Have you ever had that situation where your phone is connected to Wi-Fi but with no internet access? If so, you know how frustrating it is. Having WiFi connected without internet is a more common issue than you expect it to be. Don’t fret, though. In this guide, you will find out how to fix the Wi-Fi connection without an internet error on your computers and smartphone. We will start with reasons first.
Possible Reasons for Internet Error
Multiple factors may cause your device to show that Wi-Fi is connected but without an internet connection. It essentially means your device has successfully connected to the Wi-Fi network, but the network does not have an active internet connection.
Here are some common reasons:
- In most cases, the error appears when your Internet Service Provider is facing downtime. If there is no active ISP network, your router cannot connect to the internet even when Wi-Fi is active.
- Issues at the network level may also cause the Wi-Fi connected without the internet error. You might have a faulty Wi-Fi router or modem.
- Configuration errors are also likely to cause internet errors like this. Even if Wi-Fi is enabled, the Wi-Fi router cannot connect to the internet without proper configuration.
These are general overviews of what could cause the error. As we move forward, we will see some specific reasons for the Wi-Fi connected without internet issue.
Common Causes and Solutions
Let’s first look at the most common causes for the Wi-Fi connected without internet issue and solutions. As I said, these are more specific reasons.
Modem or Router Issues
As mentioned earlier, hardware issues with the router or modem can often cause this problem. If the modem or router is not functioning properly due to a hardware-related issue, the device cannot connect to the internet. While the Wi-Fi module may work fine, a temporary or permanent issue with the internet module may prevent you from accessing the web. You can try these solutions:
- Restart the Wi-Fi router and modem by disconnecting it from the power socket.
- Disconnect the Ethernet cable between the modem/ONT and the router and see if you can connect to the internet.
- Make sure that your modem/router receives sufficient power from the recommended adaptor. Using third-party power adaptors may cause hardware issues with the router.
- Firmware issues with the router/modem might also cause the Wi-Fi connected but no internet error. So, you should update the firmware to the latest version.
With these basic steps, you can solve temporary issues with the modem or router and restore internet access to your network.
IP Address Conflict
Devices are assigned IP addresses when they connect to your network. Conflicts with IP address allocation are also capable of causing the above mentioned issue. It might happen due to a technical error, especially if you have connected multiple devices to the network.
To solve this problem, you can renew the IP address lease for your device.
On Windows
- Open Command Prompt
- type ipconfig /release
- Press Enter to release the device’s current IP address
- Now, type ipconfig /renew
- Press Enter to get a new IP address for the device
On Mac
- Open System Preferences
- Go to Network
- Select options for the network
- Go to Advanced Tab > TCP/IP
- Click Renew DHCP Lease
- Apply Changes
These steps will resolve existing conflicts with IP address allocation within the network.
Incorrect Network Settings
Network settings also play an important role in connecting your network to the internet. So, if you have not arranged the network settings properly, you may face the Wi-Fi connected but no internet error. Here are a few ideas that you can try.
- Make sure that you are using a valid DNS system. An incorrect option may prevent you from accessing the internet even if everything works fine. Sometimes, you may face trouble using popular DNS such as Google DNS. In those instances, you should turn back to the ISP-provided DNS.
- Ensure that you have enabled the necessary protocols for the network, including TCP/IP. If you have not enabled the secure protocol, you may face connectivity issues.
- If nothing works, you should reset the network settings on your computer or smartphone. Doing so will revert all the changes you have made. As a result, the device will attempt to connect to the web as it should.
- Last but not least, ensure that a VPN client does not block internet access due to a kill switch. Some VPNs are designed to block all internet access when there is a connection drop. But you can turn off this feature from the app.
Check Network Cables
Issues with network cables, especially the Ethernet cable between the router and the modem/ONT, may be the reason behind the Wi-Fi connected with no internet error. Therefore, you should check whether these cables are working fine.
If not, you must replace the faulty cables with newer/working ones. Ethernet cables are quite cheap, and it is easy to find a standard-accommodating option.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) Outages
Last but not least, internet service provider outages could also be the reason for Wi-Fi being connected without internet errors. If the above mentioned solutions do not help, you should check if your ISP is facing such an outage.
You can get updates about ISP outages through the service provider’s official website. You may also receive a notification if a planned maintenance is going on. Either way, you need to wait until things are in order.
How to Fix ‘Connected Without Internet’ Issues
You can use the following in-depth steps to fix the connected without internet issue with your router. I have already mentioned these steps, but here are some additional insights.
Restarting and Power Cycling
You probably know how to restart the Wi-Fi router to fix the problem. It’s just about pressing the power button twice, right? Well, sometimes, a normal restart does not solve the problem. Instead, you need to do a power cycle.
To power cycle the Wi-Fi router,
- Turn off the power socket and unplug the power adaptor for the router
- Disconnect all other cables from the router, including the Ethernet cable
- Keep the device in the disconnected state for 5 minutes
- Now, start reconnecting the Ethernet cables
- Finally, connect the power adaptor to the socket and turn it on
Wait for the router to power on and connect to the internet. Connect your smartphone/computer to the Wi-Fi network, and it should have internet access.
Updating Router Firmware
Updating the router firmware is another step that can solve this problem quite effectively. The issue with router firmware is that it plays an important role, but you often do not realize there is a problem until there are dire consequences. As a result, most people neglect to update this firmware regularly, even though it is crucial to the security and privacy of the internet experience that a router offers.
To update the router firmware,
- Open the default IP address of the router
- Log in to the platform using the credentials
- Navigate to System > Firmware
- Look for an option to update the router firmware
- Follow the instructions to complete the update
Sometimes, you may have to download the firmware package from the official website and upload it to the router. However, modern routers may have an option to update the firmware over the air.
Once the update is installed, you may have to reboot the router multiple times.
Advanced Troubleshooting
You can also try these advanced troubleshooting steps if you aren’t having luck solving the problem using the solutions mentioned above.
Use Command Prompt or Terminal for Network Diagnosis
At this point, you should suspect if the device has any network issues. You get to do that using a network diagnosis.
The process is easy on Windows, thanks to Command Prompt. To use this process, you can open Command Prompt on your PC and type the ipconfig command. Then, you need to understand each entry to see if there is a network error. Of course, there is a limit to what you can fix on your own. Therefore, if you come across something that you don’t understand, you better get professional support.
On Mac, you can use the Terminal utility, where you have to type the ifconfig command and analyze what it shows on the screen. Once again, you may need a level of networking expertise to understand the problem from these results and make the right decision.
Checking for Interference or Overloaded Network
It is equally a great idea to see if you are dealing with an overloaded network. If your router is connected to more devices than it can handle, you might come across a lack of internet error. Of course, you can solve this problem by limiting the number of connected devices. Your router also has limited processing power, so you must be mindful.
It could also be because of signal interference that is coming from other devices in your network. So, if you have set up multiple routers in your room or have too many Wi-Fi-enabled devices, you should check if the problem appears when the number gets high. If so, isolating some devices and the router will definitely help you.
Final Steps: When to Call Your ISP or Get Professional Help
If you still haven’t had luck solving the problem, you must contact the Internet Service Provider. They would be able to diagnose deeper issues and solve them quickly. For instance, the problem could be due to the ONT, which you cannot fix on your own. Similarly, if you find a complex issue with the router, you must get professional support instead of meddling with settings.
Conclusion
I hope this comprehensive guide solved all your queries about the Wi-Fi connected without an internet error. In most cases, solving the error is a piece of cake. You don’t need networking or computing expertise. But if things don’t seem to work out, there’s no shame in contacting the ISP or the router manufacturer.
