My laptop is connecting to my linksys router at home and at work, but cannot access the internet. I'm sure it's a simple setting that's incorrect. I don't remember making any changes, though. Help!

My laptop is connecting to my linksys router at home and at work, but cannot access the internet. I'm sure it's a simple setting that's incorrect. I don't remember making any changes, though. Help!
How can you tell if you are connected to the routers at home and work? Are there encryption keys that need to be entered? If you have a strong signal strength, this does not mean that the router has issued you a valid IP address.

Try "renewing" your address by right clicking on your wireless connection the tray at the bottom right and click on repair. See if this returns OK. You can also try disconnecting to the router and re-connecting and see if it asks you to enter a key to gain access.

Are you on a wireless connection to another PC at home?

If so, check that connection and cable too, I have that problem so many times,network is running,but internet is off.
Internet connecting cable is normally loose when I check.

For me, kids around the main PC makes it hard for the right cables to be in place sometimes:)

I know I'm on the network because I can access shared documents on the server here at the office. At home I know the cables, etc. are OK because my husband's laptop can access the internet wirelessly. I tried "repair" but it didn't work. ANy other suggestions? Thanks for those you've offered!

Have you recently changed your browser settings to use a "static" IP address? If so, change it to ensure that you check "Automatically detect settings"... you can find this in your Internet Options --Connections--LAN Settings tab.

What kind of error are you getting when you open a browser?

DaBaAd - you were right on the money! Actually I saw the suggestion in another post to call Linksys support and they were quick and accurate (for a change... quick). I don't know why my settings were changed - don't remember doing it - but I needed to allow the IP address to be assigned, not static. So thanks!