Start with the simplest fixes first

Most computers that won't connect to WiFi are actually connected to the network but can't reach the internet, or they've straightforward lost the password. Before you restart anything, check three things: whether your WiFi network appears in your available networks list, whether other devices in your home can connect, and whether you see a WiFi icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).

If your network doesn't appear at all, your WiFi adapter may be turned off. On Windows, look for a WiFi toggle in Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi, or check the physical WiFi button on your laptop (often a key combination like Fn + F2). On Mac, click the WiFi icon in the menu bar and make sure WiFi is turned on. If other devices connect fine but yours doesn't, the problem is almost certainly your computer, not your router.

Key Takeaways

  • Check whether your WiFi network appears in your available networks list and whether other devices can connect, because this tells you whether the problem is your computer or your router.
  • Forgetting and re-adding the network (entering the password again) fixes most connection problems on both Windows and Mac.
  • Restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds often restores internet access when your computer shows connected but no internet.
  • Updating your WiFi driver on Windows or checking System Preferences on Mac can fix hardware recognition problems that prevent connection.
  • If nothing works, a factory reset of your router or a clean Windows installation may be necessary, but these are last resorts after simpler steps fail.

Forget the network and reconnect with the password

On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks, find your network name, and click Forget. Then look for the network in your available networks list and select it. Windows will ask for your WiFi password — enter it exactly as it appears on your router (usually on a sticker on the back or bottom). Passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter.

On Mac, go to System Preferences > Network > WiFi > Advanced, find your network in the list, highlight it, and click the minus button to remove it. Then click OK and close the window. Go back to the WiFi menu in the menu bar, find your network, and select it. Enter your password when prompted. If you don't know your password, check the sticker on your router or log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 in a web browser) using the default username and password printed on the device.

Restart your router and modem

Unplug your modem (the device your internet provider gave you) and your WiFi router for 30 seconds, then plug the modem back in first. Wait for all its lights to stabilize — usually two to three minutes. Then plug in your router and wait another two to three minutes for it to fully boot. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent your computer from reaching the internet even though it shows connected to the network.

If you have a combined modem-router unit, unplug that single device instead. While you wait, restart your computer as well — shut it down completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This combination often fixes connection issues that a restart alone won't solve.

Check and update your WiFi driver on Windows

Your computer's WiFi driver is the software that lets Windows talk to your WiFi hardware. If it's outdated or corrupted, your computer may not connect even though the hardware works. Right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, and look for Network adapters. Expand that section and find your WiFi adapter (usually something like "Qualcomm Atheros" or "Intel Wireless").

Right-click it and select Update driver. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and let Windows search. If an update is found, install it and restart your computer. If no update is found but your adapter has a yellow exclamation mark next to it, right-click it again and select Uninstall device. Restart your computer — Windows will reinstall the driver automatically. If the adapter still shows an error after reinstalling, visit your computer manufacturer's support website, read the latest WiFi driver for your model, and install it manually.

Check your network settings on Mac

On Mac, go to System Preferences > Network and select WiFi from the left sidebar. Click Advanced and check the TCP/IP tab. If your IP address starts with 169.254, your Mac received a self-assigned address instead of one from your router, which means the connection isn't working properly. Click Renew DHCP Lease to request a new address from your router.

If that doesn't work, go back to the WiFi tab, click Turn WiFi Off, wait 10 seconds, and click Turn WiFi On. Then reconnect to your network. If your IP address still starts with 169.254 after reconnecting, the problem may be with your router's DHCP settings — try restarting your router as described above, or log into your router's admin panel and check that DHCP is enabled.

Reset your network settings as a last resort

On Windows, open Settings > System > Recovery and look for Reset this PC. Before you use it, back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage. Click Reset this PC, choose Keep my files (this removes Windows but keeps your documents), and follow the prompts. This reinstalls Windows cleanly and often fixes deep driver or configuration problems. The process takes 30 minutes to an hour.

On Mac, you can reset your network settings without reinstalling the operating system. Go to System Preferences > Network, select WiFi, click Advanced, and remove all networks from the list. Then go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and remove all paired devices. Restart your Mac and set up WiFi again from scratch. If your Mac still won't connect after this, restart it in Safe Mode (hold Shift while starting up) and try connecting — if it works in Safe Mode, a third-party app is interfering and you should check your installed software.

When to check your router itself

If your computer still won't connect after trying all the steps above, the problem may be with your router rather than your computer. Test this by trying to connect a phone, tablet, or another computer to the same WiFi network. If multiple devices can't connect, restart your router again and check whether it's overheating (routers should have clear space around them and shouldn't be in a closed cabinet). If it still doesn't work, log into your router's admin panel and look for a firmware update option — routers need updates just like computers do.

If your router is more than five years old and still won't work after a restart and firmware update, it may be failing. Routers typically last five to seven years before hardware problems develop. Contact your internet provider to ask whether they can replace it, or purchase a new one if you own it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my computer show connected to WiFi but no internet?

Your computer is talking to the router but the router isn't connected to the internet. Restart your modem and router as described above. If that doesn't work, check whether other devices have internet — if they do, the problem is your computer's network settings, and you should try forgetting and reconnecting to the network. If no devices have internet, contact your internet provider.

How do I find my WiFi password if I forgot it?

Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — the password is usually printed there. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser and typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, then entering the default username and password (usually admin/admin or printed on the router). Look for WiFi settings or Wireless settings to find or change your password.

Should I restart my computer or my router first?

Restart your router first, wait for it to fully boot (two to three minutes), then restart your computer. This order matters because your computer will try to connect while the router is still starting up if you do it the other way around, which can cause connection problems.

What if my WiFi adapter doesn't show up in Device Manager?

Your WiFi adapter may be disabled in BIOS (your computer's firmware). Restart your computer and press F2, F10, or Delete while it's starting up (the key varies by manufacturer) to enter BIOS setup. Look for an option called Integrated Peripherals, Onboard Devices, or similar, and make sure your WiFi adapter or wireless LAN is enabled. Save and exit, then restart Windows and check Device Manager again.

Can I use an ethernet cable while I fix the WiFi problem?

Yes. If your computer has an ethernet port, plug in a cable connected to your router to get internet while you troubleshoot the WiFi connection. This lets you read driver updates or search for solutions without being offline. Once WiFi works, you can unplug the cable.