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Internet Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It (2026)

Published: April 17, 2026 15 min read IT Cares
Internet Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It (2026)
Quick Answer

When your internet is not working, start here: (1) Unplug your router and modem for 30 seconds and plug them back in. (2) Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter or Mac Network Diagnostics. (3) Flush DNS in Command Prompt: ipconfig /flushdns. (4) Reset TCP/IP: netsh int ip reset. If your internet still keeps disconnecting after all of that, read through all 14 fixes below — one of them will solve your specific problem.

Your internet is not working — the page won't load, the Wi-Fi icon shows no connection, or it says "connected" but nothing actually opens. This is one of the most frustrating problems in modern computing, and it affects millions of Canadians every day. The good news: the vast majority of internet connection failures are software or configuration issues that you can fix yourself in under 30 minutes, without calling a technician.

This guide covers every reliable method to fix internet not working on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac in 2026. We'll start with the quickest fixes and move to more advanced solutions, so work through them in order. If your wifi not working or you have a no internet connection error on any device, one of these 14 fixes will get you back online.

73%
Of internet issues fixed by restarting the router
14
Proven fixes covered in this guide
<30 min
Time to resolve most no internet connection errors

All 14 Internet Not Working Fixes at a Glance

# Fix Works On Difficulty
1 Restart router & modem All devices Easy
2 Windows Network Troubleshooter Windows Easy
3 Flush DNS cache Win & Mac Easy
4 Reset TCP/IP stack Windows Medium
5 Reset / disable-enable network adapter Windows Easy
6 Update or reinstall network drivers Windows Medium
7 Check Windows Firewall / antivirus Windows Medium
8 Check for ISP outage All devices Easy
9 Change DNS to Google or Cloudflare Win & Mac Easy
10 Forget & reconnect to Wi-Fi network Win & Mac Easy
11 Mac-specific fixes (DHCP renew, diagnostics) Mac Easy
12 Reset network settings (Windows) Windows Medium
13 Check physical hardware & cables All devices Easy
14 Mobile hotspot workaround All devices Easy

Fix 1: Restart Your Router and Modem (Do This First)

When your internet is not working, the single most effective first step is a full power cycle of your router and modem. This resolves the majority of no internet connection errors because routers accumulate memory leaks over time, their DHCP tables fill up, and their firmware occasionally enters a stuck state. A restart clears all of that completely. According to support data from major ISPs, over 70% of internet outage calls are resolved by this one step alone.

Important: Simply unplugging and replugging the router is not enough — you must wait the full 30 seconds for the capacitors to discharge. Skipping the wait means the router may not fully reset its memory.
1

Unplug the modem first

Pull the power cable from your modem (the device connected directly to the cable or phone line from the wall). If your ISP gave you a single combo modem/router unit, unplug that device.

2

Unplug the router

Pull the power cable from your router (the device with antennas that broadcasts Wi-Fi). If you have a separate modem and router, both need to be unplugged.

3

Wait 30 full seconds

Count to 30 slowly. This allows the devices to fully discharge their capacitors and clear all internal memory states. Do not skip this step.

4

Plug in the modem first, wait 60 seconds

Plug the modem's power cable back in. Wait a full 60 seconds for the modem to establish a connection with your ISP. The status lights should stabilize before you proceed.

5

Plug in the router, wait 2 minutes

Now plug the router back in. Wait 2 minutes for it to fully boot and broadcast the Wi-Fi signal. Then test your internet connection on your device.

After the router restarts, reconnect your device to the Wi-Fi network and try loading a website. If the internet is not working on every device in your home (phone, tablet, laptop), the problem is almost certainly with the router or your ISP — not your computer. If the internet works on other devices but not your PC, move to the Windows-specific fixes below.

Fix 2: Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a built-in automated tool specifically designed to fix internet not working issues. It detects and repairs common problems including misconfigured DNS, disabled adapters, and corrupted network settings. It takes about 2 minutes to run and requires no technical knowledge.

