Internet Not Working? 10 Easy Fixes to Get Back Online

Few things are more frustrating than your internet not working — especially when you need it for work, streaming, or staying connected. Whether your internet stopped working suddenly, has been cutting in and out, or specific devices won't connect, this guide will walk you through every possible fix.

We've helped thousands of customers get their internet working again. The good news is that most internet problems have simple solutions you can try yourself before contacting your ISP or a technician. Follow the steps below in order — each one rules out a specific cause and brings you closer to a fix.

Why Is My Internet Not Working?

When your internet is not working, the cause falls into one of these categories:

• ISP outage — Your internet service provider is experiencing a service interruption in your area
• Router or modem issue — Your networking equipment has crashed, overheated, or needs a firmware update
• Cable or hardware failure — A loose, damaged, or disconnected cable between your modem, router, or wall socket
• Device-specific problem — Your computer, phone, or tablet has a network configuration issue, outdated driver, or software conflict
• DNS or IP conflict — Your device is using the wrong DNS server or has an IP address conflict with another device on your network
• Wi-Fi interference — Physical obstructions, neighboring networks, or electronic devices interfering with your wireless signal

Fix 1: Restart Your Router and Modem (Power Cycle)

This fixes the majority of internet problems. A power cycle clears the router's memory, resets temporary glitches, and forces a fresh connection with your ISP:

1. Unplug both your router and modem from power (don't just turn them off — physically unplug)
2. Wait 60 seconds (this allows capacitors to fully discharge)
3. Plug the modem back in first and wait 2 minutes until all lights are solid
4. Then plug the router back in and wait another 2 minutes
5. Try connecting — your internet not working issue will be resolved in about 70% of cases

Important: If you have a combo modem-router unit (gateway), unplug that single device and wait 60 seconds before plugging it back in.

Fix 2: Check All Physical Cables and Connections

A loose or damaged cable is a surprisingly common reason for internet not working:

• Check the coaxial cable (cable internet) or phone line (DSL) connecting your modem to the wall socket — make sure it's firmly screwed in
• Inspect the Ethernet cable between your modem and router — try a different cable if you have one
• If you use a wired connection to your computer, check that Ethernet cable too
• Look for visible damage — frayed, bent, or chewed cables (pets love Ethernet cables)
• Ensure all connections click firmly into place — a half-inserted Ethernet plug won't work

Fix 3: Check Your Router's Indicator Lights

The lights on your router tell you exactly what's wrong when your internet is not working:

• Power light off — Router isn't getting power. Check the power cable and outlet.
• Internet/WAN light off or red — No connection from your ISP. Could be an outage or modem issue.
• Internet light blinking — Router is trying to establish a connection. Wait a few minutes.
• Wi-Fi light off — Wireless is disabled. Press the Wi-Fi button on your router or enable it in settings.
• All lights blinking rapidly — Firmware updating. Do NOT unplug during an update.

Fix 4: Verify Your ISP Isn't Having an Outage

Before spending time troubleshooting your end, check if the problem is your ISP:

• Use your phone's mobile data to visit downdetector.com and search for your ISP name
• Check your ISP's Twitter/X account for outage announcements
• Call your ISP's automated status line (usually answers immediately with outage info)
• Ask neighbors if their internet is also down — confirms an area-wide outage
• Common ISPs: Comcast/Xfinity, AT&T, Spectrum, Verizon, CenturyLink, Cox

Fix 5: Test With a Wired Connection

This tells you whether the problem is your internet connection or your Wi-Fi:

1. Connect an Ethernet cable directly from your router to your computer
2. If the wired connection works — the issue is Wi-Fi related (see our Wi-Fi not working guide)
3. If wired also doesn't work — try connecting directly to the modem (bypassing the router)
4. If modem direct works — your router is the problem (see our router not working guide)
5. If nothing works — it's an ISP or modem issue

This simple test saves hours of troubleshooting by immediately identifying which part of your connection is broken.

Fix 6: Flush DNS and Reset Network Settings

Corrupted DNS cache or network settings can cause internet not working issues even when your connection is fine:

Restart your computer after running these commands. This clears stale DNS entries and resets your network stack to default settings.

Fix 7: Change Your DNS Server

Your ISP's DNS servers can be slow or unreliable. Switching to a public DNS server often fixes internet not working issues where websites won't load even though you're connected:

Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → your adapter → DNS server assignment → Manual → enter the DNS addresses above. Mac: System Preferences → Network → Advanced → DNS → add the addresses.

Fix 8: Update Your Network Adapter Driver

Outdated or corrupted network drivers are a common cause of internet not working on Windows:

1. Press Win + X → Device Manager
2. Expand Network adapters
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter → Update driver → Search automatically
4. If no update is found, try Uninstall device (check "delete driver software") → restart your PC — Windows will reinstall a fresh driver

Fix 9: Disable VPN, Proxy, and Firewall Temporarily

VPNs, proxies, and overly aggressive firewalls can block or redirect your internet connection:

• Disconnect any VPN — try connecting without it to see if that's the issue
• Check for proxy settings: Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy → make sure "Use a proxy server" is off
• Temporarily disable your firewall: Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → turn off for your current network (re-enable after testing)
• Check if any antivirus software is blocking network connections (Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky often have network filtering)

Fix 10: Run Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in diagnostic tool that can automatically detect and fix common internet problems:

1. Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
2. Click Run next to "Internet Connections"
3. Follow the prompts — Windows will test your connection, DNS, adapter, and more
4. Also run the "Network Adapter" troubleshooter for hardware-related issues

When to Contact Your ISP or a Technician

If you've tried all 10 fixes above and your internet is still not working, the issue may require professional help:

• Modem won't sync — The DSL/cable signal from your ISP isn't reaching your modem (ISP issue)
• Slow speeds on all devices — Your ISP may be throttling or there's a line problem
• Router keeps crashing — Hardware failure requiring replacement
• Authentication errors — Your ISP account may need reactivation
• Wiring issues — Old or damaged in-wall cabling