Your Android smartphone or tablet is connected to a Wi-Fi network, but you cannot access the internet. You can’t visit websites, you can’t play music or send messages to your friends. About a minute later, the “Wi-Fi no internet access” error appeared in the notification center.
The problem usually stems from the network source i.e. your Wi-Fi router or Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, your device’s network settings or configuration may also block internet access. In this guide, we’ll show you 11 possible ways to regain Internet access on the affected Wi-Fi network.
Table of Contents
1. Login to the network
Not all free Wi-Fi networks are free to use. Some networks will ask you to sign in with your email, complete certain tasks (for example, view ads), or agree to the network’s terms of use before accessing the internet. These Wi-Fi networks are called “Fixed Gateways” or “Fixed Networks”.
When connected to this type of network, the Wi-Fi icon on the device’s Status Bar will be destroyed. Your device will also display a message prompting you to sign in. Tap the notification and follow the instructions on the results page to get on the internet. Complete the required task or contact your network administrator for login information.
If you do not receive the login message, please visit Setting > Internet > WIFI and tap the Wi-Fi network to sign in.
Alternatively, tap gear icon next to the Wi-Fi network and press Log in.
2. Check your Internet plan
Your Internet service provider (ISP) may cut off your network’s internet access if you’ve reached a specific usage threshold or run out of your data plan. Check the validity of your Internet plan (especially if it’s limited) and make sure you have enough data space.
You may lose Internet access if your ISP is experiencing service outages, possibly due to network congestion, server failures/downtime, or extreme weather conditions (high winds, rain, snow, etc.). Contact your internet company or carrier network to confirm if everything is working properly.
3. Check Router Settings
Many routers have the option to disable or restrict internet access. Go to the app or your router’s admin panel, look for options like “Cellular Data” or “Internet Access” and make sure they’re turned on.
Some smart routers automatically disable internet access after a period of inactivity on the network. This is a common power management feature on battery-powered mobile routers (also known as Mi-Fi routers.)
Again, go to your router settings and make sure the device is not configured to automatically turn off internet access.
4. Forget and rejoin the network
This is another effective troubleshooting technique worth trying. Go Setting > Internet > WIFI and long press the Wi-Fi connection without internet. Option Remove network on the pop-up menu.
Alternatively, tap gear icon next to the network name and tap Forget Icon.
Return to the Wi-Fi settings menu and rejoin the Wi-Fi network; Tap the network name and enter the password. Proceed to the next troubleshooting step if you still cannot access the internet after rejoining the network.
5. Check your date and time settings
You may also experience difficulty accessing the Internet if the date and time settings on your device are incorrect. On your Android device, go to Setting > System > Date and time and make sure you are using time zone and time zone provided by the network.
6. Check your router’s MAC address filter
Someone may have faked router MAC address filter and accidentally blocked your Android device. If this is the case, you may not be able to access the internet even if your device connects to the network successfully.
Go to your router’s settings menu and whitelist your device. Towards Guard or Access control or Wi-Fi (options may vary depending on your router model) and check MAC address filtering menu. If your phone or tablet is on the list of blocked devices, click Eliminate or Allow to restore internet access.
Pro tip: Go Setting > About phone > Wi-Fi MAC Address or Hardware Information to check the MAC address of your Android device.
7. Restart the router
Speeding up your router or modem can fix many connection problems. Unplug the router’s power and plug it back in after a minute or two. For battery powered portable hotspot devices, remove and reinsert the battery, then reconnect your phone to the network.
You should also pay attention to your router’s lights and status labels. They notify you about network connectivity issues or problems with the router. For example, a flashing or static red light may indicate that the network cable is not connected properly. It could also mean that your router’s firmware is outdated or corrupted, or there is a problem on your ISP’s side. Consult your router’s manual to find out what each status light means and its normal state.
8. Restart your phone or tablet
If devices other than yours can access the Internet on the Wi-Fi network, restart your phone and try again. If the problem persists, there is most likely a problem with your device’s network settings. Follow the steps in the next section to perform a network reset.
9. Reset network settings
Resetting your phone’s network settings will revert all connection options for Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth to factory defaults. Likewise, this will delete all previously joined networks. This means you’ll need to re-enter your network credentials for secure Wi-Fi networks.
Make sure you have the password for the Wi-Fi network available before performing the network reset. If you forgot your password, check out this guide to finding your Wi-Fi password on Android. Here’s how to reset your device’s network settings:
1. Go to Setting > System > Advanced > Reset options and press Reset Wi-Fi, Cellular and Bluetooth.
2. Press Reset settings and enter your password or phone model to authenticate the network reset.
3. Click Reset settings again and wait until you get the success message.
Reconnect your device to the Wi-Fi network and check if you now have Internet access.
10. Update Router
Your router may fail to transmit internet traffic or randomly drop and disconnect from the network if its firmware is out of date. Go to your router’s settings menu and update the firmware to the latest version. Updating the firmware can fix performance and connectivity issues.
11. Reset Router
Resetting your wireless router to its default settings can also resolve seemingly unresolvable connectivity issues. You can do a factory reset (using the physical reset button) or a soft reset (from the app or web-based admin console). Consult your router’s manual or read our detailed instructions on how to reset your wireless router.
Note: Resetting your router will revert your network credentials (username and password) and other settings (security type, DNS settings, firewall configuration, etc.) .
Regain Internet Access
These are the troubleshooting solutions to definitely try when your Android device is connected to Wi-Fi without internet access. We are pretty sure that at least one of these suggestions will help you regain internet access. Let us know which one worked the magic for you, or if you have any questions.
