Quick Answer
Restart your router and modem, then change your DNS server to 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS). This symptom almost always means the router itself has lost its internet connection or a DNS server is failing, while the local Wi-Fi link between the Chromebook and router is fine.
Common Causes
Being connected to Wi-Fi with no internet access typically comes from the router losing its connection to the ISP, a DNS server that’s down or slow to respond, an IP address conflict on the network, an ISP outage, or a captive portal (common on hotel and public Wi-Fi) that needs a login page accepted first.
Fix Steps
Step 1: Check if other devices are affected
Try a phone or another laptop on the same network. If nothing gets online, the problem is the router or ISP, not the Chromebook, and you can skip straight to Step 3.
Step 2: Look for a captive portal
On hotel, airport, or school Wi-Fi, open a new browser tab and try to load any website. Many networks require accepting a login or terms page before granting full internet access.
Step 3: Restart the modem and router
Unplug both, wait 30 seconds, then plug the modem back in first and let it fully reconnect before powering the router. This resolves the majority of “connected but no internet” cases.
Step 4: Change your DNS settings
Go to Settings > Network > your Wi-Fi network > Network > Name servers, and switch to Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1). See our full guide on changing DNS settings on a Chromebook for step-by-step instructions.
Step 5: Forget and reconnect to the network
Click the network, select “Forget,” then reconnect. This forces the Chromebook to request a fresh IP address and DNS configuration from the router.
Step 6: Check for an IP conflict
If the problem started after adding a new device to the network, two devices may have been assigned the same IP address. Restarting the router usually reassigns addresses and clears the conflict.
Still Not Fixed?
If DNS changes and a router restart don’t help and other devices on the same network get online fine, the issue is isolated to the Chromebook’s network configuration. Try Powerwashing the device to reset it completely.
FAQ
Why does the Wi-Fi icon show full bars but nothing loads?
Signal strength only measures the local radio link to the router, not whether that router has a working internet connection. Full bars with no internet points to the router or ISP, not weak Wi-Fi.
Is this the same as ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED?
They’re related but not identical. See our dedicated guide on ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED if you’re seeing that specific error in Chrome.
Can changing DNS servers fix everything?
It fixes cases where the ISP’s DNS server is slow or down while the connection itself works. It won’t help if the router has genuinely lost its internet link.
