Why Is My Wi-Fi Not Working? How to Find the Problem and Fix It

When your Wi-Fi is not working, the fastest way to fix it is to find out where the problem is. It is usually in one of three places: your device, your router, or your internet provider. One quick question points you in the right direction: is it one device, or all of them?

This guide will walk you through it step by step. Most Wi-Fi problems can be fixed in a few minutes with a restart or a simple settings change.

First: is it one device or all of them?

Grab another phone, tablet, or laptop that uses the same Wi-Fi network. Can it get online?

• Only one device has a problem. The problem is almost always that device. Skip to fixes for one device.
• No devices can get online. The problem is the router, the modem, or your internet provider. Start with fixes for the whole network.

Also notice how it is not working:

• You cannot see your Wi-Fi network in the list at all
• You see it but cannot connect, or it keeps asking for the password
• It says "connected" but nothing loads, or it says "no internet"

Each of these points to a different cause, and this guide covers them all.

Fixes when no device can get online

1. Check for an outage

Your internet provider may be having a problem in your area. Use your phone's mobile data to check your provider's website, app, or social media for outage alerts. You can also ask a neighbor who uses the same provider. If there is an outage, you will need to wait until it is fixed.

2. Restart the modem and router the right way

The modem connects your home to the internet. The router makes the Wi-Fi. Some homes have one box that does both.

1. Unplug the power cord from the modem and the router.
2. Wait about 30 seconds.
3. Plug the modem back in first. Wait until its lights stop blinking, which can take about 2 minutes.
4. Plug the router back in and wait a few more minutes for it to start.
5. Try to connect again.

This clears temporary problems and gets a fresh connection from your provider. It fixes a lot of Wi-Fi problems.

3. Check the lights and cables

Most modems and routers have lights that show what is happening. A red, orange, or blinking internet light usually means the box cannot reach your provider.

• Make sure every cable is plugged in tightly.
• Check the cable coming from the wall, the fiber box, or the phone jack.
• Make sure nothing got unplugged by a pet, a vacuum, or someone moving furniture.
• Look at your router's manual or app to see what each light means.

4. Test with a cable

If you can, plug a laptop directly into the router with an Ethernet cable.

• If the cable works but Wi-Fi does not, the problem is your Wi-Fi signal or router settings.
• If neither works, the problem is your internet connection. Contact your provider.

5. Update or reset the router

Open your router's app or settings page and install any updates (often called firmware updates).

If nothing else works, a factory reset puts the router back to its original settings. You usually do this by holding a small reset button for 10 to 30 seconds. But be careful: you will need to set up your Wi-Fi name and password again, and possibly some settings from your provider. Check your provider's instructions before you reset.

Fixes when only one device can't connect

1. Turn Wi-Fi off and on

Turn Wi-Fi off on your device, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Or turn Airplane Mode on and then off. This resets the wireless connection.

2. Restart the device

A full restart clears many network glitches that turning Wi-Fi off and on does not.

3. Forget the network and reconnect

1. Open your device's Wi-Fi settings.
2. Tap or click your network.
3. Choose Forget or Forget This Network.
4. Connect again and type the password carefully. Passwords care about uppercase and lowercase letters.

This fixes problems caused by a changed password or saved settings that got mixed up.

4. Check the date, time, and VPN

If your device has the wrong date or time, secure websites may not load. Set the date and time to update automatically.

A VPN, security app, or custom DNS setting can also block your connection. Turn off any VPN for a moment and see if the internet comes back.

5. Update the device

Install any system updates. They often include Wi-Fi fixes. If your phone also has trouble charging, our guide on fixing an iPhone that won't charge covers that step by step.

6. Reset network settings

If nothing else works, reset the network settings. This erases saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and VPN settings, and puts everything back to the default.

• iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings
• Android: Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth (the words may be a little different on your phone)
• Windows: Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset
• Mac: Turn Wi-Fi off and on, then remove the network in System Settings > Wi-Fi and join it again

When your Wi-Fi network does not show up

If you cannot see your Wi-Fi name in the list:

• Make sure the router is on and its lights look normal.
• Move closer to the router.
• Check if your device supports the band. Some older devices cannot see 5 GHz or 6 GHz networks.
• Restart the router.
• Check the router's settings to make sure the Wi-Fi is turned on and the name is not hidden.

How to find your Wi-Fi password

Many Wi-Fi problems come down to a wrong password. Here is where to find the right one:

• On the router: Most routers have a sticker on the bottom or back with the network name and password. It may say "Wi-Fi key," "WPA key," or "network key."
• In your provider's app: Many internet providers let you see and change your Wi-Fi password in their app.
• On an iPhone that is already connected: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the small "i" next to your network, and tap Password.
• On an Android phone that is already connected: Go to your Wi-Fi settings, tap your network, and look for a Share button. It shows a QR code and often the password.
• On a Windows computer that is already connected: Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, and look for the option to view Wi-Fi security key.

If you changed the password and forgot it, you may need to reset the router or log in to its settings page to set a new one.

Wi-Fi not working on a smart TV, printer, or game console

These devices can be trickier because they have fewer settings.

1. Restart the device. Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
2. Check the band. Many printers and older smart TVs only work on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
3. Re-enter the password using the device's network menu.
4. Update the device's software from its settings menu.
5. Move the router closer, or use an Ethernet cable if the device has a port.

When Wi-Fi works but is slow or keeps dropping

Sometimes Wi-Fi connects but works badly. Here is what helps:

• Move closer to the router, or remove things in the way. Walls, floors, mirrors, fish tanks, and big appliances weaken Wi-Fi.
• Put the router in a central, high, open spot. Do not hide it in a cabinet, behind the TV, or on the floor.
• Try the other band. 5 GHz is faster up close. 2.4 GHz reaches farther.
• Cut down interference. Microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can mess with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
• Check what is using the internet. Big downloads, cloud backups, and several video streams at once can use up a slower plan.
• Think about a mesh system if some rooms always have weak Wi-Fi. Mesh systems usually work better than basic range extenders.

If you are connected but pages still load slowly, our guide on how to speed up slow internet goes deeper into speed tests, router placement, and more.

Quick reference table

How to prevent Wi-Fi problems

• Restart your router every few weeks.
• Keep router and device software updated.
• Use a strong Wi-Fi password so others cannot use your network.
• Keep the router out in the open and away from other electronics.
• Replace very old routers. A router more than 5 years old may not keep up with today's devices.
• Write down your Wi-Fi name and password and keep it somewhere safe.

When to call your internet provider

Call your provider if:

• The router's internet light stays red after a restart
• A wired connection does not work either
• Your speed is much slower than your plan, all the time
• Your internet drops out many times a day
• You think the modem or router from them is broken

Tell them what you already tried. They can test your line from their end and send a new modem, router, or technician if needed.

The bottom line

When your Wi-Fi is not working, first check if the problem is one device or all of them. If it is all of them, check for an outage and restart your modem and router. If it is one device, turn Wi-Fi off and on, restart the device, and forget and rejoin the network. Most Wi-Fi problems are fixed with these simple steps. If not, your internet provider can help.