How to Fix WiFi Connection on Android Phone Tablet
Introduction
You may be unable to go online with your Android phone or tablet using the WiFi connection and troubleshooting the Internet connection may be difficult for you.
This guide will help you with that and take you through the basic steps to get your wireless connection fixed. These steps are listed in order, so start with the first one, see if that helps, and then continue with the next one if it doesn't.
1 Restart the Android Device
- Hold down the power button on your Android device.
Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
- A prompt will appear on-screen. Select Restart.
If the menu doesn't show up, continue holding the power button until the device will turns off.
2 Make Sure the Android Device is in Range
The device needs to be within a reasonable range of the router in order to connect and have the best connection speeds.
- In general, in most homes, you can be up to 30 feet from your router for a decent connection.
- From 30' to 50' away, the speeds will be slower, and may drop occasionally, but it should be usable.
- Greater than 50' away, and the signal will most likely be too weak to overcome interference. The speeds will be slow, and the connection may be sporadic.
The above numbers are approximates only. Optimal range may vary based on router make and model.
3 Delete the WiFi Network
Sometimes the WiFi network information can get corrupted on your Android phone or tablet, or the connection parameters may get changed on the wireless access point. To reestablish the connection you will first need to delete the network information.
- Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
- Select WiFi.
- Look in the list for your WiFi network. Tap and hold your Wi-Fi network name till a menu comes up.
- Select Forget network.
4 Reconnect the Android Device to the WiFi
Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.
- Open Settings.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is set to On at the top.
- Your Android device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The Wi-Fi network name will show Connected underneath.
To Connect to a New Network
If you're connecting to a particular Wi-Fi network for the first time:
- Select the connection from the list.
- Enter the password for the network, then select Connect.
To Connect to a Hidden Network
If the Wi-Fi network you wish to connect to is a hidden network, it won't appear in the list of available networks. However, if you know the network's exact name and password, it can be added manually.
- Select Add network.
- Enter the Network Name (also called the SSID) you wish to connect to, the type of Security it uses (usually WPA2), and the Password for the network, then select Save.
5 Restart the Modem and Router
Many times a connection issue can be resolved quickly and easily by restarting the Internet equipment:
- Disconnect the power cable from the back of your modem. The power cable is usually near the bottom, and tends to be a thin black cord. It usually does not have any clips on it.
Some modems may have a battery backup to keep the telephone service working in case of a power outage. If the lights on your modem do not turn off when you disconnect the power cable, make sure you also remove the battery as well, then put it back in place before you reconnect the power cable.
- Disconnect the power cable from the back of your router, or if your router has one, push the power button to turn it off.
Some Internet Service Providers now provide "Wireless Gateways", which contain both a modem and router in one simple device. Some users prefer separate devices. Both are perfectly acceptable. If you are using an all-in-one Wireless Gateway, you can safely continue without this step.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the power cables back into your modem and router.
- Make sure the power light comes on for each device. This is usually labeled by the symbol below.
Please allow 3 to 6 minutes for the modem and router to start up fully.
6 Check the Cables to the Modem and Router
Whether you have a wired or wireless connection, your Internet equipment such as your router, modem or wireless gateway requires to be wired to the Internet signal source and a power source.
Check the Connections to the Modem
- Make sure the power cable is connected firmly to the back of the modem and the electrical outlet, and the power light is on. The power light usually has the symbol below next to it.
- Make sure the connection to your service provider is proper. This could be a cable line if you have cable Internet, a phone line if you have DSL, or a Fiber cable for fiber Internet.
Check the Connections to the Router
If you have a "Wireless Gateway", or combination modem and router, you can skip these checks.
- Make sure the power cable is connected firmly to the back of the device and the wall, and the power light is on. The power light usually has the symbol below next to it.
- Make sure the Ethernet cable going to your modem is connected securely, and into the "Uplink" or "Internet" port.
- Make sure the other end of the Ethernet cable is connected securely to your Modem.
7 Check the Internet Light on Modem and Router
There's a light representing the Internet connection. It will usually be labeled "Internet", or have one of the common symbols below.
