How to Fix Wi-Fi Not Working on Android

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Wi-FiAndroidConnectivityTroubleshootingGoogleMobileDevicesWirelessSettingsPerformance

Wi-Fi problems on an Android device can be really frustrating, especially when you need to stay connected for work, entertainment, or communicating with friends and family. This guide will explain how to fix Wi-Fi not working on an Android device. We'll cover a range of solutions, from simple troubleshooting steps to more advanced options.

Basic troubleshooting steps

1. Toggle Airplane Mode on and off

Sometimes, toggling Airplane mode can solve connection issues. You can do it here:

1. Go to your device's Settings or use the Quick Settings panel by swiping down from the top of the screen.
2. Toggle the Airplane Mode switch on, wait for about 10-15 seconds, and then turn it off.
3. Try reconnecting to your Wi-Fi.

2. Restart your device

A simple restart can often fix many temporary problems on your Android phone. To restart your Android device:

1. Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears.
2. Tap the "Restart" option. If there is no restart option, tap "Power Off" instead.
3. After the device turns off, wait for a few seconds, then press and hold the Power button again to turn it back on.

3. Check Wi-Fi settings and reconnect

Make sure Wi-Fi is on and try reconnecting to the network you want to connect to:

1. Go to the Settings app on your device.
2. Select "Network & Internet" or "Connections," then tap "Wi-Fi."
3. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
4. Select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to and tap "Connect." If necessary, enter the password for the Wi-Fi network.

4. Forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect to it

If reconnecting doesn't work, try forgetting the network and then reconnecting:

1. Go to "Settings" and then tap "Network & Internet" or "Connections."
2. Select "Wi-Fi" and find the network you're having problems with.
3. Tap and hold the network name, then select "Forget Network."
4. To reconnect, select the network from the list of available networks and enter the password.

5. Restart your router

Sometimes the problem may be with your router rather than your phone. Restarting your router may help:

1. Unplug the router from the power source.
2. Wait for about 30 seconds to a minute.
3. Plug the router back into the power source.
4. Wait for the router to completely restart and try connecting your phone to Wi-Fi once again.

Advanced troubleshooting steps

1. Check for software updates

Software updates can fix bugs and improve your device's performance. Make sure your Android device is running the latest update:

1. Go to "Settings" and scroll down to "System."
2. Tap "System update" or "Software update."
3. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

2. Reset network settings

Resetting network settings can often resolve persistent Wi-Fi problems. Note that this will reset all network-related settings, including Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth:

1. Open the "Settings" app and select "System" or "General management."
2. Tap "Reset" or "Reset options."
3. Select "Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth" or "Reset network settings."
4. Confirm the reset by tapping "Reset Settings".
5. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network as described earlier.

3. Change DNS settings

Sometimes changing the DNS settings on your Android device can help fix Wi-Fi problems:

1. Open "Settings" and go to "Network & Internet" or "Connections".
2. Select "Wi-Fi" and tap the network you're connected to.
3. Tap "Advanced" and then "IP Settings".
4. Change "DHCP" to "Static". (Note: This option may be available as a toggle or a dropdown menu).
5. Enter the DNS settings you want (for example, DNS 1: 8.8.8.8 and DNS 2: 8.8.4.4, which are Google's public DNS servers).
6. Save the settings and reconnect to the Wi-Fi network.

4. Safe Mode

Booting your device into safe mode can help you figure out if a third-party app is causing the Wi-Fi issue:

1. Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears.
2. Press and hold the "Power Off" option until the prompt for Safe Mode appears.
3. Select "OK" to reboot into safe mode.
4. Once in safe mode, try connecting to your Wi-Fi. If it works, then a third-party app might be causing the problem.
5. To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your device normally.

Advanced router configuration

1. Change the Wi-Fi channel

Changing the Wi-Fi channel on your router may help if there is interference from other networks:

1. To access your router's admin panel, enter its IP address (usually found on the router's manual) into a web browser.
2. Log in with your credentials (the default username and password are often found on the router or manual).
3. Go to Wireless Settings or a similar section.
4. Change the Wi-Fi channel to a less crowded channel (e.g., 1, 6, or 11 for 2.4 GHz networks).
5. Save the changes and try reconnecting your Android device to the network.

2. Check DHCP settings

The DHCP settings on your router allow it to automatically assign IP addresses to connected devices. If these settings are configured incorrectly, it can cause problems:

1. Access your router's admin panel as described earlier.
2. Go to the DHCP Settings section.
3. Make sure that DHCP is enabled and that the range of IP addresses has enough addresses to accommodate all devices.
4. Save any changes and try connecting your device again.

3. Update the router firmware

Outdated router firmware can also cause connectivity issues. Updating the firmware can help:

1. Access your router's admin panel using its IP address.
2. Look for the Firmware Update section, which may be under "Administration" or a similar tab.
3. Follow the instructions to check for and apply any available firmware updates.
4. Restart the router if necessary and try connecting your Android device to the Wi-Fi network again.

Contact support

If all else fails, it may be best to contact your device or router's customer support for further assistance. Here are some final steps you can consider:

• Contact your Internet service provider and make sure there are no interruptions or service problems.
• Contact customer support for your specific Android device manufacturer for device-specific troubleshooting.
• If the problem is originating from the router itself, contact your router's customer support.

Conclusion

Wi-Fi problems on Android devices can occur for a variety of reasons, but with the help of this comprehensive guide, you'll be able to troubleshoot and fix the most common issues. From basic steps like toggling Airplane mode and restarting your device to more advanced solutions like changing DNS settings and updating firmware, this guide covers a wide range of potential solutions. If you still experience problems, don't hesitate to seek professional help.

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