What to do when your Google Pixel won't connect to Wi-Fi

Your Google Pixel™ is amazing. It helps you surf the web, stay connected to friends and family, and even enjoy your favorite online games. But if your phone won't connect to Wi-Fi, it's like the entire internet just fell through your fingertips.

Don't worry though. At Asurion, we've got you—and your tech—covered. Here's how to tackle your Pixel™-related Wi-Fi issues.

Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on

No brainer, right? Before you start troubleshooting, making sure the power—er, Wi-Fi—is turned on is the first thing you'll want to do.

Make sure Airplane Mode is off

Who knows what settings might get turned on when your phone is in your pocket? Your Wi-Fi problems could be that simple. Airplane Mode blocks incoming signals, so your phone can't access the internet. It's useful for flights but that's about it.

Use these steps to make sure Airplane Mode is off:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Network & Internet.
3. Turn off Airplane mode.

Check your internet connection

So your Google Pixel still won't connect to Wi-Fi. You need to determine whether the problem is just your phone or your internet. Checking your modem or another connected device to see if they're online should give you the answer.

Try another Wi-Fi network

If you can, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network to see if your Pixel is having trouble with all networks or just the one it's now on.

Restart your Pixel

Turn it on and turn it back off. Sounds too easy, right? Well, restarting your phone is known to clear up most glitches. That includes anything that might cause your Pixel to not connect to Wi-Fi. Follow these steps depending on your Pixel type to restart your phone:

Pixel 6 and later versions. Press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons for a few seconds. Tap Restart.

Pixel 5a and earlier versions. Press the Power button for about 30 seconds or until your phone restarts.

Forget your Wi-Fi network

Forgetting your Wi-Fi network completely removes it from your Pixel, letting you set it up with a newer—and stronger—connection to your modem.

Here's how to forget your Wi-Fi network and set it back up:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Network & internet > Internet.
3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
4. Touch and hold a saved network.
5. Tap Forget. Then go back and add the network back.

Reset your network settings

This step will erase all the internet-related data you've stored on your phone. If you're worried about it resetting anything else, don't be—your personal data is safe. Keep in mind that you'll have to log back in to your Wi-Fi using your password, so you may want to have that on hand before you take this step.

Here's how to reset your network settings:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap System > Advanced. Then select Reset options.
3. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.

Check for software updates

If you've tried all the steps we've recommended and your Pixel still won't connect to Wi-Fi, you may need to update your phone.

If your Pixel is behind on updates, it could be missing out on some vital software fixes.

Worried you can't update it without Wi-Fi? Your Pixel should give you the option to use mobile data instead.

Follow these steps to see if your Pixel needs an update:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap System > System update.
3. You'll find your phone's update status. If there's a pending update, you can download and install it from here.

Restart your modem

Unplug your modem from the outlet for 30 seconds. Reconnect the modem, and give it a moment to start up. Try connecting to the internet from your Pixel again.