A practical home Wi-Fi guide · Updated October 1, 2026
Your device says it’s connected to Wi-Fi, but websites won’t load. That connection only tells you your device can reach the local wireless network. The network still needs a working connection to the internet.
The quick answer
Try another website, then another device on the same Wi-Fi. If everything is offline, check your provider’s outage information and restart your home modem and router. If only one device is affected, restart that device and reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Don’t press the router’s Reset button. Restarting the power and erasing the router’s settings are different things.
1. Find out what is actually offline
Open two unrelated websites. If one loads, the other site or app may be having its own problem. Then test a second device on the same Wi-Fi. On a phone, temporarily turn off mobile data so it cannot quietly use the cellular connection instead. Turn it back on after the test.
| What you find | What to check next |
|---|---|
| Only one website or app fails | That service, app, or browser |
| Only one device is offline | The device’s connection and settings |
| Every device is offline | The modem, router, cables, or provider |
| The main router works, but an extender does not | The extender’s connection to the main router |
2. Check for an outage before changing settings
Using mobile data, check your internet provider’s app or official outage page. Look at the modem’s Online or Internet light and compare it with the manufacturer’s guide; light colors mean different things on different models.
Check that power and Ethernet cables are seated securely. If you have a separate modem and router, check the cable between the modem and the router’s Internet or WAN port. Leave fiber connectors and unfamiliar equipment alone.
3. Restart your home modem and router
A restart interrupts connected devices, so let others in the household know first. Use these steps on equipment you own or have permission to restart.
- Unplug the router and modem from power. With a combined modem/router, there is only one unit.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the modem first and let it finish starting. Follow its guide for the normal ready light.
- Reconnect the router and give it a few minutes to start.
- Reconnect your device and test two websites again.
If your equipment has a backup battery or an unusual setup, use your provider’s restart instructions. Do not factory-reset it or disconnect a battery just to follow this checklist.
4. If only one device has the problem
Turn Wi-Fi off and back on, confirm you selected your own network, and restart the device. If that does not help, forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect only if you know the password.
- Windows 11: Open Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks. Select your network and choose Forget, then reconnect. The Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app is another useful next step.
- iPhone or iPad: Open Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the information button beside the network, then choose Forget This Network if available. Rejoin using your password.
- Android or Mac: Open your Wi-Fi settings and look for the saved network’s Forget option. The wording varies by device and version.
If you use a personal VPN, briefly disconnect it to test, then reconnect it. On a work or school device, ask the administrator before changing managed settings. Keep antivirus and firewall protection on.
5. On hotel or public Wi-Fi, check the sign-in page
Some networks connect you to Wi-Fi before they give you internet access. Look for a “Sign in to network” notification or open your browser to bring up the network’s welcome page. Confirm the network name with staff. Do not bypass certificate warnings or install a certificate because a pop-up asks you to.
Websites loading slowly rather than failing completely? Your computer may be the issue instead. See our 10 easy checks for a slow computer.
Still no internet?
If every device stays offline after a restart, contact your internet provider. Tell them when it started, which modem lights you see, whether an outage is listed, and that multiple devices are affected. If your device works on another trusted network, mention that too.
If only one device still fails, use its manufacturer’s troubleshooting guide. Save full network resets and driver removal for later: those steps can remove saved settings or require software you cannot download while offline.
Common questions
Why do I have full Wi-Fi bars but no internet?
The bars describe the wireless connection to the nearby network. They do not prove that the modem or internet provider is working.
Should I buy a new router?
Diagnose the problem first. A new router will not fix a provider outage or a problem limited to one app.
What does “No internet, secured” mean?
Your device has joined a secured wireless network, but it has not established usable internet access. Start with the two-device test above.
Related: Wi-Fi Not Working: the broader troubleshooting guide · More everyday tech fixes
Device-specific references: Microsoft’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide and Apple’s iPhone and iPad Wi-Fi guide. Menu labels can change between software versions.
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