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ProblemWindows · Wi-Fi network

Wi-Fi connected but no internet

Joining Wi-Fi does not guarantee internet access. Compare another device on the same network to separate a PC-specific problem from a local-network or provider-side issue.

Try this first

2 quick checks · ~8 min

  1. Compare another device firstSeparate a shared outage from a problem with this PC.
  2. Restart the modem and router for a shared outageA factory reset is not needed for this check.

Find your situation

See all the clues. Choose the one that matches what you observe.

Only this PC has no internet

Compare a second device on the same Wi-Fi network.

Every device is offline

Investigate the shared connection, modem and router before changing PC drivers.

Other devices work on this Wi-Fi

Focus the next checks on this PC and its connection.

Ethernet works, but Wi-Fi does not

That difference helps narrow the wireless part of the connection.

The IP address starts with 169.254

If DHCP is expected, investigate address assignment.

Diagnostic signals

Observation169.254.x.xThe expected IP address was not assigned
On a DHCP network, this range indicates that Windows could not obtain an IP address from the router. It does not prove the router is defective.

Understand the connection

  1. Device
  2. Wi-Fi
  3. Router
  4. Internet
A conceptual connection path, not a live measurement. No part of the network is automatically marked as failed.

Step-by-step solutions

01

Compare another device first

  • Estimated time: 3 min
  • Easy

Separate a shared outage from a problem with this PC.

  1. Try opening a website on another device connected to the same Wi-Fi. Note whether both devices fail.

  2. If Ethernet is available, compare it on the affected PC too.

Sources:
02

Restart the modem and router for a shared outage

  • Estimated time: 5 min
  • Easy
  • Low risk

A factory reset is not needed for this check.

  1. Tell other network users they will be disconnected briefly. Unplug modem and router power and wait about 30 seconds.

  2. Power the modem back on, then the router. Wait for their status lights to settle before trying again.

Sources:
03

Forget and rejoin the Wi-Fi network

  • Estimated time: 5 min
  • Easy
  • Low risk

Have the network password ready before forgetting it.

  1. Choose your network and select Forget. Connect again and enter its password.

    1. Settings
    2. Network & internet
    3. Wi-Fi
    4. Manage known networks
Sources:
04

Check the assigned IP address

  • Estimated time: 5 min
  • Easy

This observation helps decide whether to investigate DHCP.

  1. Check the IPv4 address. If it starts with 169.254 and automatic addressing is expected, ask the router administrator to check DHCP.

    1. Settings
    2. Network & internet
    3. Wi-Fi
    4. Network properties
Sources:
Advanced

Advanced checks

Continue if the earlier steps did not help. Read each procedure’s precautions first.

05

Reset the network stack and renew the address

  • Estimated time: 10 min
  • Intermediate
  • Moderate risk
  • Administrator required
  • Restart required

Microsoft’s sequence resets network components, renews the IP address and clears the DNS cache. It cannot fix every internet outage.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator. Run each line in order and review its result.

  2. Command Prompt
    netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

    These are separate commands: run one line at a time. Restart the PC afterward, then test the connection again.

Sources:
06

Investigate the adapter driver last

  • Estimated time: 20 min
  • Advanced
  • Moderate risk
  • Administrator required
  • Restart required

Consider reinstallation only after the earlier checks.

  1. Download the correct driver for your PC model from its manufacturer before uninstalling. Use another computer and a USB drive if necessary.

  2. Follow Microsoft’s procedure and restart. Windows will try to install the driver; use the saved copy if it does not.

    1. Device Manager
    2. Network adapters
    3. Wi-Fi adapter
    4. Uninstall device
Sources:
Next step

Still not working?

If every device remains offline, contact your internet provider or network administrator. If only this PC fails, give support your comparison results, observed IP address and adapter model.

Sources

Documentation behind this guide. Editorial recommendations are identified separately.

Source review: . A documentation review, not a physical hardware test.