The error of “WiFi connected but no internet access” is an age-old frustrating problem. Many internet users have reported this problem time and again. The root of the problem may lie in the settings of your operating system or maybe your WiFi router. Therefore, some solutions to this problem have been discussed extensively in this article.
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Where does the problem lie?
The internet may not be working due to some problem in the device or the router. If you are not able to connect to the internet in all the devices connected to the WiFi, then the router is faulty. There may be some issues with the ADSL cable, whether it is disfigured or twisted. However, if the connection problem is occurring only on a single device, then the WiFi adapter of the device may have some complications. This causes the device not to be able to communicate with the router properly.
Restarting the device
This is the ideal solution for every gadget-related problem. By rebooting the device, you effectively let the device reload its configuration files and refresh its IP tables. Also, turn off both the router and modem. After a minute or so, turn them back on. Try to connect again after restarting all the devices in question to see if it is working now.
Modem lights
Sometimes, the internet connection may not be reliable, and the devices would be perfectly fine. To verify this, look at the WAN light, which is present on the router. If the light is in a constant state, i.e., entirely on or entirely off, then the connection has a problem. The lights should be in a blinking state. There are scenarios in which the DSL lights should be green or on with the WiFi indicator lights blinking. There may be connection issues from the ISP’s side. Contact him and check with him.
The ISP is facing problems
There are various apps like Downdetector to check if your ISP is fine. They may be suffering from outages, or the servers might not be running smoothly. If the issue is with the ISP, then it is possible that other users may also be suffering from the same.
Antivirus may interfere
Some software, like antivirus software, can interfere with your internet connection. There are various security apps, including antivirus and malware remover, disable them for some time to see if it affects the internet speed. While we are talking about antivirus, it is recommended to perform a full security scan to detect any infection or virus, which is compromising your WiFi connection.
Troubleshoot for problems
If the problem is not from the ISP’s end and the connection is alright on another device, then identify the cause with the help of troubleshooting. There might be some issues with the WiFi adapter. Windows has a built-in troubleshooter to address problems like these. Open the network settings from the bottom right of your Windows taskbar. Open the troubleshooter, and it will search for possible issues and rectify them. Even if Windows is not able to find a solution to the problem, it can at least tell you where the problem lies. Consequently, you can search for the problem on online forums if anyone else has posted the solution.
Flush DNS
Conflict in the DNS cache can also be the cause of the error. Flushing the DNS usually solves the conflict. Open the Windows start menu and search ‘cmd’ to open the command prompt. Ensure that you run it as an administrator. Then type ipconfig/flushdns in the command box and press enter to perform the task. This might resolve the issue, and you can now browse the internet.
Automatic way to obtain IP and DNS
There is a method to check if there is a DNS or IP address conflict. Check whether your device can connect to a different WiFi network. Ping your router from the command line to check the IP address conflict. If there is a timeout response or if it shows the destination host unreachable, then it is confirmed. To fix this, open the command prompt as an administrator. Then type the command ping 192.168.1.1. Set the network settings to obtain the IP address and DNS settings from the router device. This is done to cause as minimum conflicts as possible. You can also make things right by assigning a static IP address to the device.
You will have to change the network adapter settings on Windows in order to obtain an IP address automatically. To do the same, click on the start menu and navigate to the network and sharing center. In the window, there will be an option to change adapter settings. You can view your network connections now. From the networks, right-click on your WiFi network and select properties. A window will pop up. In the window, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then open its properties. After that, select the checkbox which says, “Obtain an IP Address automatically.” Also, choose the option “Obtain DNS server automatically.” Then click OK and save the changes made. Your internet connection should have improved by following these steps. If the problem persists, try restarting your PC.
Solve network driver problems
A corrupt network driver can also cause your internet connection to deteriorate. Press the Windows and R key simultaneously and run ‘devmgmt.msc,’ which will open the device manager. The list will have all the network adaptors of your PC. From that list, find your wireless adaptor and right-click on it. From the drop-down menu, click on the ‘Update drivers’ option. Two methods of updating the driver will be shown to you, i.e., manual and automatic. The automatic method requires the internet, so use an ethernet cable to connect to the same. Then click on the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option from the two options provided. This way, Windows will download the most suitable driver for you, which is available. If you are unable to connect to the internet, download the driver on any other device which has internet access and move it to your device.
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