Fix Computer Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi: Step-by-Step

This guide walks you through the most common reasons a Windows or Mac computer fails to connect to Wi-Fi and provides clear, actionable fixes. You’ll start with the quickest checks and move through network resets, driver updates, and system settings—most issues are resolved within the first few steps.

What You’ll Need

Your computer (Windows or Mac)
Access to your router (physical or admin login)
Another device (phone or tablet) to test the network
Your Wi-Fi password (if you need to re-enter it)

Step-by-Step

Check if Wi-Fi is actually on. On Windows, click the network icon in the system tray (bottom-right) and make sure the Wi-Fi button is blue/active, not gray. On Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar—if it says “Wi-Fi: Off,” click it to turn on.
Verify the network is working. Use your phone or another device to see if it can connect to the same Wi-Fi. If not, the problem is with the router or internet service, not your computer.
Restart your computer and router. Unplug the router and modem (if separate) for 30 seconds, plug them back in, and wait for the lights to stabilize. Then restart your computer. This clears temporary glitches on both ends.
Forget and reconnect to the network. On Windows: Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select your network, and click “Forget.” Then click the Wi-Fi icon and reconnect, entering the password again. On Mac: System Settings > Wi-Fi, click “Details” next to your network, then “Forget This Network.” Reconnect from the menu bar.
Run the built-in network troubleshooter. Windows: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Network Adapter > Run. Mac: System Settings > Network > click your Wi-Fi > “Assist Me” (older macOS) or just check the status message. Follow the prompts—it often detects and fixes the issue automatically.
Update or reinstall the Wi-Fi driver (Windows). Open Device Manager (right-click Start), expand “Network adapters,” right-click your Wi-Fi adapter (usually has “Wireless” or “Wi-Fi” in the name), and select “Update driver” > “Search automatically.” If that doesn’t help, right-click again and choose “Uninstall device,” then restart—Windows will reinstall it.
Check IP settings. Ensure your computer is set to obtain an IP address automatically. Windows: Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > your network > IP assignment > Edit > Automatic (DHCP). Mac: System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details > TCP/IP > Configure IPv4 > Using DHCP.
Disable VPN or proxy. If you use a VPN, turn it off temporarily. Also check proxy settings: Windows: Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy > turn off “Use a proxy server.” Mac: System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details > Proxies > uncheck any active proxies.
Run a network reset (Windows). Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset > Reset now. This reinstalls network adapters and resets all networking components. You’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi afterward.
Check router settings. Log into your router’s admin page (usually via a browser at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and confirm that SSID broadcasting is on, the network isn’t hidden, and MAC filtering isn’t blocking your computer. If you changed settings recently, consider resetting the router to factory defaults (use a paperclip on the reset hole).

Common Mistakes

Entering the wrong password. Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive. Check for typos, and use “show password” if available.
Ignoring airplane mode. On many laptops, pressing the Fn key with a wireless icon (like F2 or F12) toggles airplane mode. If it’s on, Wi-Fi is disabled.
Restarting only the computer. The router often needs a restart too, especially after power outages or firmware updates.
Assuming it’s the computer when it’s the ISP. If all devices fail, the problem is upstream—contact your internet provider.
Not waiting after a reset. Routers can take 2–3 minutes to fully boot. Give it time before testing.

Tips

Move closer to the router. Walls and distance weaken the signal. Test within 10 feet to rule out range issues.
Use the 5 GHz band if available. It’s faster but has shorter range; 2.4 GHz goes farther. If you’re far away, switch to 2.4 GHz.
Keep your OS updated. Wi-Fi drivers and network stacks are often fixed in system updates.
Check for interference. Microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can disrupt 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Move the router away or use 5 GHz.
Create a static IP if DHCP fails. In rare cases, your router’s DHCP pool is full. Assign a manual IP (e.g., 192.168.1.50) in your computer’s network settings, but only if you know your subnet.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve gone through all steps and still can’t connect, try these additional checks:

Test with a different network. Connect to a mobile hotspot. If that works, your computer’s Wi-Fi hardware is fine—the issue is with your router or its configuration.
Check the Wi-Fi adapter in Device Manager (Windows). If there’s a yellow exclamation mark, the driver is faulty. Try “Roll Back Driver” if you recently updated it.
Boot into Safe Mode (Windows) or Safe Boot (Mac). If Wi-Fi works there, a third-party app is interfering. Uninstall recently installed software.
Inspect the router’s DHCP client list. Log into the router and see if your computer’s MAC address appears. If it does but you still have no internet, the issue is DNS—try changing DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 in your computer’s settings.
Reset the SMC and NVRAM (Mac). On Intel Macs, shut down, then hold Shift+Control+Option+Power for 10 seconds, then power on. For NVRAM, hold Command+Option+P+R during startup. This clears network hardware glitches.
Use a USB Wi-Fi adapter. If your internal adapter is dead, a cheap USB adapter can confirm the diagnosis and provide a permanent fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my computer say “No internet, secured”?

This means your computer is connected to the Wi-Fi network but can’t reach the internet. Restart the router, then check if other devices work. If they do, run the network troubleshooter or reset your IP (ipconfig /release and /renew on Windows).

How do I fix Wi-Fi that keeps disconnecting?

Update your Wi-Fi driver, disable power saving for the adapter (Device Manager > Power Management > uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device”), and try changing the wireless channel on your router to a less congested one.

Why can’t I see my Wi-Fi network at all?

Your router may be broadcasting on a channel your adapter doesn’t support, SSID broadcast might be off, or you’re out of range. Restart the router, check its settings, and move closer.

What does “Cannot connect to this network” mean?

Usually a password mismatch or a temporary authentication glitch. Forget the network and reconnect with the correct password. If it persists, restart both computer and router.

Will resetting my router erase my settings?

Yes, a factory reset clears all customizations like SSID, password, and port forwards. You’ll need to reconfigure it. Only do this if other fixes fail, and note down your current settings first.

Why does my computer connect to Wi-Fi but have no internet?

Check if other devices have internet—if not, the ISP is down. If only your computer fails, try flushing DNS (ipconfig /flushdns), updating the driver, or changing DNS servers to 8.8.8.8.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →