Start with the simplest fixes first

Your tablet is not connecting to WiFi because of one of three things: the WiFi itself is down, your tablet cannot see the network, or your tablet sees it but cannot complete the handshake. Before you troubleshoot anything else, restart both your tablet and your WiFi router. Power off your tablet completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. At the same time, unplug your router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait two minutes for it to fully restart. This fixes roughly half of all connection problems because it clears temporary memory errors on both devices.

While the router restarts, check whether other devices in your home can connect to that same WiFi network. If your phone, laptop, or another tablet connects without trouble, the problem is specific to your tablet. If nothing connects, your router itself may be offline or your internet service is down—call your internet provider to confirm service is active in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your tablet and router completely before trying anything else—unplug the router for 30 seconds and power off the tablet fully.
  • Check whether other devices can connect to the same WiFi network to determine whether the problem is your tablet or your router.
  • Forget the network on your tablet and reconnect by entering the password again, which clears corrupted connection data.
  • Move your tablet closer to the router to rule out weak signal, and check that your tablet's WiFi is turned on in Settings.
  • If your tablet still will not connect after these steps, a factory reset may be necessary, but back up your data first.

Forget the network and reconnect with the password

If restarting did not work, your tablet's memory of that WiFi network may be corrupted. Go to your tablet's Settings, find WiFi or Network settings (the exact name varies by tablet brand), and look for the network name you are trying to connect to. Tap and hold on that network name until a menu appears, then select "Forget" or "Remove." This erases the stored password and connection history.

Now reconnect by tapping the network name again and entering the password fresh. Type slowly and carefully—WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are different. If you are not sure of the password, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router. The password is usually labeled "WiFi Password," "Network Key," or "PSK." After you enter it, your tablet should connect within 10 to 15 seconds.

Check that WiFi is actually turned on

This sounds obvious, but many tablets have a physical WiFi switch or a software toggle that can be accidentally turned off. Open your Settings app and look for WiFi or Network. Make sure the toggle next to WiFi is switched to On. On some tablets, you can also swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu and look for a WiFi icon—if it is grayed out or has a line through it, tap it to turn WiFi back on.

While you are in Settings, also check whether your tablet is in Airplane Mode. If Airplane Mode is on, all wireless connections—WiFi and cellular—are disabled. Look for Airplane Mode in your main Settings menu and make sure it is turned Off. Airplane Mode is sometimes activated by accident when a tablet is in a bag or pocket.

Move closer to the router and check the signal strength

WiFi signal weakens with distance and through walls. If your tablet is in another room or far from the router, move it closer—within 15 to 20 feet of the router, with as few walls between them as possible. Once you are closer, try connecting again. If the tablet connects when it is near the router but not when it is far away, your router's signal does not reach that far, and you may need to move the router to a more central location or buy a WiFi extender.

While you are testing distance, also check the signal strength. In your WiFi settings, look at the network name and see whether it shows signal bars or a strength percentage. A signal below 50 percent is weak and may cause connection problems even if the tablet technically connects. If the signal is weak, move the router away from metal objects, microwaves, and cordless phones, which can interfere with WiFi.

Check your router's settings and restart it properly

If your tablet still cannot connect, the problem may be in your router's settings. Log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser on a computer or phone connected to that WiFi, typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar, and entering your router's username and password. Look for a setting called "MAC Filtering" or "Device Filtering"—if it is turned on, your tablet's unique hardware address may be blocked. Turning off MAC Filtering usually solves this.

Also check whether your router is set to broadcast on 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or both. Older tablets only support 2.4 GHz WiFi and cannot see 5 GHz networks. If your router is set to 5 GHz only, your tablet will not see it. Change your router to broadcast on both bands, or create a separate 2.4 GHz network if your router allows it. After making any router changes, restart the router again by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Update your tablet's software and reset network settings

Outdated software can cause WiFi problems. Go to Settings, look for "About" or "System," and check whether a software update is available. If one is, connect your tablet to WiFi using a different network (a phone hotspot, a friend's WiFi, or a public network) and install the update. Restart your tablet after the update finishes.

If updating did not help, try resetting your tablet's network settings. This erases all saved WiFi networks and passwords but does not delete your photos, apps, or files. Go to Settings, find "Reset" or "System Reset," and look for "Reset Network Settings" or "Reset WiFi." Confirm the reset, and your tablet will restart. After it restarts, reconnect to your WiFi network by entering the password again. If this step works, it means corrupted network data was blocking the connection.

When to factory reset or contact support

If none of these steps work, a factory reset may be necessary. A factory reset erases everything on your tablet and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. Before you do this, back up your important files, photos, and app data. Most tablets have a backup option in Settings—look for "Backup" or "Cloud Backup" and follow the prompts to save your data to a cloud service or computer.

To factory reset, go to Settings, find "Reset" or "System Reset," and select "Erase All Data" or "Factory Reset." Confirm the action and wait for the reset to complete—this can take 10 to 20 minutes. After the reset, set up your tablet again and try connecting to WiFi. If your tablet still will not connect after a factory reset, the WiFi hardware inside your tablet may be damaged, and you should contact the tablet manufacturer's support line or visit a repair shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my tablet connect to WiFi but then disconnect after a few seconds?

This usually means the signal is too weak or there is interference. Move closer to the router and check the signal strength in your WiFi settings. If the signal is below 50 percent, reposition your router or move the tablet closer. You can also try forgetting the network and reconnecting, which sometimes fixes temporary connection glitches.

My tablet sees the WiFi network but says the password is wrong, even though I know it is correct.

WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so check whether Caps Lock is on. Also make sure you are not accidentally including spaces before or after the password. If you are still stuck, reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds—this will erase the password and set it back to the default, which is usually printed on the router's sticker.

Can a VPN or security app block my tablet from connecting to WiFi?

Yes. Some security apps or VPN software can interfere with WiFi connections. Try temporarily turning off any VPN or security app you have installed, then attempt to connect to WiFi. If the tablet connects after you disable it, that app is the problem—you may need to uninstall it or contact the app's support team for a fix.

What is the difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi?

2.4 GHz is older, has longer range, and works with almost all devices, but is slower and more prone to interference. 5 GHz is faster and less crowded, but has shorter range and does not work with older tablets. If your tablet is more than five years old, it likely only supports 2.4 GHz. Check your tablet's specifications or try connecting to a 2.4 GHz network to see if that solves the problem.

Should I restart my router every time my tablet loses WiFi?

No. If your tablet loses WiFi only occasionally, restarting is not necessary—just reconnect manually. If it happens multiple times a day, restart your router once and monitor whether the problem continues. Frequent disconnections usually mean weak signal, interference, or a problem with your internet service rather than your tablet.