Wi-Fi Not Working? How to Fix It on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android

“Wi-Fi not working” covers several different problems: the network does not show up, the device will not connect, it connects but nothing loads, or it keeps dropping. Each has a different cause, and the fastest fix starts with one question — is it one device, or all of them?

First: One Device or All of Them?

Quick Checks That Fix Most Cases

Start with these five checks. Together they fix most cases, whatever the device:

1. Airplane mode and the Wi-Fi switch. Make sure airplane mode is off and Wi-Fi is on. Some laptops have a function key or a physical switch for wireless.
2. Restart the device. It clears stuck drivers and network services.
3. Restart the router. Unplug it for 30 seconds; if your provider’s modem is a separate box, restart that first and wait a couple of minutes.
4. Forget the network and join again. A saved network profile can break after a password or router change. Then reconnect and type the password carefully — it is case-sensitive.
5. Move closer to the router. If the device works in the same room, the problem is range, not the device.

If the device still will not connect, follow the steps for its system below.

Wi-Fi Not Working on Windows

Run the network troubleshooter. Microsoft’s guide starts here: open the Get Help app and run the Network and Internet troubleshooter (the guide links straight to it). It finds and resets common problems automatically.

Check that the adapter is on. Open Settings → Network & internet. If Wi-Fi is missing entirely, open Device Manager → Network adapters. An adapter with a down arrow is disabled — right-click and choose Enable. One with a yellow warning sign has a driver problem.

Update or reinstall the driver. Download the latest Wi-Fi driver for your laptop model from its manufacturer. If that is not possible, right-click the adapter in Device Manager, choose Uninstall device and restart; Windows installs the driver again.

Turn off power saving for the adapter. In Device Manager, open the Wi-Fi adapter → Properties → Power Management and clear “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.

Reset network settings as a last resort. Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset. It removes saved networks and VPN adapters, so use it after the other steps.

On a Mac

Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, turn Wi-Fi off and on, and select the network again.

In System Settings → Wi-Fi, click the details next to the network and choose Forget This Network, then join again.

Remove VPN or security software temporarily; it can block connections after an update.

If the Wi-Fi icon shows an exclamation mark or no networks appear at all, restart the Mac and install pending macOS updates.

On iPhone and iPad

Apple’s support guide lists the checks in this order:

1. Settings → Wi-Fi: make sure Wi-Fi is on and tap your network; a blue check mark means you are connected. Check that airplane mode is off.
2. Remove VPN or security apps and test again.
3. Restart the router and the modem, and try moving closer.
4. As a last resort, Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings. It also removes saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings.

If the network appears in the list with “No Internet Connection”, the iPhone joined the Wi-Fi but the internet behind it is down; see Wi-Fi connected but no internet.

On Android

Pull down the quick settings, turn Wi-Fi off and on, and restart the phone.

In Settings → Network & internet → Internet, tap the network, choose Forget, and join again.

If the phone joins and then switches to mobile data, it finds the Wi-Fi signal too weak; move closer or improve coverage.

Reset Wi-Fi settings as a last resort; on many phones it is under Settings → System → Reset options → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Menu names differ between manufacturers.

Smart TVs, consoles and printers usually only need the network forgotten and joined again, or the device restarted. Many of them support only 2.4 GHz, so they will not see a network that runs on 5 GHz only; see 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz.

When Your Network Does Not Show Up

Only on one device: the device may support only 2.4 GHz while the router broadcasts its name only on 5 or 6 GHz, or the network is hidden; see should you hide your Wi-Fi network. Older devices may also not show networks that use WPA3 only; switching the router to WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode helps, as explained in WPA2 vs WPA3.

On every device: the router’s Wi-Fi is off or the router is not working. Check that the router’s lights are on and the Wi-Fi light is lit; some routers have a Wi-Fi on/off button or a Wi-Fi schedule that switches it off at night.

When No Device Can Connect

If no phone, laptop or TV can join, work through the router side in this order:

1. Restart the modem and the router, in that order.
2. Connect a computer with a cable. If the internet works on the cable, the problem is the router’s Wi-Fi: open its settings and check that wireless is enabled. If you need its address, see what is my router IP.
3. If you recently changed the Wi-Fi password or security mode, every device has to rejoin with the new password.
4. Check for a firmware update; see how to update router firmware.
5. If nothing helps, a factory reset brings back the default network name and password from the router’s label; see how to factory reset a router. Note your settings first.