Your Android phone shows the Wi-Fi icon, sometimes with a small exclamation mark or an “x”, and Settings says “Connected, no internet” or “Connected without internet”. Apps won’t load, but mobile data works fine.
Here’s how to find the cause and fix it, starting with the quickest checks.
1. Check Whether Other Devices Have Internet
If your laptop or another phone on the same Wi-Fi also has no internet, the problem is the router or provider. Restart the router (unplug for 30 seconds), and check its internet light. If other devices work, continue below.
2. Toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode
Turn Wi-Fi off and on. If that doesn’t help, switch Airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off. This forces the phone to rebuild its connections.
3. Restart the Phone
A full restart clears temporary network glitches. It solves more problems than people expect.
4. Forget the Network and Reconnect
Go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet (on Samsung: Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi), tap the gear icon next to your network, choose Forget, then reconnect with the password.
5. Check Private DNS
Android’s Private DNS setting can block all browsing if it’s set to a server that doesn’t work on your network.
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS (Samsung: Connections > More connection settings > Private DNS).
- Set it to Automatic or Off and test again.
If you use an ad-blocking DNS or app, pause it while testing.
6. Turn Off VPN and Data Saver Apps
A VPN that isn’t connected properly blocks traffic. Disconnect it, and check that no “always-on VPN” is enabled under Settings > Network & internet > VPN.
7. Use the Phone’s Real MAC Address
Android uses a randomised MAC address by default for privacy. Some routers with device filtering or parental controls don’t recognise it.
Tap the gear icon next to your Wi-Fi network, open Privacy or MAC address type, and choose Use device MAC. Reconnect and test.
8. Check Date and Time
A wrong date or time breaks secure connections. Go to Settings > System > Date & time and turn on automatic date and time.
9. Change the IP Settings to DHCP
Tap the gear icon next to your network > Advanced or IP settings and make sure it’s set to DHCP, not Static, unless you know you need a static address.
10. Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile and Bluetooth Settings
If nothing else helps, reset the phone’s network settings. You’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and re-pair Bluetooth devices, but your apps and data aren’t affected.
- Most Android phones: Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth
- Samsung: Settings > General management > Reset > Reset network settings
Is It the Router?
If only your Android phone has the problem and it happens on your home network but not elsewhere, check the router for:
- Parental controls or blocked devices that include your phone
- A full device list, since some routers limit connected devices
- Firmware updates available in the router’s app
For problems affecting every device, see our guide on how to fix internet connection problems or Wi-Fi connected but no internet.
Why Android Says “No Internet” When It Works
Sometimes Android shows “no internet” even though some apps still work. Android checks your connection by contacting Google’s servers. If those checks are blocked, for example by a strict router firewall, parental controls, a DNS-based ad blocker, or some workplace and hotel networks, Android may mark the network as having no internet.
On hotel, airport and café Wi-Fi, this usually means you need to sign in on a login page. Open a browser and visit any normal website (not one starting with https) to make the sign-in page appear, or tap the “Sign in to network” notification.
If your home network blocks Google’s connectivity checks through parental controls or filtering, add an exception for your phone or switch to a less strict filtering level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “connected, no internet” mean on Android?
The phone is connected to the router, but it can’t reach the internet through it. The cause can be the router, DNS, a VPN, or a setting on the phone.
Why does my Android phone work on mobile data but not Wi-Fi?
The phone’s internet works, so the problem is either the Wi-Fi network (router or provider) or settings specific to that network, such as private DNS, MAC address or IP settings.
Will resetting network settings delete my photos?
No. It only removes saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings and mobile network settings.
Why does my Samsung phone keep saying “Wi-Fi has no internet access”?
Usually a router problem, private DNS, VPN, or randomised MAC address. Work through the fixes above in order.