Wi-Fi works on my phone but won't connect to my computer—what should I do?

Home Wi-Fi works reliably on the phone, but the computer can’t connect - either the network suddenly becomes “unavailable”, or Windows displays errors like "Unable to connect to the network" or Limited Access, even though everything was working just yesterday. The password doesn't work, the connection drops, and the cause is unclear: is the router at fault, have the network card drivers crashed, are the Windows settings messed up, or is malware interfering? The problem occurs suddenly, for no apparent reason, and the first thing to check is the status of the Wi-Fi adapter on the PC and the connection settings in the system.

In 80% of cases, the problem can be resolved in 10–15 minutes without calling a technician. But to do this, you need to clearly understand where the root cause lies: in the hardware (network card, router antennas), software (drivers, protocols), or network configuration (IP conflicts, MAC address filtering). We'll take a look. all possible reasons — from a banal disconnected adapter to rare bugs in the router firmware, and we will also give step-by-step instructions With images and terminal commands. We'll start with the simplest and gradually move on to more complex manipulations.

1. Checking Basic Settings: 5 Steps to Deep Diagnostics

Before digging into your router settings or reinstalling drivers, make sure the problem isn't something minor. Users often overlook the obvious:

• 📶 Is the Wi-Fi adapter turned on? On laptops there is a physical button or key combination (eg. Fn + F2 on ASUS, Fn + F5 on Lenovo). On your PC, check if the USB antenna is disconnected (if you are using an external adapter).
• 🔌 Is Airplane Mode active? In Windows 10/11, it disables all wireless connections. Check in the notification bar or via Start → Settings → Network & Internet.
• 🔄 Have you rebooted your router? Unplug it for 30 seconds - this will reset the DHCP cache and temporary locks. If Wi-Fi works on your PC after rebooting your router, but then disappears again an hour later, the problem is either overheating or unstable firmware.
• 📱 Is the phone connected to the same network? Sometimes devices automatically switch to nearby access points (for example, MiWiFi_2.4G instead of MiWiFi_5G). Make sure the network name (SSID) matches.
• 🔒 Is the password entered correctly? In Windows, when you enter a password, only dots are displayed—it's easy to make a mistake. Try re-entering it or copying it from a file (if you saved it).

If Wi-Fi still isn't working after these steps, proceed to the next section. But first, answer this question:

2. Network adapter diagnostics: drivers and hardware failures

When Wi-Fi doesn't connect only on computerIf the other devices are working fine, either the network adapter or its software is at fault. Let's start by checking the drivers:

1. Open Device Manager: click Win + X → select device Manager.
2. Find the "Network Adapters" section and open it. Look for devices with the words Wireless, Wi-Fi or 802.11 (For example, Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 or Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377).
3. Check the adapter status:
   • ❌ If there is a next to the name yellow triangle — the driver is not working properly or is missing.
   • ⚪ If the adapter is displayed in gray, it is disabled (right click → "Enable").

If the adapter is working properly but you still can't connect to Wi-Fi, update the driver:

4. Right-click on the adapter → Update driver → Automatic search.
5. If Windows says the driver is up to date, but the problem persists, remove it completely:
   • Right click → Remove device.
   • In the top menu of the Device Manager, click Action → Update hardware configuration.

If after reinstalling the driver Wi-Fi works, but the speed is low or the connection is unstable, try roll back to the previous version of the driver (in adapter properties → tab Driver → Roll back). Sometimes new versions contain bugs.

⚠️ Attention: If there is no "Network adapters" section in the Device Manager or the Wi-Fi adapter is not displayed at all, the problem may be in hardware failure (For example, the antenna on a laptop has come loose or the controller has burned out.) In this case, only repairs can help.

3. Router settings: why does the phone connect but the PC doesn't?

If Wi-Fi works on your phone but not on your computer, the reason may be MAC address filtering, incorrect security settings, or an IP conflict. Go to your router's control panel (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, login/password — admin/admin, if you haven't changed it) and check:

Pay special attention separation of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networksSome routers (for example, TP-Link Archer or ASUS RT-AX88U) create two separate networks with the same name but different suffixes (_2G, _5G). If your PC does not support 5 GHz, it simply will not see this network.

How do you know if your PC supports 5GHz?

Open Device Manager → Wi-Fi adapter properties → Advanced tab. Look for options like 802.11a or 5 GHz Wireless ModeIf they are not there, the adapter only works at 2.4 GHz.

⚠️ Attention: Router settings may reset after a firmware update. If you recently updated your device's firmware (for example, on Keenetic or MikroTik), check if your personal settings (password, MAC filter, channels) have been reset.

4. IP and DNS Conflicts: Why the Connection is "Limited"

A common cause of the problem is IP address conflict Or a DNS configuration error. Symptoms: Wi-Fi connects, but there's no internet access, and an exclamation point appears next to the network name. Here's how to fix it:

1. Flush your DNS cache:

   ipconfig /flushdns

2. Get a new IP address:

   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew

3. Check your IP settings:
   • Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
   • Click on the Wi-Fi connection → Properties → Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
   • Make sure the boxes are checked Obtain an IP address automatically And Obtain DNS server address automatically.

