I've recently enabled WiFi on my PC since I needed to print something, and it shows that I'm connected. However, it indicates 'no internet' while I can still access the web just fine. Am I misunderstanding something about how my connections work? I'm not very experienced with networking, so any help would be appreciated!
5 Answers
When you connect to Ethernet, your system usually routes traffic through that connection instead of WiFi, even if both are enabled. So, it's possible you're using Ethernet for internet access while the WiFi shows up as 'connected' but without internet access. If you're printing over WiFi, make sure your printer is properly configured to connect to the same network—it's not necessary to have WiFi connected for that to work!
Sounds like you're in the clear! I often have both connections active and see that same message. It might just be a quirk of how your device's network settings work.
In many cases, your device prioritizes Ethernet, so it might automatically disconnect WiFi even if both are on. You can check your network settings to force it – some laptops might need you to manually connect to WiFi if there's active Ethernet. If you're unplugging Ethernet, WiFi should re-connect if set up correctly.
Some laptops have settings that disable WiFi when Ethernet is connected. Look for an 'Ethernet WiFi auto switching' option in your BIOS settings—enabling this might help your WiFi connect automatically when Ethernet is unavailable.
Try unplugging the Ethernet cable and see if WiFi still shows 'no internet.' If it does, your WiFi connection might be having some issues.
It sounds like you might be using HP's direct print feature, which requires connecting directly to the printer's WiFi. It's an annoying setup, but once your printer is on the same network, you shouldn't have to rely on WiFi just to print.