Why Your Computer Won't Connect to the Internet — and How to Fix It

Start with the simplest checks first

Before you troubleshoot software or settings, confirm that your internet connection itself is working. Restart your modem and router: unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, then plug the modem back in first. Wait for its lights to stabilize (usually 1 to 2 minutes), then plug in the router and wait another minute. This clears temporary connection errors that block most devices.

While the devices restart, check whether other devices in your home can reach the internet — a phone on Wi-Fi, a tablet, or another computer. If they connect without trouble, the problem is specific to your computer. If nothing connects, the issue is your modem, router, or your internet service provider's network, not your computer itself.

Look at the physical cables. Make sure the cable from your wall outlet goes into the modem's port labeled "Internet" or "WAN" (not the ports labeled "Ethernet" or "LAN"). If you use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to the router, make sure both ends click firmly into place — a loose connection will drop your link without warning.

Key Takeaways

Restart your modem and router by unplugging both for 30 seconds, then plugging the modem in first and waiting for its lights to settle before plugging in the router.
Test whether other devices can connect to your Wi-Fi or network; if they can, the problem is your computer, not your internet service.
Check that cables are plugged into the correct ports and seated firmly, especially if you use an Ethernet cable.
On Windows, run the built-in Network Troubleshooter; on Mac, forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect to it from scratch.
If your computer connects but pages won't load, your DNS settings may be broken — switching to 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1 often fixes this.

Check your Wi-Fi connection on Windows

If you use Wi-Fi, make sure your computer actually sees the network. Click the Wi-Fi icon in your system tray (bottom right of your screen, near the clock). You should see your network name in the list. If it does not appear, your Wi-Fi adapter may be turned off — look for a physical switch on your laptop or a keyboard shortcut (often Fn plus a key with a Wi-Fi symbol). If the network appears but shows "Not connected" or "No internet", click it and select "Connect", then enter your Wi-Fi password.

If you have connected before but now cannot, Windows may have stored a broken version of your network settings. Right-click the network name and select "Forget". Then click it again and reconnect, entering your password as if it were the first time. This forces Windows to read fresh settings from your router.

If your network does not appear at all, run the Network Troubleshooter. Right-click the Wi-Fi icon and select "Troubleshoot problems". Windows will scan for common issues and may fix them automatically. If it finds a problem but cannot fix it, it will tell you what it found — write down the message and search for it online, because the specific error usually points to the real cause.

Check your Wi-Fi connection on Mac

Click the Wi-Fi icon in the top right corner of your menu bar. If you see your network name, click it to connect. If it asks for a password, make sure you type it exactly as it appears on your router — Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive, and a single wrong letter will fail.

If your network does not appear, or if you are connected but have no internet, forget the network and reconnect. Click the Wi-Fi icon, hold down the Option key, and click "Manage Networks". Find your network in the list, select it, and click the minus button to remove it. Then click the Wi-Fi icon again, find your network, and reconnect with your password.

If the problem persists, restart your Mac. Click the Apple menu, select "Restart", and wait for it to boot back up. This clears temporary network settings that sometimes get stuck. If you still cannot connect after restart, your Wi-Fi adapter may need a driver update — check the Apple menu for System Settings, then look for Software Update.

Fix broken DNS settings

Your computer may connect to the network but still cannot reach websites. This usually means your DNS (Domain Name System) settings are broken. DNS translates website names like "google.com" into the numeric addresses your computer actually uses. If DNS is not working, your browser will show "Cannot reach this website" or "No internet connection" even though you are connected.

The fastest fix is to switch to a public DNS service. On Windows, right-click the Wi-Fi or Ethernet icon and select "Open Network and Internet settings". Click "Advanced network options", then scroll down and click "More network options". Right-click your connection and select "Properties". Scroll down to "IPv4 settings" and click "Edit". Change the DNS servers to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google's public DNS), or 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare's). Click "Save".

On Mac, click the Apple menu, go to "System Settings", then "Network". Select your connection and click "Details". Go to the "DNS" tab. Click the plus button and add 8.8.8.8, then add 8.8.4.4. Click "OK" and close the window. Your computer will use these DNS servers instead of the ones your router provides. In most cases, websites will load within seconds.

Update or reinstall your network drivers

Your computer uses drivers — small software programs — to talk to your Wi-Fi adapter or Ethernet port. If a driver is outdated or corrupted, your computer may not connect even though the hardware is fine. On Windows, right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager". Look for "Network adapters" and click the arrow to expand it. If you see a yellow warning symbol next to your adapter, right-click it and select "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and let Windows search online.