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Windows 10 — Network Troubleshooter

Windows 10
  • Right-click the network icon in the system tray (bottom-right taskbar) — it may look like a Wi-Fi signal or a computer monitor with a red X
  • Select Troubleshoot problems
  • Windows will scan for issues. Follow any on-screen instructions
  • Alternatively: Go to Settings › Update & Security › Troubleshoot › Additional troubleshooters › Internet Connections and click Run the troubleshooter
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Windows 11 — Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11
  • Right-click the network icon in the taskbar
  • Select Troubleshoot problems
  • Alternatively: Open Settings › System › Troubleshoot › Other troubleshooters › Internet Connections and click Run
  • The troubleshooter will check your adapter, DNS, and gateway — and attempt automatic repairs

The Network Troubleshooter resolves problems like "Windows can't communicate with the device or resource (primary DNS server)" and "Default gateway is not available" automatically. If it reports that it found and fixed a problem, restart your computer and test the connection again. If it says "Troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem," continue with Fix 3.

Fix 3: Flush the DNS Cache (Windows & Mac)

The DNS cache is a local record on your computer that maps website names (like google.com) to their IP addresses. When this cache becomes corrupted or contains outdated entries, websites stop loading even though your internet connection is technically active. This is a very common reason why your internet is not working on specific sites while other things may seem fine. Flushing the DNS cache takes 10 seconds and is completely safe.

Flush DNS on Windows 10 / Windows 11

1

Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt in the results, and select Run as administrator. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.

2

Run the flush command

Type the command below and press Enter. You should see the message "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache."

ipconfig /flushdns
3

Also run these additional reset commands

These release and renew your IP address, which can also resolve no internet connection errors on Windows:

ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /registerdns

Flush DNS on Mac

On macOS, the DNS flush command varies slightly by version. Open Terminal (Finder › Applications › Utilities › Terminal) and run the appropriate command for your macOS version. See the official guidance at support.apple.com.

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Enter your Mac password when prompted (it will not display as you type). The command runs silently — no confirmation message appears, but the cache is cleared. This single command works on macOS Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia, and most recent versions.

Fix 4: Reset the TCP/IP Stack (Windows)

The TCP/IP stack is the foundational network protocol that allows your computer to communicate over the internet. When it becomes corrupted — which can happen after malware infections, failed Windows updates, or software conflicts — you get persistent internet not working errors that DNS flushing alone cannot fix. Resetting it restores all network settings to their factory defaults.

Note: The TCP/IP reset commands below require an elevated Command Prompt (run as administrator). After running them, you must restart your computer for the changes to take effect. This process is safe and reversible.

Open Command Prompt as administrator (see Fix 3 for instructions) and run each command below one at a time, pressing Enter after each one:

netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
netsh int tcp reset

After all three commands complete, restart your computer. The Winsock reset in particular resolves issues where the internet keeps disconnecting repeatedly or where browsers time out while other network applications work. This is one of the most powerful fixes for Windows internet connectivity issues, recommended by Microsoft's own support documentation.

Tip: You can run all the Fix 3 and Fix 4 commands in one session for maximum effect: flush DNS, release/renew IP, then reset TCP/IP and Winsock. Then restart once. This combination resolves the vast majority of software-caused internet not working problems on Windows.

Fix 5: Reset the Network Adapter

Sometimes your wifi not working issue is caused by the network adapter entering a bad state — the driver is loaded but the adapter itself is stuck. A simple disable/enable cycle in Device Manager forces the adapter to reinitialize completely. This is faster than a full system restart and often resolves intermittent internet keeps disconnecting problems.

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Reset Network Adapter via Device Manager

Windows 10 & 11
  • Press Win + X and select Device Manager
  • Expand Network Adapters by clicking the arrow next to it
  • Find your Wi-Fi adapter (e.g., "Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201") or Ethernet adapter (e.g., "Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller")
  • Right-click it and select Disable device — click Yes to confirm
  • Wait 10 seconds
  • Right-click the same adapter and select Enable device
  • Wait 30 seconds for the adapter to reconnect, then test your internet

You can also reset all network adapters simultaneously in Windows 10/11 by going to Settings › Network & Internet › Status › Network reset. This performs a complete reset of all network components. Note that it will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings, so you will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password afterward.

