Android devices have come a long way from the clunky, laggy phones they once used to be; however, they’re still not perfect. They still run into the occasional bugs and glitches that can leave users scratching their heads.
In this article, we’re taking a look at the “internet may not be available” error on your Android device.
What causes this issue?
The ‘Internet may not be available’ issue is often caused by interference between your phone and the WiFi router. Alternatively, incorrect DNS settings can also cause this issue apart from several other common reasons as follows:
- Outdated phone software.
- Wrong DHCP configuration.
- App interference.
Also read: Why are my apps closing automatically on Android?
How to fix this?
Here are a few quick solutions you can try out to fix the ‘Internet may not be available’ error.
Toggle the Airplane mode
Toggling the Airplane mode on and back again has roughly the same effect on your device as restarting, except it affects the network more than the device.
If you’re having trouble with WiFi, pull down the notification shade to access the Airplane mode setting. Toggle it on, wait for all the connectivity to drop dead, and then turn it back on again.
Check if the internet is working
Another basic thing to keep in mind is checking if you’re getting internet access or not. Try using the WiFi from any other phone or laptop or checking the internet status by logging into the router admin page.

Try giving your router another reboot to freshen things up and try connecting again.
Try forgetting the network
Sometimes, you may have to go the extra mile and altogether remove the network from your phone before joining again.Â

- Head over to your phone settings and tap on Network & Internet.
- Tap on Wi-Fi.
- Tap on the network you’re connected to, or the one you’re facing issues with.
- Tap on the Forget button.
Now try reconnecting to the network, and the ‘Internet may not be available’ issue should’ve been resolved.
Reset the Android network stack
Most network issues on Android can be fixed by resetting the Android network stack. Here’s how.

- Scroll down and tap on System.
- Tap Advanced.
- Tap on Reset options.

- Head over to Reset Wi-Fi, mobile and Bluetooth.
- Tap the Reset settings button.
Check router settings
Most routers have built-in blacklists that can restrict specific devices’ internet access when connected to that particular router.Â

Ensure no traffic control settings are in place for your router. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, reset your router and try again.
Also read: What is an MCM client?
Set a static IP
At times, setting a static IP address can also help you avoid any authentication issues.

- Pull down the notification shade and tap an hold the WiFi option to reach WiFi settings.
- Tap the settings gear icon in front of your WiFi network.
- Tap the edit icon in the top right.

- Tap Advanced options.
- Change IP settings to DHCP.
- Now enter the new static IP address keeping in mind the default gateway.
Clear the System Cache Partition
Clearing your phone’s system cache partition can also come in handy in such situations. This will eliminate any corrupt or damaged files in the phone’s cache that may be causing problems with Android or any underlying processes and throw the error.Â
Every manufacturer has a different method for entering the bootloader to clear the system cache partition, so you’re going to have to refer to your phone’s manual here. However, most phones use a combination of the power and volume down keys held together for 10-15 seconds to launch the bootloader.
Update your phone
More often than not, a system update will resolve any crashes or errors you’re facing in the operating system. If there’s a bug in the OS or an issue with the current software version installed on your phone, updating it can eliminate any such issues at once.

- Open your phone’s settings and scroll down to System.
- Tap on Advanced.
- Tap on System Updates.
- Your device will automatically start downloading any available updates.
Wait for the updates to download and install and for your device to reboot.
Factory reset
This might sound drastic, but as a last resort, you can try factory resetting your phone to resolve the issue once and for all.

- Head over to your phone’s settings and tap on System.
- Tap on Advanced.
- Tap on Reset options.

- Tap Erase all data (factory reset)
- Tap the final conformation and wait for your device to reboot.
This should resolve the ‘Internet may not be available’ error.
Also read: How to sync clipboard across Android and Windows?