Your phone shows Wi-Fi bars, yet websites fail. That usually means the local radio works while the path to the internet does not.
Fast checks
- Try another site or app; one service may be down.
- Toggle airplane mode, or forget and rejoin the network.
- Test a second device. If only one fails, restart that device.
- If every device fails, continue below.
Router and modem power cycle
- Unplug modem and router for 30 seconds.
- Power modem first; wait until online lights are steady.
- Power router; wait two minutes.
- Retest.
Check the WAN connection
Log into the admin page (login guide). Confirm WAN or Internet status shows connected. If the WAN IP is missing, contact your ISP or reseat the modem cable.
DNS problems
Symptoms include apps failing while pings to IPs work. Try automatic DNS, or temporarily test a public resolver in router WAN DNS fields. Understand what DNS is with our DNS lookup tool. Do not confuse 8.8.8.8 with a router login IP.
Guest network or parental controls
Some profiles block internet after a schedule. Check parental controls and time limits: parental controls guide.
FAQ
Why does Ethernet work but Wi-Fi does not?
Focus on wireless settings, interference, or a failed Wi-Fi radio. Try 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz, or reboot the router.
Could too many devices cause this?
They can saturate bandwidth. Review clients: see and block devices.
Related: admin page will not load, router lights meaning.