Introduction

Few things are more annoying than seeing Wi-Fi connected on your Android phone… but nothing loads. You open Chrome, YouTube, WhatsApp, or the Play Store — and everything keeps spinning.

This problem is extremely common and usually happens because Android can connect to the router (Wi-Fi signal is OK), but something breaks between the router and the internet — such as DNS failures, captive portal login pages, IP conflicts, or router glitches.

The good news? In most cases, you can fix it in 2–10 minutes, without calling the provider or resetting your phone completely.

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Key Takeaways (Quick Wins)

• “Wi-Fi connected but no internet” is usually caused by router issues, DNS problems, IP conflicts, or network settings.
• The fastest fix is often: Airplane mode ON/OFF → Forget network → Restart router.
• Changing DNS to Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) solves many cases.
• If only one app fails (YouTube/Play Store), the issue is usually app cache, Private DNS, VPN, or Google services, not the Wi-Fi.

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Before You Start: Identify the Real Problem (60 seconds)

Do these 3 checks first — it saves you time.

✅ Check #1: Does mobile data work?

• Turn Wi-Fi OFF
• Turn Mobile data ON
• Try opening a website

✅ If mobile data works → your problem is Wi-Fi/router/DNS (keep reading)
❌ If mobile data also fails → provider/SIM issue (different problem)

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✅ Check #2: Does Wi-Fi work on other devices?

Test on:

• another phone
• laptop
• smart TV

✅ If other devices also fail → router/internet provider issue
✅ If other devices work fine → problem is on your Android phone

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✅ Check #3: Is this Wi-Fi asking you to log in?

Some networks require a login page (hotels, malls, gyms).

Try opening:

• http://neverssl.com

If a login page appears, it’s not broken Wi-Fi — it’s a captive portal.

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Why Android Shows “Connected” But Apps Don’t Work

This happens because Wi-Fi connectivity and internet connectivity are not the same thing.

Your phone can be connected to Wi-Fi while:

• the router has no internet access
• DNS is not working (websites can’t be found)
• the phone got a wrong IP or gateway
• the network blocks traffic until login (captive portal)
• VPN/Private DNS blocks routing

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✅ What You See → What It Means

What you see	What it usually means	Best fix
Wi-Fi connected, nothing loads	router stuck / DNS broken	restart router + change DNS
Works on other Wi-Fi, not yours	router config issue	reboot router + forget network
Works for 1 minute then breaks	IP conflict / DHCP issue	reset network settings
Only YouTube/Play Store fails	app cache / Google services	clear cache + Play Services
Login screen pops up	captive portal	open browser + login
Works with VPN OFF	VPN conflict	disable/remove VPN
Wi-Fi icon has “!”	no internet from router	router/provider troubleshooting

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13 Fixes (From Easy to Advanced)

1) Toggle Airplane Mode (15 seconds)

This resets your phone’s wireless stack quickly.

✅ Steps:

1. Swipe down Quick Settings
2. Turn Airplane mode ON
3. Wait 10–15 seconds
4. Turn Airplane mode OFF
5. Reconnect Wi-Fi

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2) Restart your phone (simple but powerful)

A restart often fixes stuck services (DNS resolver, Wi-Fi driver).

✅ Steps:

• Hold Power button → Restart

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3) Restart the router/modem (best fix overall)

This solves most cases because routers “freeze” or lose WAN link.

✅ Steps:

1. Unplug router from power
2. Wait 20–30 seconds
3. Plug it back
4. Wait 2–3 minutes
5. Test again

✅ Pro Tip:
If your router has a separate modem:

• reboot modem first, then router

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4) Forget Wi-Fi network and reconnect (very effective)

Your phone may have saved broken settings.

General Android:

1. Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi
2. Tap your connected network
3. Tap Forget
4. Reconnect and enter password

Samsung:

1. Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi
2. Tap the gear icon next to the network
3. Tap Forget

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5) Turn off VPN + Proxy + Private DNS (common hidden causes)

VPN and Private DNS are frequent causes — especially after updates.

✅ Steps:

• Disable VPN
  • Settings → Network & Internet → VPN → disconnect
• Disable Private DNS
  • Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS
  • Select Off or Automatic
• Disable Wi-Fi proxy
  • Wi-Fi network details → Proxy → None

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6) Switch Wi-Fi frequency (2.4GHz vs 5GHz)

Some phones connect to 5GHz but lose routing.

