How To Fix IPhone Wi-Fi Won’t Connect

If you are experiencing Wi-Fi problems on your iPhone, you are not the only one. Many iPhone owners complained and still complaining their “iPhone and iPad won’t connect to wifi,” such as not being able to connect to any network or a specific network.

See also: How To Fix iPhone Won’t Charge 

People complained about an unstable Wi-Fi connection or the fact they could not connect to the Wi-Fi network at all. If you experienced one of those issues before you replace your router or take your device to the Apple store as the ultimate solution, there are several things you may want to try out first.

See also: iMessage not working/waiting for activation iMessage

Solutions for iPhone /iPad Wi-Fi issues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsOxtMbIKyw

What causes Wi-Fi problems on iPhone or iPad?

 

Many different things can cause Wi-Fi connection problems. Some simple ones, such as enabled Airplane mode or the fact your iPhone /iPad is too far from the router. The signal can be poor at times, which is why your connection can be slow. A software bug can also be one of the reasons and the issues with network devices (modem and router) or the iPhone’s antenna.

 

Turn Wi-Fi off and back on

If your iPhone won’t connect to a Wi-Fi network or if it does connect but the connection drops, start with some simple things. If you haven’t tried it already – turn Wi-Fi off and back on. You can swipe from the bottom edge of the screen and open the control center. Could you tap on the Wi-Fi icon to turn it off? Wait for a couple of seconds and tap the icon again to turn the Wi-Fi back on.

Another way to turn Wi-Fi off/on is through iPhone settings. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, and toggle the switch next to Wi-Fi.

 

Turn the Bluetooth off

Bluetooth can be why your iPhone won’t stay connected to a wifi network or won’t connect at all because the Bluetooth can cause interference with Wi-Fi connections. That is why you should turn it off to see if that will make any difference. You can either swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and tap on the Bluetooth icon, or you can go to Settings > General and turn it off.

 

Toggle Airplane mode

When we discussed some of the reasons why your iPhone or iPad won’t connect to Wi-Fi, we mentioned the Airplane mode. If it is turned on, that’s why the device won’t connect to the network. As soon as you turn it off, the problem will be solved.

Toggling the Airplane mode can be pretty effective, and it can help you fix the problem. Go to Settings and turn the Airplane mode on. Please wait for 30 seconds and turn it back off. Try to connect to a Wi-Fi network again.

 

Toggle Wi-Fi Assist

If you have installed iOS 9 or later, then you are probably familiar with Wi-Fi assist. Thanks to this feature, you can always have a stable internet connection. If your Wi-Fi connection is poor and slow, Wi-Fi Assist will automatically switch to cellular. Toggling Wi-Fi Assist solved iPhone Wi-Fi issues for many, which is why you should give it a try. To do that, navigate to Settings > Cellular, scroll down, turn the feature on and turn it back off.

 

Restart your iPhone or iPad

A restart can be a very effective solution if your iPhone/iPad cannot connect to a wifi network or if you established the connection, but it is slow or keeps dropping.

• Press and hold the sleep/wake button
• Drag “Slide to power off” to turn your iPhone off
• Once your device is off, press and hold the sleep/wake button to turn it back on.

 

 

Restart your modem and your router

If your iPhone or iPad can’t connect to wifi at home but successfully connects to other networks, it is advisable to restart your modem and router. Unplug them, wait for about 30 seconds and then plug them back in. Wait for a minute or two and try to connect to Wi-Fi again.

We saw many comments saying, “My iPhone is not connecting to wifi at home, and it connects everywhere else.” If you have the same problem, reboot your network devices, and hopefully, everything will work like a charm.

 

Turn off Location Services for Wi-Fi networking

Many users said that turning off location services for Wi-Fi networking solved the problem. Here is what you need to do:

• Navigate to Settings and tap Privacy
• Next, tap Location Services
• Tap System Services
• Turn off Wi-Fi networking

Forget the Wi-Fi network

Are you still experiencing issues? Then the next step is to forget the Wi-Fi network and connect again. Follow the steps below:

• Go to Settings
• Tap Wi-Fi
• Next, tap on the info button (i), located next to the network you want to forget.
• Tap Forget this network
• Tap Forget to confirm your action.

Once you forget the network, go back to Wi-Fi, choose a network, and enter the password.

There have been tons of complaints from iPhone owners who said that the iPhone wouldn’t connect to some wifi networks or iPhone 6 cannot link to home wifi, and this is how many of the users solved the problem.

Update router firmware

If your iPhone doesn’t connect to the Wi-Fi home network, maybe updating the router firmware will fix the problem. The first thing you need to do is find the model and version number of your router. You can find this info on the box of the device or in the manual. Also, the model and version number are usually located on the router itself, on its backside, or underside. Go to the manufacturer’s official website, and look for the Download section. Find your router, and download and install the firmware. If you are not sure how to do this, you will find the guide on the manufacturer’s website.

source: d-link

Change DNS settings

You can fix the problem by changing your DNS settings. You can use either Google DNS (8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4, or both, but make sure to separate them by comma) or Open DNS (208.67.220.123 or 208.67.222.123). Here is how to do that:

• Go to Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
• Find your network and tap on the info button (i) right next to the network
• You will see DNS, tap on the numbers
• The keyboard will appear, and once it does, enter the new DNS address.

