If a user cannot get online while connected to home Wi-Fi, what should they first check?

Checking for a self-assigned IP address is a crucial first step when a user cannot connect to the internet while connected to their home Wi-Fi. A self-assigned IP address indicates that the device is unable to obtain a valid IP address from the router, which typically occurs when the device fails to communicate with the router properly. When this happens, the device cannot access the network or the internet.

When a device has a self-assigned IP address (often in the range of 169.254.x.x), it signifies that the network connection is problematic, and troubleshooting efforts can be centered around establishing a proper connection to the router. Resolving the self-assigned IP address issue typically involves checking physical connections, ensuring that the device’s wireless settings are correct, or restarting the router.

While router settings, ISP outage notifications, and network speed test results are all important aspects of troubleshooting network issues, verifying the presence of a self-assigned IP address is often the most immediate indicator of connection problems and should be the user's first focus.