Fix an Android Phone Connected to Wi-Fi but Can’t Access the Internet

How to Fix an Android Phone Connected to Wi-Fi but Can’t Access the Internet

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To fix an Android phone connected to Wi-Fi but unable to access the internet, try these steps:

  • Restart your device.
  • Reset Wi-Fi settings.
  • Forget and reconnect to the network.
  • Check router settings.
  • Update the device’s firmware.
  • Contact your internet service provider if issues persist.

Key Takeaways

  • An outdated Wi-Fi router firmware can hinder your Android device from accessing the internet.
  • Sometimes a conflict with the IP address will deny your Android device access to Wi-Fi internet.
  • Rebooting and resetting the router can fix internet connectivity issues.
  • Forgetting your Wi-Fi network and reconnecting again can assign a different IP address to your device and help it connect to the internet.
  • Switching the DNS to Google DNS (8.8.4.4; 8.8.8.8) can fix the issue of internet connectivity.

Reasons Why an Android Phone Connected to Wi-Fi Can’t Access the Internet

Are you having trouble connecting your mobile phone to the internet? You’re not alone! Many people struggle with connecting their mobile devices to a Wi-Fi network but can still not access the internet.

Understanding why your device can’t access the internet when connected to Wi-Fi can help you fix the issue quickly and easily.

Below are the common reasons why an Android phone connected to Wi-Fi can’t access the internet:

  • A problematic router.
  • IP Address conflicts.
  • DNS issues.
  • Wrong configuration of date and time.
  • Incorrect network settings.
  • Outdated firmware.
  • Internet connection issues.

How Can I Fix an Android Phone Connected to Wi-Fi but Can’t Access the Internet?

Are you a victim of not connecting to the internet with your mobile phone, even though you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network? This is a common issue; luckily, it’s easy to fix. This page will go over some steps to troubleshoot your mobile phone’s Wi-Fi connection and return to surfing the web in no time. Let’s go through the fixes;

1.     Contact Your ISP

Before attempting any fix, ensure that the problem is not with your ISP. You can confirm this by trying to connect other devices to the Wi-Fi network, and if they fail to access the internet, then your ISP is at fault.

The best thing to do in such a scenario is to contact your service provider and enquire whether there is any technical glitch. They might assist you in fixing your router or device.

2.     Check Your Router’s MAC Address Filter

The Wi-Fi router may be blocking your device if your Android phone can’t access the internet even when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. This might be caused when someone or even yourself accidentally blocks your Android device using the router’s MAC address filter.

The only fix to this issue is accessing the router’s admin page and unblocking your device. Here is how to whitelist your Android device:

  • Go to Access Control or Security or WLAN (depending on the model of your router).
  • Check the MAC Address Filter menu.
  • Check whether your device is on the blocked list.
  • Click the Allow or Remove button to regain access to Wi-Fi.

Note: Suppose you don’t know the MAC address of your Android device; here is how to check it;

  • Open the settings page, go to About phone > Wi-Fi Mac Address (hardware information), and you will be sorted.
Fix an Android Phone Connected to Wi-Fi but Can’t Access the Internet

3.     Restart or Reset the Router

After confirming that the router is not blocking your phone, the next logical stage is to reboot the router. A simple trick of restarting the Wi-Fi router might fix several connectivity issues.

You can reboot your router manually by unplugging the power cord or powering it off via the power button. Another router rebooting option is via the admin page.

Suppose you reboot the router and it doesn’t fix the issue; it is time you tried resetting it. Router resetting is done via the advanced option or maintenance page. Another resetting alternative is hard reset, where you long-press the reset button on the router.

Note: Before resetting the router, ensure you back up the necessary data, as the process will remove the ISP IP address and other settings. This info will enable you to reconfigure the router after resetting.

4.     Update Your Router’s firmware

A router with outdated firmware can sometimes disconnect the network connection. Firmware updates are known to fix connectivity issues related to Wi-Fi. Therefore, if your router’s firmware is outdated, update it to the latest version.

5.     Assign Your Android Phone with a Static IP Address

Ensure you assign a static IP address to your Android phone if your DHCP server hasn’t allocated a unique IP. This will help eliminate IP address conflicts that might restrict your device from accessing the internet.

Here is how to assign your Android device a static IP address:

  • Go to Settings, then Wi-Fi & Networks, and select Wi-Fi on your Android device.
  • Select your Wi-Fi network.
  • Tap the pencil icon.
  • Choose Advanced options.
  • Scroll to IP settings and select Static.
  • Type the IP address and save it.

6.     Change the DNS

Sometimes there could be a problem with the server of your ISP’s domain name. Changing to Google DNS (8.8.4.4; 8.8.8.8) will bail you out if such happens.

Here is how to change your Android device’s DNS:

  • Go to Wi-Fi settings.
  • Select the Wi-Fi whose DNS you wish to change and long-press it.
  • Select Modify Network.
  • Type the static IP DNS1 and DNS2 IP.
  • Save the changes, and you are done.

7.     Configure the Date and Time Correctly

Ensure that your Android device’s date and time are correctly configured. Though this may sound lame, incorrect date and time configuration can sometimes bring internet connectivity issues.

Here is how to configure the date and time on your Android device:

  • Go to Settings and select the System option.
  • Select Date & Time, and enter the correct date and time configurations.

8.     Reset Your Android Device’s Network Settings

Resetting your device’s network settings might help you to fix the issue of not accessing the internet when connected to Wi-Fi.

Here is how to reset your device’s network settings;

  • Open the Settings app and select the System option.
  • Select the Reset Options.
  • Tap the Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth options, and you will be done with resetting your device’s network.

9.     Forget and Reconnect to Wi-Fi Network

Sometimes a simple trick like forgetting your Wi-Fi network and reconnecting might solve the issue of failure of your Android phone to access the internet. The logic is that your device will delete that network’s stored preference whenever you forget your Wi-Fi network.

Therefore, reconnecting your Android device to the same Wi-Fi network will assign it a new IP address, enabling it to connect to the internet.

Here is how to forget and reconnect to the Wi-Fi network:

  • Go to Settings >Wi-Fi & Network > Wi-Fi.
  • Choose your Wi-Fi network and select Forget.
  • Return to the menu and select Wi-Fi network.
  • Key in the password and reconnect to the Wi-Fi network.

10. Factory Reset Your Android Device

If all tricks don’t seem to work, the last option is factory resetting your Android device.

Be aware that factory resetting your device will reset it to the state it was in when you purchased it. Therefore, ensure you back up all vital information before initiating the process.

References

9 Ways to Fix Android Connected to WiFi But No Internet (2022) (gadgetstouse.com)

Android Connected to Wi-Fi but No Internet? 11 Fixes to Try (online-tech-tips.com)

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