The Internet only works through a cable on a computer, but there is no Wi-Fi through a router

Hello. Recently I faced with the fact that there is no Internet in the house, the indicator on the router was burning red, which usually happens when there is no Internet, although it was paid for the day before. I called the Internet service provider to find out why there is no network, they said to reboot the router, it did not help, they promised to call a master, he usually does not go into the house, and works with wires on the street.

So I didn’t even know if he came or not, but after a couple hours I noticed that the indicator light on the router turned green and I decided to check. My phone connected to it, but no internet unfortunately. And on my computer it shows no internet. It’s very strange. I took out the wire that is “responsible” for the Internet, and connected it to the system unit of the computer and, as it turned out, the Internet is only on the computer.

I tried resetting the router to factory settings, nothing helps. At the same time it is very strange that if you take the Internet wire out of the router, but still leave it on the phone shows the presence of an available Wi-Fi network to which you can connect, specifying your password, but still no Internet.

All this is confusing, in short, I will say that the Internet is only on the computer, without the work of the router, and Wi-Fi as such is when you turn on the router, but the computer is not connected to it, and the phone is connected, but still no Internet. I think the problem is with the router, or something the wizard has reconfigured that I can’t figure out. Sorry, I do not know how to write briefly. Thank you in advance, I hope you will help me, because I do not even know how to explain to the master my problem.

Answer

Hi. Anna, to unravel your situation a little bit, let me explain something.

The router always gives out Wi-Fi network right after it is turned on. Even when the Internet is not connected to it, or the connection to the provider is not set up. But this Wi-Fi network is not connected to the Internet. Just like in your case. There is nothing strange about it. It should be.

The indicator light on the router is red when there is no internet connection. The router cannot connect to the ISP. Because of settings, problems at the ISP, hardware failure, cable, etc. You didn’t write the manufacturer and model, but most likely you have a TP-Link router. I’ve written about this before: why the Internet (WAN) LED on a TP-Link router is orange. As long as the WAN (Internet) indicator is not lit/blinking green – the Internet will not work on your devices.

If your Internet is working via cable and only on your computer when connected directly, not through a router, then the problem is unlikely to be on the ISP side. So it’s most likely something with the router. Either in the settings, or it is a breakdown of the hardware itself. Therefore, the Internet is only on the computer.

You wrote that you tried to reset the router. Try again, according to the instructions: how to perform a full reset on a Tp-Link router.

But after restoring factory settings, the most important thing is to re- and correctly configure the router to connect to the provider. Check with your ISP about the type of connection and all settings. You do not need to configure anything (wi-fi network does not count) only in one case – when the connection type “Dynamic IP” without MAC-address binding is used. If the settings on the router are incorrect, it will not be able to connect to the Internet. And the Internet via Wi-Fi will not work. And by cable from the router.

If everything is in order with the settings, but the Internet does not work through the router, then I see only two options: call specialists, let them look for the cause, or try to change the router.