Linksys Router Not Connecting to the Internet: Troubleshooting

Check what kind of problem you have

There are two different situations that both feel like “no internet”:

You cannot connect to the router at all. Your device cannot find or join the Wi-Fi, or you cannot open the router’s login page.
You connect to the router but nothing loads. Wi-Fi shows as connected, but websites will not open. This usually means the router has no working link to the internet.

The steps below mostly deal with the second case, with a section on login problems at the end.

Step 1: Restart the modem and router in order

A proper restart fixes many cases.

Unplug the power from both the modem and the Linksys router.
Wait at least 30 seconds. Some guides suggest up to a minute.
Plug in the modem first and wait until its status lights settle. This can take a few minutes.
Plug in the router and give it a few minutes to start.

Starting the modem first matters because the router asks the modem for a connection when it boots.

Step 2: Check the cables

The Ethernet cable from the modem should go into the router’s Internet (WAN) port, which is usually a separate, differently coloured port, not one of the numbered LAN ports.
Make sure both ends click in firmly.
If you have another Ethernet cable, swap it in to rule out a faulty one.
Check the cable from the wall to the modem too.

Step 3: Test the modem on its own

Unplug the Ethernet cable from the router and plug it directly into a computer. If the computer still has no internet, the issue is with the modem or the provider, not the Linksys router. Contact your provider in that case, and mention that you tested with a direct connection.

Some providers register the specific device connected to the modem. If you have recently swapped a modem or router, the provider may need to update that registration. Your provider can confirm whether this applies.

Step 4: Look at the router’s lights

Linksys models differ, so the exact meaning of a light depends on your model. Our general guide to what the lights on your router mean explains the common patterns. Many Linksys routers use a colour on the main light to show status, and a red or amber light commonly indicates that the router has no internet connection. Check your model’s user guide or Linksys support page for the exact meaning. A red light together with a working direct modem connection suggests the router’s settings or hardware should be examined.

Step 5: Check the router’s internet settings

Log in to the router’s admin page. Depending on the model, this is often http://192.168.1.1 or http://myrouter.local from a device connected to the router, though yours may differ. Look for the internet or connection settings. Most home connections use automatic configuration (DHCP). If your provider requires a login (PPPoE), the username and password must be entered correctly. If the router is not receiving an address, see router DHCP not working.

Step 6: Update firmware, then consider a reset

If you can reach the admin page, check for a firmware update. If the problem remains, a factory reset is a last resort. It erases custom settings, including your Wi-Fi name and password, so record them first. After a reset, set the router up again from scratch (if there is still no internet afterward, see no internet after resetting your router).

If you cannot log in or the router cannot be found

Make sure you are connected to the Linksys network, by Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Try the other address formats (the IP address or the myrouter.local name).
If you changed the router password and have forgotten it (see where to find your router password and login), the factory reset is usually the way back in. Some older guides give a default password; if the router has been reset, check the Linksys documentation for your model, and change the password afterwards.
Try a different browser or a private window.
If the Linksys mobile app or cloud login does not work, check you are using the right account details, and try the local admin page instead.

When the connection keeps dropping instead

If the router works but cuts out regularly, our guide on why a router keeps going out covers causes such as interference, firmware and heat. If your Wi-Fi works but the internet is down, you can read about what a wireless router still does without internet.