WiFi not working can mean three different things: the WiFi network is not visible, your device is connected but pages will not load, or only one device is affected. The fix is very different for each, so the first thing a technician does is test with a second device.
That one test saves time. If your phone fails while a laptop works, the phone is the problem. If every device fails, the router or the internet line is the problem. Follow the steps below in order, and use the tables later on the page to read what the WiFi icon and light signals mean.
Common causes
1Router needs a restart
How to tellEverything worked, then all devices slowed or dropped together
What fixes itSwitch the router off for a minute, then on
2Internet line is down at the provider
How to tellWiFi connects but no site opens on any device; router internet light is red or off
What fixes itCheck the router lights, then ask your provider about a fault
3Only one device has a settings fault
How to tellOther devices work fine on the same WiFi
What fixes itForget the network and join again
4Wrong password or changed password
How to tellPhone says Authentication problem or keeps asking for the key
What fixes itEnter the password again carefully
5Too many devices or weak signal
How to tellWorks near the router, drops in far rooms
What fixes itMove closer, disconnect unused devices
6Router channel crowded by neighbours
How to tellEvening slowdowns in apartment blocks
What fixes itTry the 5 GHz band or change the channel in router settings
7Device in airplane or power saving mode
How to tellThe WiFi switch is greyed out or flips off without you touching it
What fixes itTurn off airplane mode and power saver
How to fix it, step by step
Test with a second device
Try another phone or laptop on the same WiFi. If it works, fix the first device. If it fails too, the router or internet line is at fault. This one check decides the rest of your steps.
Look at the router lights
Most routers show power, WiFi and internet lights. A red or off internet light means the line is the problem, not the WiFi. Lights vary by model, so check the label or manual for the meaning of each.
Restart the router properly
Unplug the power, wait a full minute and plug it back in. Give it two to three minutes to start. A simple restart clears memory faults and fixes more cases than any other step.
Turn WiFi off and on in the device
Tap the WiFi tile off and on, or cycle airplane mode. On Windows, click the network icon in the taskbar and turn WiFi off and on. On a phone, check that airplane mode is off.
Forget the network and reconnect
On Android open Settings, then Network and internet (or Connections), then Wi-Fi, tap the network and choose Forget. On iPhone tap the info icon next to the network and choose Forget This Network. Join again with the password. This clears bad saved settings.
Move closer and remove blockers
Test within a few metres of the router. Walls, metal shelves, mirrors and microwave ovens weaken the signal. Place the router high and in the open.
Try the other band
Many routers send two networks, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz one reaches farther, and 5 GHz is faster nearby. Join the other one and compare.
Reset network settings on the device
On phones, choose the network reset entry under reset options. On Windows, the Network reset option sits in the advanced network settings. Passwords for saved WiFi networks must be typed again afterwards.
Call the provider if the line is down
If the router's internet light stays red or off after a restart, call your provider's support from your mobile and ask about a line fault. Do not factory reset the router unless the provider says so, since that can erase login details they need.
Reading the problem: connected but no internet
A device can join the WiFi and still show no internet. This is because the link between device and router works, while the link between router and the outside world does not. If every device shows the same thing, the line is down. If one device alone shows it, check the date and time on that device, since a wrong clock can block secure sites, and then use a private DNS setting of Automatic.
Your phone shows Connected, no internet but the family laptop works. Forget the WiFi on the phone, rejoin, and turn off any VPN. In most cases it connects within a minute.
WiFi not working on phone but working on other devices
If only the phone fails, the phone is where to look. Turn off any VPN or data saver, make sure the phone is not stuck on a different WiFi, and update the software. On iPhone, also check Settings, then Wi-Fi, for a privacy warning on that network. If a single app fails on WiFi but works on mobile data, see apps and websites not working. For a laptop that cannot see any network, read WiFi not working on laptop.
Quick map of symptoms
| Symptom | Likely cause | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| No WiFi name appears anywhere | Router off or WiFi disabled | Power, router WiFi button |
| Name appears, will not join | Password or saved settings | Forget and rejoin |
| Joins, no internet on all devices | Line or provider fault | Router light, provider |
| Joins, no internet on one device | Device setting, VPN or date | Device checks |
| Very slow or drops far away | Weak signal or crowded channel | Move, change band |
If mobile data also fails, the problem may be wider, so see internet not working and mobile data not working.
How to improve WiFi coverage at home
- Keep the router in a central, raised spot, away from thick walls and large metal items.
- Use 5 GHz for devices in the same room, and 2.4 GHz for far rooms.
- Set a strong password and remove devices you do not know from the router's list.
- Restart the router now and then, say once a month.
- For big homes, a mesh set or an extender from the router maker helps more than a louder router.
Do not share your router admin password, and change the default one. Do not open the router case. Electrical faults and failed power adapters are a job for the provider or a technician.
When it is time to call for help
Call the provider if the line light stays red, if the connection drops many times a day, or if speed is far below your plan after a restart. Replace the router if it is old, hot to the touch, or restarts by itself. For TV or other devices that will not join, try the steps above on the device menu and compare with a phone hotspot to see whether the TV is the fault. If your own phone hotspot fails, read mobile hotspot not working.
Frequently asked questions
Why does WiFi fail on my phone when other devices at home connect fine?
That points to the phone. Forget the network and rejoin, turn off VPN and airplane mode, check the date and time, and install updates. If nothing helps, reset network settings.
Why is WiFi connected but internet not working?
The router is reachable, but the link to the internet is broken, or the device has a setting fault. Test a second device. If all fail, restart the router and check the internet light.
What should I do if WiFi is not working on my TV?
Check that other devices work, restart the TV and router, and rejoin the network from the TV menu. Move the router closer or try the 2.4 GHz band, as some TVs do not support 5 GHz.
Why do some apps stop working on WiFi only?
Often a blocked DNS, a VPN, a wrong clock or a router filter is the reason. Open the app over mobile data to learn whether WiFi is to blame, then set DNS to automatic and restart the router.
How do I fix a router that is not working?
Unplug it for a minute, check cables and the internet light, and let it boot fully. If it still fails, ask the provider to test the line and the router.