How To Fix Limited Connectivity with Wi-Fi? A Step-By-Step Guide
You just settled in at a coffee shop to get some work done. You pull out your laptop and enter the password the barista had given you. It shows you are connected, but web pages won’t load and your apps won’t sign in. Why is it not working? Limited connectivity could be the issue here, since you seem to be connected to Wi-Fi but can’t complete your online activities.
Limited connectivity often happens when you are away from your usual networks, such as home, school or work. Your device will detect a wireless network and attempt to connect; however, the device’s request for an IP address is not answered by the network and nothing loads correctly.
You may see an exclamation point over the Wi-Fi symbol on your device. Or you may be unable to use the internet or open webpages — despite it showing that you are connected to a network. In this guide, you’ll gain a basic understanding of why this happens and how to fix it.
How to Fix Limited Connectivity with Your Wi-Fi
Although limited connectivity can be frustrating, there are many things you can do to troubleshoot and potentially fix your connectivity issues.
8 Best Ways of Fixing Limited Connectivity with Your Wi-Fi
Here are eight quick and easy ways to troubleshoot and fix your limited connectivity.
1. Restart Your Device to Fix Limited Connectivity
To repair most device issues, the first thing you should try is restarting your device. This gives the motherboard a chance to reboot and potentially repair any operating errors taking place. Often, this method is effective. And thankfully, it’s one of the simplest ways to fix limited connectivity.
What to do if this doesn’t work: Do you have access to the router with limited connectivity? Reboot the router by unplugging it and waiting 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
Alt Text: Someone is holding a phone that displays a loading bar and says “Loading… Please wait.”
2. Double Check the Time and Date on Your Device
If you are still experiencing limited connectivity after completing the previous step, check the date and time on your phone. If your device displays a time or date that’s inaccurate or different from the router it’s connected to, it can interfere with communication between the router and your device.
You can calibrate the time and date in the Settings menu on your device. Do a quick Google search for “How to change the time and date on [the name of your device]” and follow the steps.
3. “Forget” the Password of Your Wi-Fi & Reconnect
Another way you can reset your connection to fix your limited connectivity issue is to “Forget” the network.
Often, these small issues can be fixed by themselves if you disconnect and then rejoin. This may mean that you will need to re-enter the Wi-Fi password.
You can do this in your Wi-Fi settings: select the network that is providing limited connectivity and then click the “Forget this network” option.
4. Double-Check Your IP Settings If You Have Limited Connectivity
If you are experiencing limited connectivity, your IP settings could be the culprit.
There are two forms of IP connections: static and dynamic.
- Static IP addresses are manually created for your device.
- Dynamic IP addresses are automated and assigned by the server.
Here’s how to make sure your Wi-Fi connection uses a dynamic IP address:
- Open the Settings menu
- Select your network’s SSID
- Click Network Details
- Enter Advanced Options
- Select DHCP or Static — whichever you were not already utilizing.
5. See If Router or Modem Settings Are Updated
If you are experiencing connectivity issues with your home router or modem, you can troubleshoot by checking to see if your router or modem have been updated. Having outdated settings could lead to there being issues in how your router functions.
Every router is different, so you will need to research your particular model to make sure you successfully do a settings update.
6. Update Your Device’s Software to Improve Connectivity
Similarly, if your device is not updated to the newest software available, it could cause issues with how it functions. One step you should take when troubleshooting why you are experiencing limited connectivity is updating your device. This can be done by opening your settings and checking for any available updates. Although this seems simple, this step can fix many potential errors you may be experiencing in how your device runs.
7. Change Your Network Usage Settings
If you have tried the previous steps and are still experiencing limited connectivity, your network usage settings should be reviewed. There are two forms of Wi-Fi connections: metered and unmetered. Although metered connections are commonly used for homes, they are limited in how much Wi-Fi data can be used. Unmetered Wi-Fi offers an unlimited amount of data usage.
If you are experiencing limited connectivity, it could be because your connection has already used its limit of data. Changing your settings to unmetered can assure you can scroll endlessly with no connectivity limits.
8. Change the Privacy of Your Wi-Fi
To troubleshoot why you are experiencing limited connectivity, you should change the privacy settings of your Wi-Fi. There are two forms of Wi-Fi privacy: Static Mac and Randomized Mac. You can do this by opening your Wi-Fi settings and selecting the one you were not already using. This will allow you to determine if the form of Wi-Fi privacy you are using is the factor causing your limited connectivity.
Get Help Fixing Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues
Limited connectivity is an error that occurs when your device and network do not communicate properly through an IP address.
This can be very frustrating, especially when you are showing that there is a connection, but it’s not working. Following these steps can help fix your limited connectivity quickly and efficiently yourself so you can get back to surfing the web.
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