Troubleshoot connecting to Wi-Fi networks

If you're having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi — for example, the Wi-Fi icon on your device's screen is orange, or has an exclamation point  — try the solutions below.

After each step, try connecting to the Wi-Fi network again. Test by loading a webpage on your mobile browser.

First, try these quick solutions

1. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on for your device.
2. If Airplane mode is on, turn off Airplane mode.
3. Try turning Airplane mode on and then off again to reconnect.
4. Check that you're using the right network password.
   • To see the password while you're entering it, check the "Show password" box under the password field.
   • Be especially careful if it has the letter O, number 0, lowercase L, or uppercase i.
5. Press your device's Power button for about 30 seconds, until your device restarts. Rebooting your device gives it a fresh start. Sometimes, that's all you need to fix an issue.

Then, troubleshoot your device, network, or Internet connection

If none of the quick solutions above solves your issue, try these troubleshooting steps.

First, see whether the problem is with your device, the Wi-Fi network, or your Internet connection:

• Device problems
  Try connecting to the Wi-Fi network with another device, like a laptop computer or friend's phone. If other devices can connect to and use the network, the problem is most likely specific to your device.
• Network problems
  Check whether your device can connect to another Wi-Fi network, like at a friend's house or a public network. If your device can connect elsewhere, the problem is most likely specific to the network.
• Internet problems
  If your device connects to the network but doesn't access the Internet, the problem is most likely specific to your Internet connection.

Then, try the troubleshooting steps below that match your problem type.

Troubleshoot device problems

Delete and re-add your Wi-Fi network to your device.

To remove a Wi-Fi network from your device:

1. Open your device’s Settings app .
2. Tap Wi-Fi. Make sure the Wi-Fi switch at the top is On.
3. In the list, tap the name of a saved network.
   Tip: If you're using Android 5.0 or higher and you don't see the network in the list, tap More   Saved networks. Then tap the network.
4. Tap Forget.

To add the Wi-Fi network again:

1. Open your device’s Settings app .
2. Tap More   Add network.
3. Enter the network name (SSID) and other security details, if needed.
4. Tap Save. You may need to enter a password to connect.

Check your Wi-Fi frequency settings

Set your Wi-Fi frequency settings to "Automatic"

Make sure your device is set to automatically connect to available Wi-Fi frequencies.

1. Open your device’s Settings app .
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Tap More   Advanced  Wi-Fi frequency band  Automatic.
4. Try connecting to the Wi-Fi network again.
   1. Return to your Settings app   Wi-Fi.
   2. Tap the network's name​.

If you still can't connect with this setting, try temporarily changing your Wi-Fi frequency band to connect only to 2.4 GHz. Use the steps below.

Use 2.4 GHz frequency to connect

Note: If you have a Nexus 7 (2012) device, skip this step.

1. Open your device’s Settings app .
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Tap More   Advanced  Wi-Fi frequency band  2.4 GHz only.
4. Try connecting to the Wi-Fi network again.
   1. Return to your Settings app   Wi-Fi.
   2. Tap the network's name​.
5. Follow the Delete and re-add your Wi-Fi network to your device steps above.

Important: When you're done using this network, change your Wi-Fi frequency band settings back to "Automatic." If you keep "2.4 GHz only" on, you won't be able to connect to some other networks.

See whether an app is causing the problem

The problem may be caused by an app that you downloaded. You can reboot your device in safe mode to determine whether a downloaded app is causing the problem.

1. Turn on safe mode.
2. Once you're in safe mode, try connecting to the Wi-Fi network again.
   1. Open your device's Settings app   Wi-Fi.
   2. Tap the network's name​.
3. See whether the Wi-Fi connection works in safe mode.
   • If the Wi-Fi connection works in safe mode
     An installed app is most likely causing the issue.
     1. Restart your device to exit safe mode.
     2. Uninstall recently downloaded apps one by one. See whether the connection works.
     3. Once you remove the app that's causing the problem, you can reinstall the apps that you removed in testing.
   • If the Wi-Fi connection doesn't work in safe mode
     There's most likely a problem with the Wi-Fi network. See Troubleshoot network problems below.

Troubleshoot network and Internet problems

Restart the Wi-Fi router and modem

If you have access to the router or modem, try turning it off and then on again.

1. Unplug the router and modem's power cords from the power outlet for 15 seconds.
2. Plug the power cords back in.
3. Check that all cords and cables are secure at both ends.
4. The router and modem should turn on automatically.
5. Wait a few minutes, until all the lights on the modem and router are working as intended.

If the lights on the router or modem aren't flashing as intended according to the manufacturer or manual, there may be an issue with the modem, router, or Internet connection.

Contact the network administrator or your Internet Service Provider to see if they can resolve this issue on their end. For example, there might be a service outage, or they might need to reset your Internet connection.

To connect to a public network, sign in

Public networks, like at cafes or airports, often have a login or authentication page that you need to complete before you can use that network. If you don't sign in or accept the terms on that page, the public Internet connection won't work.

If you see an authentication page on your device, sign in or accept the terms to get on that network.

If you don't see this page after you connect to the public network:

• Check for a pending notification on your device that asks you to sign into the Wi-Fi network. To see your pending notifications, swipe down from the top of any screen on your device.
• To see whether the authentication page will come up, open a new browser window and try to load a website.

If that doesn't work, try reestablishing your connection to the network:

1. Open your device’s Settings app .
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the name of the network. Then tap Forget.
4. At the top of the screen, tap to switch Wi-Fi Off. Then tap again to switch it back On.
5. On the list, tap the network name.
6. You should get a notification to sign into the network.
7. To bring up the authentication page on your device, tap the notification.
8. To connect to the network, accept the terms.

Troubleshoot creating a portable hotspot

Make sure "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot" is on

1. Open your device’s Settings app .
2. Under "Wireless & networks," tap More  Tethering & portable hotspot.
3. Tap Portable Wi-Fi hotspot to switch it on.
   • If it was already on, switch it off and then on again.
   • If your device has never before had a portable hotspot, first tap Set up Wi-Fi hotspot.

You can learn more about tethering with portable hotspots.

Contact your mobile carrier

Not all mobile service providers support mobile hotspots. Your mobile service provider sets its policy for using your data connection to create mobile hotspots.

If you have issues, check with your carrier to see whether your device can have mobile hotspots enabled, and whether hotspots are included in, and activated on, your data plan.

Once you connect

Once you connect, check for the latest system update. Updates may bring improvements that can help fix device issues.

You can also learn how to change your advanced Wi-Fi settings, like Wi-Fi scanning or automatically avoiding bad connections.

Still can't connect?

If you still can't connect, please contact your Internet Service Provider, router manufacturer, or network administrator.