Being connected to WiFi only means your device can talk to the router. "No internet" means the router can't reach your internet provider, or your device didn't get the settings it needs (an IP address and DNS). Restart the modem first, then the router, and check whether every device is affected or just one.
Common causes
The internet connection itself is down
If the modem lost its connection to your provider, every device in the office shows connected but offline. The modem's internet or online light is usually off, red, or blinking.
Router or modem needs a restart
Routers that have run for months can lock up while still broadcasting WiFi. A proper power cycle clears it.
DNS isn't working
If DNS fails, websites won't load by name even though the connection works. You'll often see "DNS server not responding" or "This site can't be reached".
The device didn't get a valid IP address
If a computer shows an address starting with 169.254, it never received an address from the router, so it can't route traffic anywhere.
Captive portal or guest network login
Guest or building WiFi may require you to accept terms in a browser before allowing internet access.
How to fix it, step by step
- 1
Check whether everyone is affected
If all devices are offline, the problem is the modem, router, or provider. If only one device is affected, focus on that device.
- 2
Power-cycle the modem, then the router
Unplug the modem and router, wait 30 seconds, plug in the modem first and wait until its online light is solid, then plug in the router and wait two minutes.
- 3
Look at the modem's lights
No online or internet light usually means an outage or a line problem. Check your provider's outage page or call them before changing anything else.
- 4
Forget and rejoin the WiFi network
On the affected device, forget the network and reconnect with the password. This clears saved settings that may be stale.
- 5
Renew the IP address and flush DNS
On Windows, open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /release, then ipconfig /renew, then ipconfig /flushdns.
- 6
Turn off VPN or proxy software
A VPN or security tool that failed to connect can block all traffic. Disable it temporarily to test.
When to call a technician
Call for help if the whole office is offline and the provider says there's no outage, if the problem keeps coming back, or if devices regularly end up with 169.254 addresses. Those point to router, DHCP, or network configuration problems that need to be fixed properly.
On-site support across Orange County · see our business networking and WiFi installation services.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my phone say connected but no internet?
Your phone reached the router, but the router can't reach the internet or didn't give your phone working settings. Restart the modem and router, and check whether other devices have the same problem.
Can a bad router cause no internet even with full WiFi bars?
Yes. A router can keep broadcasting WiFi while its internet side has stopped working. Signal strength only shows the connection to the router, not to the internet.
Is it my internet provider or my equipment?
Connect a computer directly to the modem with a cable. If it works, your router or WiFi is the problem. If it doesn't, the issue is the modem or your provider.