Wi-Fi Works on Laptop but Not Phone? How to Fix It

If your Wi-Fi works on your laptop but not your phone, the issue is usually phone-specific (settings, privacy/VPN, or saved network data) — not your internet connection.

Follow the steps below in order to identify what’s causing the issue and what you can safely fix.

Common Symptoms

Laptop connects to Wi-Fi and works normally
Phone connects but shows “No Internet”
Apps won’t load on the phone
Wi-Fi disconnects repeatedly on the phone
Restarting the router doesn’t help the phone

This usually means the Wi-Fi network is working, but the phone is having trouble staying connected.

Why This Happens

Phone-specific Wi-Fi issues are often caused by:

Temporary network glitches
Incorrect Wi-Fi or mobile settings
Power-saving features limiting Wi-Fi
VPNs or security apps blocking access
Software or system updates

Phone-Only Causes (Most Common)

Phone is on the wrong band (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz)
“Private Wi-Fi Address / MAC randomization” blocking access
Private DNS / VPN / security app filtering traffic
Power-saving mode restricting Wi-Fi
Captive portal not loading (public Wi-Fi login page)
Date/time settings incorrect (can break secure connections)

Pro Tip: Check your Frequency. Many modern routers use “Smart Connect” to merge $2.4\text{GHz}$ (range up to 150ft) and $5\text{GHz}$ (range up to 60ft) bands. If your laptop connects but your phone doesn’t, try splitting the bands. Some smartphones struggle to “handshake” with a merged SSID, especially when moving between the long-range $2.4\text{GHz}$ and high-speed $5\text{GHz}$ zones.

Wi-Fi Comparison Table: 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz vs. 6 GHz

Feature	2.4 GHz Band	5 GHz Band	6 GHz Band (Wi-Fi 6E)
Top Speed	Lower (Browsing)	Higher (4K Streaming)	Highest (Gigabit+)
Max Range	Up to 150 feet	Up to 60 feet	Up to 30 feet
Congestion	High (Crowded)	Moderate	Zero (Ultra-clean)
Wall Penetration	Excellent	Limited	Very Low
Best Channels	1, 6, 11	36, 44, 149, 157	Up to 59 new channels
Key Benefit	Long-range coverage	Balance of speed/range	Lag-free VR/Gaming

The steps below help rule these out one by one.

Step-by-Step Fixes

Step 1: Restart the Phone

This clears temporary connection issues.

Power the phone off completely
Wait 30 seconds
Turn it back on
Reconnect to Wi-Fi and test

This resolves many phone-only Wi-Fi problems.

Step 2: Forget and Reconnect to the Wi-Fi Network

Saved network settings can become outdated.

Open Wi-Fi settings on the phone
Forget or remove the current network
Reconnect and re-enter the Wi-Fi password
Test the connection

This refreshes how the phone connects to the network.

Step 3: Stop the Phone From Switching Networks (Mobile Data Assist / Smart Network Switch)

Simple settings can block Wi-Fi unexpectedly.

Make sure Airplane Mode is off
Turn mobile data off temporarily
Reconnect to Wi-Fi and test again

This prevents the phone from switching connections in the background.

Step 4: Check Private DNS / Wi-Fi Privacy Settings (Android/iPhone)

iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) → toggle Private Wi-Fi Address off (test), then back on if needed
Android: Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS → set to Automatic (test)

Step 5: Disable VPNs or Security Apps Temporarily

VPNs and security apps can block internet access.

Turn off any VPN apps
Pause security or firewall apps
Test Wi-Fi again

If the internet works after disabling one of these, that app may be interfering.

Step 6: Check Phone Software Updates

Outdated software can cause connection problems.

Check for system updates
Install updates if available
Restart the phone after updating

Updates often fix hidden Wi-Fi bugs.

Step 7: Reset Phone Network Settings (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, resetting network settings may help.

You don’t need to understand the technical details—this simply clears saved Wi-Fi and network data.

This will remove saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth connections
You’ll need to reconnect afterward

Only use this step if earlier fixes fail.

When This Doesn’t Work

The issue may be beyond basic troubleshooting if:

The phone won’t connect to any Wi-Fi network
Wi-Fi works on other phones but not this one
The problem started after physical damage
The phone overheats or crashes

At this point, further changes may not help.

FAQ

Why does my phone say “Connected” but apps won’t load? This usually happens when the phone is connected to Wi-Fi but something on the phone is blocking traffic, like a VPN, Private DNS, or a privacy/security setting. If you want a deeper explanation of DNS-related failures that can cause this, read DNS Error? What It Means and How to Fix It.
Should I turn off Private DNS or my VPN to test Wi-Fi? Yes, temporarily. VPNs, ad blockers, and security apps can block websites or apps even when Wi-Fi looks connected. Turn them off, test, then turn them back on one-by-one to find the cause. If your browsing problems look like “site won’t load” errors, see Common Website Problems and What They Usually Mean.
Could “Private Wi-Fi Address” / MAC randomization block my phone? Yes. Some networks (especially managed Wi-Fi, work networks, or certain routers) can mis-handle randomized MAC addresses. Test: toggle it off briefly, confirm it works, then decide whether to keep it off for that network.

Next Best Action

If the phone still won’t connect:

Test Wi-Fi on another network
Contact the phone manufacturer’s support
Visit a repair or service center
Consider hardware issues if the phone is older

Knowing when to escalate saves time and frustration.

If you’re unsure whether the issue is device-specific or network-wide, this guide explains how to tell the difference between ISP and router problems.

If apps load slowly or connections feel unstable, this guide explains how to test your internet speed and understand the results.

Final Tip

If Wi-Fi works on your laptop but not your phone, the internet connection itself is usually fine. Focus on the phone’s settings, apps, and software rather than changing router or ISP settings unnecessarily.