My computer won t connect to the internet but others will

• There are several reasons why your PC might not be able to connect to Wi-Fi.
• You should first make sure that your PC's Wi-Fi adapter hasn't been turned off, or needs to be reset.
• The issue might also be with the Wi-Fi, not your PC — make sure that it works on other devices.

Wi-Fi has been such an essential technology for so long that we often take it for granted, like the electricity that powers our computers. But Wi-Fi problems on your PC can bring the entire day to a screeching halt. 

Why your PC won't connect to Wi-Fi

There are a number of reasons your Windows PC might fail to connect to Wi-Fi. Here are some of the most common issues and how to solve them.

Your PC is in Airplane Mode

Make sure that your computer isn't in Airplane Mode, which disables Wi-Fi and other connections. 

If you're in Airplane Mode, you'll probably see an airplane-shaped icon in the system tray — click it and then choose Airplane Mode from the pop-up menu to disable it. You can also type "Airplane Mode" in the Start menu search box to check its status. 

Your PC's Wi-Fi is switched off

Your PC might also have a master on/off switch for Wi-Fi, and it's all-too-easy to activate it by accident. Check the sides of your laptop for a slider in the wrong position. It might also be connected to one of the numbered F keys at the top of your keyboard.

You can usually also turn Wi-Fi on and off using a setting in the system tray. 

Your Wi-Fi adapter needs to be reset

Sometimes mundane technical problems crop up that keep your Wi-Fi from working properly, and the easiest way to fix it is to turn it off and then back on again. 

You can "cycle" the Wi-Fi adapter by putting it in Airplane Mode for a few moments — click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray and click "Airplane Mode." Or just reboot your computer entirely by clicking Start, then "Power," and "Restart."

You're not in range of a Wi-Fi network

Don't discount the possibility that the problem isn't with your computer, but with the Wi-Fi network. It's possible the signal is too weak to connect. If you're using a laptop, move around to see if that helps. Wi-Fi can have trouble going through walls, and so any home or office could have dead zones.

First, can other devices (like your phone or tablet) connect to the Wi-Fi network? If not, then the router might be having its own issues. 

Reboot it by unplugging it for two minutes, then plug it back in and let it restart. If you have a separate internet router, unplug it too, wait a minute, and plug it back in before restarting the Wi-Fi router. 

If you still can't connect, the issue might be with your internet service provider, so contact the ISP to see if there's a service outage. 

There's a problem with a network setting

If you think "there's a problem with a network setting" sounds vague, you're right. There are a number of possible issues that rarely affect most Windows users — but when they arise, they're especially hard to troubleshoot. Windows includes its own troubleshooter for just this kind of situation. 

Click the Start button and type "troubleshoot." Choose "Troubleshoot settings" from the list of results and then, on the Troubleshoot screen, click "Internet connections." Click "Run the troubleshooter" and follow its directions. The troubleshooter may be able to get your Wi-Fi up and running again. 

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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