Reset network settings

If you tried the solutions mentioned above but your iPhone or iPad won’t stay connected to the wifi network or won’t connect at all, going for this option can do the trick. This will reset all your network connection options – Wi-Fi and cellular settings saved networks and passwords and the VPN and APN settings.

• Navigate to Settings
• Tap General
• Next, tap Reset
• Tap Reset network settings
• Enter your passcode if asked
• Tap Reset network settings to confirm your action.

Update the software

A software bug can cause all kinds of issues, including different Wi-Fi problems. That is why you need to make sure that you have installed the latest one. If you didn’t, do it now. You can update the software wirelessly, but this can be tricky if your connection is slow or keeps dropping. If your iPhone cannot connect to the wifi network at all, this option is out of the question, in which case you can update the software using iTunes (next solution, explained below). If you can connect to a specific wi-fi network, for instance, at the office or in a coffee shop, and if the connection is good, do the following:

• Go to Settings
• Tap General
• Tap Software Update
• Tap Download and Install.

If you previously downloaded the latest version of iOS and didn’t install it, go to Settings > General > Sofware Update, and tap Install Now.

Update the software using iTunes

If you can’t update the software wirelessly, you can do it using iTunes. First, make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed. Follow these steps:

• Connect your iPhone to your computer
• Launch iTunes
• Select your iPhone
• Next, click Summary
• Click Check for Update
• If there is a new version of iOS available, click Download and Install or click Update.

Restore your iPhone to factory settings using iTunes

Most users were able to fix Wi-Fi issues with one of the solutions listed above. But, if you tried them all and still have problems when trying to connect to a Wi-Fi network, maybe it is time for a fresh start. You can restore your iPhone to factory settings using iTunes. Everything you have stored on your device (apps, files, and settings you have adjusted according to your needs) will be erased. Don’t forget to backup your data!

To restore your iPhone to factory settings:

• Install the latest version of iTunes software
• Open iTunes
• Connect your iPhone to your computer
• Select your iPhone
• In the Summary panel, look for the option “Restore iPhone” and click on it
• Click Restore to confirm your action
• Once you do this, iTunes will erase your iPhone, and it will install the latest version of the iOS software.
• When this is completed, your iPhone will restart
• Follow the on-screen steps to set up your iPhone as new.

Renew Lease

With this option, you will get a new IP address from your router, and hopefully, you will be able to connect to a Wi-Fi network, and the connection won’t drop anymore. To do this, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, find your Wi-Fi network, and then tap on (i) right next to the network. Tap Renew Lease.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

iPhone WiFi won’t turn on grayed out

Some users reported the problem saying, “iPhone wifi won’t turn on grayed out.” There are a couple of things you can do if Wi-Fi is grayed out:

As Ifixit reported 

It has to do something with thermal shock.

Advanced Solutions/ Temporary :

“Placing the phone in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, or under a lamp for 30 minutes.”

“Gentle heat your iPhone using a hairdryer, over the speaker/front camera, please to make sure you don’t damage the screen or battery, place it 7-10 inches from the phone. After you see a Temperature warning, immediately place your iPhone into the freezer for 10-20 mins.”

Simple solution:

• Toggle Airplane mode on/off.
• Restart your iPhone. Press and hold the sleep/wake button, drag the slider, and turn your phone off. Press and hold the sleep/wake button to turn your phone back on.
• Reset network settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset network settings.
• Update the iOS software.
• Reset all settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset all settings.
• Restore your iPhone to factory settings using iTunes.

 

iPhone won’t connect to WiFi incorrect password

If your iPhone can’t connect to wifi network saying incorrect password, here are the solutions:

• If you are connecting to a Wi-Fi network for the first time, make sure you have entered the password correctly.
• Toggle Airplane mode on/off.
• Restart your iPhone. Press and hold the sleep/wake button and then slide to power off once your device is off. Press and hold the sleep/wake button to turn it back on.
• Restart your router.
• Reset network settings. To do that, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset network settings. Tap Reset network settings.
• Update iOS.
• Change the Wi-Fi password.
• Restore your iPhone to factory settings using iTunes.

 

iPhone wifi problems after update iOS

We always say that it is essential to install the latest version of iOS because it brings bug fixes, increases the security of your device, and often introduces some new features. However, some issues, including the ones with Wi-Fi, can occur right after the update. Sometimes, all you need to do is wait a bit and let your device settle after the update, or try the following solutions:

• Toggle Wi-Fi.
• Toggle Airplane mode on/off.
• Turn off the Bluetooth.
• Forget the network and join again.
• Restart your iPhone and your router.
• Reset network settings. Navigate to Settings > General > Reset > Reset network settings. Tap Reset network settings.
• Reset all settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset all settings.
• Restore your iPhone to factory settings using iTunes.

See also:  Mac Wifi issues and solutions. 

These problems/solutions are found and effective on iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.

We have listed the solutions for different iPhone Wi-Fi issues. Still, your device won’t connect to a Wi-Fi network. The connection is slow or keeps dropping, contact Apple or visit a Genius Bar in one of the Apple Stores nearby.