Start with the simplest fixes first

Most computers that won't connect to the internet have a problem you can fix in under five minutes. Before you assume something is broken, check whether your WiFi is actually turned on, whether you are connected to the right network, and whether your router has power. If you use an ethernet cable, make sure it is plugged firmly into both your computer and your router — a loose connection is the most common reason a wired computer loses the internet.

Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it boots up (usually two to three minutes), restart your computer as well. This clears temporary connection problems that build up over time. If you have not restarted either device in more than a week, this step alone fixes the problem roughly half the time.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that WiFi is on, you are connected to the correct network, and your router has power before troubleshooting further.
  • Restart both your router and your computer — unplug the router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot.
  • Look for a physical switch or button on your computer or router that controls WiFi; some devices turn it off accidentally during transport or cleaning.
  • If your router shows no lights or your computer says "no networks available," the problem is usually your router, not your computer.
  • Windows and Mac both have built-in troubleshooting tools that can diagnose connection problems and sometimes fix them automatically.

Check the physical switches and cables

Many laptops have a physical WiFi switch or a keyboard shortcut that turns the wireless radio on and off. Look for a small switch on the side or front of your laptop, or check whether pressing a function key (usually Fn plus F2, F3, or a key with a WiFi symbol) toggles the connection. Some computers also have an airplane mode that disables all wireless — on Windows, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, then look for Airplane Mode and make sure it is off.

If you use an ethernet cable, inspect the cable itself for damage and make sure both ends are pushed in firmly until you hear a click. A bent pin inside the connector or a partially inserted plug will prevent any connection. Try a different cable if you have one available — ethernet cables fail more often than people realize.

Verify your router is working

Look at the lights on your router. Most routers have a power light, an internet light, and WiFi lights. The power light should be solid or blinking green. The internet light (often labeled "WAN" or "Internet") should also be lit — if it is off or red, your router is not receiving a signal from your internet provider. If both lights are off, your router has no power; check that the power cable is plugged in at both ends and that the outlet itself works by plugging in a lamp or phone charger.

If the internet light is off but the power light is on, the problem is between your modem and your router, or between your modem and your internet provider. Unplug your modem (the device that connects to your wall outlet or cable line) for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait three to five minutes for it to fully restart. Then restart your router the same way. If the internet light still does not come on, contact your internet provider — the problem is on their end.

Use your computer's built-in troubleshooting

On Windows: Right-click the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner of your screen and select "Troubleshoot problems." Windows will run a diagnostic and often fix the problem automatically. If it finds an issue, follow the on-screen steps. You can also go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status and scroll down to "Network troubleshooter" to run the same tool.

On Mac: Hold the Option key and click the WiFi icon in the top right corner. This shows detailed information about your connection, including the signal strength and the network name. If you see "No networks available," your WiFi radio may be off — click the WiFi icon and make sure "Turn WiFi On" is selected. If networks do appear but you cannot connect, try "Forget This Network" and then reconnect by selecting the network again and entering your password.

Reconnect to your WiFi network

Sometimes your computer remembers an old or incorrect password for your WiFi network and refuses to connect. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, find your network, and select "Forget." Then click the WiFi icon, select your network from the list, and enter the password again. On Mac, go to System Settings > WiFi, click "Details" next to your network, then click the minus button to remove it. Click the WiFi icon again, select your network, and enter the password.

Make sure you are entering the correct password. The WiFi password is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router — it is not the same as your internet provider's account password. If you have changed the password and cannot remember it, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding down a small reset button (usually recessed, requiring a paperclip) for 10 to 15 seconds. This will erase your WiFi password and network name, and you will need to set them up again using your router's setup instructions.

Check for driver or software problems

Your computer's network driver is the software that controls the WiFi or ethernet hardware. If the driver is outdated or corrupted, your computer may not connect even though the hardware is working. On Windows, right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, and look for "Network adapters." Expand that section and look for your WiFi or ethernet adapter. If there is a yellow exclamation mark next to it, the driver needs attention. Right-click it and select "Update driver," then choose "Search automatically for updated driver software."

On Mac, drivers usually update automatically through System Settings > General > Software Update, so check whether any updates are waiting. If your Mac still will not connect after updating, try resetting the network settings: go to System Settings > General > Reset, scroll down, and select "Reset network settings." This will erase all saved WiFi networks and passwords, so you will need to reconnect to your network afterward.

When to contact your internet provider

If your router's internet light is off and stays off after restarting both the modem and router, the problem is with your internet service, not your computer. Contact your internet provider and tell them the internet light on your modem is not lit. They can check whether there is an outage in your area or whether your account has an issue. Have your account number ready — it is usually on your bill or on a sticker on your modem.

If only one computer cannot connect but others in your home can, the problem is almost certainly with that one computer, not your internet service. In that case, the steps above — restarting, checking switches, using the troubleshooting tool, and updating drivers — will usually solve it. If none of those work, your computer's network hardware may be failing and may need professional repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my computer say "no networks available"?

Your WiFi radio is off. On Windows, click the WiFi icon and select "Turn WiFi On." On Mac, hold Option and click the WiFi icon, then select "Turn WiFi On." If you have a physical WiFi switch on your laptop, make sure it is in the on position. If networks still do not appear after restarting your router, your WiFi hardware may be failing.

My computer connects but the internet is very slow or keeps dropping.

Move closer to your router — walls and distance weaken WiFi signals. Restart your router and computer. Check whether other devices on your network are using a lot of bandwidth (streaming video, downloading large files). If the problem happens only on WiFi but not on ethernet, your WiFi signal is weak or your router needs a restart. If it happens on both, contact your internet provider.

How do I know if my router is broken?

If the power light is on but the internet light stays off after restarting both the modem and router, and your internet provider confirms there is no outage, your router may be failing. Try connecting a computer directly to your modem with an ethernet cable — if it works, your router is the problem. If it does not work, the problem is your modem or internet service.

Can I fix this without restarting?

Sometimes. Try forgetting your WiFi network and reconnecting, or toggling airplane mode off and on. But restarting your router and computer clears temporary problems that build up over time and fixes most connection issues. It takes five minutes and works more often than any other single step.

What if I have tried everything and it still does not work?

Write down what you have tried: restarted the router and computer, checked the lights, ran the troubleshooting tool, updated drivers, and tried reconnecting to WiFi. If other devices can connect, the problem is your computer's network hardware. If no devices can connect, the problem is your router or internet service. Contact your internet provider with this information — it will help them diagnose the problem faster.