Overview #
Your Android shows full Wi-Fi bars but websites won’t load — YouTube buffers, Play Store hangs, and Chrome says “No Internet Connection.”
This usually means the phone is connected to the router, but something is wrong between your router and the wider internet — or your device’s DNS or IP configuration has gone stale.
This guide walks you through verifying your connection, resetting network settings, and repairing DNS to restore online access.
What you’ll learn
- How to confirm whether Wi-Fi is working beyond local connection
- How to reset Android’s network stack and DNS cache
- How to switch to faster, more reliable DNS servers
- How to test connection paths safely
Estimated time: 10–25 minutes
Skill level: Beginner–Intermediate
Terms and Definitions #
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DNS (Domain Name System) | Translates website names (like google.com) into IP addresses |
| IP Address | Unique number your phone uses on the network |
| Router / Gateway | Device connecting your home network to the internet |
| MAC Address | Unique identifier for your phone’s network adapter |
| Captive Portal | Login screen that appears on public Wi-Fi networks (hotels, cafés, etc.) |
Steps #
Step 1 — Verify Router Internet Access #
To see if your router itself is offline:
- Connect another device (laptop or tablet) to the same Wi-Fi.
- Try loading a website.
- If nothing works, the issue is with your router or internet provider. Restart the router and modem.
- If other devices work fine, continue below — your phone’s settings are the issue.
Step 2 — Toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode #
Sometimes Android keeps a stale connection.
- Swipe down → tap Airplane Mode to turn it on.
- Wait 10 seconds, then turn it off.
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi manually.
This forces the phone to re-handshake its IP with the router.
Step 3 — Forget and Reconnect to the Network #
Settings → Network & Internet → Internet → [Wi-Fi name] → Forget.
Then reconnect and re-enter the password.
This clears any stored IP, DNS, or proxy configurations for that network.
Step 4 — Check for Captive Portals (Public Wi-Fi) #
If you’re at a hotel, café, or airport, open Chrome and try visiting:
neverssl.com
This forces a captive portal (login screen) to appear if one exists.
After logging in, your internet should resume.
Step 5 — Reset Network Settings #
If the issue persists:
Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth.
This resets IP assignments, DNS, and proxy settings but doesn’t delete saved data.
Reconnect to Wi-Fi afterward.
Step 6 — Assign Custom DNS Servers #
If DNS resolution is broken, assign faster, public servers.
Steps:
- Settings → Network & Internet → Internet → [Wi-Fi name] → Advanced → Private DNS.
- Select Private DNS provider hostname and enter:
dns.googleor1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com - Tap Save.
Reopen Chrome and try visiting a site.
If successful, the problem was DNS-related.
Step 7 — Check IP Configuration #
For advanced users (via ADB):
adb shell ip addr show wlan0
adb shell ping -c 4 8.8.8.8
If you get ping replies, your connection is live but DNS is failing.
If you get “Network unreachable”, DHCP may have failed — reset Wi-Fi (Step 5) or assign a static IP.
Assign static IP (without root):
Settings → Network details → Advanced → IP settings → Static.
- IP address:
192.168.1.150 - Gateway:
192.168.1.1 - DNS:
8.8.8.8,1.1.1.1
(Adjust to match your network range.)
Step 8 — Check Date and Time Settings #
Incorrect date or time can cause SSL/TLS errors that look like “no internet.”
Settings → System → Date & time → Enable “Use network-provided time.”
Reboot and test again.
Step 9 — Reset Router (If Other Devices Work but Not Yours) #
If you’ve tried everything and the problem persists only on your phone, restart your router or clear its DHCP leases.
Unplug power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
You can also reboot from your browser’s admin panel:
192.168.1.1
Step 10 — Check Firmware or Security App Conflicts #
Occasionally, VPNs or firewall apps block traffic even when Wi-Fi is connected.
Disable VPN temporarily, then retry.
Also check:
Settings → Apps → See all apps → [Security/VPN app] → Disable / Force stop.
If the issue resolves, reinstall or reconfigure that app.
Verification #
| Check | Action | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| Router test | Test another device | Only phone affected |
| Airplane toggle | Reset radio | Reconnected successfully |
| DNS update | Switch to Google or Cloudflare | Websites load instantly |
| Network reset | System reset | Wi-Fi stable and responsive |
Conclusion #
Seeing “Connected, no Internet” doesn’t always mean your Wi-Fi is down — it usually means DNS or IP settings on your device have gone stale.
For most users, toggling Wi-Fi, forgetting the network, or assigning a public DNS fixes the issue instantly.
Keep “Private DNS” enabled and restart your router occasionally for smoother performance long term.
