Wi-Fi unable to connect to the internet? Here are 5 easy ways to fix it

Whether you’re a student, working professional or perhaps even a homemaker, internet outages are an inconvenience all the same. Without Wi-Fi connectivity, one will be unable to connect to the internet whether on a smartphone or laptop. While Wi-Fi issues are no doubt an annoyance, there are times when fixing it doesn’t require rocket science. Here are five easy fixes to Wi-Fi connectivity issues.

5 Wi-Fi fixes when you can't connect to the internet

1. Reboot your modem and router

At the risk of sounding a little cliché, try turning off your router, unplugging it, connecting it, and turning it back on. It generally takes about 10 minutes to reboot and power back up again. Provided there isn’t a bigger issue, this generally the quickest and easiest fix to your internet connectivity woes.

2. Run a network troubleshooter

In the event that only your computer is unable to connect to the internet, consider using Windows’ in-built network troubleshooter. On Windows 10, head over to Settings, and then Network and Internet. Next, tap on Status, choose the option that says, ‘Choose Network Troubleshooter’, and follow the steps which appear on the screen.

Windows 11 users can visit System under Settings, and select Internet connections, nestled under Other Troubleshooters. Follow the on-screen instructions, and Windows should initiate fixes on its own.

3. Set your IP address

In case your system is running on Windows 10, go to Settings, Network and Internet, and Status. Then, click on Change adapter options and double-click on the network you desire to connect to. Once the window with the relevant information pops up, click on Properties search under Internet protocol version 4t in the list, and double-click on it. However, it is a good idea to make sure one obtains an IP address and DNS server address automatically, as setting an IP address manually is a fairly advanced process.

If you have a Windows 11 system, go to network and internet and internet settings. From there, select Advanced network settings at the bottom, and select Wi-Fi.  Now, go down and tap on See additional properties. In the subsequent menu, make sure that IP assignment and DNS server mapping are set to automatic. If they’re not, click the Edit button next to them and change them to automatic.

4. Check Your router’s permissions

Another common reason for your Wi-Fi not being able to connect to the internet could also be network permissions. Every Wi-Fi network has Media Access Control (MAC) identifiers, which allows certain devices to access the network. Incorrect permissions can automatically lock your devices out and therefore prevent them from accessing the internet.

To fix this, locate the Windows key on your laptop/desktop keyboard and press it along with the ‘R’ key. In the subsequent window which pops up, type ‘cmd’. The Command Prompt app should now pop up. Right-click on it and select the option which says, Run as Administrator. Next, type ‘ipconfig’ and press enter. Your default gateway IP address should pop up. It should read 192.168.X.

Copy this number, open up your preferred browser and paste the number into the search bar. This should ideally open your router’s management console. To access the console though, you will be asked to type in your login credentials to your ISP account.

It is important to remember here, that these credentials are not the same as your Wi-Fi username and password. This information is generally provided on the back of your router. If you haven’t bothered changing your router’s password, chances are the password very likely is admin. Once you’re in, look for the MAC address filtering menu, and make sure it is disabled.

5. Reset your network

If all else fails, you may want to consider resetting your network. This, for the most part, does fix the issue. If you’re a Windows 10 user, go to Settings, select Network and Internet, and next, tap on Status. Now, click on the Reset Network at the bottom of the screen, and then on Reset now. In case your system is running on Windows 11, go to Settings, select Network and Internet, and click on Advanced network settings, and Network Reset from thereon.

Hope these easy fixes help you solve the Wi-Fi issues, and you get to connect back to the internet.