How to fix Galaxy S9 “internet may not be available” error when using wifi

Hello and welcome to today’s troubleshooting article! This post focuses on fixing some of the common problems for the #GalaxyS9. One particular case we would like to deal with is the “internet may not be available” error when using wifi.

Problem #1: How to fix Galaxy S9 “internet may not be available” error when using wifi

Every private network that I’ve connected to works fine, but every public wifi other than WalMart that I’ve connected hasn’t worked at all. When connect to them it says “internet may not be available” and the page to accept the terms of service and whatnot doesn’t appear. I’ve tried opening Chrome and typing in a website but it just hangs. I even downloaded FireFox and it does the same thing. My mobile data works fine but I’d rather not use it if I have a choice.

Solution: Since the issue does not affect all public wifi networks, the most likely reason for your problem must lie on the phone itself. To fix this issue, follow our suggestions below.

Solution #1: Force reboot

A lot of wifi connectivity bugs are fixed by doing a simple solution: restart. Before doing any advanced software solutions, we recommend that you refresh the system by simulating a “battery pull” also called a forced reboot. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press and hold the Power + Volume Down buttons for approximately 10 seconds or until the device power cycles. Allow several seconds for the Maintenance Boot Mode screen to appear.
2. From the Maintenance Boot Mode screen, select Normal Boot. You can use the volume buttons to cycle through the available options and the lower left button (below the volume buttons) to select. Wait for up to 90 seconds for the reset to complete.

Solution #2: Refresh the system cache

Android uses a special set of files called system cache in order to load apps quickly. At times, this cache gets corruped causing all sorts of trouble. To ensure that your phone has good system cache all the time, you want to regularly clear the cache partition, where the system cache is stored. You can do it once every few months, or after updating Android. In this troubleshooting guide, you can also do it to see if it will make a difference. Here’s how:

1. Turn off the device. This is important. If you can’t turn it off, you’ll never be able to boot to Recovery Mode. If you are not able to shut the device off regularly via the Power button, wait until the phone’s battery is drained. Then, charge the phone for 30 minutes before booting to Recovery Mode.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
4. Press the Volume down key to highlight “wipe cache partition.”
5. Press the Power key to select.
6. Press the Volume down key to highlight “yes” and press the Power key to select.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
8. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Solution #3: Forget wifi network/s

You did not indicate this in your description above so we assume it’s never been done yet. Forgetting wifi networks is a way to refresh wifi connections in a device. This can help if the bug is tied to one of the settings for wifi networks you’re having problems with.

To forget a wifi network in your Galaxy S9:

1. From a Home screen, swipe up or down from the center of the display to access the apps screen.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Go to Connections.
4. Go to Wi-Fi.
5. Ensure that the Wi-Fi switch (upper-right) is turned on Switch on
6. Tap the Wi-Fi network you wish to remove.
7. Tap FORGET.

Solution #4: Reset network settings

Another way to fix network or connectivity issues in Android is by clearing or resetting network settings. Doing so will erase all wifi networks and their passwords, VPN settings, and cellular settings. Make sure that you know how to connect your wifi or VPN again before doing this step.

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap General Management > Reset settings.
3. Tap Reset network settings.
4. If you have set up a PIN, enter it.
5. Tap Reset settings. Once complete a confirmation window will appear.

Solution #5: Connect to wifi while on safe mode

One of the possible reasons for your problem may be a third party app. To check if an app is interfering with Android or preventing wifi from working properly, try connecting to wifi networks you’re having problems with when phone is on safe mode. Doing so will suspend all third party apps and services. If wifi works normally on safe mode only, that’s a confirmation of our suspicion.

Here are the steps on how to boot your S9 to safe mode:

1. Turn the device off.
2. Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen.
3. When “SAMSUNG” appears on the screen, release the Power key.
4. Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
5. Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
6. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
7. Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.
8. Observe the phone and check for the problem.

If you think there’s an app problem, use the process of elimination to identify the problematic app. Here’s what you need to do exactly:

1. Boot to safe mode.
2. Check for the problem.
3. Once you’ve confirmed that a third party app is to blame, you can start uninstalling apps individually. We suggest that you begin with the most recent ones you added.
4. After you uninstall an app, restart the phone to normal mode and check for the problem.
5. If your S9 is still problematic, repeat steps 1-4.

Solution #6: Reset all settings

This procedure is separate from the previous one as it covers all settings of your Android device and not just the apps. The effects is similar to factory reset without the need to delete personal data and some other customizations. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap General Management > Reset settings.
3. Tap Reset settings.
4. If you have set up a PIN, enter it.
5. Tap Reset settings. Once complete a confirmation window will appear.

Solution #7: Install updates

Some bugs may be coding-related so the only way to fix them is to patch the inefficient or problematic code. This can only be done by installing updates. This is true for both Android operating system and apps. If your phone has pending updates lined up, make sure to install them to see if they’ll help fix the problem.

Solution #8: Factory reset

You may need to ultimately do a factory reset if none of the suggestions above won’t help. This should address bugs that may have developed in the operating system. There’s fair chance that factory reset will fix your problem but you want to do it as your absolute last resort only. Be sre to back your personal data up first before wiping the phone.

Here are the steps to factory reset your S9:

1. Create a backup of your data.
2. Turn off the device.
3. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
4. When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
5. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset’.
6. Press Power button to select.
7. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
8. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
9. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
10. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Problem #2: Galaxy S9 disconnects other devices when connected to home wifi

Hi there. I have a samsung s9, and eveytime it connects to my home WiFi within 10 seconds every device connected to the WiFi , disconnects. The s9 says it’s still picking up signal and 14mbps , but I can use any app that requires internet. Internet browsers just come up with DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET. Then as soon as my s9 disconnects from WiFi everything else starts back up.I’ve tried rebooting phone and modem, and changing DNS , nothing so far works.

Solution: We don’t know the full history of your device but if kicks off any device connected to the same router, that doesn’t sound right. Did you install any app that might be able to manipulate a network? If you did, try erasing it. If the issue happens out of the blue, we suggest that you return all software settings of your phone to their defaults (factory reset), or flash it back to stock firmware (if you’re running custom ROM). By returning your device’s software to their factory state, you can establish a benchmark from which to compare results of your next troubleshooting steps.

If you previously rooted your S9, try to unroot it to disallow apps that may be manipulating the network without your knowledge. If you did not root or customized your phone’s software in anyway, then simply ignore this suggestion. Try to focus on restoring the phone’s software to its stock status. We know for a fact that a factory state Android OS won’t be able to affect a router function so that will most probably help.

Problem #3: Galaxy S9 won’t connect to the internet when wifi is OFF

I can connect to wifi and also use phone and texting, but when I am not connected to wifi, I cannot access the internet. I tried the soft reboot and also updated the APN (there was only one choice and it was my provider, so I clicked on it). I was recently in Australia with a different SIM card (everything worked fine). After returning and reinserting my new card I was able to use the internet for a few days (but it may have been connected to a wifi network…I’m not sure). Now I can only use it when connected to wifi. I have a cheap provider (StraightTalk) which has terrible customer service, so am not sure I can get much help from them. Thanks for the service you do for all of us android users!

Solution: In order to connect to the internet without wifi, you must have an active mobile data subscription with your carrier. It’s a paid service so you need your network operator’s help in checking its status. We can’t do that for you.

On your level, you can check by turning off wifi, and turning on mobile data afterwards. Once you’ve turned on mobile data, use any app that requires internet like YouTube and see if you can stream a video. If that won’t work, contact your carrier for assistance.

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