Why Won’t My Laptop Connect To The Internet

In this era of technology, Internet connection become the equivalent of gold. It is one of the major sources of connecting the world nowadays. But I don’t know why won’t my laptop connect to the Internet and suddenly stop working. There are many reasons why your Internet is not working properly or has stopped working. But don’t worry; many solutions are available to fix these internet connection problems.

In this guide, we will cover different potential fixes to eliminate this frustrating situation when your internet connection is not working.

Reasons For A Laptop Cannot Connect To The Internet

If you face an internet connection problem, you may need the check the issues. Here are some common reasons why laptops cannot connect to the Internet.

• Check that your router is plugged in and get the right power supply from the power source. You may need to restart your router if the power supply is proper.
• Connect your device to another internet connection. If your laptop connects with another WiFi connection, the problem is with your router.
• Check that the internet password your enter to your device is correct. It becomes more important if you recently changed your WiFi password.
• Ensure that the other website and browsers are working because sometimes they may not work properly due to the server’s down.
• Take your device closer to the router and check if the internet connection is restored. Sometimes it may happen due to the obstruction, and the signal strength weakens.
• Make sure that the Airplane mode of your device is off. If it is on, your internet connection will not work.

Fixes For Laptop Won’t Connect To The Internet

If your laptop does not connect to WiFi, you may need to do something. There are several solutions to the issues. There is only a need to diagnose the problem and then take steps. Here are some common fixes related to the internet connection you can consider to restore your connection.

Make Sure WiFi Is Turned On

It sounds simple, but one of the major reasons behind the no internet connection. Check your WiFi may not turn off accidentally. It is one of the first troubleshooting steps you may need to take. It is different for different devices, so read the below methods:

On a Mac: Open the menu from the top left corner, choose System Preferences, and then select Network. If the WiFi button is off, click it and connect your Internet with your Mac.

On a Windows PC running Windows 10: You can see an internet icon. Make sure that the box is blue because the blue box indicates that your internet connection is on. If not, you may need to click the icon and restore your internet connection. It is also important to make sure that the Airplane mode is not on.

On Windows 11:  Click the Battery, Network, or Sound icon. If these icons are not on, turn them on to connect to your Internet. For this:

• Go to WiFi settings and choose Manage WiFi connection.
• Choose your desired WiFi connection from the options and click on Connect.
• Type the password and click Next.

Restart Your Router

If you are wondering why won’t my laptop connect to the internet then it may be due to the router. When you restart your router, it may help to fix the connectivity problems. Rebooting your router may help to clear the cache and refresh the connection. Here is how you can do it:

• Plug out all the cables from your router. Unplugging the cables will clear out unnecessary stills in the lines and greatly affect your internet connection.
• Wait for a few seconds after unplugging the cables.
• Plug them back after at least 30 seconds.
• Once your router starts again, wait up to 2 to 3 minutes and then try to reconnect your internet connection.

Confirm Your Password

Usually, the modem’s default password is complicated and hard to remember. You can change this password according to your preferences. But remember that keep it strong enough to protect your connection and data.

If your laptop may not connect to the Internet, you may need to check the password again. Ensure that you enter the right password and then try to reconnect it.

Move Laptop Near Router

If you use your laptop far away from the internet source or there are restrictions between them, it may not catch the signals properly. It may result in signal fluctuation and poor internet connection.

However, you can resolve this issue by moving your laptop close to the router in the 10 to 15 feet range. Choose a workplace without obstructions, and then try reconnecting your laptop.

Connect To A Compatible Network

Mostly, the router has two frequency bands: about 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. 2.4 band provides better internet coverage, but 5 GHz gives you the best results if you want fast speed.

It is also possible one of these bands may not work properly. You can try others and see if the connection problem is there.

Troubleshooting Software

There is built-in troubleshooting software to help you resolve your internet issues. It is available on Mac and PC. Here is the process to start it:

On a Mac:

• Close all of the applications and reconnect them to your WiFi network.
• Tap on the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner.
• Open the search bar and type “wireless diagnostics.” 
• Now press return.
• Follow the on-screen instructions, and the program will automatically search your connection.

On a PC:

You can troubleshoot the problem with the following steps:

• Go to Start.
• Open Settings.
• Choose a Network and Internet.
• Click Status.
• The Network troubleshooter.

These steps will help the program to resolve the issue.

Reset Your Wireless Network

If you try different things, but the problem still exists, resetting your Network may work. It is important to ensure you have a network password to reconnect it after resetting.

On a Mac:

You can follow the below steps to resolve the issue on your Mac:

• Go to the menu.
• Search for “System Preferences.”
• Tap on Network.
• Choose WiFi from the menu.
• Click on the Minus button.
• Click Apply.
• Now click on the Plus button and select WiFi from the dropdown menu.
• After this, Choose to Create and click Apply.
• Finally, find your network name from the menu.

On a PC:

Here are the steps to restart the Network on your PC:

• Go to the Start button.
• Open Settings.
• Select from the menu Network and Internet.
• Tap on Status.
• Select the option Network reset.
• When you click reset, your PC will remove the network adapter and restart and reinstall them.
• Go to your network settings and reconnect your PC to the Internet.

If the problem is still there, then go to a professional so that they can provide their services to resolve the issue.

Disable Antivirus Temporarily

Although antivirus software improves functionality, works for threats, detects features, and provides network protection, it sometimes creates hinders connecting your laptop to WiFi.

To fix this issue, you must temporarily disable the antivirus software. You can also create an exception and bypass it.

Change Power Adapter Settings

Change the power adapter settings to troubleshoot the problem, and here is how you can do it:

• Double-click on the battery icon.
• Select “Change Settings for the plan” and choose “Balanced.”
• After this, select “Change Advanced Power Setting.”
• Now Expand the Wireless Adapter Settings and click “Power Saving Mode.”
• Set the “power saving mode” to increase the performance.
• Finally, confirm these changes by clicking on “OK.”

Update Adapter Drivers

If your laptop cannot connect to the Internet, it may happen due to outdated drivers. You may need to update these drivers and use their latest version. Follow the below steps:

• Go to the device manager of your device.
• Open “Network Adapters.”
• Choose “Update Driver.”
• follow the on-screen instructions, and once your laptop restarts, try to reconnect the Internet.

Repair Or Replace Hardware

If the above tips may not work, then check the potential hardware. These hardware issues are not prevalent, but sometimes older network adapters may not work properly or stop working due to overheating. If so, you should check your laptop and repair this hardware immediately.

For this, you can take your laptop to a professional so that they can replace the old hardware. Using a new device version is also good to make it more convenient.

Final Verdict: Why Laptop Won’t Connect To The Internet

It is frustrating if your laptop may not connect to your internet connection. There are many reasons behind this problem, but don’t worry. Every problem has a solution. Diagnosing and solving the problem is easy by taking some simple steps. I hope this guide may help you resolve your internet connection problem if your laptop cannot connect. Good luck restoring your internet connection!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my laptop not connecting to the Internet, but my phone is?

Your laptop may be far from the internet source, your router may be down, you enter an incorrect password, or your laptop may not support your internet connection. While your mobile receives signals properly, support your internet connection.

Why is my WiFi connected but no Internet?

The first and most important step is to restart your router and modem if you face any problems with your WiFi internet connection. Don’t avoid this step because sometimes the connection problem is resolved after restarting the modem, and tech support also asks you to do it first.

How do I reset my network adapter?

Choose Start and go to Settings and select Network and Internet settings. Go to the Advanced network settings and choose Network reset. Open Network and Internet Status Settings from here, select Reset Now, and confirm by clicking Yes.