The three ways to get online

A laptop connects to the internet through either Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or mobile hotspot. Wi-Fi is the most common — you connect wirelessly to a router in your home or a public network. Ethernet uses a physical cable plugged into your laptop and router, and is faster and more stable. A mobile hotspot turns your phone's cellular connection into a wireless network your laptop can join.

Which method you use depends on what hardware you have available, where you are, and how much speed you need. Most people use Wi-Fi at home and hotspot when traveling. Ethernet is less common on modern laptops but still the fastest option if your device has the port.

Key Takeaways

  • Wi-Fi is the easiest method for most people — find the network name on your router, select it from your laptop's network menu, and enter the password.
  • Ethernet requires a cable and an Ethernet port on your laptop, but gives you faster, more stable speeds than Wi-Fi.
  • A mobile hotspot lets you use your phone's cellular data on your laptop, useful when you are away from home or a Wi-Fi network.
  • On Windows, open Settings and go to Network & Internet; on Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar at the top right.
  • If your laptop does not connect, restart your router, move closer to it, or check that you entered the password correctly.

Connecting to Wi-Fi on Windows

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app that appears. Select Network & Internet from the left menu, then click Wi-Fi. You will see a list of available networks — find the name of your router (usually printed on the router itself or on a sticker on the back) and click it.

A box will appear asking for the network password. Type the password exactly as it appears — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters are different. The password is usually on the same sticker as the network name. Click Next, and Windows will connect. Once connected, you will see a checkmark next to the network name.

If you do not see your network in the list, your router may be too far away or turned off. Move your laptop closer to the router and wait a few seconds for the list to refresh. If the network still does not appear, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully start.

Connecting to Wi-Fi on Mac

Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen — it looks like a fan or curved lines. A dropdown menu will show all available networks. Find your router's network name and click it.

A box will prompt you to enter the password. Type it carefully — the same password is on your router's sticker. Click Join. Once connected, the Wi-Fi icon will show a filled-in appearance instead of an outline, and you will see a checkmark next to your network name in the menu.

If your network does not appear in the list, move closer to the router and click the Wi-Fi icon again to refresh. If it still does not show, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Using an Ethernet cable

Ethernet is a wired connection that is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the port on your router labeled "Ethernet" or "LAN" — it looks like a small rectangular slot. Plug the other end into the Ethernet port on your laptop. On newer laptops, especially thin models, you may need a USB adapter to connect an Ethernet cable.

Once plugged in, your laptop will automatically detect the connection and begin using it. You will see a wired connection icon appear in your network settings. No password is needed. Ethernet is ideal if you are doing large downloads, video calls, or online gaming, since it is faster and does not drop out like Wi-Fi sometimes does.

If your laptop does not have an Ethernet port, you can buy a USB-to-Ethernet adapter online for $15 to $40. Plug the adapter into a USB port on your laptop, then plug the Ethernet cable into the adapter.

Sharing internet from your phone

A mobile hotspot turns your phone into a wireless router that your laptop can connect to. This is useful when you are away from home or a Wi-Fi network. On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, and toggle it on. Your phone will display a Wi-Fi network name and password — write these down.

On an Android phone, go to Settings, search for "hotspot", and tap Mobile Hotspot or Tethering. Toggle it on and note the network name and password shown on the screen.

On your laptop, open your Wi-Fi network list and select your phone's hotspot network name. Enter the password your phone displayed. Your laptop will now use your phone's cellular data to connect to the internet. Be aware that this uses your phone's data plan, so if you have a limited monthly allowance, hotspot use will count against it.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If your laptop will not connect to Wi-Fi, first check that you entered the password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, and a single wrong letter will prevent connection. Look at the password on your router's sticker and type it again slowly, character by character.

If the password is correct but the connection still fails, restart your router. Unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait two to three minutes for it to fully restart, then try connecting again. If your laptop still cannot find the network, move it closer to the router — Wi-Fi signals weaken over distance and through walls.

If you can see the network but connecting times out, restart your laptop. Sometimes the Wi-Fi driver — the software that manages your wireless connection — gets stuck. Restarting clears this. If the problem persists after restarting both devices, your router may need a software update. Check the router manufacturer's website for instructions, or contact your internet provider for support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time?

Yes, but your laptop will use only one at a time. It typically prioritizes Ethernet if both are connected, since it is faster. If you want to use Wi-Fi instead, you can unplug the Ethernet cable or disable the wired connection in your network settings.

Why is my Wi-Fi so slow?

Wi-Fi speed depends on distance from the router, obstacles like walls, and how many devices are connected. Move closer to the router, move it to a central location in your home, or reduce the number of devices using it. If speed remains poor, your internet plan itself may be slow — contact your provider to check your plan speed.

Do I need a password to use a public Wi-Fi network?

Some public networks like those at coffee shops or libraries are open and require no password — just select the network name and connect. Others require a password, which the business will provide. Be cautious on open networks: avoid entering passwords or sensitive information, since others on the network may be able to see it.

What if I forgot my Wi-Fi password?

Look for the password on a sticker attached to your router — it is usually on the back or bottom. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, restart your router to reset it to factory defaults, which will restore the original password printed in the manual. You can also log into your router's settings page through a web browser to change or view the password, though this requires knowing your router's admin password.

Can I connect to the internet without a router?

Yes, using a mobile hotspot from your phone. You can also use Ethernet if your laptop has the port and you can plug directly into a modem or network device. However, most home internet setups require a router to distribute the signal wirelessly to multiple devices.