Internet Not Working? 5 Things to Check

Before You Start

When your phone says "No Internet" or a website will not load, do not worry. Most of the time, it is a small issue with a simple fix. Work through these five checks in order, and you will likely be back online in a few minutes.

What the WiFi Symbol Looks Like

At the top of your phone screen, look for a small icon shaped like a fan or a set of curved lines (like a tiny rainbow). If you see it, your phone believes it is connected to WiFi. If you do not see it, your phone is not connected. You might see small arrows (up and down triangles) near it, which mean data is being sent and received.

Check 1: Is WiFi Turned On?

On iPhone: Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. Look for the WiFi icon (the fan shape). If it is gray or has a line through it, tap it once to turn it on. It should turn blue.

On Android: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings. Look for the WiFi icon. If it is gray or crossed out, tap it once to turn it on.

Check 2: Is Airplane Mode Off?

Airplane mode turns off all wireless connections. It is easy to turn on by accident.

1. Open the same Control Center or Quick Settings panel described above.
2. Look for an airplane icon. If it is highlighted or colored, airplane mode is on.
3. Tap it once to turn it off.
4. Wait about 10 seconds for your phone to reconnect.

Check 3: Restart Your Phone

Restarting your phone clears small glitches that can block the internet connection.

On iPhone: Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the "slide to power off" slider appears. Slide it to turn off the phone. Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the side button to turn it back on.

On Android: Press and hold the power button for a few seconds. Tap Restart from the menu that appears. Wait for the phone to restart completely.

Check 4: Restart Your Router

Your router is the small box (usually with blinking lights) that brings internet into your home. Restarting it fixes most home internet problems.

1. Find the router. It is usually near where the internet cable enters your home.
2. Unplug the power cable from the back of the router (or from the wall outlet).
3. Wait 30 seconds. This is important. Do not rush it.
4. Plug it back in.
5. Wait 2 to 3 minutes for the lights to settle down and become steady.
6. Try loading a website on your phone.

If you also have a separate modem (a second box), unplug that too. Plug the modem in first, wait one minute, then plug in the router.

Check 5: Is It the App or the Internet?

Sometimes the internet is working fine, but one specific app is having problems on its own.

1. Open your web browser (Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android).
2. Type google.com and see if it loads.
3. If Google loads, your internet is fine. The problem is with the specific app. Try closing and reopening that app.
4. If Google does not load either, the problem is your internet connection. Go back and try Checks 3 and 4 again.

Still not working? Call your internet provider. The phone number is usually on your monthly bill or on a sticker on the router itself.