Fix 6: Update or Reinstall Network Drivers

Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible network adapter drivers are a leading cause of internet not working on Windows computers, especially after major Windows updates. When a Windows update changes the OS version, it can break compatibility with older driver versions, causing the adapter to appear active but unable to connect. See our full guide on how to update drivers on Windows for detailed instructions.

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Update Network Driver via Device Manager

Windows 10 & 11
  • Open Device Manager (Win + X › Device Manager)
  • Expand Network Adapters
  • Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter and select Update driver
  • Select Search automatically for drivers — Windows will check Windows Update for a newer driver
  • If Windows says the driver is up to date but the internet is still not working, try the manual method below

Manually Download and Install Network Drivers

For the most reliable driver update, identify your network adapter manufacturer and download the driver directly from their website on another device (using your phone's mobile data if needed):

Download the .exe installer, transfer it to the affected computer via USB drive, and run the installer. Restart afterward. A fresh driver install resolves fix internet windows 10 issues caused by driver corruption in the vast majority of cases.

Rollback a Driver That Broke the Internet

If your internet stopped working immediately after a Windows Update or driver update, you can roll back to the previous version. In Device Manager, right-click your network adapter, select Properties, click the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver if the button is available. This restores the driver version that was working before the update.

Fix 7: Check Windows Firewall and Antivirus Software

Windows Firewall and third-party antivirus programs (Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, Avast, ESET) can block internet access entirely — especially after updates to the security software change their blocking rules. This is a common but often overlooked reason why your internet is not working despite the adapter and router appearing functional.

!

Temporarily Disable Antivirus / Firewall to Test

Diagnostic Step

To determine if your security software is the cause, temporarily disable it and test your connection:

  • Right-click the antivirus icon in the system tray and look for Disable, Pause protection, or Turn off
  • For Windows Firewall: go to Control Panel › Windows Defender Firewall › Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off and temporarily turn it off for Private networks
  • Test your internet — if it works now, the security software was the cause
  • Re-enable your antivirus immediately after testing
  • If the antivirus was blocking, open its settings and check the network/firewall rules. Look for rules blocking all traffic or blocking your browser
Security warning: Only disable your firewall or antivirus temporarily for testing purposes. Re-enable it as soon as you have confirmed whether it was causing the problem. Never leave your PC unprotected while browsing.

If Windows Firewall itself has been corrupted, you can reset it to default settings. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

netsh advfirewall reset

This resets all firewall rules to their defaults without uninstalling the firewall. Restart afterward and test your internet connection.

Fix 8: Check for an ISP Outage

Before spending an hour troubleshooting your computer, verify that the problem is not on your Internet Service Provider's end. ISP outages affect entire neighbourhoods or regions and are completely outside your control — no amount of driver updates or DNS flushing will restore a connection when your ISP's infrastructure is down.

i

How to Check for an ISP Outage

Check First
  • Use your smartphone on mobile data (turn off your phone's Wi-Fi and use cellular data) to visit Downdetector.ca and search your ISP name (Bell, Rogers, Videotron, Telus, Cogeco, etc.)
  • Check your ISP's official Twitter/X or Facebook page — they typically post service disruption announcements
  • Check whether the lights on your modem look unusual — most modems have an "Internet" or "WAN" light that should be solid green; a flashing or red light indicates the modem cannot reach the ISP
  • Call your ISP's automated status line — most ISPs have a pre-recorded outage alert system
  • Ask a neighbour with the same provider if their internet is also down

If there is a confirmed ISP outage, the only fix is to wait for the ISP to restore service. Use your smartphone hotspot as a temporary workaround (see Fix 14). If there is no outage, the problem is local to your router or computer — continue with the fixes below.

Fix 9: Change Your DNS Server to Google or Cloudflare

Your ISP's DNS servers are what translate web addresses (like itcares.ca) into the IP addresses your computer uses to connect. When your ISP's DNS servers are slow, overloaded, or experiencing issues, websites fail to load even though your internet connection is technically working. Switching to Google's DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare's DNS (1.1.1.1) often immediately resolves these internet not working situations and can also make your browsing faster.

Change DNS on Windows 10 / Windows 11

1

Open Network Settings

Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter to open the Network Connections window.

2

Open your adapter properties

Right-click your active network adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.

