How to Solve The “Wi-Fi connected but no internet” Problem in Windows PC

Are you encountering “Wi-Fi connected but no Internet connection” issue and wondering why is this happening and how to fix it?

Fortunately, you have landed on the right post and are about to read the easiest ways to fix no internet connection problem and get back online in no time.

If all the connected devices are unable to access the internet, it is liked router/model problem.

What does the Wi-Fi Connected But No Internet Access message mean?

“Wi-Fi connected but there is no internet access” error means your device can connect to a local network (router or modem) but cannot interact with other systems online, like websites or servers.

In addition to this, you might also get following messages:

• Connected, no internet.
• No internet, secured.
• WiFi has no internet access.
• Wi-Fi connected but no internet.

      

Whatever the message is all means you are facing problems with internet connection. Let’s learn what can cause it and then try the fixed to get back online.

What Causes Internet Not Working and Other Internet Connectivity Issues?

The connection problems with the internet can be encountered due to several reasons. The common ones include:

• Wi-Fi is disabled.
• Faulty Wi-Fi adapter.
• ISP is down or there is an outage.
• Incorrect internet protocol (IP) address.
• Security software is interfering with internet access.
• Outdated wireless drivers.
• Incorrect DNS server settings.
• Corrupt DNS cache.
• Faulty router or modem.
• Outdated wireless mode on PC.
• Network congestion and low internet speed.

How to fix No Internet Access?

IP address conflict and outdated drivers are the two most common reasons for No Internet issues. Therefore, before you get into technicalities let’s learn how to resolve IP address conflicts and update drivers.

Steps to Change IP Address

1. Check all the devices you use are connected to the internet.

2. Press Windows + I and select Network & Internet from the list of options.

3. Click Wi-Fi > select the connected network > IP settings.

4. If you see Manual next to IP assignment: change it to DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) > click Save.

Note – Doing so will help get IP address automatically saving you from IP address duplication.

Now check if this helps. If changing IP settings did not work then the issue is not caused by IP address conflict. In such case try updating the driver.

Quickest Way To Update Drivers and Fix Wi-Fi Connected by No Internet Error

The best way to handle the drive problem is to use Advanced Driver Updater. The tool detects obsolete drivers and shows the latest and most compatible driver updates. Click the download button to get the best driver updater for Windows and update network drivers to fix the issue.

If updating the driver did not help either try the below fixes.

Must Read: How To Update And Download 802.11n WLAN Adapter Driver

Workable Fixes For Wi-Fi Connected But No Internet Access

1. Restart PC and Wireless Router

Most of you might have done it a few times. However, if you haven’t, we recommend rebooting the PC to update network devices to refresh their IP tables and reload configuration files. To do so, follow these steps:

• Switch off both the router and the modem.
• Please wait for 30 seconds before restarting them.
• Next, restart the PC to check whether everything is in order.

Once all of the devices are reset, generally, re-connection works. If it doesn’t, there is no need to worry. Move to the next step.

2. Check Modem Lights

Instead of the devices connected, there might be a problem with your internet connection. To ensure this is not the case, check the WAN light on the router. They should be flashing, and the DSL lights should be ON or green. Furthermore, the Wi-Fi indication lights should flash. If unsure how to proceed, contact your ISP’s customer support.

3. Check whether the ISP is working or not

Using your mobile data search on the web, whether your ISP is working or not. You can visit sites like Downdetector and search for information about your ISP. Select the Live Outage option to determine whether it is down in your area.

4. Update Network Driver

If you update your PC but do not update your hardware drivers, an out-of-date network adapter driver may cause a communication issue between the two. Below, we will explain how you can update drivers. However, remember to update the driver; you need an active internet connection. Therefore, connect your computer to your router or modem through an Ethernet wire before proceeding and confirm you have internet access.

Now, follow the steps to update the driver. We will use Advanced Driver Updater to update the driver as it is the safest and easiest way to update drivers. To use the tool, follow these steps:

1. Download and install Advanced Driver Updater.

2. Launch the tool.

3. Click Start Scan Now to scan the PC for an outdated network driver.

4. Review scan results and update the driver. Trial users need to click Update driver next to it. However, registered users can update all outdated drivers at once by clicking the Update All option.

5. Restart the PC to apply changes.

Now try to connect to the Wi-Fi; you should not face any problems.

5. Temporarily Disable Antivirus

Antivirus software is known for interfering with other software and causing internet issues. Therefore, we suggest you temporarily disable your antivirus and other security programs. If doing so helps fix the Wi-Fi connection, you know the culprit. If not, proceed to the next step.

Also, we suggest you scan the PC for malware, viruses, and other infections, as they can also be the reason behind internet issues.

6. Run Windows built-in Troubleshooter

Another way to fix network connection issues is to use the built-in Windows Network Troubleshooter. To use it, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings.
2. Click the Network & Internet option.

3. Click the Status option > Network troubleshooter from the left pane.

4. Run it > Select the network adapter to diagnose.

Now, check if this helps. Suppose it doesn’t move to the next step.

