These days, WiFi is so ubiquitous that we hardly even notice it until it stops working. Whether your websites are loading slower, or you can’t connect to WiFi at all, the problem could be with your devices, router, modem, or ISP (internet service provider). Here are the most common reasons why your WiFi isn’t working and everything you need to do to fix your connection issues.
Do a WiFi Speed Test
If you are able to connect to your WiFi network, do a quick speed test before trying to fix anything. Then you can compare the results to determine how much your WiFi signal improves after you take steps to fix your WiFi connection.
To do a free WiFi speed test anywhere in your home, connect to your WiFi network on any device. Then visit HelloTech.com/speed and click Go. The most important result to pay attention to is the download speed. However, the farther you are from your router, the slower your WiFi speeds will be.
Read More: How to test your WiFi speed
Turn On WiFi
Before taking any steps to fix your connection, make sure your device has WiFi turned on. Most devices will show a WiFi status symbol in the top-right or bottom-right corner of your screen. Or you can turn WiFi on by going through the device’s settings.
On a Windows PC, you can find the WiFi status icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Clicking this symbol lets you turn your WiFi on and change networks.
On a Mac, you might see the WiFi symbol in the top-right corner of your screen. Clicking this icon will let you turn your WiFi on and change networks.
If you don’t see this symbol on your Mac, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and go to System Settings. Then select Control Center in the left sidebar, click the drop-down menu next to WiFi, and select Show in Menu Bar.
Disconnect and Reconnect
If you are already connected to the right WiFi network, but you can’t access the internet, disconnect from the network, wait a few minutes, and reconnect to that same network. This might allow your device to reset the connection with your router and help fix common issues
Turn Off Airplane Mode
Many devices have a setting called Airplane Mode, which disables all wireless signals from your device. So, if your WiFi isn’t working, you should make sure Airplane mode is turned off. Then try testing your WiFi again. Regardless of the results, keep Airplane mode turned off.
You can find Airplane mode settings on most devices in the same place where you can find WiFi settings. However, Mac computers do not feature an Airplane mode.
Turn Off Bluetooth
There’s a chance that your device’s Bluetooth is interfering with your WiFi connection, especially if you’re connected to a 2.4GHz network. If turning off your Bluetooth solves the problem, you should then try changing your WiFi band.
To turn off Bluetooth on a Windows 10 computer, press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard at the same time. Then go to Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and click the slider next to Bluetooth.
On a Mac, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. Then go to Bluetooth and click the slider next to Bluetooth. You will know it is turned off when it is gray.
Restart Your Device
If you can’t connect to your WiFi network on a certain device, try to restart it. This might cause your device to automatically renew its IP address with your router, which could resolve conflicts with other devices and fix your device’s connection.
Read More: How to restart an iPhone
See If Your WiFi Is Working on Other Devices
To find out why your WiFi isn’t working, you should always try connecting to the network from at least one other device, such as a smartphone, tablet, game console, etc. If you can’t connect on multiple devices, the problem might be with your router or ISP.
If your WiFi isn’t working on any of your devices, you can always call an expert to fix it for you. HelloTech has thousands of professionals across the country who can come to your home as soon as today to troubleshoot your WiFi network issues and answer any questions you have.
Check Your Router’s Lights
Almost all WiFi routers have a row of lights on the front, which will indicate the status of your network connections. Usually, a solid green or white light means everything is working, while an orange, red, or flashing light might mean that something is wrong.
However, it is important to note that fast flickering lights on your router or modem could also indicate that data is being processed on the device.
While every router has a different set of lights, most will feature an “internet” or “WAN” (wide area network) indicator. This light tells you if your router is properly connected to the internet through your modem. If it is red, flashing steadily, or off, make sure all your cables are securely connected.
Then check the lights on your modem. If they are orange, red, or flashing steadily, the problem might be with your ISP. In that case, you might have to contact your provider to fix your WiFi issues.
Reboot Your Router and Modem
Rebooting your router and modem is one of the first things you should do when your WiFi isn’t working. To do this, simply unplug the power cord from both devices and wait for 30 seconds before plugging your modem back in first. Then wait 60 seconds before plugging your router back in.
This step usually won’t change any of your network settings, like your WiFi network’s name and password. However, you should wait at least two or three minutes after rebooting your router and modem before testing your WiFi again.
Change Your WiFi Band
If you are able to connect to WiFi, but it seems slower than normal, you might need to change your WiFi band to fix it. Many routers allow you to connect devices on up to three different WiFi frequency bands. For the fastest connection, you should choose either the 6GHz or 5Ghz bands.