3

Edit IPv4 DNS settings

Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Select Use the following DNS server addresses. Enter 8.8.8.8 as the preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as the alternate. Click OK.

Change DNS on Mac

1

Open Network settings

Go to Apple menu › System Settings › Network. Select your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and click Details.

2

Go to the DNS tab

Click the DNS tab. Click the + button and add 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS). Add 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare DNS) as a second entry. Click OK and Apply.

Fix 10: Forget and Reconnect to Your Wi-Fi Network

If your wifi is not working on a specific network while other networks work fine, the saved network profile on your computer may have become corrupted. This happens after router password changes, router replacements, or firmware updates. The fix is to delete the saved network profile and reconnect from scratch.

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Forget Wi-Fi Network on Windows

Windows 10 & 11
  • Click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (bottom-right)
  • Click the arrow next to your network name to expand it
  • Click Disconnect, then click your network name again and select Forget
  • Alternatively: go to Settings › Network & Internet › Wi-Fi › Manage known networks, find your network, and click Forget
  • Click on the network again in the Wi-Fi list, enter your Wi-Fi password, and reconnect
M

Forget Wi-Fi Network on Mac

macOS
  • Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar (top-right)
  • Click Wi-Fi Settings (or Network Preferences on older macOS)
  • Click Advanced and find your network in the list
  • Select it and click the − button to remove it, then click OK and Apply
  • Click the Wi-Fi icon again, select your network, and enter the password to reconnect

If you don't remember your Wi-Fi password, read our guide on how to find your Wi-Fi password before removing the network. Once reconnected, also see our guide on how to connect to Wi-Fi on Windows and Mac for step-by-step connection instructions.

Fix 11: Mac-Specific Fixes for Internet Not Working

Mac computers have several unique network tools that are not available on Windows. When the internet is not working on Mac specifically, these steps often resolve the problem faster than generic approaches. For additional help with Apple's recommended procedures, see Apple's official network troubleshooting guide.

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Renew DHCP Lease on Mac

macOS Ventura / Sonoma / Sequoia

DHCP is the system that assigns your Mac an IP address from the router. If the lease expires or becomes corrupted, your Mac loses internet access even while showing a "connected" status.

  • Go to Apple menu › System Settings › Network
  • Select your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and click Details
  • Click the TCP/IP tab
  • Click Renew DHCP Lease and click Apply
  • Wait 30 seconds and test your internet connection
M

Run Mac Wireless Diagnostics

macOS

macOS has a built-in Wireless Diagnostics tool that detects and logs Wi-Fi issues automatically.

  • Hold the Option key and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar
  • Select Open Wireless Diagnostics
  • Click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions
  • The tool will scan your wireless environment and generate a report with specific recommendations
  • Pay attention to the "Summary" tab for actionable fixes
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Turn Wi-Fi Off and On Again (Mac)

macOS
  • Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select Turn Wi-Fi Off
  • Wait 15 seconds
  • Click the Wi-Fi icon again and select Turn Wi-Fi On
  • Select your network from the list and reconnect
  • If this does not help, try restarting your Mac (Apple menu › Restart) and testing again

Delete Wi-Fi Preference Files on Mac

If all other Mac fixes have failed, corrupted Wi-Fi preference files may be the cause. Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, go to /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/, and move these files to the desktop as a backup: com.apple.airport.preferences.plist, com.apple.network.identification.plist, NetworkInterfaces.plist, and preferences.plist. Restart your Mac — it will recreate these files fresh. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network afterward.

Fix 12: Reset Network Settings Completely (Windows)

Windows 10 and 11 offer a Network Reset feature that reinstalls all network adapters and resets all networking components to their factory defaults — equivalent to a fresh network installation. This is the most thorough software fix available for persistent internet not working issues on Windows, short of reinstalling the OS.

1

Open Network Status in Settings

Press Win + I to open Settings. Go to Network & Internet › Status (Windows 10) or Network & Internet › Advanced network settings (Windows 11).

2

Click Network Reset

Scroll down and click Network reset. Click Reset now and then Yes to confirm.

3

Restart your computer

Windows will restart automatically. After reboot, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network (you will need to enter your password again). VPN clients and custom firewall rules will need to be reinstalled/reconfigured.

