Laptop Not Connecting To Internet

[hardy49]

My friends laptop doesn't seem to connect to the internet.A light shows that it is connected, but she cannot get her emails etc
Any ideas please ?

[mikey4444]

We will need more details if we are going to help you !

How does the laptop connect with the internet...ethernet cable or WiFi ?

Is the router working OK ?

Is it just her emails that are the problem...ie can she get on to any site at all ?

If she can, than perhaps she should look at the email problem..there might be a problem with the email server.

Can she get her emails from another source...ie a mobile phone ?

[Buenchico]

The problem of a computer connecting to a router but not to the internet is a common one. Try my fix here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Question1305626.html

[murraymints]

when I had this problem it was the server at fault..my provider dealt with it remotely...

[hardy49]

She is using wi-fi and cannot access any sites on the internet, not just the emails

[mikey4444]

Then she needs to check if the problem is her internet connection is OK or not. If she has an ethernet cable cable, then try connecting the laptop DIRECTLY to the router with the cable. If it still doesn't work, prove that the laptop is working by trying it with a friend of neighbours router, with WiFi and cable.

The problem is quite normally the router itself. If she had no problems unup until now, try switching the router of and then on again. Sometimes they get themselves into a tizz ( yes, correct technical word ! )

[Hypognosis]

Just for clarification: is your friend having a problem with

their laptop + their router + their phone line

or

their laptop + your router + your phone line

or some other combination (please describe)

[hardy49]

Their router etc

[Hypognosis]

//Their router etc //

Okay, so it's all their equipment and it's not a configuration problem.

Can we take it as read that they've not messed around with any router/computer settings themselves?

The spouse and/or kids and/or visiting friends have not tampered with any settings?

If none of the above then phone up their ISP and complain about loss of service. They may report back that there's a problem, such as exceeding monthly download limits or monthly payment not received or some other justification for cutting them off, mid-month.

Apologies for suggesting any steps which you've already tried but you didn't say. I just like going for the least technical fixes first.