Laptop Connected to WiFi but No Internet Access? 6 Easy Steps to Fix

When you sit down to work, the first thing you do is connect your system to WiFi. When the connection is successful, you try to open a specific page but it shows ‘You are not connected to the internet’. You check the WiFi icon but it says you are connected to your router. Confusing and frustrating, isn’t it?

Sometimes, you can see a yellow triangle in the WiFi icon, and sometimes it might be missing. On the other hand, your system might automatically disconnect itself and will try to reconnect to other networks. So, you have to fix this situation in order to create a perfect working environment. 

Why does this issue occur?

The occurrence of this issue may happen due to reasons like freezing of the router, the main ISP server is down, interference of the security software, DNS error, presence of unknown proxy, and others. 

Step-by-Step Methods to Fix the Issue

In order to connect to the internet and transmit data, you need to dig deep and find the real problem. While observing the fixing methods, there are also certain precautions that you must follow. So, let’s get started with. 

Method 1: Restart the Router

Restarting the router comes to your mind when you face any network problems, right? So, just do it. The process of reboot or restart will refresh all the IP tables present in the network. In addition to that, it will also reload the configuration files. 

If you are having a modem, then turn off the router and modem. Wait for 30 seconds and then turn it on. When all the devices are ready, try to connect and check whether the problem exists or not. 

Method 2: Recheck the Router Lights

When you turn on the router, you can see the indicator light of the device is glowing. But, after facing such a situation, you need to recheck it once again. Make sure that the WAN light on the router is blinking. 

If it is constant, then there is no data transmission taking place. And, if the light is off, then there is no internet connection. In this case, you have to contact your ISP to fix the situation as soon as possible. 

Method 3: Temporarily Disable your Antivirus

It is good to use any reputed antivirus software to protect your PC from unauthorized threats. But, there is certain security software that sometimes restricts your system to connect to the internet. In such cases, temporarily disable the application. 

After that, try to connect to the internet. If your system connects, then it is well and good. But, if not, run a full system scan. Wait for the operation to finish. After that, try reconnecting to the internet once again.

Method 4: Troubleshoot your Network

When more than one device is willing to connect and facing the issue, then run the built-in troubleshooter. Access the ‘Settings’ of your PC and choose ‘Network and Internet’. Then click on ‘Status’. After that, select the ‘Network Troubleshooter’. Follow all the step-by-step instructions given carefully. The process will take some time. Wait until it is complete and again try to connect to the internet. 

Method 5: Remove the DNS cache

Sometimes, the cache files in the DNS can restrict your computer to connect to the internet. In such cases, you have to eliminate the cache files. Go to the Start menu and open Command Prompt. Run it as administrator and type the ‘ipconfig /flushdns’. Wait for a few seconds and the Command Prompt will show ‘Successfully flushed the DNS resolver cache’. 

Method 6: Changes in the Wireless Mode

Changing or altering the wireless mode on the router might work when you are having an old router. The issue mainly occurs when you are trying to access the internet with an Ethernet cable attached to the PC from the router. There are several wireless modes on your router, like 802.11 b or 802.11 b/g/n or 802.11 b/g or, etc. 

The particular b,g,n are the network standards. In general, the standard is set to 802.11b/g/n. But, some devices won’t work in this standard. So, select 802.11b from the drop-down list in the wireless mode menu of the router. If this doesn’t work, then select 802.11g. Hopefully, you will be able to connect to the internet.