What Network Reset removes: All saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, custom DNS configurations, and network adapter software installed by third parties. Windows will reinstall all network adapters with default Microsoft drivers. Reinstall any VPN software you use after the reset completes.

Fix 13: Check Physical Hardware and Cables

Before concluding that a software fix is needed, rule out physical problems. Hardware failures are responsible for a surprising number of internet not working calls, and they are easy to check.

✓

Physical Hardware Checklist

Check All
  • Ethernet cable: If using a wired connection, try a different Ethernet cable — cables can fail or have loose connectors without any visible damage
  • Ethernet port: Try plugging the cable into a different port on the router
  • Router positioning: If using Wi-Fi, ensure the router is not inside a cabinet, behind a TV, or near a microwave — all of these block or interfere with the Wi-Fi signal
  • Router antennas: Make sure all antennas on your router are fully upright and not bent or broken
  • Modem coaxial cable: Check that the coaxial (cable) or phone line connection going into the modem is fully tightened — a loose connection is a common culprit
  • Power adapter: Verify that both the router and modem power adapters are fully seated in their ports — a partially disconnected power adapter causes intermittent outages
  • Laptop Wi-Fi switch: Some laptops have a physical Wi-Fi on/off switch or a function key (Fn + F2 or similar) that can accidentally be switched off
  • Airplane mode: Confirm that Airplane mode is off — on Windows, check the Action Center (Win + A); on Mac, check the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar

If the internet works when you plug in an Ethernet cable but not on Wi-Fi, the problem is with the Wi-Fi adapter or the router's wireless function — not your ISP or modem. If the internet does not work on Ethernet either, the problem is with the router, modem, or ISP.

Fix 14: Use Mobile Hotspot as a Temporary Workaround

When your internet is not working and you need to stay online urgently while you troubleshoot, your smartphone's mobile hotspot is the fastest workaround. It shares your phone's cellular data connection with your computer via Wi-Fi or USB — no router needed.

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Enable Mobile Hotspot on iPhone

iOS
  • Go to Settings › Personal Hotspot
  • Toggle Allow Others to Join to On
  • Note the Wi-Fi password shown on the screen
  • On your computer, connect to the Wi-Fi network named after your iPhone using that password
  • Alternatively, connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable — it will appear as a network adapter automatically
H

Enable Mobile Hotspot on Android

Android
  • Go to Settings › Network & internet › Hotspot & tethering › Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Toggle the hotspot On
  • Note the network name and password, then connect your computer to it as you would any Wi-Fi network
  • For USB tethering: connect your Android phone via USB cable and go to Settings › Hotspot › USB tethering and enable it
Data usage: Mobile hotspot uses your phone's cellular data plan. Streaming video or downloading large files over hotspot will consume data quickly. Use hotspot only as a temporary workaround — keep it for essential tasks while you fix your main internet connection.

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Common "Internet Not Working" Error Messages Explained

When your internet is not working, Windows and Mac often display specific error messages that point to the exact cause. Here is what the most common errors mean and which fix to apply:

Error Message What It Means Fix to Try
"No internet, secured" Connected to router but router has no internet from ISP Fix 1 (restart router), Fix 8 (ISP outage)
"Default gateway is not available" Your PC cannot reach the router Fix 4 (TCP/IP reset), Fix 5 (adapter reset)
"DNS server not responding" DNS server is unreachable or misconfigured Fix 3 (flush DNS), Fix 9 (change DNS)
"Windows can't communicate with the device or resource (primary DNS server)" The DNS server your PC is using is unavailable Fix 9 (switch to Google DNS 8.8.8.8)
"ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED" (browser) DNS failed to translate the website name to an IP Fix 3 (flush DNS), Fix 9 (change DNS)
"ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT" (browser) Connection attempt reached the server but got no reply Fix 4 (TCP/IP reset), Fix 7 (firewall check)
"Limited connectivity" / yellow exclamation mark DHCP failed — PC has no valid IP address Fix 3 (ipconfig /renew), Fix 5 (adapter reset)
"Self-assigned IP" (Mac) Mac could not get an IP from DHCP Fix 11 (renew DHCP lease on Mac)

Why Does My Internet Keep Disconnecting?