Most routers these days are “dual-band,” which means they create two different WiFi networks. If you have a dual-band router, you might be able to speed up your WiFi by simply switching to the faster 5GHz network. Unless you have renamed your WiFi networks, the 5GHz band will usually end in “5G.”
On the other hand, 2.4GHz networks, which usually end in “2G,” will be much slower.
For the most part, you should only connect devices to a 2.4GHz network if they don’t require much bandwidth, or if they are very far away from your router. For all other devices, choose a 5GHz or 6GHz network instead.
Check for Outages
If you are able to get online with your smartphone or another device, you should check if there is an internet outage in your area. This will let you know if the problem is with your network or your ISP (internet service provider).
All you have to do is search for “outage map” and the name of your ISP, such as Comcast, Verizon, or Spectrum. You might also want to call your ISP to confirm whether there is an outage in your area and ask if they can help get your WiFi working again.
Use an Ethernet Cable to Test Your PC
Connecting a computer to your router can help you determine why your WiFi isn’t working. First, use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to your router. If you can’t open a website, try connecting to your modem. If you still can’t access the internet, the problem might be with your ISP.
To connect your computer to a router, plug the Ethernet cable into any of the available LAN (local area network) ports on the back of your router. Most modems only have one available Ethernet port, unless you have a modem/router 2-in-1 device.
When you are done, you can plug your modem back into your router’s WAN (wide area network) port.
Upgrade Your Ethernet Cables
If you are using old or damaged Ethernet cables to connect your router and modem, it might be time to upgrade. These days, you should only consider buying Ethernet cables that are rated CAT 6 and higher. Otherwise, your network might be limited to slower WiFi speeds.
Turn Off Your VPN
If you use a VPN (virtual private network), turn it off to see if that fixes your WiFi connection. Sometimes a VPN can block you from accessing certain websites. Plus, if you are connected to the wrong server, your devices might not be able to connect to the internet at all.
Scan for Viruses and Malware
Viruses and malware (malicious software) can infect your devices and block them from connecting to WiFi networks. If you have antivirus or malware programs, try scanning your computer and removing any viruses to fix your WiFi.
Windows 10 users can use the built-in Windows Defender antivirus software by hitting the Windows + I keys on your keyboard. Then go to Update & Security > Windows Security > Open Windows Security. Finally, select Virus & threat protection and click Quick Scan.
Macs do not have built-in antivirus software, but you can always use free antivirus programs like Bitdefender and Malwarebytes.
Uninstall PUPs
If you installed any programs on your computer just before your WiFi stopped working, there’s a chance they could have infected your computer with malware. Try uninstalling any “potentially unwanted programs” (PUPs), restarting your computer, and testing your WiFi again.
Read More: How to completely uninstall an app on a Mac
Turn Off Your Antivirus
If you have third-party antivirus software installed, there’s a chance it could interfere with your computer’s WiFi connection. Try turning off your antivirus software in the program’s settings and then test your WiFi again to see if it comes back online.
Turn Off Devices
The more devices you have connected to your network, the slower your WiFi signal will be. So, if your WiFi is not working, it might help to turn some of your devices off. Devices like smart TVs, streaming devices, smart cameras, game consoles, and computers can take up a lot of bandwidth.
Find All the Devices On Your Network
Most routers will let you see exactly which devices are connected to your network and how much bandwidth they are using. Then you can see if any devices are using too much bandwidth and turn them off or change other settings to fix your WiFi signal.
To see which devices are connected to your network, open any web browser on your computer and type your router’s IP address into the address bar. Then enter your router’s name and password and look for “connected devices,” “clients,” “traffic analyzer,” or something similar.
Read More: How to log into your router
Move Your Router to a Better Location
Your WiFi might not be working because your router is in a bad location. For the strongest WiFi signal, make sure to put your router in a central location or close to your connected devices. Avoid putting your router near other electrical devices or metal objects because they can interfere with your WiFi signal.
Read More: Where is the best place to put your router?
Change Your WiFi Channel
If you live in a crowded area, changing your WiFi channel could instantly improve your network. Each WiFi network is made up of different channels, sort of like lanes on a highway. In order to get the fastest internet connection, all you have to do is choose the least-crowded channel on your router.
To change the channel on your router, open a web browser, type your router’s IP address into the address bar, and hit Enter. Then go to Wireless Settings, choose the right WiFi band, and select the channel you want to use from the drop-down menu. Finally, click Save or Apply.
