How to Fix Wi-Fi Connected but No Internet on Windows 11

Last updated on November 8, 2025

 

There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing that tiny Wi-Fi icon sitting there all smug — showing you’re “connected,” yet absolutely nothing loads. No websites, no updates, not even a Google search. I’ve been there, staring at my laptop in disbelief, thinking, “But it says I’m connected!”

If that sounds familiar, don’t worry. You’re definitely not alone. This issue is super common on Windows 11, and thankfully, it’s fixable. Sometimes it’s just a small network hiccup; other times, it’s something deeper — like your DNS, drivers, or even Windows settings. But we’ll go through it step by step, just like I do when fixing it myself or helping friends.

First, Let’s Make Sure It’s Really Your Computer

Before diving into technical fixes, you want to make sure the problem isn’t coming from somewhere else. Here’s what I usually do first:

• Check if other devices work. Grab your phone or another laptop connected to the same Wi-Fi. If they also can’t access the internet, your router or internet provider might be the problem.
• Restart your router. Yes, the classic “turn it off and on again” trick works more often than you’d think. Unplug the router for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait a couple of minutes.
• Try a different network. If you can connect to a mobile hotspot or another Wi-Fi network and it works, the issue might be specific to your router or ISP.

Once you’re sure it’s your computer and not the internet itself, it’s time to dig in.

1. Restart Your Computer (Seriously)

I know — it sounds too simple. But restarting your computer resets your network adapter and clears temporary glitches. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spent 20 minutes troubleshooting, only to realize a quick restart would’ve solved it.

2. Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 actually comes with a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically find and fix some network issues. It’s worth a try before anything else.

1. Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar.
2. Select “Troubleshoot problems.”
3. Wait for Windows to scan and apply fixes.

If it detects something like a bad IP configuration or DNS issue, it’ll usually fix it automatically. If it says it couldn’t identify the problem — no worries, we’ve got more options.

3. Forget and Reconnect to Your Wi-Fi Network

Sometimes, your network settings get corrupted. Deleting and reconnecting to your Wi-Fi can clear out bad configurations.

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar.
2. Right-click your connected network and select “Forget.”
3. Reconnect by entering your Wi-Fi password again.

It’s basically giving your computer a clean slate for that network.

4. Reset Your DNS and IP Settings

This one sounds technical, but it’s actually pretty simple — and it often works like magic. I’ve fixed countless “connected but no internet” errors this way.

1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew

This forces your computer to drop the current network configuration, clear the DNS cache, and request new settings from the router. After running those, restart your computer and check your connection again.

5. Change Your DNS Server

Sometimes, your internet works, but your DNS (the system that turns website names into IP addresses) doesn’t. Switching to a public DNS like Google’s can solve this instantly.

1. Press Windows + R and type ncpa.cpl — hit Enter.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties.
3. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
4. Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:

Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

Click OK, then reconnect to your network. Google’s DNS is fast, reliable, and often fixes weird connection issues.

6. Check for Proxy or VPN Issues

If you’re using a VPN or have proxy settings enabled, they can sometimes interfere with your connection. To rule that out:

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy.
2. Make sure “Use a proxy server” is turned off (unless you specifically need one).
3. If you use a VPN, try disconnecting it temporarily to see if your internet starts working again.

I once spent an hour trying to fix a friend’s “no internet” issue, only to realize his VPN had silently crashed in the background. Easy fix, painful hour.

7. Update or Reinstall Your Wi-Fi Driver

Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause all kinds of headaches. Thankfully, updating them is pretty straightforward.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for drivers.

If that doesn’t help, uninstall the driver (right-click → Uninstall device), then restart your PC. Windows will reinstall the correct driver automatically when it boots up.

Or, you can download the latest drivers directly from your laptop manufacturer’s official website (like Microsoft Support or Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.).

8. Reset Network Settings

If none of the above works, this is your last resort — but a powerful one. It resets all your network settings to default, just like a fresh install.

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings.
2. Click Network reset.
3. Then click Reset now.

Your computer will restart, and you’ll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi afterward. But this usually fixes even the most stubborn network problems.

9. Check the Date and Time Settings

This might sound silly, but if your date and time are wrong, your computer might not connect properly to secure websites or servers.

Go to Settings → Time & language → Date & time, and make sure “Set time automatically” is turned on.

10. Contact Your ISP (When All Else Fails)

If you’ve tried everything and still can’t connect, the issue might be outside your control — maybe a line problem or temporary outage. Call your Internet Service Provider and explain that your Wi-Fi connects but there’s no internet access. They can check on their end and even send a technician if needed.

A Personal Note

I’ve fixed this exact issue more times than I can count — for myself, family, and even clients. Every single time, the key was staying patient and checking things one step at a time. Sometimes it’s the DNS, sometimes it’s the driver, sometimes… it’s just Windows being Windows.

The good news? It’s rarely permanent. Once you go through these steps, you’ll almost always find the culprit — and the sweet relief of that first webpage loading again is honestly the best feeling in the world.

Final Thoughts

So next time your Wi-Fi says “connected but no internet,” don’t panic. Start simple, stay calm, and go through these fixes one by one. You’ll have your connection back in no time — and you’ll probably feel a little proud knowing you fixed it yourself.