If your internet keeps disconnecting repeatedly rather than being completely out, the cause is usually one of these five things:

Quick test: If your internet keeps disconnecting only on Wi-Fi but works fine on a wired Ethernet cable, the problem is with the Wi-Fi router or adapter — not your ISP or modem. If it disconnects on both wired and wireless, the problem is with the modem or ISP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my internet not working even though it says connected?

This is one of the most common internet problems: your device shows "connected" to the Wi-Fi, but websites won't load and apps show no internet. This usually means your device is connected to the router but the router itself has no active internet connection from your ISP, or there is a DNS failure on your device. Start by restarting your router and modem (Fix 1). If that doesn't work, flush DNS with ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt (Windows) or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder in Terminal (Mac). Also try changing your DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS). Check Downdetector.ca on your mobile data to confirm there is no ISP outage.

How do I fix no internet connection on Windows 10 or 11?

To fix internet not working on Windows 10 or Windows 11, follow these steps in order: (1) Restart your router and modem. (2) Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter — right-click the network icon in the taskbar and select Troubleshoot problems. (3) Open Command Prompt as administrator and run ipconfig /flushdns, then ipconfig /release, then ipconfig /renew. (4) Run netsh int ip reset and netsh winsock reset, then restart. (5) In Device Manager, disable and re-enable your network adapter. (6) Update or reinstall your network driver. If all these fail, use Network Reset in Settings › Network & Internet › Status › Network reset as a last resort.

Why does my internet keep disconnecting?

Internet keeps disconnecting most often due to: (1) Weak Wi-Fi signal from being too far from the router. (2) Router overheating — make sure it has airflow around it. (3) Outdated router firmware — log into your router admin panel and check for updates. (4) Wi-Fi channel congestion in apartment buildings — change the Wi-Fi channel to 1, 6, or 11. (5) Outdated network adapter driver on your computer — update it via Device Manager. To pinpoint the cause, test with an Ethernet cable: if wired is stable but Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting, the issue is the router's wireless or your adapter; if both disconnect, contact your ISP.

How do I fix internet not working on Mac?

To fix internet not working on Mac: (1) Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, turn Wi-Fi Off, wait 15 seconds, then turn it On and reconnect. (2) Go to System Settings › Network, click Details on your connection, and click Renew DHCP Lease on the TCP/IP tab. (3) Open Terminal and run: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder to flush DNS. (4) Change DNS to 8.8.8.8 in System Settings › Network › Details › DNS. (5) Hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon to open Wireless Diagnostics. If the problem persists, forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect, or delete the Wi-Fi preference files as described in Fix 11.

What should I do if my internet is not working and I cannot restart my router?

If you cannot restart the router (workplace, hotel, shared network), try these steps on your device: (1) Forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect. (2) Change your DNS server to 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) in your network settings. (3) Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter or Mac Network Diagnostics. (4) In Command Prompt, run ipconfig /flushdns and netsh winsock reset. (5) Disable and re-enable your network adapter in Device Manager. (6) As an immediate workaround, turn on your smartphone's mobile hotspot and connect your computer to it while you continue troubleshooting the main network.

Related Guides

Networking

How to Connect to Wi-Fi on Windows & Mac
Networking

How to Find Your Wi-Fi Password (All Methods)
Windows

How to Update Drivers on Windows 10 & 11

Comments

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Marie-Lise P. — Montreal, QC
April 17, 2026

The TCP/IP reset commands (fixes 3 and 4) finally fixed my internet after two weeks of it randomly disconnecting. I had tried everything else and was about to buy a new router. Ran all four commands, restarted, and it has been stable ever since. Excellent, clear instructions — easy to follow even without a technical background.

DT
David T. — Ottawa, ON
April 17, 2026

Turned out my internet was not working because of my antivirus blocking the connection (Fix 7). Never would have thought to check that. Disabled Bitdefender's firewall, internet came back immediately. Adjusted the settings in Bitdefender and it's been fine since. The error message table was especially useful — I had "DNS server not responding" and went straight to Fix 9, which also helped.

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