If automatically obtaining an IP doesn't help, try enter DNS manually:

• 🌍 For IPv4 Use Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 And 8.8.4.4.
• 🌍 Or Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 And 1.0.0.1.

After making the changes, restart your computer. If the issue persists, check if access is blocked. Windows Firewall or antivirus (for example, Kaspersky, Avast). Temporarily disable them and try connecting again.

5. Windows-specific problems: from services to viruses

Sometimes Wi-Fi doesn't work due to Windows service failures or malware. Let's check the key points:

1. Check the operation of services:
   • Click Win + R → enter services.msc.
   • Find services:
     • WLAN Automatic Configuration Service (should be In progress).
     • Network connections (startup type - Automatically).
   • If the service is stopped, right-click → Launch.
2. Reset the network:
   • Open Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network reset.
   • Click Reset now and confirm. Attention: After the reset, you will have to re-enter passwords for all networks.

Check for viruses:

• Some Trojans (for example, DNSChanger) are changing network settings. Scan the system. Malwarebytes or Dr.Web CureIt!.

If you have recently updated Windows to Windows 11 or installed a major update (for example, 22H2), the problem may be in driver incompatibility. Check the laptop manufacturer's website (for example, Dell, HP, Acer) for updated drivers for your model.

6. Alternative connection methods: if nothing helps

If all the above methods do not work, try to work around the problem with alternative methods:

• 🔌 Connect via cableTemporarily use Ethernet to check if the internet is working. If so, the problem is definitely with the Wi-Fi adapter or its settings.
• 📶 Use a USB modem: if you have a 4G/5G modem (for example, from Megaphone or Beeline), connect it to your PC to access the network.
• 🖥️ Create a hotspot from your phone:
  • On Android: Settings → Network & Internet → Hotspot & Tethering.
  • On iPhone: Settings → Tethering.
• 🔄 Update your router firmware:
  • Download the latest version of the software from the manufacturer's website (for example, for TP-Link or Zyxel).
  • Update via the router control panel (section System Tools → Firmware Upgrade).

If you suspect the problem is hardware failure (for example, the Wi-Fi module on the motherboard is burned out), the easiest way to check this is to connect it to a PC external USB Wi-Fi adapter (costs from 500 rubles). If the network works with it, the built-in adapter is to blame.

7. When to see a specialist: signs of serious problems

In most cases, you can fix your PC's Wi-Fi problem yourself, but there are situations when it's best to call a professional:

• ⚡ The adapter is not detected in Device Manager even after reinstalling the drivers.
• 🔥 The router is overheating (hot to the touch, spontaneously reboots).
• 🛠️ Damage is visible on the PC motherboard (darkened capacitors, traces of burning).
• 📡 Wi-Fi doesn't work on any device., including phones and tablets.

The cost of diagnostics at a service center is usually 500–1500 rubles, repair of the Wi-Fi module on a laptop - from 2000 rubles (depending on the model). If the problem is with the router, it is easier to replace it - modern models (for example, Xiaomi AX3000 or Tenda AC10U) cost from 2000 rubles and support all current standards.

⚠️ Attention: If you live in an apartment building and several neighbors are experiencing Wi-Fi problems at the same time, the cause may be interference from new equipment (for example, a powerful router is installed on the same channel) or provider actions (Changing PPPoE settings, blocking ports). Call your internet provider's support team and check if there's been any maintenance.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi issues on PC

Why does Wi-Fi connect but there is no internet ("No network access")?

This is a typical symptom. problems with DHCP or DNS. Try:

1. Run commands ipconfig /release And ipconfig /renew.
2. Register Google DNS (8.8.8.8) manually.
3. Reboot the router.

If that doesn't help, check if your antivirus or firewall is blocking access.

How do I know if my PC supports 5GHz Wi-Fi?

Open device Manager → Network adapters → properties of your Wi-Fi module → tab AdditionallyLook for parameters like:

• 802.11a (5 GHz support),
• Wireless Mode (should be 802.11a/b/g/n/ac).

If there are no such parameters, your adapter only works at 2.4 GHz.

Can antivirus block Wi-Fi?

Yes, some antiviruses (for example, Avast, ESET NOD32) have firewall modules that can block connections. Try:

1. Temporarily disable antivirus.
2. Add your network to the exceptions (in the antivirus firewall settings).
3. Check the antivirus log for blockings.

What should I do if Wi-Fi stops working after a Windows update?

Windows updates sometimes reset drivers or network settings. Solutions:

1. Roll back to the previous version of Windows (if the update was recent): Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.
2. Uninstall your current Wi-Fi driver and install the version from your laptop manufacturer's website (not from Windows Update!).
3. Restore your system from a restore point (if available).

How do I connect my PC to Wi-Fi if I don't have drivers (for example, after reinstalling Windows)?

If Wi-Fi is not working due to missing drivers, there are two options:

1. Download the driver to another PC and transfer it to a flash drive. Search for the driver based on your laptop or motherboard model (for PCs).
2. Use a cable: Temporarily connect your PC to the router via Ethernet, download the driver and install it.

For most modern laptops, drivers can be found on websites HP, Lenovo, Dell in the support section.