Troubleshooting

Android says connected, no internet

Android decides it is behind a login page when its own check, a request that expects an empty 204 answer, gets redirected. If the check fails in a different way, Android shows “connected, no internet” and may quietly move the phone to mobile data instead of offering the sign in.

Why does Android say connected, no internet on guest WiFi?

Either the portal was never shown, because Private DNS or a stale session got in the way, or the guest signed in and the controller never authorized the device. Pull down the notification shade and tap Sign in to network if it is there. Otherwise check Private DNS, then Portal Health in the dashboard.

Causes, in the order to check them

1. Private DNS is set to a specific providerPhone

Cause

With Private DNS set to a hostname, Android sends DNS over an encrypted channel the portal network blocks before login. The connectivity check fails without a redirect, so there is no sign in prompt.

Check

Settings, Network and internet, Private DNS. A provider hostname is set.

Fix

Set Private DNS to Automatic, rejoin, sign in, then change it back if the guest wants.

2. The sign in prompt is waiting in notificationsPhone

Cause

Many Android builds show the portal as a notification rather than opening it immediately.

Check

Pull down the notification shade after joining.

Fix

Tap Sign in to network. If it is missing, open any plain http:// address in the browser.

3. The guest signed in but authorization failedOmada and UniFi

Cause

The form was submitted and the guest saw the Almost there screen, but the controller was never told to let the device on.

Check

Portal Health shows a failed attempt for an Android device at that time.

Fix

Follow the error kind: see portal loads but WiFi never unlocks.

4. The phone switched to mobile dataPhone

Cause

When WiFi has no internet, Android can route traffic over mobile data while still showing WiFi as connected. The guest never sees the portal and never gets on your network.

Check

Mobile data icon active while connected to the guest SSID.

Fix

Turn mobile data off, rejoin the guest network and sign in.

5. The walled garden is too broadOmada and UniFi

Cause

If Android’s check address is allowed before login, the phone believes it is online, shows no prompt, then fails on everything else.

Check

The pre-authentication list contains more than the two VoqadoWiFi entries.

Fix

Reduce it to www.voqadowifi.com and voqadowifi.com.

Questions

Does MAC randomization cause “no internet”?

Not by itself. Android keeps a per network random address stable on most devices, so the controller authorizes the address it sees. It matters for recognising returning guests, not for getting online.

Why did this only start on some Android phones?

Private DNS defaults and the way the sign in prompt appears differ between manufacturers and Android versions. Test on more than one model.

Keep reading

Portal loads but the WiFi never unlocks Captive portal not showing on iPhone Walled garden domains All troubleshooting guides

Error kinds and codes on this page are the ones the VoqadoWiFi integration records, checked against the code on 7 October 2026.

See every authorization attempt

Portal Health in the free dashboard shows each guest login with its error kind and code. One location and 25 guest logins a month, no card.