✅ What to do:

• Try connecting to the other band:
  • 2.4GHz (better range, more stable)
  • 5GHz (faster, shorter range)

If your router shows:

• “MyWiFi”
• “MyWiFi_5G”

Try the non-5G one first.

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7) Disable “Switch to mobile data” (Samsung fix)

Some Android skins jump between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

✅ Samsung:

• Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Intelligent Wi-Fi
• Turn OFF:
  • Switch to mobile data
  • Detect suspicious networks (optional test)

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8) Set DNS manually (Google DNS / Cloudflare DNS)

DNS is the system that converts:
google.com → IP address

When DNS fails, Wi-Fi looks connected but sites won’t load.

Option A) Private DNS (recommended)

✅ Steps:

1. Settings → Network & Internet
2. Private DNS
3. Select Private DNS provider hostname
4. Type one of these:
   • dns.google
   • 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com
5. Save and test

Option B) Wi-Fi DNS (manual IP settings)

✅ Steps:

1. Settings → Wi-Fi → tap your network
2. Tap Edit (pencil icon)
3. Advanced options → IP settings (DHCP/Static)
4. Enter DNS:
   • 8.8.8.8
   • 1.1.1.1

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9) Captive portal fix (Wi-Fi requires login)

If Wi-Fi needs authentication, Android sometimes blocks the login page.

✅ Steps:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi
2. Open Chrome
3. Type: http://neverssl.com
4. Login page should appear

If it doesn’t:

• Turn OFF Private DNS
• Turn OFF VPN
• Forget network and reconnect

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10) Reset Wi-Fi settings only (safe reset)

This is not a full factory reset — it only resets network configs.

✅ General:

• Settings → System → Reset options
• Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth

✅ Samsung:

• Settings → General management → Reset
• Reset network settings

After reset:

• reconnect Wi-Fi again

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11) Fix IP conflict / DHCP issues

If your phone is stuck with a wrong IP, internet fails.

✅ Steps:

1. Forget network
2. Reconnect
3. In Wi-Fi advanced options ensure:
   • IP settings: DHCP
   • Proxy: None

If it still fails:

• Restart router
• Reset network settings

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12) Try another Wi-Fi network (diagnostic test)

Connect to:

• neighbor Wi-Fi (if possible)
• hotspot from another phone
• coffee shop Wi-Fi

✅ If other Wi-Fi works perfectly:
→ your router is the issue
You may need:

• router firmware update
• router reset
• ISP support

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13) If only Play Store fails: clear cache + fix Google services

This is extremely common.

✅ Steps:

1. Settings → Apps → Google Play Store
2. Storage & cache → Clear cache
3. Go back → Force stop (optional)
4. Do the same for:
   • Google Play Services
   • Google Services Framework (if exists)
5. Restart phone

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✅ Most Common Causes (Ranked)

This makes users stay longer because it answers the “why” with clarity.

The 5 most common reasons (in 2026)

1. Router glitch (needs reboot)
2. DNS failure
3. VPN/Private DNS conflict
4. Captive portal login
5. IP conflict / bad DHCP lease

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✅ Cause → How to Confirm → Best Fix

Cause	How to confirm fast	Best fix
Router has no internet	other devices also fail	reboot modem/router
DNS failure	IP websites load but domains don’t	set Private DNS to dns.google
VPN issue	works when VPN off	remove/disable VPN
Captive portal	browser opens login	neverssl.com + login
IP conflict	works briefly then stops	reset network settings

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🔥 Quiz (Click to reveal)

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✅ 5-Minute Wi-Fi Fix Checklist

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Next Steps (If Nothing Works)

If you tried everything and still get no internet:

✅ Do this final escalation path:

1. Test same Wi-Fi on other phones → if no internet, call ISP
2. Factory reset router (last resort)
3. Update router firmware
4. If problem is only your phone: reset network settings
5. If still failing: Android system update + check for broken VPN apps

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FAQ

Quick answers to common questions about this topic.

Recommended Reading

• Android Battery Draining Fast? 17 Fixes That Actually Work
• The Evolution of Mobile Phones: From the First Call to Modern Smartphones
• How to Free Up Storage on Android Without Deleting Photos (12 Safe Methods)

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