The internet is quite fascinating while you are connected to it. Once the connection goes off, your world might stumble a little. There are various connection problems, while two of them are quite common. One of them is “no internet connection“; the other is “connected but no internet access.”
If you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, it says, “Wi-Fi connected but no Internet.” It means that your device is connected to the router/modem but cannot access the internet. It isn’t straightforward to understand the cause of the problem. But you need not worry, and we’ve got ten easy steps to fix the “connected but no internet issue.”
Why do you Face the No Internet Access Issue on Windows?
Before proceeding to the methods to fix the issue, you need to know why this issue occurs in the first place. There are various reasons for this issue to happen. We’ll start with some basics of the internet connection to put it in simpler terms.
The wireless devices you use at your home are connected to a wireless router or Wi-Fi router. The router itself is connected to a modem that transfers internet data to and fro. When you see “Connected, no internet access,” or “Connected, but no internet access;” it represents that your device is connected to the router but cannot access the internet.
On the contrary, if you see “No internet connection,” “Not connected,” etc., messages, it means that you are not connected to the router and thus can’t have internet accessed. This information will give you a rough idea of the steps that we’re going to perform further.
How to Fix No Internet Connection on Windows 10 (2021)
There are various methods to fix the “no internet access” error on Windows 10. We’ll go through the steps you need to take to fix the error in detail. The “No Internet Access” is an error common with the Wi-Fi routers, ISP, or your internet settings most of the time. Here are some methods to fix the “connected, but no internet” error on Windows 10.
1. Confirm Internet Connection on Other Devices
If you have multiple devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network such as a smartphone. Pick up your phone, and try to access the internet. You can also try to open YouTube or any website in that case.
Most Android smartphones would show a “No internet access” notification or Wi-Fi symbol with an exclamation mark on the status bar. if you don’t have access to the internet. On iPhone or iPad, you might have to go to Settings > WiFi, and see if there’s a No Internet connection message once you’re connected to the WiFi.
If other devices connect, but your PC doesn’t then the fault lies on your PC most likely. Before proceeding with the further steps, it is best to check your PC for possible errors. Try reconnecting the ethernet cable that goes into your PC and modem.
Alternatively, you can also try connecting the ethernet cable that goes into your modem, directly to your PC/Laptop. If that works, the problem lies within the router itself. It’s better to proceed with the further steps for troubleshooting. If you don’t get internet access, try replacing the ethernet cable with another one to see if it is the problem.
2. Rebooting Your PC
This is just a step that might be taken when your problem lies with only one device. If the problem is with multiple devices, then you can skip this step.
Sometimes, rebooting your PC can work like charm if you’re lucky enough. It must be the first step you need to take when you face any problem with any of your devices. Restarting may clear out temporary errors in the network connection or your device.
3. Rebooting the Modem or Router
It is very likely that the problem lies within the modem or router in many cases. So restarting might solve your issue with the modem or router. Even if the router’s interface offers you to reboot through it, but you might not need that.
You can simply pull out the plug from the modem or router, or both. If you have both of them, make sure to plug in the modem first, and wait for it to boot first. Afterward, plug in the router and make sure that both of them are working perfectly. The lights/indicators must flash and in a regular pattern. If you see them not flashing or irregularities in flashing, then the problem lies within the router/modem.
In the end, if everything is working and your PC says “No Internet,” then it’s more of a complex issue. You may have to proceed with further steps if this step failed.
4. Try Using the Windows Network Troubleshooter
If the problem lies in your PC, then you should try the in-built Network Troubleshooter on Windows 10. It usually doesn’t fix anything, but if you are lucky, it can work like a charm.
To access the Network Troubleshooter on Windows 10, head over to Settings > Network & Internet > Status, and click on Network Troubleshooter. Follow the steps, which might lead you to a possible solution to the problem.
To access the Network Troubleshooter on Windows 7, go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center, and click on the Troubleshoot Problems option.
5. Try Command Prompt Network Commands
If the issue still lies on your device and not other devices, then you can try using some commands using the command prompt to reset some internet settings. To launch Command Prompt on Windows, open Start, and search for Command Prompt, and then click on Run as Administrator.
Once Command Prompt is opened, start typing the following commands. To reset Windows cache files for the internet use these two commands to perform the same.
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
If that doesn’t work for you, then you might try using a fresh IP address and flush the previous one. These two commands will do just the same for you.
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
At last, if that too doesn’t work, you might try to completely reset the PC’s DNS settings. Use this command to do the same.
ipconfig /flushdns
After all this, you might have to reboot your PC again. This method might fix your problem at most. If not, the other steps might help you.
6. Check for Possible ISP Outage
The problem is not always from your side. Sometimes, it could be an issue from the ISP’s side as well. It might be a rare thing, but you shouldn’t deny the possibility of it.
If you don’t have an internet connection on any of your devices, you shall use your data connection to check the issue.
If you get access to the internet, then search on Twitter with your ISP’s name and head over to the “Latest” tab to check for the most recent tweets. The tweets might reveal if there’s been an outage or not. Alternatively, if the ISP has a Twitter account, check their profile if they’ve any update on the issue.
You can also check services like DownDetector for possible reports on the outage of the network you are currently using like Verizon, Comcast, others. You can also call the network’s customer care if you have their phone number lying around you; they may confirm the status for you.
7. Use Network Reset on Windows
As most of the users use Windows 10 rather than Windows 7, you might find the option to perform a network reset on Windows 10. It might possibly fix your problem of the “connected, but no internet access” issue.
To perform a Network Reset on Windows 10, head over to the Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network Reset. Then click on Reset to confirm it.
It’ll remove all the network settings located on your PC including network adapter settings, IP settings, VPN settings, and many others. Since this clears out everything, you might find a fix to your problem of “no internet access.”
8. Reset your Wireless Router or Modem
If trying all the above steps and still didn’t get the issue fixed, then it’s time for the last resort — RESET. In case, the ISP is working well, and you still don’t have internet, then go with this method. Only use this method if you have a problem with multiple devices.
Remember that a reset might clear all the configurations from your modem/router, and you might have to re-configure it. Only proceed, if you have knowledge about configuring your wireless router/modem.
To reset your router/modem, check the instruction manual provided with your router/modem, and follow the instructions to reset them. You can also try searching your “model name” accompanied with the word “reset” to find possible tutorials (only if you can access the internet via cellular data).
Fixing “No Internet Connection” and “No Internet Access” is Simple
We hope that you were able to solve the issue without the need for a factory reset. It’s very likely the earlier steps were able to solve your problem of “no internet access” on Windows 10. Although, it is also possible that the network issues weren’t fixed after all.
In such cases, it is better to contact someone with good technical knowledge to find out the actual problem. Also, if the company provides the service for looking after this issue, go ahead and call them.
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