MacBookConnected but no internetISP-provided router
How to fix “Connected but no internet” on your MacBook
Your device joins the Wi-Fi fine, but pages won’t load. Here’s how to get the internet back. Written for your MacBook, with your ISP-provided router in mind.
These steps are written for a MacBook running a recent macOS. The router-side fixes apply to every device on your network.
If your device says it’s connected to Wi-Fi but nothing loads, the problem is almost never your device — it’s the link between your router and the internet.
Work through these steps in order. Most people are back online after step two.
On an ISP-provided router
Settings are often partially locked to your provider, and they can sometimes restart or re-provision your line remotely — a quick call may be the fastest fix. Support details are usually on the router’s sticker.
Your step-by-step fix
1On your MacBook, hold the Option key and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar to see detailed connection info.
2Check whether other devices can reach the internet. If none can, the issue is your router or provider — skip ahead to step 3.
3On the affected device, turn Wi-Fi off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on and try again.
4Restart your router: unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait 2–3 minutes for it to fully reconnect.
5Check your router’s internet (WAN) light. If it’s off or red, the problem is upstream — your provider may have an outage.
6Contact your internet provider to confirm there’s no outage in your area.
Loading a page on a second device is the fastest way to tell whether it’s just this one device.
If every device in your home is offline, it’s almost always the router or ISP — not worth debugging on the device.
Write down your provider’s support number before you start, so you’re ready if it comes to that.
In System Settings → Wi-Fi → your network → Details → TCP/IP, “Renew DHCP Lease” clears a bad address that blocks the internet.
If the network keeps misbehaving on this Mac only, remove it under Details → Forget This Network, then rejoin.
This wasn't quite it?Build a different fix for another device or issue, or read the general fix wi-fi connected but no internet guide.