Read More: How to change the WiFi channel on your router
Make Sure WiFi Is Enabled on Your Device
There’s a chance that your WiFi is not working because it has been disabled on your computer. This can happen if your WiFi adapter is faulty or your drivers are outdated. You will know if your WiFi has been disabled if you can’t see any available WiFi networks in your area.
To enable WiFi on a Windows 10 computer, press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard and select Network & Internet. Then go to Status in the left sidebar, scroll down, and select Change adapter options. Finally, right-click your Wi-Fi connection and select Enable.
To enable WiFi on a Mac, click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. Then click Network > Wi-Fi and tap the slider next to Wi-Fi.
Forget and Re-Add Your WiFi Network
Certain devices will automatically remember WiFi networks and passwords that you have previously used. Forgetting a network and connecting to it again will delete a few temporary files, which could fix your WiFi on that device.
To forget a WiFi network on a Windows 10 PC, press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard. Then go to Network & Internet, select WiFi in the left sidebar, and click Manage known networks. Finally, select a network and click Forget.
You can then add the network again by clicking the back button in the top-left corner of the Settings window. Then click Show available networks and select your network from the list. Finally, enter your WiFi password and click Connect.
To forget a network on a Mac, go to System Settings > Network. Then select WiFi in the left panel and click the three-dot icon next to your WiFi network. Finally, click Forget Network in the pop-up menu. Then wait a moment before selecting your WiFi network to reconnect.
Run Network Diagnostics Tools
Windows and Mac computers both have internet troubleshooting utilities built-in. These tools can help you find the source of your network problems and provide recommendations on how to fix your WiFi issues.
To troubleshoot internet problems on a Windows 10 computer, press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard. Then go to Network & Internet and select Status in the left sidebar. Finally, click Network Troubleshooter, select Wi-Fi in the pop-up window, and click Next.
To run a wireless diagnostic on a Mac, hold down the Option key on your keyboard while clicking the WiFi icon in the Apple Menu Bar at the top of your screen. Then select Open Wireless Diagnostics from the drop-down menu and select Continue.
With this tool, you can then choose to monitor your connection or go to the Summary page to get tips on how to fix your WiFi connection.
Update Your Device
If you have not updated your device in a while, it might not be compatible with the latest WiFi standards and protocols. Updating your device will also reset many network settings that could be causing your WiFi to stop working.
To update a Windows 10 PC, press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard and go to Update & Security. Then select Windows Update in the left-sidebar and click Check for updates. Make sure to restart your device before testing your WiFi connection again.
To update a Mac, click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. Then click General in the left-sidebar and select Software Update.
If you have an older Mac or you haven’t updated in a while, click the Apple icon in the top-left corner and select System Preferences. Then go to Software Update and click Update Now. If you don’t see this button, your Mac is already up to date.
Update Network Drivers
Your computer’s network adapter drivers are what allow it to communicate with your router and other devices within your network. If your drivers are outdated or corrupted, you might be able to connect to your WiFi network but not the internet.
To update your network adapter drivers on a Windows 10 computer, right-click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen and select Device Manager. Then expand the drop-down menu under Network adapters by clicking the arrow key next to it.
Next, right-click on your network adapter and select Uninstall device. Then check the box next to Attempt to remove the driver software for this device and click Uninstall. Finally, restart your computer and check if your WiFi is working.
Windows will automatically search for new drivers when you restart your computer.
On a Mac, drivers are updated automatically when you update your operating system.
Perform a Netsh Winsock Reset
If you have a WiFi connection but can’t access any websites, you might want to reset the network adapters on your Windows PC. This will reset some network settings on your computer that could have been changed by your web browser, email client, VPN, or firewall.
To reset Winsock, click the magnifying glass logo in the bottom-left corner of your screen, type “CMD” in the search bar, and click Run as administrator. Then type “netsh winsock reset” and hit Enter. Wait for the process to finish, and then type “netsh int ip reset” and hit Enter.
Finally, restart your computer before testing your WiFi again.
Resolve IP Address Conflicts
An IP address conflict occurs when two devices are using the same IP address at the same time. Each device in your network needs to have a unique IP address. Otherwise, your network can’t identify it. So, resolving IP address conflicts could fix your WiFi connection.
To resolve an IP conflict on a Windows 10 PC, click the magnifying glass logo in the bottom-left corner of your screen, type “CMD” into the search bar, and click Run as administrator. Next, type “ipconfig /release” into the command line and press Enter on your keyboard.
Once the command finishes, type “ipconfig /renew” and press Enter. Finally, click the Exit button on the window and restart your computer to see if your WiFi is working.
