Few computer messages are more annoying than 'no internet' when you can see the Wi-Fi is connected, the router lights look normal, or another device is working fine.
The trick is to avoid treating every no-internet message as the same fault. Sometimes the broadband is down. Sometimes the router is stuck. Sometimes one computer has bad DNS, a confused IP address or security software blocking the connection.
The two-minute split test
Run through the safe checks before you spend money, reset devices or start changing settings you may need later.
- Check one other device on the same Wi-Fi. If it works, the computer is the likely problem.
- Check whether the computer is on Wi-Fi, ethernet or a guest network.
- Restart the computer once before changing router settings.
- Unplug the router for 30 seconds, then give it three minutes to reconnect.
- If every device fails after the router restart, check your broadband provider's outage page.
If your problem is slightly different
Internet Connected But Not Working? Router, Provider Or Device?
How to separate router, broadband provider and device faults when the internet looks connected but nothing works.
Internet On Laptop Slow? Wi-Fi Problem Or Laptop Problem?
Slow internet on one laptop can be Wi-Fi, browser, malware, driver, router or laptop performance. Here is how to tell.
My Laptop Connected But No Internet: What That Usually Means
Laptop connected to Wi-Fi but no internet? Here is how to separate laptop, router and broadband faults.
Router Connected But No Internet Access? UK Checks Before You Call Your Provider
Practical Ayrshire-focused checks for BT, EE, Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone, Plusnet and Virgin Media routers that connect to Wi-Fi but still have no internet.
Laptop Says No Internet: Fixes Before You Reset The Router
Before resetting your router, check whether the laptop is the only device saying no internet.
Get this fixed
Wi-Fi connected, no internet
A practical guide for the classic connected-but-no-internet problem, with clear signs of when it needs an Ayrshire home visit.
Wi-Fi help
On-site Wi-Fi diagnosis and fixes across Ayrshire. Weak signal, dead spots, dropouts, router setup, mesh systems and connected-but-no-internet faults.
Laptop Wi-Fi problems
Help when one laptop will not join Wi-Fi, keeps dropping out, or says it is connected but still has no internet.
Official references worth checking
Ofcom: broadband speeds and minimum guarantees
Useful when the line itself is underperforming and you need to know what your provider should investigate.
Openreach: checks for fibre ONT boxes
Helpful for full-fibre homes with an Openreach ONT, especially when PON or LOS lights are involved.
BT: factory resetting a BT Hub
Confirms what a factory reset does and why it is different from a normal restart.
One computer failing usually means a device fault
When every other device can browse, the computer may be connected to the local network but unable to reach the internet properly. Common causes include DNS problems, expired IP settings, a damaged network profile, security software, VPN settings, or a driver fault.
This is the point where 'the Wi-Fi is broken' becomes too vague. The Wi-Fi may be fine. The computer's route through it is what needs repaired.
Every device failing points upstream
If phones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs all connect but cannot load anything, the fault is more likely to be router, broadband line, provider outage, ONT, microfilter or account provisioning.
A mesh system or Wi-Fi extender will not fix that. Extenders help signal. They do not create internet when the router itself has no working connection.
- One device fails: check the device first
- Every device fails: check router and provider
- Only one room fails: check Wi-Fi coverage
Why this often needs an on-site diagnosis
No-internet faults can sit between device, router and provider. Seeing the setup in person makes the diagnosis much faster: router lights, cable path, Wi-Fi strength, device behaviour and provider equipment all tell part of the story.
If the provider says the line is fine but your house still cannot work normally, I can gather the evidence and separate what is yours from what is theirs.
Do not buy extenders for a no-internet problem
If the router or provider connection is the fault, an extender or mesh kit will only repeat a broken connection. Diagnose the internet fault before spending money on coverage.
Quick questions
Why does my computer say no internet when Wi-Fi is connected?
Wi-Fi connection only means the computer joined the router. It does not guarantee the computer can reach the internet correctly.
Is this a broadband provider problem?
If every device is affected, possibly. If only one computer is affected, the computer settings or adapter are more likely.
Can you prove whether the provider is at fault?
I can test the setup and give you clearer evidence. If the fault sits with the provider, you will know what to report.
Maintained by
Graeme Tudhope, Ayrshire Tech Help
Graeme has been repairing computers, fixing Wi-Fi and helping Ayrshire homes and small businesses since 2008. Every article is based on real problems seen during local home visits, bench repairs and remote support sessions, with advice written to protect files, money and time before anyone books paid help.