Wi-Fi connected but no internet on Windows
Diagnose a wireless link that reaches the router but cannot reach online services.
- Updated
- September 3, 2026
- Reading time
- 7 min read
- Windows support
- Windows 11 · Windows 10
Quick diagnosis
Diagnose a wireless link that reaches the router but cannot reach online services. The key distinction is whether “Connected appears but sites fail” occurs by itself or together with “other devices may still work.” That difference helps separate router or isp outage from invalid ip or dns settings.
Symptoms
- Connected appears but sites fail
- Other devices may still work
Likely causes
- Router or ISP outage
- Invalid IP or DNS settings
- VPN or proxy interception
Quick reversible checks
- Test two unrelated sites and another device
- Toggle Wi-Fi, then restart
Establish the scope
Confirm when connected appears but sites fail and whether other devices may still work. Note the exact time and the last relevant change, then compare the closest known-good device, account, connection, or application using the same task.
Apply the safer fix first
Forget the saved network and reconnect. Use ipconfig /all: a missing gateway or 169.254 address points to address assignment, not DNS.
- Record the current state related to test two unrelated sites and another device.
- Apply the narrow change, then check whether connected appears but sites fail.
- Continue only if the result still points toward invalid ip or dns settings.
Investigate the cause
Ping the gateway, a public IP, then a hostname. If only the hostname fails, flush the DNS cache and retest.
Protect the recovery path
Before work that could affect network & internet, protect relevant files and sign-in or recovery credentials. Keep the original error wording and the results involving router or isp outage, invalid ip or dns settings, vpn or proxy interception for support.
Verification
- Repeat the affected task under the same conditions used to confirm connected appears but sites fail. Confirm the symptom is gone, not merely that a Windows status label changed.
- Repeat the relevant connection, startup, sign-in, sleep, application, or device transition and specifically check whether other devices may still work.
When to stop
Do not continue with broader resets when all devices fail, the router has no WAN signal, or the adapter disappears. Preserve the observations already collected and use the device maker, network administrator, Microsoft support, a qualified repair technician, or data-recovery help according to the evidence.
Review the safe troubleshooting workflow before any broader recovery step.