7. Reset Network & Flush DNS

A DNS cache can occasionally dispute with the PC, resulting in a Wi-Fi connection but no internet access problem. Therefore, we suggest you flush DNS to ensure it’s not creating any issues. To do so, follow these steps:

1. In the theWindows search bar, enter Command Prompt > Run as administrator.

2. Now type the following commands

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

ipconfig /flushdns

3. Exit Command Prompt and see if you have the internet connection restored.

Want to learn? – More ways to clear DNS

8. Obtain IP and DNS Automatically

1. In the search bar, type Network and sharing center.

2. Click on Change Adapter Options.

3. Right-click on your current network adapter or Wi-Fi and choose Properties.

4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties in the pop-up.

5. Select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS Server address automatically > OK.

Restart the PC to enable automatic IP address configuration. Now try connecting; you should not face any problems.

If the Server IP address could not be found this post will help you.

9. Change the DNS Server Address

DNS server settings are responsible for connecting you to the internet. Therefore, when there is an outage, you can connect to Wi-Fi without the internet. To fix this issue, we suggest changing the DNS server address. To do so, follow these steps:

1. In the search bar, type Network and sharing center.

2. Click on Change Adapter Options.

3. Right-click on your current network adapter or Wi-Fi and choose Properties.

4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties in the pop-up.

5. In the new window, select the radio button next to “Use the following DNS server addresses.” Enter 8.8.8.8’ for the Preferred DNS server and ‘8.8.4.4’ for the Alternate DNS server.

6. Press OK and exit the window.

This should help fix the connection to Wi-Fi, but no internet issue.

10. Change Router’s Wireless Mode

1. Login to your router’s settings.

2. Search for terms like “mode,” “wireless mode,” or “802.11 mode.” Since the term and location vary from router to router look for these terms.

3. Once wireless mode is detected > click the drop down menu to select wireless mode > choose router specific option > save the settings.

Now try to go online, it should help.

11. Disable VPN

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are an excellent way to stay anonymous online. They hide the IP address and make you appear to be browsing from another nation. Also, it allows you to bypass geo-restrictions.

However, this extra layer sometimes creates problems while connecting to the internet. Therefore, if your VPN service has a technical difficulty or outage, you might get connected without an internet access error message. In such cases, try disabling the VPN and then connecting to the network; you should not face any problems.

To disable the VPN, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + I to access Windows settings.

2. Click Network & Internet options.

3. Choose VPN from the left pane > select the VPN you are using and disconnect.

Now try to connect to the internet; you should not face any problems. If this doesn’t help, try the other fixes before re-enabling the VPN.

12. Disable Proxy

Proxy servers act as a gateway between your device and the internet. Therefore, when there is an issue with the proxy server, you might encounter no internet access but connected. To fix it, disable the proxy by following the steps below:

1. Press Windows + I to access Windows settings.

2. Click the Network & Internet option.

3. Choose Proxy from the left pane.

4. Scroll down and disable the Use a proxy server option under Manual proxy setup.

13. Check Time Synchronization

Opening a web page in your browser might seem straightforward, but an extended sequence of events is involved. Every communication event between your computer and the internet carries a timestamp, which aids processing. If your computer’s internal time differs from the Internet time, you will face various problems and won’t be able to connect to the Internet. Therefore, you need to set the right time. To do so,  follow these steps to set time automatically on Windows.

1. Right-click the system clock present in the system tray.
2. Select Adjust date/time.

3. Enable both Set the time automatically and Set the time zone automatically options > click Syn now.

4. Now check you should have internet access.

14. Disable Fast Startup

Using the Fast Startup tool to shut down and restart your computer quickly may interfere with your connection. To turn it off, do the following.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window
2. Type powercfg.cpl in the Run window and click Ok

3. Click Choose what the power button do option from the left pane.

4. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable

5. Under the shutdown settings & uncheck the box next to Fast Startup & reboot PC to apply changes.

You should now be able to connect to the internet.

15. Reset Router

Resetting the router helps fix all network-related problems as it resets it to factory settings. But this also means you will have to password-protect the router again.

The reset button is hidden within a tiny hole, so you must inspect the router carefully to discover it. Once located, use a paper clip or mobile SIM tray opener to push and hold the button for 5-15 seconds or until all the lights flicker and the router restarts. When the router restarts, you can connect to the internet.

16. Reset Network

1. Type Network Reset in the search bar.

2. Click Reset Now.

Wi-Fi Connected But No Internet Access

There is no one solution to fix the Wi-Fi connectivity but no internet access. The recommendations provided above should be sufficient to resolve most software-related issues. If that doesn’t help, try updating the firmware, using an Ethernet cable, switching Wi-Fi bands, and checking mobile data if using Hotspot.

If this doesn’t help, you can contact the technician for a hardware issue, such as a faulty network card or router.

Please let us know in the comments which solution worked for you or if you discovered another way to resolve this annoying internet connectivity problem.

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