Start with the simplest fixes first
Most WiFi connection problems on a PC come down to three things: the WiFi is turned off on your computer, you entered the wrong password, or your router needs to be restarted. Before you assume something is broken, check these three in order.
First, look at the bottom right corner of your screen where the network icon lives. If you see a WiFi symbol with an X or a line through it, WiFi is disabled on your PC. Click that icon and toggle WiFi back on. If the icon shows WiFi bars but says "Not connected," move to the password step.
Second, when you select your network name from the list, Windows will ask for the password. The password is case-sensitive, which means capital letters matter. If you are not sure what the password is, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — it usually says "WiFi Password" or "Network Key." Type it exactly as shown, including capitals and numbers.
Third, if the password is correct but the connection still fails, restart your router. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait two to three minutes for it to fully restart. Then try connecting again.
Key Takeaways
- Check whether WiFi is turned on in the network icon at the bottom right of your screen — if it shows an X or a line through it, click the icon and toggle it on.
- WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so type the password from your router's sticker exactly as shown, including capitals and numbers.
- Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two to three minutes before trying to connect again.
- If your PC connects but the internet does not work, the problem is usually your router or internet service, not your WiFi connection.
- Updating your network driver or forgetting and re-adding the network fixes most remaining connection problems.
Check your network driver and update it if needed
Your PC uses a piece of software called a network driver to talk to your WiFi hardware. If the driver is old or corrupted, your PC may not connect even though everything else is set up correctly.
To check your driver, right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager." Look for "Network adapters" and click the arrow next to it to expand the list. You should see an entry with "Wireless" or "WiFi" or "802.11" in the name — that is your WiFi adapter.
Right-click that adapter and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will check for a newer version and install it if one exists. Restart your PC when it finishes, then try connecting to WiFi again.
If updating does not work, right-click the adapter again and select "Disable device," wait five seconds, then right-click it again and select "Enable device." This forces Windows to reset the driver without reinstalling it.
Forget the network and reconnect from scratch
Sometimes Windows stores bad information about a network — a wrong password, a corrupted connection record, or a setting that got stuck. The fastest fix is to forget the network entirely and add it again as if it were new.
Go to Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then open it. Click "Network & internet" on the left, then "WiFi," then "Manage known networks." Find your network name in the list, click it, and select "Forget." Windows will delete all stored information about that network.
Now go back to the WiFi list, find your network name again, and click "Connect." Enter the password exactly as it appears on your router. This time Windows will create a fresh connection record with no corrupted data.
Restart Windows in Safe Mode to rule out software conflicts
If you have tried the steps above and still cannot connect, a program running in the background might be blocking WiFi. Safe Mode starts Windows with only the essential services, which lets you test whether the problem is Windows itself or something else.
Press the Windows key and type "msconfig," then open it. Click the "Boot" tab, check the box for "Safe boot," and select "Minimal." Click "OK" and restart your PC. Windows will start in Safe Mode with a black background and "Safe Mode" in the corners.
Try connecting to WiFi in Safe Mode. If it works, the problem is a program or driver running in normal mode. Restart your PC normally, then uninstall any security software, VPN software, or network utilities you installed recently — one of them is likely the culprit.
If WiFi still does not work in Safe Mode, the problem is Windows itself or your hardware, and you should contact your PC manufacturer or a local repair shop.
Check whether your router is working and broadcasting
If your PC cannot see your network name in the WiFi list at all, the problem is almost certainly your router, not your PC. A router that is off, unplugged, or malfunctioning will not broadcast a network for any device to find.
Look at the lights on your router. Most routers have a power light (usually green or white) and a WiFi light (usually labeled with a WiFi symbol). If the power light is off, plug the router in. If the power light is on but the WiFi light is off, press the WiFi button on the router to turn it back on — it may have been accidentally disabled.
If both lights are on but your network still does not appear in the list, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Wait two to three minutes after plugging it back in for it to fully start up, then check the WiFi list again.
If your network name still does not appear after a restart, the router may be failing. Try connecting a different device — a phone or tablet — to see whether it can find the network. If no device can find it, the router needs to be replaced or serviced.
Understand the difference between WiFi and internet
Many people use "WiFi" and "internet" as the same thing, but they are different. WiFi is the connection between your PC and your router. Internet is the connection between your router and your internet service provider. You can be connected to WiFi but have no internet.
If your PC shows "Connected" next to your network name but web pages will not load, the problem is not your WiFi — it is your router or your internet service. Check whether other devices in your home can browse the web. If they cannot, restart your router and modem (the box your internet service provider gave you). Unplug both for 30 seconds, plug the modem in first, wait one minute, then plug the router in and wait two to three minutes.
If other devices can browse but your PC cannot, even though it is connected to WiFi, the problem is your PC's internet settings, not the WiFi itself. This is rare and usually requires a technician to fix.
When to contact your internet service provider or a repair shop
If you have worked through all the steps above and your PC still will not connect, or if your entire home has lost internet, contact your internet service provider. They can check whether your account is active, whether your modem is working, and whether there is an outage in your area.
If only your PC has a problem and other devices connect fine, the issue is your PC's hardware or Windows installation. A local computer repair shop can diagnose whether your WiFi adapter is broken, whether a driver is corrupted beyond repair, or whether Windows itself needs to be reinstalled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PC say "can't connect to this network" when I enter the right password?
This usually means Windows has stored a corrupted connection record. Forget the network (go to Settings > Network & internet > WiFi > Manage known networks, find your network, and click Forget), then reconnect and enter the password again. If that does not work, update your network driver through Device Manager.
My PC sees the WiFi network but won't connect no matter what I do — what's wrong?
Try restarting your router first. If that does not work, restart your PC in Safe Mode and try connecting there. If it works in Safe Mode, a program running in normal mode is blocking the connection — uninstall any VPN, security software, or network utilities you added recently. If it fails in Safe Mode too, your network driver may be corrupted and needs to be reinstalled.
How do I know if my WiFi adapter is broken?
In Device Manager under Network adapters, look for a yellow exclamation mark or a red X next to your WiFi adapter. If you see one, the adapter is not working. Try updating the driver first. If the mark stays after updating, the hardware is likely broken and needs to be replaced by a technician.
Can I connect to WiFi with an Ethernet cable instead?
Yes. If your PC has an Ethernet port, you can plug a cable directly from your router to your PC. This bypasses WiFi entirely and is often faster and more stable. You will need an Ethernet cable, which costs a few dollars at any electronics store.
What if I forgot my WiFi password?
Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — the password is usually printed there as "WiFi Password," "Network Key," or "Passphrase." If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, but this will erase all your settings and you will have to set it up again from scratch.