Why does my phone connect to WiFi but says no internet access?

[ghost25]

I have an S21+ 5G running Version 12 with the latest updates through AT&T Prepaid. I'm having the weirdest issue, and don't know what broke.

My WiFi seems to be on the fritz. When I'm on mobile data, everything seems okay. When I connect to any wifi source, it usually connects, but the only time I can get internet access is when the icon indicates I don't have connectivity (ie, the WiFi has the exclamation next to it). As soon as the exclamation goes away, so too does my internet. I've restarted my phone, forgotten all network connections including Bluetooth, rebooted my home network, no luck.

I've even delved deeper into the software on my phone and turned on Dev mode. Through that, I've turned on WiFi safe mode, WiFi scan throttling, and Enhanced WiFi MAC randomization, with no changes.

I thought at first that it was due to being a Beta tester for an app, but even after I left the Beta, it still doesn't work. I've verified through my network that I have a valid IP address. I'm stumped.

I don't want to have to factory reset my phone, as I'm paranoid of doing an incorrect backup and losing important stuff. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this issue?

 

[Mr Bojangles1]

You can try these steps

https://youtu.be/qikbVRCRJBw

 

[Mr Bojangles1]

That or try resetting your network settings on your phone.

 

[mustang7757]

I'll leave a Link to register so you can communicate here, As a guest account you can only post questions but can't reply
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Can you clarify -- do you mean this happens on any wi-fi network, including those outside your house?

 

[mustang7757]

[Merged threads, change post owner]

Welcome to AC !

 

[ghost25]

That's correct; it doesn't matter what WiFi I try to connect to, it seems like something internal got effed.

 

[ghost25]

I've tried resetting all connectivity settings, with no luck.

 

[mustang7757]

That's correct; it doesn't matter what WiFi I try to connect to, it seems like something internal got effed.

Try resetting network, go to settings>general management>reset>reset network, will reset Bluetooth and wifi password if don't work go into safe mode

 

[B. Diddy]

You mentioned "Wifi safe mode" -- do you mean the phone's Safe Mode, or some safe mode related to wi-fi?

 

[ghost25]

Try resetting network, go to settings>general management>reset>reset network, will reset Bluetooth and wifi password if don't work go into safe mode

I've done this, and had no success; although it did coincidentally erase a bunch of old Bluetooth connections I forgot I had, so there's that.

 

[ghost25]

You mentioned "Wifi safe mode" -- do you mean the phone's Safe Mode, or some safe mode related to wi-fi?

It's a safe mode related to wi-fi is my understanding; I'm not exactly sure, I saw it as an option in Dev mode so I selected it thinking it might help.

 

[mustang7757]

I've done this, and had no success; although it did coincidentally erase a bunch of old Bluetooth connections I forgot I had, so there's that.

Probably going to have to try factory reset

 

[B. Diddy]

It's a safe mode related to wi-fi is my understanding; I'm not exactly sure, I saw it as an option in Dev mode so I selected it thinking it might help.

Ok, so try the phone's main Safe Mode to make sure the problem isn't being caused by some 3rd party app: www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00062983/

 

[ghost25]

Okay, so I did boot the phone into actual Safe Mode to check, and I'm still having the same issue. Is this maybe due to a misconfigured Raspberry PiHole? It did the exact same thing; "WiFi with exclamation mark" = internet access, "normal WiFi" = site can't be reached.

 

[Mr Bojangles1]

Did you try changing the wifi settings like mentioned In the video I posted?

 

[B. Diddy]

What wi-fi security are you using? WPA2? WPA3? Although the S21 is new enough that I would assume it works on WPA3, there's still a possibility that there could be compatibility issues on the newer protocol.

 

[ghost25]

I changed wifi settings in my phone, but was unable to find the specific DHCP settings in my modem/router; Netgear C6220

 

[ghost25]

What wi-fi security are you using? WPA2? WPA3? Although the S21 is new enough that I would assume it works on WPA3, there's still a possibility that there could be compatibility issues on the newer protocol.

I am using WPA2

 

[B. Diddy]

Hate to say it, but factory reset is probably your next step.:-\