How to Fix Wi-Fi: Simple Steps to Restore Your Connection

What You’ll Need

A phone, computer, or other device that cannot connect
Access to your Wi-Fi router and modem, if they are separate
Your Wi-Fi network name and password, if you may need to reconnect
Another internet connection, such as mobile data, for checking your provider’s service status

Step-by-Step

Check the scope. Try connecting a second device to the same Wi-Fi network. If only one device has a problem, focus on that device. If several devices cannot connect or load websites, check the router, modem, and internet service instead.
Check Wi-Fi and Airplane mode. On the affected device, make sure Wi-Fi is on and Airplane mode is off. Confirm you are trying to join your usual network, not a nearby network with a similar name. Menu names and paths vary slightly by device and software version.
Move closer to the router. Test the connection in the same room as the router. Walls, floors, large appliances, and distance can weaken the signal. If the connection works nearby but not where you normally use the device, the issue is likely coverage or interference rather than the internet service itself.
Restart the affected device. Save your work, then restart the phone, computer, or other device. Once it is back on, reconnect to Wi-Fi and try loading a few different websites or apps. A restart can clear a temporary network or software glitch.
Restart the modem and router. If multiple devices are affected, unplug the router’s power. If you have a separate modem, unplug that too. Wait about 30 seconds, reconnect the modem first, and allow its indicator lights to settle. Then reconnect the router and wait a few minutes for Wi-Fi and internet access to return. Use the manufacturer’s instructions if your equipment has a different restart process. Do not press the reset button: a factory reset can erase network settings.
Forget and rejoin the network. If one device still will not connect, open its Wi-Fi settings, select your network, and choose the option to forget or remove it. Then select the network again and enter the password carefully. The option’s name and location may differ by version. Forgetting a network removes its saved password, so make sure you know the correct one first.
Check the connection and router lights. Look for an internet or status light on the modem or router and compare it with the device’s manual. A Wi-Fi signal can appear even when the router has no internet connection. Test more than one website or app, and check your provider’s outage or service-status information using mobile data if needed.
Test again and choose the right next step. Try the affected device near the router, then in its usual location. If all devices still lack internet after the restart, contact your internet provider. If other devices work but one does not, check that device’s updates and network settings or contact its manufacturer’s support.

Common Mistakes

Restarting only the device: If every device is offline, the modem or router may need a restart too.
Confusing Wi-Fi with internet access: A device can connect to the router while the router itself cannot reach the internet.
Pressing the reset button: Restarting means turning power off and on. A factory reset can remove the Wi-Fi name, password, and custom settings.
Entering the wrong password: Check capitalization and similar-looking characters. If the password was changed, use the current one rather than an old saved password.
Changing several settings at once: Make one change, then test. Otherwise, it is harder to tell what helped or caused a new problem.
Assuming a weak signal means an outage: If the connection improves close to the router, distance or obstacles may be the main issue.

Tips

Write down the router’s Wi-Fi name and password somewhere secure before troubleshooting.
Keep the router in an open, central place rather than inside a cupboard or behind large objects. Avoid placing it next to equipment that may interfere with its signal.
If your router has separate network names for different Wi-Fi bands, try the other available name when a device will not connect. Keep the router’s recommended settings unless you know why a change is needed.
Install operating-system or router updates only through the device’s built-in update tools or the manufacturer’s official instructions. Do not interrupt a router update while it is installing.
After a fix, test the connection on more than one device and in the location where you need it.

Troubleshooting

Wi-Fi connects, but websites do not load: Check whether other devices have internet access. If none do, restart the modem and router and check for a provider outage. If only one device is affected, turn its Wi-Fi off and on, restart it, and reconnect to the network.

The network name is missing: Move closer to the router and check that it is powered on. Wait a few minutes after restarting it. If the network remains absent, consult the router’s manual for its wireless-status indicators and contact the manufacturer or provider if needed.

The password is rejected: Confirm you selected the correct network and enter the password exactly, including capital letters. If you do not know the current password, check the router’s label or setup information, or ask the person who manages the network. Do not factory-reset a shared or managed router without permission.

Only one room has poor coverage: Test closer to the router and remove obvious obstacles where practical. If nearby devices work but the signal remains weak in that room, ask your provider or router manufacturer about suitable coverage options for your equipment.

The connection keeps dropping: Note whether it happens on one device or all devices, and whether it occurs in one location or everywhere. Restart the affected equipment and check for software updates. Repeated drops across several devices may require help from your provider or router manufacturer.

You are on a work, school, hotel, or public network: The network may require a sign-in page or administrator approval. Follow the organisation’s instructions; do not change managed router settings yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Wi-Fi say connected but have no internet?

Your device may be connected to the router, while the router has lost its connection to the internet provider. Check another device, restart the modem and router, and look for a service outage.

Should I restart the router or the modem first?

For separate devices, unplug both, reconnect the modem first, wait for its status lights to settle, and then reconnect the router. If they are combined in one unit, restart that unit according to its manual.

Will restarting my router erase my settings?

A normal power restart should not erase saved settings. Holding or pressing a reset button may perform a factory reset, so avoid it unless you intend to reconfigure the router.

Why does Wi-Fi work near the router but not in another room?

Distance, walls, floors, and other obstructions can weaken the signal. Try a more central, open router location and test again. If the problem continues, ask the router manufacturer or provider about coverage options.

When should I contact my internet provider?

Contact the provider if several devices have no internet after you restart the modem and router, if the modem shows an error or no service, or if the provider reports an outage.

Sources: Apple Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.