How To Fix “Connected to Wi-Fi But no Internet Connection” in Windows 11

Lee Stanton March 10, 2023

Although the Windows 11 operating system has been designed to offer a flawless user experience, you can still have trouble with your Wi-Fi connection. The PC or laptop may identify and connect to your Wi-Fi network, but it won’t be able to load websites and use web-based apps. The good news is that you can restore your access by tweaking a few settings on your PC or laptop.

Keep reading to learn how to ensure that your Windows 11 computer can always access the internet.

The issue is typically caused by your internet hardware, in which case you’ll only need to restart your router or modem. Alternatively, the wireless settings on the PC won’t grant it web access. Modifying the settings will remove all obstacles and allow you to browse the web without difficulty.

Reboot the PC and Restart the Router or Modem

When the system is having trouble establishing a stable connection, it’s best to reboot the PC. The action removes temporary glitches, so it might restore the connection. But sometimes, the problem lies with the router or modem. If rebooting the PC doesn’t resolve the issue, restarting the router or modem should enable the PC to connect to the network successfully. To do this, find the Restart button at the back of the router or modem and press it. The lights on the device will flash, signaling you’ve restarted it.

Adjust the Network Settings

If the PC is using the wrong IP address, it will prevent you from accessing the internet. To change your IP address:

Navigate to the Start menu and right-click.
Tap Settings and choose Network and Internet.
Click on the Wi-Fi option and select the name of your Wi-Fi network.
Switch the Network Settings to Private and go to IP Settings.
Press Private and choose Manual.
Turn on IPv4 and open the Command Prompt window.
Paste ipconfig /all into the window and go to the DHCP Server.
The Command Prompt window will display your IP address. Copy this number.
Go back to the PC’s Wi-Fi Settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap IP Settings.
Press Edit and paste the IP address in the appropriate field.
Delete the last number of the IP address and insert any number between 5-30.
Find Subnet mask and paste the following: 255.255.255.0.
Click on Gateway Field and paste the IP address copied from the Command Prompt window.
Paste 8.8.8.8. in the Preferred DNS box.
Paste 8.8.8.4. in the Alternate DNS box.
Select Save.

The modified IP address should enable the PC to recognize the internet connection.

Run the Troubleshooter

Windows offers several built-in features that detect and repair problems within the system. One of these tools is the Network Troubleshooter, a program designed to maintain secure internet connections. To use the program:

Hover the cursor over the Start menu and right-click.
Press Settings and find System in the Left Navigation Pane.
Tap System and click on the Troubleshoot option.
Choose Other Troubleshooter.
Find Network Adapter and select Run.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Hit Close.
Restart the PC to implement the changes.

When you power on your PC again, it should connect to the network without difficulty.

Reinstall the Adapter

If the PC is connected to the internet but unable to access the web, you can reinstall the network adapter. To do so:

Go to the Start menu and right-click.
Select the Device Manager.
Click on the Network Adapters section to enlarge it.
Hover the cursor over the name of your network adapter and right-click.
Press the Uninstall device button.
Hit Uninstall to confirm your decision.
The PC will uninstall the driver.
When the process is complete, reboot the PC.
Windows will automatically reinstall the adapter.

Reset the Adapter

You can also solve internet access issues by tweaking your network adapter’s settings. Here’s how to reset your adapter:

Open the Start menu.
Type cmd in the search field.
When CMD appears in the search results, right-click on it to launch the Command Prompt.
Select Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, paste these commands:
netsh winsock reset ipconfig /release netsh int ip reset ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew.
Hit Enter.
The system will now reset the network adapter.
Restart the computer.

Switch Off Other Tools

Some network tools can prevent the operating system from working properly and accessing the internet. Switching off these tools will prevent them from disrupting the internet connection. The most common tools that cause internet access issues are Airplane Mode, the device’s Firewall, and the “metered connection.”

Here’s how to turn off Airplane Mode in Windows 11:

Press the Start button.
Tap Settings.
Choose the Network and Internet option.
Ensure Airplane Mode is switched off. If not, deselect it.

Once disabled, the “Airplane Mode” option will be greyed out.

Disabling the Windows Firewall also limits web access interference. To do so in Windows 11:

Select the Windows icon from the taskbar.
Open Settings.
Tap Privacy and Security.
Select Windows Security.
Press Firewall & network protection.
Click on Public Network.
Tap the Microsoft Defender Firewall slider to toggle it off.

Try browsing the web to check whether Windows Firewall blocked your internet access.

Note that this is a way to disable the Firewall temporarily. If you determine this tool has blocked your internet connection, you have the option of switching it off permanently. Here’s how to do it:

Tap the Windows icon.
Click on Settings.
Tap Privacy and Security.
Choose Windows Security and select Open Windows Security.
Press Firewall & network protection.
Tap Public network.
Navigate to the Microsoft Defender Firewall tab and press the toggle to disable it permanently.

“Metered connections” in Windows 11 limit data usage, which is useful when traveling. However, when you mark a connection as “metered,” your operating system pauses certain background operations, sometimes preventing you from accessing the web. To disable a “metered connection”:

Tap the Windows icon and select Settings.
Choose Network and Internet.
Press Wi-Fi and click on Manage known networks.
Tap the name of your network and hit Properties.
Ensure that the Set as metered connection slider is toggled off. If not, tap to disable it.

When you reset these network settings, the PC won’t have any trouble loading web pages.

Change Router Settings

The router setup might also get in the way of your internet access. Fortunately, you can disable “MAC Filtering” and continue surfing the web. To do so:

Open Router Settings.
Select Firewall.
Tap Advanced Settings.
Navigate to the MAC Filtering tab and see whether it’s turned off. If not, tap to disable it.

Your network will now deal with less traffic and quickly respond to your requests to visit any website.

Update the Operating System

A glitch within the operating system can also interrupt your connection. Updates usually contain repairs for common system problems and smooth out wireless network issues.

To install a Windows 11 upgrade:

Tap Start.
Choose Settings.
Select Windows Update.
Click on Check for updates.

If there are available updates, you can choose to install them immediately or at a later time.

Contact a Professional

If you’re still experiencing difficulty with your wireless connection, contact your internet provider. Sometimes changes in their system negatively impact multiple customers, disrupting the strength of their connection. Once you notify them of the problem, it shouldn’t take them long to get your internet up and running again.

Stay Connected Without Interruptions

Uninterrupted internet access has become indispensable, allowing us to connect to friends, family, and colleagues and improve our quality of life. While Windows 11 is a powerful operating system, it may still have trouble accessing the web, even if your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network. However, you can quickly fix the problem by restarting the router or modem or adjusting some of the PC’s wireless settings.

Have you had internet access issues in Windows 11? Which of the above methods did you use to repair the connection? Let us know in the comments section below.