Fix Wi-Fi Connection Issues in Android

Google regularly release major and minor updates for Android OS to provide new features and fix issues. However, intermittent Wi-Fi connections may still affect some Android devices. The solutions provided here could help you to restore Wi-Fi connection issues in Android and restore your internet connection. If you are facing Wi-Fi problems in iPhone, check our guide on how to fix Wi-Fi connection issues in iOS.

Wi-Fi Connection Issues in Android

There could be many reasons you face connection problems. It could be due to the wrong settings, cached data or interference from other apps installed on your phone.

1. Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off

By toggling Airplane mode on and off, you will also turn the Wi-Fi connection off and on. The Airplane Mode button is placed in the notification area, which you can access by pulling down the notification bar. Your Android device will make a fresh attempt to reconnect with the network. This could solve your problems if you have wrongly enabled airplane mode.

2. Disable Bluetooth

Bluetooth also sends out signal, which may interfere with the Wi-Fi. Some Android devices have problem connecting to a wireless network, when Bluetooth is enabled. Therefore, disable your Bluetooth from the settings and check whether you can establish connection with the wireless network.

3. Forget and Rejoin Network

By forgetting network on your device, SSID name, authentication type, password and proxy address will be removed. This gives your phone a new start to join the wireless network again. Before forgetting the network, write down all the details, so you can immediately rejoin the network. Follow these steps:

• Go to “Settings > Connection”.
• Tap on your active Wi-Fi connection and choose “Forget”.
• Go to “Settings > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi Network” and choose your preferred Wi-Fi connection.
• Enter the correct password and check whether the connection can be established properly.

4. Disable Power Saving Mode

The power saving mode is intended to reduce battery consumption. Because Wi-Fi consumes a lot of power, connection stability can be affected if Power Saving mode is enabled. Try to disable Power Saving Mode that’s available on some Android devices. Some users may enable Power Saving Mode permanently, because they won’t to have longer battery life. However, this could cause some issues.

5. Use Right Password

Passwords are essential when connecting with Wi-Fi network. Without a proper password, you won’t be connected to any network. Your Android device will fail to authenticate the connection. Ask the administrator or get information from other sources to make sure that you have the right password.

6. Wi-Fi Sleep

If Wi-Fi connection keeps on dropping, check whether it happens after the phone goes to sleep. This capability may not be available on all Android devices and it’s added by phone manufacturers. Wi-Fi sleep policy could disconnect your device, when it goes to sleep to lengthen battery life. Follow these steps:

• On Android, go to Advanced Wi-Fi settings.
• Choose to keep Wi-Fi stay connected during sleep.

A third-party app that you use to save battery life could also control your Wi-Fi connection, causing possible issues.

7. Check Ad-hoc and Hidden Network

Sometimes, your Android devices fail to connect automatically. This could happen if you are trying to connect to an Ad-hoc network. Many Android smartphones and tablets are not designed to connect to an Ad-hoc network, but they will work well with regular access points. Some networks can be purposely hidden. By default, Android devices don’t support Ad-hoc networks. However, you can use “wpa_supplicant” patch to connect with these networks. Before patching the “wpa_supplicant” file, make sure that you have backed up the original file.

Hidden networks are not meant to be discovered by unauthorized individuals. You need to ask administrators to know the SSID name, security method type and password. If the credentials are correct, you should be able to get full connection.

8. Disable Smart Network Switch

This feature is found in some Samsung Galaxy models. Because Samsung is the most popular manufacturer of Android devices, it’s valid to include this solution here. When enabled, your phone will switch automatically between cellular data connection and Wi-Fi connection. However, this feature could cause problem with your Wi-Fi connection. Follow these steps:

• Pull down the notification bar and tap the Wi-Fi icon.
• The Wi-Fi Settings menu is displayed. Tap on ‘More’.
• A new page is displayed and it shows details related to Smart Network Switch.
• Disable Smart Network Switch by tapping on Off

9. Check Third Party Apps

Some third-part apps may cause conflicts and your Wi-Fi connection may not work properly as a result. Check whether the problem occurs after you download an app. If so, try to disable or uninstall the app. In rare cases, the problem can be resolved by updating the app. Apps that control Wi-Fi connection may potentially cause issues.

10. Check Date and Time

Date and time inaccuracy happens when you move between time zones quickly, especially when you fly with an airliner often. In order for the Android device to get proper connection, make sure that it has compatible date and time with the server. Go to the settings menu of your phone and adjust date and time appropriately.

11. Flush Wi-Fi Direct Cache and Data

Wi-Fi Direct is a practical feature, but it could interfere with normal Wi-Fi connection. After a period of use, it will accumulate cache and data, which could cause problems. Follow these steps:

• Go to “Settings > Applications”.
• Locate and tap on Wi-Fi Direct.
• Tap on Clear Data and Clear Cache buttons.
• Restart your phone; verify that the problem has been resolved.

Conclusion

The above mentioned solutions should resolve most problems associated with Wi-Fi connection on Android devices. If none of the above solutions works, you may need to take a more drastic action. If your phone connected perfectly to any Wi-Fi network before, you should consider resetting it to factory settings. Make sure that you have backed up your data, because they will be erased. Depending up on the model, you can go go to “Settings” and then “Reset” the phone from “Backup” section.