If every device at home is offline, the router's line light is red and a restart does not help, report it right away. For mobile outages, give it an hour and check the official notice first.
Should I reset my phone for internet problems?
Only as a late step. Reset network settings first, which keeps your data. A full factory reset rarely helps a network fault.