How to Fix Wi-Fi Connected but No Internet in Windows 11

When Windows 11 says it is connected to Wi-Fi but websites will not open, the wireless link to the router may be working while the Internet connection itself is not. The problem could be the router, your ISP, DNS, an IP configuration issue, or the network adapter driver.

The quickest way to solve it is to determine whether the problem affects only the PC or the entire network.

1. Test another device first

Connect a phone or another computer to the same Wi-Fi network. On a phone, turn mobile data off for this comparison so a cellular fallback does not hide a Wi-Fi outage. If nothing can reach the Internet, restart the modem/router and check your ISP status. There is little value resetting Windows when the Internet connection is down before it reaches the PC.

If other devices work normally, continue on the Windows 11 PC. Try two unrelated websites. If just one site or app fails, investigate that service before resetting the connection. If websites work despite the No Internet icon, the connectivity check may be blocked; the icon alone does not prove a total outage.

Record the evidence before changing settings

A hotspot comparison uses mobile data and is optional. These observations narrow the search; none is proof of a particular fault.

Keep a short comparison record: time → device → network → two sites tested → exact error → one change → retest result. You do not need to publish your IP address, network name or a full diagnostic report. If a comparison cannot be made, write “not checked”; a missing result is not a failure.

2. Read the adapter details and test DNS

Open Command Prompt normally; these two checks do not require administrator access or change settings. Start with:

ipconfig /all

Find the connected Wireless LAN adapter, rather than a disconnected Ethernet adapter or a VPN. Note whether DHCP is enabled, whether an IPv4 address and default gateway are present, and which DNS servers are configured. Keep the actual identifiers private.

To check name resolution without switching DNS providers, run:

nslookup www.microsoft.com
nslookup www.apple.com

Keep the exact response for each name. A timeout differs from a response saying the name does not exist. An answer with addresses does not prove a browser can establish a secure connection; browsers may also use a different DNS configuration. Do not bypass a certificate warning to complete this test.

Illustrative decision: if a phone loads both sites on the same Wi-Fi, the PC has a gateway, and both lookups return addresses, reinstalling the Wi-Fi driver is not the first useful experiment. Compare a second browser and check the PC's proxy/VPN context. This is reasoning from hypothetical observations, not a tested repair case.

3. Run the Network and Internet troubleshooter

Open the Get Help app and search for the Network and Internet troubleshooter. Let Windows run its diagnostics before manually changing adapter settings.

4. Forget and reconnect only the affected network

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Open Manage known networks.
3. Select the affected network and choose Forget.
4. Reconnect from Quick Settings and enter the Wi-Fi password again.

This removes the stored profile for that network without resetting every network adapter on the PC. Confirm you have the password first. For a school or work network using certificates or centrally managed profiles, ask IT before forgetting it.

5. Renew a DHCP lease only when the evidence points there

For a home network that assigns addresses automatically through DHCP, use the adapter name shown by ipconfig in Command Prompt (Admin). The example below assumes the name is exactly Wi-Fi; replace it if yours differs. Releasing the address temporarily disconnects the PC, including remote support sessions. Skip release/renew for a deliberately configured static address or managed connection until its administrator advises you.

ipconfig /release "Wi-Fi"
ipconfig /renew "Wi-Fi"

Do not run release/renew without an adapter name as a shortcut: that can affect other DHCP adapters. After renewal, run ipconfig again and check the Wi-Fi adapter rather than a disconnected Ethernet or VPN entry. Then retry the same two websites. If renewal reports that it cannot reach a DHCP server, keep that exact error and investigate the router/connection instead of repeatedly running the command.

6. Check VPN and proxy settings

On a personal PC, note the existing values before making a temporary change. Do not alter an organization-managed VPN or proxy without IT guidance. Temporarily disconnect a personal VPN and open Settings > Network & internet > Proxy. A stale manual proxy can make the PC appear connected while web traffic fails.

7. Update or reinstall the Wi-Fi driver

Open Device Manager > Network adapters. If the problem started after a driver change, check the PC manufacturer for the current Windows 11 Wi-Fi driver. Download the correct driver from the PC manufacturer and keep an offline copy first. If needed, uninstall the adapter in Device Manager and restart Windows so it can detect the hardware again.

8. Use Network reset last

If the normal steps fail, use Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. This removes and reinstalls network adapters and resets their settings, so it should not be your first step. VPN clients and virtual switches may need to be reinstalled or reconfigured afterward; record their settings before resetting.

Public Wi-Fi can look connected before sign-in

Hotels, airports, and cafés may require a browser sign-in page. Open a normal non-sensitive website to trigger the captive portal. Until that sign-in completes, Windows can be connected to the access point but still have no usable Internet access.

If the connection still fails

Give support the time of failure, whether another device worked, the result on a second network, and the exact troubleshooter or renewal error. Record the adapter model and driver version. Share only the relevant error text; a complete network report can contain network names and device identifiers. Stop changing settings once normal browsing works, and reconnect any required VPN before checking work resources.

Documentation review: 27 October 2026. This is a documentation-based editorial workflow, not a report of hands-on device testing. The optional helper interprets your selections; it does not inspect your equipment. Vendor screenshots are credited separately.

Official references

Microsoft Learn — What ipconfig options changeOfficial reference

Microsoft Learn — Interpreting DNS lookup resultsOfficial reference