The two ways to connect: WiFi or ethernet cable

You connect your computer to the internet through either a wireless connection (WiFi) or a wired connection (an ethernet cable plugged into your computer and router). WiFi is easier to set up if you're moving around your home or office. An ethernet cable is more stable and faster, but ties you to one location.

Both methods require a router — the device your internet service provider installed or that you bought separately. The router receives the internet signal from your provider and broadcasts it to your devices. Without a router, your computer cannot reach the internet, even if your provider's cable or fiber line is physically connected to your home.

Key Takeaways

  • WiFi connects wirelessly through your router and works from anywhere in range, but ethernet cables plugged directly into your router are faster and more reliable.
  • Your router must be powered on and connected to your internet service provider's line before your computer can connect to either WiFi or ethernet.
  • On Windows, look for the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner; on Mac, look in the top right corner to see available networks.
  • If your computer connects to WiFi but has no internet, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
  • An ethernet cable connection requires no password and no setup beyond plugging the cable in, making it the fastest troubleshooting step.

Connecting to WiFi on Windows

Look for the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, near the clock. It looks like curved lines stacked on top of each other. Click it to open a list of available networks — these are the WiFi signals your router is broadcasting, plus any from neighbors' routers in range.

Find your network name in the list. If you don't know your network name, check the sticker on your router — it usually lists the network name (sometimes called SSID) and the password. Click your network name, then click "Connect." Windows will ask for your WiFi password. Type it exactly as it appears on the router sticker, including capital letters and numbers, then click "Next."

Once connected, the WiFi icon will show solid curved lines instead of an empty outline. You should now see websites load when you open your browser. If the password doesn't work, double-check that you're typing it correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital A is different from lowercase a.

Connecting to WiFi on Mac

Look for the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your screen. It looks like curved lines stacked on top of each other. Click it to see a dropdown menu of available networks.

Find your network name in the list and click it. Mac will prompt you to enter your WiFi password. Type it exactly as shown on your router sticker, then click "Join." The WiFi icon will fill in solid once you're connected, and websites should load in your browser.

Using an ethernet cable instead

An ethernet cable is a thin cord with rectangular plastic connectors on each end. One end plugs into the back or side of your router; the other plugs into the ethernet port on your computer. The port looks like a slightly wider version of a phone jack. If your computer doesn't have an ethernet port, you can buy a USB adapter online for $10 to $30.

Plug one end into your router and the other into your computer. Most computers recognize the connection immediately — you don't need to enter a password or change any settings. Open your browser and test whether websites load. An ethernet connection is almost always faster and more stable than WiFi, so if you're having trouble with wireless, this is the first thing to try.

What to do if your computer sees WiFi but has no internet

Your computer can connect to your router's WiFi signal but still have no internet if the router itself isn't connected to your internet service provider's line. Check that the cable from your wall (or from your modem, if you have one) is plugged firmly into the port on your router labeled "Internet," "WAN," or "Uplink." Push it in until you hear a click.

Next, restart your router. Unplug the power cable from the back of the router, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. The lights on the front will blink as it restarts — this usually takes one to three minutes. Once the lights stop blinking and settle into a steady pattern, try loading a website again.

If you still have no internet after restarting, check whether your modem (the device that connects to your internet service provider's line) is also powered on and has lights that show it's working. If the modem has no lights or is dark, plug it in and wait for it to restart. Then restart your router again.

Checking your internet speed and connection strength

On Windows, right-click the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner and select "Open Network and Internet settings." Scroll down to "Advanced network options" and click it. You'll see your connection type (WiFi or ethernet) and a link to "View your network properties." Click that to see your current connection speed.

On Mac, hold down the Option key and click the WiFi icon in the top right corner. A menu will appear showing your network name, signal strength (measured in bars), and security type. The more bars you see, the stronger your signal. If you see only one or two bars, try moving closer to your router or removing obstacles like walls or metal objects between your computer and router.

If your speed is much slower than what your internet service provider promised, restart your router as described above. If the problem continues, contact your provider — they can check whether the issue is on their end or with your equipment.

Troubleshooting when nothing connects

If your computer won't connect to WiFi at all, first make sure your router is powered on. Look for lights on the front — if there are none, plug in the power cable. Wait two to three minutes for it to fully start up.

Next, check that WiFi is turned on in your computer. On Windows, open the WiFi menu in the bottom right corner — if you see "WiFi is turned off," click to turn it on. On Mac, click the WiFi icon in the top right corner and make sure "Turn WiFi On" is not showing; if it is, click it.

If your network still doesn't appear in the list, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If it still doesn't show up after the restart, try restarting your computer. If you've restarted both and your network still won't appear, your router may have a hardware problem — contact your internet service provider or the router manufacturer for support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a password to use ethernet?

No. An ethernet cable connection requires no password or setup. Simply plug the cable in and your computer should connect to the internet immediately. This makes ethernet useful for troubleshooting WiFi problems.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

Check the sticker on your router — the password is usually printed there. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding a small reset button on the back for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your settings, so you'll need to set up WiFi again from scratch using the default password on the sticker.

Why is my WiFi so slow?

WiFi slows down when your computer is far from the router, when walls or metal objects block the signal, or when many devices are connected at once. Try moving closer to your router or removing obstacles. If that doesn't help, restart your router. If your speed is still much slower than your provider promised, contact them to check their connection.

Can I use both WiFi and ethernet at the same time?

Your computer can be plugged into both, but it will use only one connection at a time. Windows and Mac automatically prefer the ethernet connection when both are available because it's faster and more stable. Unplug the ethernet cable if you want to use WiFi instead.

What does "no internet, secured" mean?

This message means your computer successfully connected to your router's WiFi signal, but the router itself has no internet from your service provider. Check that the cable from your wall is plugged firmly into your router's "Internet" or "WAN" port, then restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.