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Make sure the light next to this symbol is on and solid (or flickering very briefly) on both your modem and router. This means you should have a good connection to the Internet and your devices should be able to go online.
If the Issue Persists
Please contact your ISP or Router OEM for network assistance.
Was this content helpful?
YesNoYou may be unable to go online with your Android phone or tablet using the WiFi connection and troubleshooting the Internet connection may be difficult for you.
This guide will help you with that and take you through the basic steps to get your wireless connection fixed. These steps are listed in order, so start with the first one, see if that helps, and then continue with the next one if it doesn't.
- Hold down the power button on your Android device.
Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
- A prompt will appear on-screen. Select Restart.
If the menu doesn't show up, continue holding the power button until the device will turns off.
The device needs to be within a reasonable range of the router in order to connect and have the best connection speeds.
- In general, in most homes, you can be up to 30 feet from your router for a decent connection.
- From 30' to 50' away, the speeds will be slower, and may drop occasionally, but it should be usable.
- Greater than 50' away, and the signal will most likely be too weak to overcome interference. The speeds will be slow, and the connection may be sporadic.
The above numbers are approximates only. Optimal range may vary based on router make and model.
Sometimes the WiFi network information can get corrupted on your Android phone or tablet, or the connection parameters may get changed on the wireless access point. To reestablish the connection you will first need to delete the network information.
- Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
- Select WiFi.
- Look in the list for your WiFi network. Tap and hold your Wi-Fi network name till a menu comes up.
- Select Forget network.
Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.
- Open Settings.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is set to On at the top.
- Your Android device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The Wi-Fi network name will show Connected underneath.
To Connect to a New Network
If you're connecting to a particular Wi-Fi network for the first time:
- Select the connection from the list.
- Enter the password for the network, then select Connect.
To Connect to a Hidden Network
If the Wi-Fi network you wish to connect to is a hidden network, it won't appear in the list of available networks. However, if you know the network's exact name and password, it can be added manually.
- Select Add network.
- Enter the Network Name (also called the SSID) you wish to connect to, the type of Security it uses (usually WPA2), and the Password for the network, then select Save.
Many times a connection issue can be resolved quickly and easily by restarting the Internet equipment:
- Disconnect the power cable from the back of your modem. The power cable is usually near the bottom, and tends to be a thin black cord. It usually does not have any clips on it.
Some modems may have a battery backup to keep the telephone service working in case of a power outage. If the lights on your modem do not turn off when you disconnect the power cable, make sure you also remove the battery as well, then put it back in place before you reconnect the power cable.
- Disconnect the power cable from the back of your router, or if your router has one, push the power button to turn it off.
Some Internet Service Providers now provide "Wireless Gateways", which contain both a modem and router in one simple device. Some users prefer separate devices. Both are perfectly acceptable. If you are using an all-in-one Wireless Gateway, you can safely continue without this step.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the power cables back into your modem and router.
- Make sure the power light comes on for each device. This is usually labeled by the symbol below.
Please allow 3 to 6 minutes for the modem and router to start up fully.
Whether you have a wired or wireless connection, your Internet equipment such as your router, modem or wireless gateway requires to be wired to the Internet signal source and a power source.
Check the Connections to the Modem
- Make sure the power cable is connected firmly to the back of the modem and the electrical outlet, and the power light is on. The power light usually has the symbol below next to it.
- Make sure the connection to your service provider is proper. This could be a cable line if you have cable Internet, a phone line if you have DSL, or a Fiber cable for fiber Internet.
Check the Connections to the Router
If you have a "Wireless Gateway", or combination modem and router, you can skip these checks.
- Make sure the power cable is connected firmly to the back of the device and the wall, and the power light is on. The power light usually has the symbol below next to it.
- Make sure the Ethernet cable going to your modem is connected securely, and into the "Uplink" or "Internet" port.
- Make sure the other end of the Ethernet cable is connected securely to your Modem.
There's a light representing the Internet connection. It will usually be labeled "Internet", or have one of the common symbols below.
|
|
|
Make sure the light next to this symbol is on and solid (or flickering very briefly) on both your modem and router. This means you should have a good connection to the Internet and your devices should be able to go online.