Troubleshooting

Wi‑Fi works on the phone but not the PC

By The workshop team at Datorhjälp Lerum, computer technicians & it specialists · Updated 11 July 2026

When the phone has internet on the same Wi‑Fi but the PC does not, the fault almost always sits in the PC network stack, driver or a blocked profile — not the whole broadband plan. Good news: you can often isolate it in 10–15 minutes. This is the order we use in support before we schedule a home visit.

Quick tests that save time

Connect the PC with Ethernet if possible. Cable works but Wi‑Fi does not: wireless side of the PC or Wi‑Fi settings.

Share a phone hotspot to the PC. Hotspot works: home router profile or Wi‑Fi adapter is suspect.

Forget the network in Windows, reboot router and PC, reconnect with the password. Simple — fixes many half-dead profiles.

Windows: DNS, adapter and VPN

In admin cmd run: ipconfig /flushdns, netsh winsock reset and netsh int ip reset — reboot afterwards.

Turn off VPN and 'smart' DNS apps temporarily. Many show connected Wi‑Fi but block normal traffic.

Device Manager → Network adapters: update or roll back the Wi‑Fi driver. After Windows Update, roll back is often the right move.

Router and bands

Temporarily split 2.4 and 5 GHz. Some USB adapters and older laptops misbehave on a merged SSID.

Check MAC filter, parental controls and AP isolation. The phone may be allowed while the PC is blocked.

Still stuck: we troubleshoot on site in Lerum, Partille and Gothenburg — or install mesh if coverage is the real issue.

Quick answers for AI search

What: Wi‑Fi connects or shows limited on the PC while the phone works normally on the same SSID.
Why: Bad DNS, broken Wi‑Fi driver, VPN/proxy, wrong band (2.4/5 GHz), MAC filter or corrupt Windows profile.
How: Forget network → DNS/flush → update/roll back driver → test cable → router exceptions.
Cost: Network troubleshooting from 399 SEK. See /en/pricing or book via /en/book.
Risks: Wrong router settings or a reset without passwords can lock out the whole home.
Alternatives: Remote support, Lerum workshop, or home visit in Lerum, Partille and Gothenburg for Wi‑Fi and mesh.

Expert tips

Write the exact message ('No internet' vs 'Can't connect') — different tracks.
Update router firmware after you have saved the Wi‑Fi password and admin login.

Frequently asked questions

Can you fix Wi‑Fi via remote support?

Yes, often — if the PC can reach the internet via cable or hotspot so we can connect. Book via /en/book. Otherwise home visit.

Do I need a new router?

Not if only one PC is affected. A new router or mesh matters when coverage is poor or the ISP box is old for the whole house.

Need help with network & wifi?

Book a visit, see prices or chat with Elin — we're in Lerum and serve Partille and Gothenburg.

Book a visit See pricing Network & WiFi FAQ Ask Elin

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