We have all faced spotty Wi-Fi connections somewhere. Maybe you are scrolling through a webpage or watching videos until the internet connection is gone. Every device is susceptible to this flaw; Chromebooks are no exception.
So what can you do if you face this issue? Well, check your internet connection and the Wi-Fi Settings of your Chromebook.
To help you troubleshoot it, follow this article and restore your internet connection quickly.
Why is your Chromebook not Connecting to Wi-Fi?
There are two main reasons why a Chromebook cannot connect to your Wi-Fi connections. Either your router is experiencing a problem, or the internet settings are configured incorrectly.
If your ISP is experiencing server downtime, then none of your devices will connect to the internet. Or if a specific server experiences downtime, the webpage will fail to load. In such cases, check if your phone or laptop can access the web or if it is just your Chromebook.
Similarly, the problem can exist on the Chromebook’s side. The Wi-Fi being switched off or giving the wrong password will also prevent the device from using the internet.
Routers can act weird sometimes. Then it will refuse to connect with your Chromebook, and you cannot browse the internet.
So, first, ensure the internet connection is okay. Then, move on to the next steps.
How to Fix Chromebook Not Connecting to Wi-Fi?
To fix your Chromebook’s Wi-Fi connection, reset your router first. Then check if you have enabled your Chromebook’s Wi-Fi and connected to the correct network. Use the copy and paste feature on Chromebook to save the password in a document or note. Double-check if you have to. If this does not fix it, restart the Chromebook and try again.
These are explained in detail below:
Here are the methods to fix Chromebook not connecting to Wi-Fi:
1. Check your Internet Connection for Possible Downtime
If your Chromebook refuses to connect to the internet, try using the same Wi-Fi network on a different device. See if you can search for something on Google and try to play or download YouTube videos on your Chromebook.
If you still have an internet issue, then contact your ISP. Your internet connection probably is experiencing downtime, and something is not wrong with your Chromebook.
But if your phone or laptop can access the internet, your router or Chromebook is at fault.
2. Power Cycle the Router
Unplug the Router and keep it powered down for 5 minutes. Then plug its power adapter back in. This should restart your router.
It clears any communication issues when other devices have trouble connecting with it. This will reboot the router and load the default Settings.
3. Check if Wi-Fi is Turned on your Chromebook
Click on the clock in the bottom right of your Chromebook. Now click on Wi-Fi. Check if the toggle is turned on. Next, check if you are connected to your preferred network.
The Chromebook will not connect to the internet if Wi-Fi is not enabled. Also, you need to enter the correct password for the network. Otherwise, you cannot join it.
Once you run these checks successfully, the Chromebook should connect to your Wi-Fi connection. If the issue persists, try reconnecting your network.
4. Disconnect and Re-connect your Wi-Fi
Even if you connect to the Wi-Fi network, sometimes it can show No Internet. In that case, click on the network and select Disconnect. Then click the network again and click on Connect.
You may think this as a strange fix, but routers can slow down sometimes. Maybe many devices are connected at a time. Or you have a large file downloading. There is no shortage of reasons for such slowdowns.
5. Forget Existing Connections
Now try removing the credentials for your Wi-Fi network and re-connect again. This can also fix internet connectivity issues.
Follow the steps to forget your Wi-Fi network on your Chromebook:
- Click the clock at the bottom right and press the gear icon.
- Open Network, present in the right tab.
- Click the arrow next to your Wi-Fi network.
- Now press the Forget button.
- To reconnect it, press on the network again.
- Enter your password and click the Connect button.
Does this fix the issue for you? If not, then try restarting your Chromebook.
6. Restart your Chromebook
If nothing has worked out for you yet, then simply restart the Chromebook.
Restarting removes all temporary data from your system. Chrome OS will load with the default configurations that you have set.
If your Chromebook was experiencing difficulties communicating with the router, restarting should fix it.
7. Use an External Wi-Fi Adapter
If the networking card of your Chromebook is at fault, then no matter what you do earlier will not work.
You can replace the existing Wi-Fi card that is built-in. But for that, your Chromebook needs to be disassembled completely. To avoid the fuss, just buy any USB Wi-Fi adapter and plug it into any port. Now try connecting to your Wi-Fi network. It should connect easily.
There are different brands of these adapters you can choose from. They start at 15 dollars. Choose the brand that you prefer.
8. Connect an Ethernet Cable
An ethernet connection is another great way to get the fastest speeds from your internet. But Chromebooks do not come with an ethernet port. What to do, then?
You can buy any USB to ethernet adapter and plug it into the USB port. Then you can enjoy stable internet speeds without the hassle of Wi-Fi connectivity issues. But you need to sacrifice portability, and you need to be closer to your router or modem.
9. Reset your Chromebook
Factory resetting a Chromebook is also known as Powerwash. It will take the Chrome OS back to its factory state and remove all your files and data on the device. However, any files that you save on Google Drive remain unaffected. Though, be informed that there is another way to reset your Chromebook.
So before proceeding, do not forget to back up the files that you have downloaded. Just copy it to a flash drive or your cloud storage account.
These steps will Reset your Chromebook to default settings:
- Open Quick Settings by clicking the clock icon at the bottom right.
- Press on Sign out.
- Press the following keys at once, Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r.
- A dialog box should appear. Select Restart.
- In the next window, select Powerwash and click on Continue.
The Chromebook will restart. Now log in to your device using your email and password. Try connecting to the network again. You should connect successfully.
10. Reach out to Google Support
If you are still unable to connect using the Wi-Fi on your Chromebook, then there is a serious hardware issue present. A faulty Wi-Fi card can be behind this.
A Wi-Fi adapter can help you connect to the internet. But if your device is new, contact the retailer and ask for a replacement unit.
You can also contact Google support detailing your issue. They will provide solutions if you face a bug that is only specific to your system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Chromebook show network not available even when connected to Wi-Fi?
It means there is an issue with your internet connection or router. Power down the modem and router, then see if you can connect to the internet. If the problem persists, contact your ISP support and inform them.
How do I force my Chromebook to connect to Wi-Fi?
To connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi, click the clock at the bottom right, and press on Wi-Fi. Select the network you want to connect to, enter its password, and click Ok.
Why does my Chromebook Wi-Fi slider keep turning off by itself?
This can happen if the Wi-Fi card is facing trouble communicating with the Chrome OS. To fix this, take off the bottom cover of your Chromebook. Remove the Wi-Fi card from its slot and reinsert it again. Remember to place all the screws correctly and restart the Chromebook. This should fix it.
In Conclusion
Chromebooks are great little devices. Everything you do revolves around an internet connection here. If your Wi-Fi is not working, the entire device becomes unusable.
This article shows how you can troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity issues on a Chromebook. Barring a serious hardware issue where your device needs a replacement, you should easily connect to the internet by now.
I hope this article helps you out.
Until next time, it is time to say goodbye.