To resolve an IP conflict on a Mac, all you have to do is put your computer to sleep for a few minutes. To do this, click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen. Then select Sleep from the drop-down menu. Finally, wait a few minutes before checking if your WiFi is working again.
Flush the DNS Cache
Flushing your DNS cache will reset your computer’s database of recently accessed websites. Caching makes visiting websites faster, but your cache might get infected with malware, which can cause your browser to lead you to the wrong address.
To clear the DNS cache on Windows, open the Windows Search Bar and type CMD into the search bar and click Open. Once the Command Prompt app opens, type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter on your keyboard.
On a Mac, press the Shift + Command + U keys on your keyboard and open the Terminal app. Then type “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder” and press Enter. Next, type your administrator password and press Enter. Finally, restart your computer.
You won’t see your password as you type it in, so make sure you enter the correct password for your computer. You won’t see any confirmation that the command worked, either. When the next line appears, you will know the command has been
Update Your Router’s Firmware
Firmware is software that comes installed on your router. Like the operating system on your computer or smartphone, it needs to be updated regularly in order to fix bugs and use the latest features.
To update your router’s firmware, open any web browser and type your router’s IP address into the address bar. Then hit Enter and type your router’s username and password. Next, go to Advanced or Administration settings and find Firmware Update. Finally, select Check and then Update.
Read More: How to update your router’s firmware
Depending on your router, you might have to manually download a ZIP file and upload it to your router. If you have the option to turn on auto-updates, you should do that to avoid future WiFi issues.
Reset Your Router to Factory Settings
If your WiFi router isn’t working, you can always restore it to factory settings. However, this will remove your WiFi network names, passwords, and all other custom settings. So, before doing a factory reset, make sure to find your router’s default username and password.
To reset your router, all you need to do is press and hold the “reset” button for 30 seconds or until you see the lights on the router flash several times. You can usually find this button on the back of your router, near the power button. You might need to use a paperclip to press this button.
Read More: How to change your WiFi network name and password
Reset Your Network Settings
If you’ve tried all the previous steps, and your WiFi still isn’t working on your computer, you might want to reset your network settings. This will remove all your network adapters and reinstall them to factory conditions.
To reset your network settings on a Windows computer, press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard and select Network & Internet. Then select Status in the left sidebar, scroll down, and click Network reset. Finally, click Reset now and wait for your PC to restart.
Once your computer restarts, you will have to enter your WiFi password again, even if it was set to connect automatically before. You might also have to reinstall certain network programs, such as VPN software or virtual switches.
To reset your network settings on a Mac, click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. Then click Network in the left sidebar and right-click Wi-Fi. Next, select Delete Service and click Delete.
Once your WiFi network has been deleted, click the three-dot icon in the bottom-right corner of the settings window. Then select Add Service and choose Wi-Fi from the drop-down menu. Wait a minute for your WiFi network to reconnect.
Run a Traceroute to See Why Your WiFi Is Not Working
To find out why your WiFi isn’t working properly, you can run a traceroute to see where your connection is dropping off. This will show you a map of your network connections, along with how long it takes data to travel to a destination URL or IP address.
To run a traceroute on a Windows computer, click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of your screen, type “cmd”, and hit Enter. Then type “tracert 8.8.8.8“. Finally, hit enter on your keyboard and wait for the traceroute to finish.
Once the traceroute is finished, look for any error messages, asterisks, or abnormally long round-trip times in the second through fourth columns. If there are errors in the beginning of the test, the problem might be with your hardware, such as your router or computer.
Read More: How to run a traceroute on a Windows 10
To run a traceroute on a Mac, press the Shift + Command + U keys on your keyboard at the same time. Then open the Terminal app and type “traceroute 8.8.8.8”.
Upgrade Your Router
If your WiFi isn’t working, and you can’t find any way to fix it, you might just need to upgrade your router. These days, you should only look to buy a new “dual-band” or “tri-band” router that features WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 technology.
If you live in a large home over 1,500 square feet, you might want to consider upgrading to a mesh WiFi system instead. Unlike traditional routers, mesh systems have devices called “satellites,” which you can place in any room in your home to eliminate any WiFi dead zones.
Read More: What to look for in a new WiFi router
Contact a Professional Technician
If none of the steps above worked, you might need an expert to look at your WiFi network. Thankfully, HelloTech has professional WiFi technicians in your area that can help you set up a new network, fix your WiFi issues, run Ethernet cables through your walls, and more.
Our technicians are hand-selected, background-checked, and insured to install and configure any WiFi devices. We’ll even stick around after the job’s done to show you how everything works and answer your questions, so you can feel confident about your network when we leave.
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