Can’t Connect to the Internet? Your 2025 Troubleshooting Guide

Whether you're working from home or managing an office team, few things are more frustrating than suddenly losing your internet connection. If you’ve found yourself thinking, “Why is the internet not working?”—take a deep breath. This guide is designed for non-technical professionals who need to fix internet connection issues quickly and confidently.

Let’s walk through simple steps to troubleshoot your connection and get back online fast.

1. Check If It’s Just You or the Whole Network

   
   

   First things first: don’t panic. Internet hiccups are common. Determine whether the issue is isolated to your device or affecting others:

   • Test another device: Try accessing the internet on your phone or a coworker’s computer.

   • Ask teammates: If everyone’s offline, the issue is likely with the network or ISP.

   • Only your laptop or phone affected? It could be a local setting or hardware issue.

   Knowing whether the problem is local or widespread will help guide your next steps.

During the internet outage, stay calm!

2. Before You Panic: A Quick Reset Might Do the Trick

Many internet issues can be resolved with a simple restart. Start by turning off your modem and router (usually two separate boxes) for 30 seconds, then turn them back on. Give it a minute or two to fully reboot.

If your internet is still down, check with coworkers or neighbors to see if it’s a larger outage. You can also visit your internet service provider’s (ISP) website or app using mobile data to check for reported service disruptions.

Restarting the router is an easy way to reestablish your internet connection.

3. Wired or Wireless? Test Both if You Can

If you're on Wi-Fi, see if plugging directly into your router with an Ethernet cable restores your connection. A successful wired connection means the internet is working, but your Wi-Fi might be the problem.

Wi-Fi dropping doesn't always mean your internet is down—it could just be a weak signal or interference. Try moving closer to the router or testing from another area.

4. Diagnose the Issue by Checking Network Settings

Sometimes the fix is just a few clicks away. Here are a few quick things to check:

• Airplane Mode: Make sure it’s turned off.

• Correct Wi-Fi Network: Are you connected to the right one?

• IP Address: Does your device have a valid IP address assigned?

• Use built-in troubleshooters:

  • On Windows: Right-click the network icon > Troubleshoot problems.

  • On Mac: Go to System Settings > Network > Assist Me > Diagnostics.

These tools can often pinpoint the cause or fix it automatically.

5. When the Router Is the Culprit (or Just Needs a Break)

If your router’s been working nonstop for months, it might just need a break. Here’s what to do:

• Power cycle it: Unplug the router and modem, wait 30 seconds, then plug them back in.

• Check for overheating: Make sure it’s in a well-ventilated area—not stuffed in a closet.

• Router lights:

  • Green/blinking: Usually a good sign.

  • Red/orange/blinking abnormally: Indicates a problem with the connection or hardware.

If the lights don’t return to normal after a reset, continue to the next step.

6. Still Nothing? It Could Be Your ISP or Cabling

If you've ruled out your devices and router, it’s time to check the wider connection:

• Check physical cables: Loose, unplugged, or damaged cables between your modem and router can cause a total loss of connectivity.

• Look for service outages: Use your ISP’s mobile app, website, or Twitter feed to check if there’s a reported issue in your area.

• Try a direct modem connection: Disconnect the router and plug your device directly into the modem with an Ethernet cable. If it works, your router may be failing.

  
  

7. When It’s Time to Call for Backup (a.k.a. Your IT Support)

If you’ve walked through all the steps above and still can’t connect to the internet, it may be time to call in reinforcements. Whether it’s recurring Wi-Fi drops, frequent slowdowns, or complete network outages—some issues require a professional touch.

Especially in office environments, unresolved internet problems can hurt productivity and team morale. It’s worth having a dependable IT support team you can trust.

Seek IT Support when you can resolve the issue yourself

8. Still Can't connect to the internet? Cloudigan’s Got Your Back

When it comes to keeping your business online and running smoothly, Cloudigan IT Solutions is here to help. We offer dependable support for small and medium-sized businesses—whether you're dealing with day-to-day issues or want proactive network monitoring to prevent downtime before it starts.

Our friendly and experienced team works alongside yours to handle everything from network diagnostics and Wi-Fi troubleshooting to full office IT support.

Let Cloudigan take the tech stress off your plate—contact us today to get started.