Connected but no internet means your device joined the local Wi-Fi network, but traffic is not reaching the wider internet. The router, modem, DNS settings, IP address, or a captive portal can all cause the same symptom.
Does this affect you?
Use this if Wi-Fi shows full bars, but websites time out, apps keep spinning, or your device shows a warning triangle, exclamation mark, limited connectivity, or no internet message.
Restart everything in the right order
Do this fully before moving to technical fixes.
- Turn Wi-Fi off on the affected device, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
- Unplug the modem, ONT, or combined gateway from power and wait 30 to 60 seconds.
- Plug it back in and wait one to two minutes for Online, Internet, Cable, DSL, Fiber, or PON lights to settle.
- If you have a separate router, plug it in after the modem/ONT is stable and wait another minute.
- Reconnect your device and try a website.
Renew your IP address and flush DNS
Use this when the router restart did not clear the device settings.
On Windows:
- Open Command Prompt.
- Run ipconfig /release.
- Run ipconfig /renew.
- Run ipconfig /flushdns.
On Mac:
- Open System Settings > Wi-Fi, click the information button next to the network, then Details > TCP/IP.
- Click Renew DHCP Lease.
- Open Terminal and run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache to clear cached DNS.
On iPhone or Android:
- Turn Airplane Mode on for about 10 seconds.
- Turn Airplane Mode off.
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi and test again.
Reset the network adapter or saved network
This is the next step when address renewal is not enough.
- Windows 11: open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, then choose Reset now.
- Windows 10: open Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset.
- Mac: forget the Wi-Fi network, reconnect, and re-enter the password.
- iPhone or Android: reset network settings if the issue survives normal reconnects, knowing this removes saved Wi-Fi networks.
More control
Try a different DNS server
If the connection works but website names fail, switch DNS on the device or router to a public provider such as 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 and test again.
Restarting can fix IP conflicts
Two devices with the same local IP address can both show connected while failing to reach the internet. A router restart usually hands out fresh DHCP addresses and clears the conflict.
Public Wi-Fi may need a portal
Hotels, airports, and cafes often require a login or terms page. Open a browser and visit a plain HTTP site to trigger the captive portal if apps say connected but nothing works.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Fix network connection issues in Windows (2025)
- Apple Support – If your Mac is connected to Wi-Fi but cannot get online (2025)
- Google – Fix Wi-Fi connection problems on Android (2025)