Your Mac shows Wi-Fi connected but nothing loads

Why it happens

Being connected to Wi-Fi only means your Mac is talking to the router. The router itself may have lost its internet line. Or your Mac may be holding an out-of-date network address or DNS setting, so the router can't pass its traffic on.

How to fix it

1. Pick up your phone or another device on the same Wi-Fi and open a website. If it fails too, the router or your internet provider is the problem, so go straight to restarting the router below.

2. On hotel, café or airport Wi-Fi, open Safari and try any website. If a sign-in or terms page appears, finish it, and the internet starts working.

3. If the other device works, open System Settings on the Mac and click Wi-Fi. Click Details next to the network you're on, then TCP/IP in the sidebar of that window.

   Wi-Fi›Details…›TCP/IP

4. Click Renew DHCP Lease, confirm if asked, then click OK. Your Mac gets a fresh address from the router.

5. Open a website again. If it still won't load, turn Wi-Fi off, wait ten seconds and turn it back on.

   Wi-Fi

Still not fixed?

1. Restart the router and modem. Unplug them for 30 seconds, plug them back in, wait two minutes for the lights to settle, then turn Wi-Fi off and on on the Mac.

2. Try a public DNS server. In the same Details window, click DNS, add a server such as 1.1.1.1 with the plus button and click OK.

   Wi-Fi›Details…›DNS

3. If you use a VPN or a security app, turn it off for a moment and test again. They can block traffic when they lose their own connection.

4. Forget the network and join it again with its password. In Details, click Forget This Network, then pick the network from the Wi-Fi list.

   Wi-Fi›Details…

5. If every device is offline even after a router restart, call your internet provider. If only your Mac can't get online, on any network, contact Apple Support.