If updating does not work, uninstall the driver and let Windows reinstall it. Right-click the adapter and select "Uninstall device". Check the box that says "Delete the driver software for this device" and click "Uninstall". Restart your computer. Windows will automatically detect your adapter and install a fresh driver when it boots back up.

On Mac, drivers usually update automatically through System Settings. Click the Apple menu, go to "System Settings", then "General", then "Software Update". If an update is available, click "Update Now" and restart when prompted. Mac does not let you manually uninstall network drivers, so if updating does not help, the issue is usually in your router settings or your internet service provider's network.

Check your router settings and restart your internet service

If your computer connects to the router but the router itself has no internet, the problem is upstream — either your modem is not connected to your internet service provider's network, or the provider's service is down in your area. Restart your modem again: unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and watch its lights. You should see a light labeled "Internet", "Online", or "WAN" turn green or solid within 2 to 3 minutes. If that light stays red or off, your modem is not receiving a signal from your provider.

Call your internet service provider's support line and tell them your modem is not connecting. They can check whether service is down in your area or whether your account has an issue. Have your account number and modem model ready — you will find the model number on a sticker on the back or bottom of the modem.

While you wait for support, check your router's admin page. Open a web browser on any device connected to the router, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and log in (the default username and password are usually on a sticker on the router itself). Look for a status page that shows whether the router sees an internet connection. If it does not, the modem is the problem. If it does, but your computer still cannot reach the internet, the issue is your computer's network settings, not the router.

Disable VPN, proxy, and firewall temporarily

If you use a VPN (virtual private network) or proxy service, it may be blocking your connection. Temporarily disable it and try to connect. On Windows, right-click the Start button, select "Settings", then "Network and Internet", then "VPN". If you see a VPN listed, click it and select "Disconnect". Try to reach a website. If it works, your VPN was the problem — contact the VPN provider's support or reinstall the software.

Your firewall may also block internet access. On Windows, click the Start button, type "Windows Defender Firewall", and open it. Click "Allow an app through firewall" on the left. Look for your web browser in the list. If it is not there, click "Allow another app", find your browser, and click "Add". If your browser is already listed but both "Private" and "Public" are unchecked, check both boxes.

On Mac, click the Apple menu, go to "System Settings", then "Network", then "Firewall Options". If the firewall is on, click "Firewall Options" and check whether any apps are blocked. If your browser is blocked, remove it from the list. Restart your browser and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

My computer was working yesterday and now it is not — what changed?

Start by restarting your modem and router, then restart your computer. Most connection failures happen after a power outage, a software update, or a router restart. If restarting everything does not work, check whether other devices can connect — if they can, the problem is your computer's network settings, not your internet service. If nothing can connect, call your internet service provider to check whether service is down.

I see my Wi-Fi network but it says "No internet" even though I am connected

Your computer is talking to the router but the router has no internet. Restart your modem first — unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait 2 to 3 minutes for its lights to settle. If the modem's internet light is still off, call your internet service provider. If the light is on, the problem is your router — try restarting it, or log into its admin page (usually 192.168.1.1) to check its status.

My Ethernet cable is plugged in but my computer says it is not connected

Make sure both ends of the cable click firmly into the port — a loose connection will not work. Try a different Ethernet cable if you have one, because the cable itself may be damaged. If a different cable works, the original cable is broken. If the problem continues, restart your computer and check Device Manager (Windows) or System Settings (Mac) to see whether your Ethernet adapter is recognized. If it is not listed, the adapter may be disabled or broken.

My internet works but websites load very slowly

Slow speeds are usually not a connection problem — your computer is connected, but your internet service is slow. Restart your modem and router to clear any temporary slowdowns. If speeds are still slow, run a speed test at speedtest.net to see what your actual read and upload speeds are. Compare those numbers to the speeds your internet service provider promised you. If they are much lower, contact your provider. If they match, your service is straightforward slow, and you may need a faster plan.

I have tried everything and my computer still will not connect

At this point, the problem is likely a hardware failure — your Wi-Fi adapter or Ethernet port may be broken. On a laptop, try connecting with an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi, or buy a USB Wi-Fi adapter to test whether the built-in adapter is the issue. On a desktop, try a different Ethernet cable or buy a USB Wi-Fi adapter. If a different method works, your original adapter is broken and needs replacement. If nothing works, take your computer to a repair shop — they can test the hardware and replace the adapter if needed.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.