LG phone says Wi-Fi is connected but there’s no internet (other devices work)
Steve H.
Reviewed for technical accuracy
Specialities: LG phone Wi-Fi connected but no internet, apps not loading, mobile data not working, “Connected without internet,” VPN/Private DNS conflicts.
LG has Wi-Fi but no internet? Common reasons + what to check first (safe checks, settings, updates, sign-in networks)
Technician
Let’s start with the safest checks first. I don’t want you changing lots of settings at once and ending up more confused.
Before we touch anything: did this start today, or right after something changed (a software update, a new router, a new Wi-Fi password, or a new location like a café/hotel)?
Technician
First, I want to rule out the “easy but sneaky” causes:
• Is Airplane mode off?
• Is it possible Mobile data is off and you’re relying only on Wi-Fi?
• Do you see any message like “Sign in to Wi-Fi” or a small exclamation mark near the Wi-Fi icon?
Technician
Please do this in order:
1) Turn Wi-Fi off on the LG, wait 10 seconds, turn it back on.
2) If that doesn’t help, toggle Airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off (this resets the phone’s radios).
Trust moment: We’re not deleting anything yet. Just toggles that can be undone immediately.
Technician
Quick question: do any apps work at all (like YouTube, email), or is it “nothing loads anywhere,” including the browser?
Technician
Two safe checks that often fix the “connected but no internet” situation on Android/LG:
• Check Date & time: is it set to Automatic? (Wrong time can break secure connections.)
• Check for VPN or Private DNS: if either is on, it can stop internet on just one device.
Trust moment: If you’re not sure, don’t change it yet — just tell me what you see (ON/OFF).
Technician
If you feel comfortable: switch Private DNS to Automatic (or Off if Automatic isn’t there), then try opening one simple site like a weather page. If you’d rather not change it yet, we can do a different test first.
Alternative low-risk test: can you connect the LG to a different internet source just once (for example, your home Wi-Fi plus a phone hotspot from someone nearby)? That tells us if it’s the Wi-Fi network or the LG settings.
Technician
Safest next step on the LG is usually:
• Forget your home Wi-Fi network (this removes the saved details) and reconnect with the password.
Trust moment: This doesn’t erase photos or contacts. It only removes the Wi-Fi password from the phone — so make sure you have the password written down first.
Technician
As for “why only this phone”: sometimes one device saves a slightly different setting (like a privacy address/random MAC), or it got a recent update and the router doesn’t “like” the saved connection anymore. It can also happen if the router has two bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and the phone keeps bouncing between them.
If you want an even gentler approach first: try turning Wi-Fi off, restart the phone, then reconnect — and watch if it shows “Connected without internet” or flips on/off.
Technician
If you do that and it still connects but won’t browse, the next “safe info” to collect is:
• Does the problem happen on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (if your router has both)?
• Is Private DNS still set to a custom name?
• Does the LG work on any other Wi-Fi (you already proved hotspot works, which is great).
That pattern tells us whether it’s a saved-network issue, a router compatibility issue, or a setting like Private DNS affecting only the home network.
Technician
If you still see “connected, no internet” after re-adding Wi-Fi, we can also consider a network settings reset later — but I prefer to keep that as a last step because it forgets saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings. For now, the clues you’re collecting are exactly the right ones.
Quick answer: the accepted fix
Accepted first approach when an LG phone has Wi-Fi but no internet (while other devices work): isolate whether it’s the saved Wi-Fi connection, a privacy/DNS setting, or the router’s band/security behavior — using safe, reversible checks.
What usually helps most (safe steps):
• Toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane mode (simple radio refresh) and test again.
• Confirm Date & time is automatic and check whether VPN/Private DNS is enabled.
• Do a comparison test: connect to a hotspot or another Wi-Fi once to see if the LG can browse elsewhere.
• If hotspot works, Forget your home Wi-Fi on the LG and reconnect with the password (removes a “stuck” saved profile).
• Keep network settings reset as a last resort because it clears saved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pairings.
