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Wi-Fi Not Working? Find the Fault Before Changing Settings

Find out why Wi-Fi says connected but the internet is unavailable. Use device, signal, restart, and Ethernet checks to narrow down the problem.
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Your device can be connected to Wi-Fi while the internet connection beyond the router is down. Start by checking whether the problem affects one device or every device in the home; that distinction helps narrow the cause before you change settings or contact your provider.

First, check the device and the Wi-Fi connection

Make sure Wi-Fi is on, Airplane Mode is off, and your device is connected to the network you intend to use. If the connection looks stuck, turn Wi-Fi off and back on, then reconnect. If necessary, forget the saved network and join it again with its password.

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On Windows, start with the built-in network troubleshooter. On Android, check that Wi-Fi is enabled and move closer to the router to rule out a weak signal. Apple recommends checking whether the device can connect to Wi-Fi before moving on to the router or service provider.

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For official device-specific steps, see Microsoft’s Windows Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide, Google’s Android connection guide, and Apple’s iPhone and iPad Wi-Fi guide.

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TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21 V5)
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Determine whether one device or the whole network is affected

Try another phone, computer, or tablet on the same Wi-Fi. If the second device works, focus on the original device: its saved network settings, the app you are using, or any firewall, proxy, or VPN settings. If several devices cannot reach the internet on the same Wi-Fi, the router, modem, or internet provider is more likely to be involved.

This comparison narrows the fault, but does not identify a failed component by itself. Apple also recommends checking other devices when considering whether an outage may be affecting your connection.

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TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router Dual Band Wireless Internet Router (Archer A54) | 4 x 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Ports, EasyMesh Compatible, Support Guest WiFi, Access Point Mode, IPv6 & Parental Controls
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
  • Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
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Check signal, power, and cables

Move the affected device near the router and try again. A connection that works close to the router but not in another room points toward a signal or coverage issue rather than proving the internet service itself is down.

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Look at the router and modem: confirm they have power, check their visible status lights, and make sure their power and modem-to-router cables are firmly connected. If the equipment has separate modem and router units, check the cable between them.

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NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router R6700AX, Up to 1,500 sq ft, 1.8 Gbps | Reliable Performance, Easy Set Up, 20 devices, 4× Gigabit Port, Dual Band, AX1800
  • NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
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  • COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.

Restart the modem and router safely

A power cycle is not a factory reset. Do not press a reset button or restore factory settings as part of this step; the restart below simply interrupts power and lets the equipment start again.

  1. Unplug power from both the modem and router. If they are a single modem-router combination device, unplug that one device.
  2. Wait at least about 30 seconds.
  3. Reconnect the modem first, if the modem and router are separate. Wait for its lights to settle.
  4. Reconnect the router and give both devices time to finish starting before testing Wi-Fi again.

Connected devices will temporarily lose service while the equipment restarts. Microsoft’s Windows troubleshooting instructions describe this power-cycle sequence.

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Use Ethernet to separate Wi-Fi trouble from internet trouble

If a computer has a compatible Ethernet port, connect it directly to the router with a cable and test internet access. If Ethernet works while Wi-Fi does not, that points toward the wireless connection or router’s Wi-Fi path. If Ethernet also fails, the issue may be farther upstream, including the modem or provider. The test helps isolate the problem; it is not a guaranteed repair.

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On Windows, Microsoft also describes checking whether the computer can reach the router. If the router responds but the internet remains unavailable, Microsoft notes that “there might be a problem with your modem or ISP.” See the Microsoft guide for its Windows-specific checks.

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TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit Dual Band WiFi Router (Archer A6) | MU-MIMO Wireless Internet Router, 4 x Antennas, OneMesh and AP Mode, Long Range Coverage
  • Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
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  • Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
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  • Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home

When to contact your internet provider

If several devices remain offline after the restart, check your provider’s outage information or contact its support team. Apple advises contacting the ISP if a device reconnects to Wi-Fi but still cannot access the internet.

When you report the issue, share useful observations rather than guessing at the cause:

  • Whether one device or several devices are affected.
  • Whether moving close to the router changes the result.
  • Whether modem and router lights settle after a restart.
  • Whether a wired Ethernet connection works, if you were able to test one.
  • When the problem began.

These details help the provider investigate, but none alone proves that a particular device or service component has failed.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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