Wi-Fi connected but no internet: how to fix it

“Connected, no internet” means your phone reached the router, but the router is not reaching the internet, or something on the phone is blocking it. A few checks find the cause quickly.

Step 1: is it only your phone?

Try another device on the same Wi-Fi. If all devices have no internet, the fault is the router or your provider. If only your phone is affected, the fault is on the phone.

If every device is affected

1. Restart the router. Switch it off, wait 30 seconds, then switch it on and wait two minutes.
2. Check the cables from the wall to the router and look at the router lights. A light that is red or off for the “internet” or “WAN” port points to the line.
3. Check your provider. There may be an outage or a billing hold. Contact them through their official app or website.

If only your phone is affected

1. Toggle Airplane mode on for ten seconds, then off.
2. Forget the network and rejoin. Look in Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network, choose Forget, then reconnect and enter the password again.
3. Open a web page, not an app. Some networks (hotels, offices, campuses) show a sign-in page first. If you see none, open any plain website address to trigger it.
4. Check date and time. A wrong date can break secure connections. Set it to automatic.
5. Turn off VPN and private DNS to test. A broken VPN can block everything. Look in Settings for VPN, and for Private DNS under network or connections.
6. Try a different DNS. In your Wi-Fi network’s details, look for DNS and try a public DNS service. Change it back if it does not help.
7. Restart the phone.
8. Reset network settings (this clears saved Wi-Fi networks): on Android look in Settings > System > Reset options; on iPhone Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Still nothing?

• Try the same Wi-Fi from another phone, and your phone on a different Wi-Fi. This shows which side is at fault.
• Use mobile data for now. See how to fix mobile data not working if that fails too, or share a connection with the phone hotspot guide.
• Check your usage with the data usage calculator if you use a limited plan.

When to call your provider

If every device fails after a router restart, or the router’s internet light stays off or red, contact your provider and give them the router lights you see.