Why it can start suddenly: “Wi-Fi connected, but no internet” on an LG
This often begins after a small change that’s easy to miss: a router update, a new password, a move between rooms, or a phone update overnight. Sometimes the LG connects to the router but can’t complete the “internet part” because of a saved network detail, a privacy address option, or a custom Private DNS setting. Public networks can also require a hidden sign-in page (captive portal), which makes the phone look connected but not actually online. When other devices work, that’s a hint the router is fine — and the LG needs a clean reconnect or a setting check.
What to check first: home Wi-Fi profile, DNS/VPN, router band, or sign-in prompt
Start with checks you can undo easily: toggle Wi-Fi, toggle Airplane mode, and restart the phone once. Then look for blockers that affect only one device: VPN apps, Private DNS, and incorrect date/time. Next, do a quick comparison by connecting to a hotspot or different Wi-Fi; if that works, your LG is capable of internet and the home Wi-Fi profile may be “stuck.” Forgetting and re-adding the home network often clears that. If the router has 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, testing the other band can also reveal a compatibility issue.
LG phone connected to Wi-Fi but no internet — gentle checks for seniors
Most cases come from a saved Wi-Fi profile glitch, Private DNS/VPN settings, or a router band/security mismatch — not a “broken phone.”
Best approach: make one small change, then test. Start by toggling Wi-Fi and Airplane mode. Confirm Date & Time is automatic. Look for VPN or Private DNS settings that could block browsing. If your LG works on a hotspot but not on home Wi-Fi, forgetting and re-adding the home network is a safe next step (as long as you have the password written down).
Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. Avoid making many changes at once. If you’re unsure, stop and note what you see (messages, icons, what works and what doesn’t) before continuing.
Getting Started Is Easy
Describe what you’re seeing
Note the exact message or icon: “Connected without internet,” “Sign in to Wi-Fi,” or simply connected but nothing loads. Small details matter.
Check the safest causes first
Wi-Fi toggles, Airplane mode, Date & Time, and VPN/Private DNS are safe places to start before deeper resets.
Use comparison tests
Trying a hotspot or a different Wi-Fi once can quickly show whether the issue is the home network profile or a phone setting.
FAQ
Why does my LG phone have internet on other devices but not on my phone?
Often the LG saved a “stuck” Wi-Fi profile, or a setting like Private DNS/VPN is blocking connections on that device only. A mismatch between the router band (2.4/5 GHz) and the phone can also cause this. If your LG works on a hotspot but not on home Wi-Fi, that points to the saved home connection. Forgetting and re-adding the network is a common safe next step.
Did this happen after an update or router change?
Yes, it can. Phone updates and router updates can change how they “handshake,” even if the Wi-Fi icon still shows connected. The issue may appear suddenly the next morning. Start with safe checks like toggling Wi-Fi and verifying Date & Time. Then check if Private DNS or a VPN setting changed.
Is this a settings problem or a hardware problem?
If the phone connects to Wi-Fi and works on a hotspot, hardware is less likely. Settings (Private DNS/VPN) or a saved network profile are more common causes. If the LG cannot use internet on any Wi-Fi or mobile data, then the problem may be broader. Comparison tests help separate these without risky steps.
Can I check this safely at home without doing a full reset?
Yes. Start with Wi-Fi and Airplane mode toggles, a restart, and checking Date & Time. Look for VPN or Private DNS being enabled. Try a hotspot once to compare. A full network reset is usually a last step because it forgets saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings.
Sources
- LG Support — Troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues on your LG phone
- Google Support — Fix internet connection problems on Android devices
- Google Support — How to fix Wi-Fi connection problems (Android)
- Google Android Help — Captive portal (sign-in) connection behavior
Related articles
- Why phone vibration not working — common causes before you change settings
- Phone screen cracked but still works — display touch and cracks spreading (what to check first)
- Why phone fingerprint not recognizing after screen protector — common causes before you change settings
- Phone GPS jumping around — how to fix location accuracy
- Phone calls going to voicemail immediately — what it usually means
- Why your phone storage is full but nothing to delete — common causes before you change settings
- Phone WiFi connected but no internet after update — what to check
- Phone Bluetooth connecting but no sound — what to check
