Wi-Fi not working? Simple fixes to try first

When the Wi-Fi goes down, everything stops: the TV, video calls, the doorbell camera, sometimes even the phone. The good news is that most Wi-Fi problems at home can be fixed in a few minutes without a technician.

Work through these steps in order.

Step 1: Is it one device or everything?

Check a second device, like a phone and a TV.

• Nothing works: the problem is probably the internet service or the router. Go to Step 2.
• Only one device is having trouble: the problem is probably that device. Skip to Step 5.

Step 2: Check for an outage

Sometimes the problem is in the neighborhood, not your home. Use your phone’s cellular data (turn Wi-Fi off) to check:

• Your provider’s app: Verizon Fios, Xfinity, Cox, Astound and others have apps that show outages for your address.
• Your provider’s website: look for "outage" or "service status" after signing in.
• Call the number on your bill: the recorded message often says if there’s a known outage.

If there’s an outage, there’s nothing to fix at home. Wait it out.

Step 3: Restart the modem and router properly

This fixes more problems than anything else. Do it the right way:

1. Find your equipment. You may have one box (a combined modem and router, often from the provider) or two (a modem and a separate router).
2. Unplug the power cord from each box. Don’t just press buttons, and don’t press the small Reset hole, since that can erase all your settings.
3. Wait a full 30 seconds, or a minute to be safe.
4. Plug the modem back in first. Wait until its lights settle, usually 2 to 5 minutes.
5. Plug the router back in. Wait another 2 minutes.
6. Try the internet again.

Some provider apps have a "Restart" button that does this for you.

What the lights mean

Every brand is different, but generally:

• Solid white, blue or green: working
• Blinking: starting up, wait a few minutes
• Red or orange: a problem. Restart once more, then call your provider.

Step 4: Check the cables

• Make sure the cable from the wall (coax, phone or fiber) is tight at both ends.
• If you have two boxes, check the network cable between them.
• Look for cables chewed by pets or pinched behind furniture.

Step 5: Fix a single device

iPhone or iPad

1. Swipe down for Control Center and make sure Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode are set correctly.
2. Open Settings > Wi-Fi and check you’re connected to your own network.
3. Restart the iPhone.
4. If it still won’t connect, tap the (i) next to your network, tap Forget This Network, then select it again and type the password.

Android

1. Pull down from the top of the screen and turn Wi-Fi off and on.
2. Open Settings, then Network & internet (or Connections on Samsung), then Wi-Fi.
3. Tap your network, then Forget, and reconnect with the password.
4. Restart the phone.

Laptop

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon and make sure Wi-Fi is on and Airplane mode is off.
2. Disconnect from the network and reconnect.
3. Restart the computer. On Windows, Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset is a last resort.

Smart TV

Unplug the TV for a full minute, then turn it on and check the network settings. See smart TV and streaming basics.

"Connected, no internet"

This message means the device reached the router, but the router isn’t getting internet. It’s almost always an outage or a modem problem. Go back to Steps 2 and 3.

If the Wi-Fi is slow or drops in some rooms

Wi-Fi signals get weaker through walls, floors and distance. Common fixes:

• Move the router out of a cabinet, closet or basement corner. Higher and more central is better.
• Keep it away from microwaves, cordless phone bases and fish tanks.
• Restart it every so often.
• Ask about old equipment. If the router is many years old, your provider may replace it, sometimes free if it’s their equipment.
• Consider mesh Wi-Fi. A mesh system uses two or three small units around the house to spread the signal. It’s often the fix for a big house, a split level, or a bedroom far from the router.

Find and save your Wi-Fi password

Your network name and password are usually printed on a sticker on the router. Write them on a card and keep it somewhere safe in the house, so visitors, caregivers and the TV setup don’t require crawling behind furniture. On an iPhone, you can see a saved password under Settings > Wi-Fi, then tap the (i) next to your network and tap Password.

Watch out for fake support

If you search for your internet provider’s phone number, be careful with ads and look-alike sites. Use the number on your bill or in the official app. A real provider won’t ask you to buy gift cards or install remote-access software after a cold call. See tech support scams.

When to get help

If restarts don’t help, the Wi-Fi drops in the bedroom, or you’re not sure whether you need new equipment, we can come look at your setup, place the router properly, set up mesh Wi-Fi if needed, and reconnect the TV, phone and printer. We help across DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Book a free 15-minute call.