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When you can’t connect to the internet – Things to try first #
Try these things first to help you fix or narrow down the connection problem.
- Make sure Wi‑Fi is turned on. Select the “No internet connection” icon on the right side of the taskbar, and make sure Wi-Fi is turned on. If it isn’t, select it to turn it on. Also, make sure Airplane mode is turned off.
- Afterwards, see if a Wi-Fi network you recognize and trust appears in the list of networks. If it does, select the Wi-Fi network, and they try to connect to it. If it says Connected underneath the network name, select Disconnect, wait a moment, and then select Connect again.
- Try connecting to a network on a different frequency band. Many consumer Wi-Fi routers broadcast at two different network frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. These will appear as separate networks in the list of available Wi-Fi networks. If your list of available Wi-Fi networks includes both a 2.4 GHz network and a 5 GHz network, try connecting to the other network.
- Make sure the physical Wi‑Fi switch on your laptop is turned on. (An indicator light usually shows when it’s on.)
- Run the Network troubleshooter. The Network troubleshooter can help diagnose and fix common connection problems.
To run the Network troubleshooter
- Select the Start button > Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
Open Network & Internet Status settings - Under Change your network settings, select Network troubleshooter.
- Follow the steps in the troubleshooter, and see if that fixes the problem.
- Restart your modem and wireless router. This helps create a new connection to your internet service provider (ISP).
When you do this, everyone that is connected to your Wi-Fi network will be temporarily disconnected. The steps you take to restart your modem and router can vary, but here are the general steps. (Note: If you have a cable modem/Wi-Fi router combo device, you only need to follow the steps for the single device.)- Unplug the power cable for the router from the power source.
- Unplug the power cable for the modem from the power source.
Some modems have a backup battery. If you unplug the modem and lights stay on, remove the battery from the modem. - Wait at least 30 seconds or so.
If you had to remove the battery from the modem, put it back in. - Plug the modem back into the power source. The lights on the modem will blink. Wait for them to stop blinking.
- Plug your router back into the power source.
Wait a few minutes for the modem and router to fully power on. You can usually tell when they’re ready by looking at the status lights on the two devices. - On your PC, try to connect again.