Switch Wi-Fi on and confirm that you're using the correct password. Then, move closer to the router and reboot your computer and network hardware
Windows computers and tablets are intended to access the internet. When your device can't get online, it's most likely a software-related problem [i.e., it's easy to fix]. We've got all the solutions you need below so you can fix your Windows 10 internet problems right now.
What to Do When Windows 11 Can't Connect to a Network
Cause of Windows 10 Network Errors
There are many reasons Windows 10 can't connect to a network. Here are some of the more common causes:
- Not connected or wrong information [SSID/password]
- Overloaded network
- Out of range or wireless interference
- Hardware or driver issue
How to Fix Windows 10 Network Connection Bugs
Since there are so many potential causes for when Windows 10 has no internet, you'll need to walk through a variety of fixes to uncover the problem. Work through these solutions in the order we've listed them:
- Verify that it is indeed a Windows 10 problem. Does Wi-Fi work from your phone, smart TV, etc.? If these devices also can't reach the internet, troubleshoot your network as a whole instead of your Windows 10 device. If your local network seems fine, contact your internet service provider. These companies sometimes have their own network issues that you can't fix yourself; you have to wait for them to resolve it.
- Connect to Wi-Fi. If your computer is Wi-Fi capable, you have to manually pick which network to connect to and also confirm that the password is correct. Also, don't overlook a hardware switch that might be toggled off. It could be along the edge of your laptop or built into a function key. Even if you're using the right Wi-Fi password, this switch needs to be turned on for Wi-Fi to work. If you're not on a Wi-Fi network, confirm that the Ethernet cable is properly attached to your computer and the router.
- Turn airplane mode off. Airplane mode disables Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so leaving it on will stop your device from accessing the network.
- Open a web browser. If you're trying to connect to a public Wi-Fi network, you might need to accept the terms of use or register your email address and name first. This prompt should open automatically, but it doesn't always. We've seen lots of problems with this method of accessing the internet; the browser doesn't open, the page doesn't load correctly, it redirects too many times, etc. If you're having trouble connecting your Windows 10 device to Wi-Fi in a hotel or some other public space, the front desk can help.
- Move to the same room as your router. Unless you have a router made for long-range connections, it's rather easy to lose signal strength, making it difficult, or even impossible, for Windows 10 to connect to the network. Connect to the network and then move away from the router while checking the signal strength icon in the taskbar. Doing this will help you to find the best and worst places for connecting to Wi-Fi in your space. If you live in a big apartment or house, it can be a good idea to boost your Wi-Fi signal to cover the whole space.
- Disable the network adapter in Device Manager and then re-enable it. This simple refresh might be all you need to do to make the internet work in Windows 10. Device Manager likely lists several items in the Network adapters section. The one you're looking for should include the word Wireless or Ethernet.
- Reboot your modem and router. Performing a reboot typically fixes most network connectivity problems. Unplug your modem and router from the power socket, wait a minute, plug in your modem, wait a minute, and then plug in your router. Restarting your network equipment can also sometimes speed up your internet if you experience download speeds that are noticeably slower than usual.
- Move to a less-populated location. Many public Wi-Fi hotspots, such as those in food courts and airports, place limits on the number of devices that can connect to it. If Windows 10 won't connect to one of these networks, try relocating to a quieter area with fewer people and try again.
- Forget your Wi-Fi network and then re-add it. Sometimes it can be worth removing the Wi-Fi connection that's causing trouble and then re-adding it. After removing the network, restart your computer and try connecting to the network again. You will need your username and password.
- Restart your computer. Restarting a device can often fix most tech issues, including those that prevent you from connecting to a Wi-Fi network.
- Run the netsh winsock reset catalog command in Command Prompt to reset Winsock.
- Run the network troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter scans your device for problems and offers potential solutions for any issues it detects.
- Check for Windows updates. These updates can fix problems in addition to downloading the latest versions of software and drivers needed to run everything efficiently. An internet connection is necessary to update the Windows OS. Since you're having trouble with the network, consider using a public Wi-Fi access point, or take your computer to work or a friend's house. If you decide to use public Wi-Fi, take the proper precautions before connecting.
- Temporarily disable the Windows firewall. A firewall is necessary to protect your Windows 10 device, but the technology has been known to cause conflicts when connecting to a network. After disabling the firewall, test your internet connection by opening a web browser and visiting a safe website, such as Lifewire.com. If nothing happens, you can experiment by disabling the firewalls within the Domain Network and Private Network settings, too. Just turn the firewall back on when you’re finished testing. If you use a third-party firewall, you should be able to turn it off from within that program's settings. Many third-party antivirus software bundles include firewall protection. It's worth disabling them one by one to see if any are affecting Windows 10 network functionality. It's incredibly important to keep your firewall enabled to protect your computer. Turning the firewall off should not be a permanent solution. If the firewall is interfering with your internet connectivity, there are probably some specific blocks in place that you need to disable.
- Roll back the network card driver. If Windows 10 stops connecting to the internet after a driver update, you can reverse the damage by returning to the previous driver. Restart your computer after doing this.
- Update your network card's driver. The current driver might be missing, corrupt, or incompatible with your computer. An update will fix these issues and hopefully restore access to the internet. You might wonder how to download a new driver when your computer is offline. Some driver updater tools have some neat ways around this.
- Check if you're on a metered connection. If your Windows 10 device has internet connectivity but can't download media or perform a Windows update, you might be on a metered connection. If you are on a metered connection, and you turn this capability off, you could end up going over your data plan, in which case you might get a surprise [and LARGE] bill. Only turn off the metered connection if monitoring data usage is not a concern on your device.
- Reset the network. A Windows 10 network reset will remove and reinstall all your network adapters and reset various related settings to their defaults.
Reset Windows 10. This is similar to a network reset, but it will restore the whole computer to its default state. Do this if you want to reinstall Windows 10 the easy way.
This is a big step that should only be tried last, after all the solutions listed above. You'll have the option to keep all your files or remove them.