What you need before you start

To connect to the internet, you need three things: a device (computer, phone, or tablet), an internet source, and the password or login information for that source. The internet source is usually either a Wi-Fi network from a router in your home or office, or a mobile data plan on your phone. If you are setting up internet at home for the first time, you will also need to contact an internet service provider — but that is a separate step from connecting a device once the service is already installed.

This guide covers connecting devices to existing internet sources. If you do not have internet service yet, you will need to contact providers in your area first. If you already have a router set up and working, skip to the section that matches your device type.

Key Takeaways

  • Wi-Fi networks require you to find the network name on your device, select it, and enter the password — usually a sticker on the router itself.
  • Mobile data uses your phone's built-in plan and turns on automatically; you do not need a password.
  • If you cannot see the network name, the router may be off, too far away, or the Wi-Fi may be disabled.
  • Forgetting the password is the most common problem; check the router, the bill from your internet provider, or contact them for a reset.
  • Once connected, your device should show a Wi-Fi symbol or data indicator, and you can open a web browser to test the connection.

Connecting to Wi-Fi on Windows

On a Windows computer, look for the network icon in the bottom right corner of your screen — it looks like a fan or radio waves. Click it. A list of available Wi-Fi networks will appear. Find the name of your network (called the SSID) and click it. A box will pop up asking for the password.

Type the password exactly as it appears. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are different. If you do not know the password, check for a sticker on the bottom or back of your router — it usually says "Wi-Fi Password" or "Network Key" and shows a string of letters and numbers. After you enter the password, click "Next" or "Connect". Windows will show a checkmark next to the network name once you are connected.

If the network does not appear in the list, the router may be off, you may be too far away, or Wi-Fi may be disabled on your computer. Move closer to the router and try again. If the network still does not show, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Connecting to Wi-Fi on Mac

On a Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top right corner of your screen — it looks like radio waves. A dropdown menu will show all available networks. Click the name of your network. A box will ask for the password.

Enter the password from your router (check the sticker on the device if you do not know it) and click "Join". The Wi-Fi icon will fill in solid once you are connected. If you see a question mark next to the network name, the connection failed — usually because the password was typed incorrectly. Try again, paying close attention to uppercase and lowercase letters.

Connecting to Wi-Fi on iPhone or Android

On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Wi-Fi. Toggle Wi-Fi on if it is off. A list of networks will appear. Tap the name of your network. Enter the password and tap "Join". You will see a checkmark next to the network name when connected.

On Android, go to Settings, then Network & Internet or Connections (the exact name varies by phone model). Tap Wi-Fi and toggle it on. Select your network name from the list. Enter the password and tap "Connect". Android will show a Wi-Fi symbol in the status bar at the top when connected.

If you see "Cannot Connect" or "Incorrect Password", the password you entered does not match what the router has. Check the router sticker again and make sure you typed it exactly, including capital letters and numbers. If the password has special characters like @ or &, make sure you typed those correctly too.

Using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi

If you have a phone with a mobile data plan, you do not need Wi-Fi to use the internet. Mobile data turns on automatically when Wi-Fi is off or unavailable. You will see a symbol at the top of your screen — usually an "LTE", "4G", "5G", or a series of dots or bars — that shows your data connection is active.

Mobile data uses data from your phone plan, so using it costs money if your plan has a limit. Wi-Fi does not use your plan's data, so it is usually cheaper to use Wi-Fi when available. You can turn mobile data off in Settings if you want to use only Wi-Fi and avoid extra charges.

Testing your connection

Once your device shows it is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, open a web browser — Safari on iPhone or Mac, Chrome or Edge on Windows, or Chrome on Android. Go to any website, like google.com or bbc.com. If the page loads, your internet connection is working.

If the page does not load or shows an error, try these steps in order: first, restart your device by turning it off and back on. Second, move closer to the router if you are using Wi-Fi. Third, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If none of these work, contact your internet provider — the problem may be with the service itself, not your device.

What to do if you forgot the password

The easiest way to find your Wi-Fi password is to check the router itself. Look for a sticker on the bottom, back, or side of the device. It will say "Wi-Fi Password", "Network Key", "SSID", or something similar, followed by a string of characters. Write it down exactly as shown.

If the sticker is missing or worn away, check any paperwork or emails from your internet provider — they often include the password. If you still cannot find it, you can reset the router to its factory settings. This erases the current password and sets it back to the default, which is usually printed on the device itself. To reset, hold down a small button on the back of the router for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights blink. After the router restarts, use the default password from the sticker.

Resetting the router will disconnect all devices currently using that network, so do this only if you cannot find the password any other way. After you reset and reconnect all devices, you can create a new password through your router's settings page — but that requires logging into the router's admin panel, which is a more advanced step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my device show the Wi-Fi network but say "cannot connect"?

This usually means the password is wrong. Check the router sticker again and retype it carefully, paying attention to uppercase and lowercase letters. If you have tried multiple times, the password may have been changed. Contact your internet provider or the person who set up the network to ask for the current password.

Can I connect multiple devices to the same Wi-Fi network?

Yes. Most home routers support 20 to 50 devices at once, though the actual number depends on the router model and how much data each device uses. Each device connects separately using the same network name and password. If you have many devices and the internet is slow, the router may be overloaded — restarting it usually helps.

What is the difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi?

Some routers broadcast two networks with the same name but different frequencies. 5GHz is faster but does not travel as far through walls. 2.4GHz is slower but has better range. If your router shows two networks with similar names, try connecting to the 5GHz one first if you are close to the router. If the connection is weak or drops, switch to 2.4GHz.

Is it safe to connect to public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or library?

Public Wi-Fi is convenient but less secure than home Wi-Fi. Avoid entering passwords, credit card numbers, or sensitive information on public networks. If you must do these things, use a VPN (virtual private network) app, which encrypts your data. For basic browsing, public Wi-Fi is usually safe enough.

Why does my connection keep dropping?

Intermittent disconnections usually mean the router is too far away, there is interference from other devices, or the router needs a restart. Move closer to the router and try again. If the problem continues, unplug the router for 30 seconds and plug it back in. If it still drops frequently, contact your internet provider — the issue may be with the service line itself.