Apple uses iOS operating system on their popular iPhone models. You should have a wireless network connection in order to use this smart devices. Having a good Wi-Fi connection allows your iOS devices to work in harmony to get what you need from internet either using Safari browser or through apps. But Wi-Fi connection issues are very common even on the brand new iPhones. Though Apple releases fixe for problems these Wi-Fi problems still exist for many users. In this article let us explain some simple fixes for Wi-Fi connection issues in iPhone.
Check out our articles if you are looking for fixing Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows PC and MacBook.
What Kind of Wi-Fi Problems Occurs in iPhone?
Below are some of the issues you could face with Wi-Fi:
- Wireless not connecting to Internet
- Wi-Fi icon greyed out
- Wi-Fi connection frequently dropping
- Poor network signal
If you are frustrated with your Wi-Fi connection issue, then you are not alone. There are large number of users getting these types of problems on their iPhones. Fortunately, there are straightforward solutions that you can try.
1. Check Wi-Fi is On
The first step is to ensure the Wi-Fi connection is switched on. Sometimes you might have disabled the wireless or enabled Airplane mode accidentally. Swipe the screen from top right corner to open Control Center in iPhone. Check the Wi-Fi networking icon is on and Airplane mode icon is switched off.
You should see a Wi-Fi wireless icon on the top bar when you switch on Wi-Fi.
2. Verify Router Settings
This is an important step, because you can localize and isolate the problem between the router and iPhone. The easy way is to connect your iPhone with another router if you have. If your device works on other Wi-Fi routers, then the problem is very likely on your router. In this case, you can restart the router to see whether that helps.
Disconnect the power cable to your router and reconnect again. You also need to check all of the connectors and cables are working fine. Go to “Settings > WLAN” and tap on the info icon next to your wireless network.
Note down the IP address against “Router”.
Now open the router’s IP on the address bar and login to the router settings page with your administrator password. Check all router settings are set properly. For example, you can change the channel, bandwidth and network profile name from router settings page.
3. Use Google DNS
This solution should work if the default DNS provided by your ISP is having a problem. Go to “Settings > WLAN” and tap on the information icon next to your Wi-Fi network. By default the “Configure DNS” section should be set as “Automatic”. Tap on that and change to “Manual” option. Delete the existing DNS servers and tap on “Add Server” option. Type in 8.8.8.8 for primary address and 8.8.4.4 for secondary address and save your changes. This is the DNS server IP addresses for Google public DNS which should work flawlessly to resolve any domain names.
Now check whether your internet connection is working fine. Check our article on changing DNS in iOS to learn more.
4. Forget and Rejoin Network
Sometimes the corrupted network profile may prevent in connecting to Internet. In such case, you can tell your iOS device to forget your existing Wi-Fi network and then rejoin again using security code. Go to “Settings > WLAN”. Tap into the info icon next to your Wi-Fi network name and choose ‘Forget This Network’ option. Rejoin the network again by type in your Wi-Fi password and check the Wi-Fi is connected successfully.
Note: Ensure to enable “Auto-Join” so that the Wi-Fi network connects automatically. Otherwise you may need to choose the network manually and join by typing in the password every time.
5. Renew IP Address
Your ISP dynamically assigns IP address assigned to your device. There could be problems due to the auto assigned IP addresses like blocking. In such case you can either renew the IP address or assign static IP address obtained from your ISP. When you are in the Wi-Fi settings page tap on ‘Configure IP’ option and then select “Manual”. Now, you can enter any static IP address provided by your ISP in the “IP Address” field.
6. Shut Down and Restart the Device
In some cases, you can fix the problem only by force rebooting the device. You can shutdown the iPhone going to “Settings > General > Shut Down” option. Alternatively, you can do this by holding volume up or down button and press the side power button together. Wait until you see the options and tap on “Slide to Power Off” button.
7. Find Out What Makes Your Network to Perform Poorly
People often complain that their Wi-Fi connection is very slow. It takes too long to open a webpage or download an app. Here are steps you should follow:
- Find out how many devices that are connected to the network. Disconnect devices that are using up your bandwidth unnecessarily.
- Use speed test to check the speed of the network. You can re-test the network after making an improvement to know whether it’s working.
- Check whether other devices are having similar slow connection problem.
As mentioned above, you can change the bandwidth from router’s settings page to avoid crowded network.
8. Enable WLAN Assist
WLAN Assist is a feature automatically connects to cellular network whenever your Wi-Fi connection has poor signal. This will help you to retain the connection without dropping off. Though this is enabled by default in iPhones and you can check to make sure once. Go to “Settings > Cellular” and scroll down to bottom of the page. Tap on “WLAN Assist” and enable it.
9. Disable VPN and Bluetooth
Poor VPN servers interrupt your Wi-Fi connection without dropping off from the internet. When looking, you feel the connection is available since the Wi-Fi icon shows on the top bar. But actually the VPN server may interrupt the connection and stops the network. Generally VPN apps are configured to reconnect automatically thus affecting the Wi-Fi connection every time you wake the phone. So, ensure to disable auto reconnect option of your VPN app.
Similar to VPN, Bluetooth can interfere with Wi-Fi sometimes. So, disable VPN and Bluetooth connection in settings and check whether this helps to solve your Wi-Fi connection issue in iPhone.
10. Turn Off Location Services
Location services help the iOS device to determine your precise location using Bluetooth, cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. But this may disturb the Wi-Fi connection. Go to “Settings > Privacy” and disable “Location Services”. Now check you can connect to Internet using wireless connection.
11. Disable Wi-Fi Networking Services
Similar to location services, Wi-Fi networking services can also cause Wi-Fi connection issues. Navigate to “Settings > Privacy > Location Services” and go to the bottom section to find “System Services” option. Check the list o available items and disable “Networking ^ Wireless” option.
12. Verify Safari and Website Restrictions
You can restrict any or all websites from accessing in iPhone. Generally website restriction is used as parent controlling option to restrict kids opening adult sites. Go to “Settings > Scree Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions” section. Again, tap on “Content Restrictions” and go to “Web Content” section. Here you can setup restrictions to block adult websites or allow to open only sites you add the list. need to enter the password to go inside the settings. Tap on “Websites” option under “Allowed Content” section. Here you can see the restrictions like all websites, adult content or specific site.
Disable any restrictions and select “Unrestricted access”. Now check whether you can open all the websites from Safari. Remember, you can completely remove Safari by restricting the app. If you don’t see Safari app then disable the restrictions under “Allowed Apps” section to get the app back.
13. Update Your iOS Version To Latest
You could be unlucky enough to get a device with iOS version that has problematic Wi-Fi connection. The glitch may already be fixed by the latest iOS upgrade. But upgrading your iOS can be tricky if your Wi-Fi connection is unstable. You should use cellular or use hotspot connection from other phone to connect to internet and update your iOS version. Once you have Internet connection, go to “Settings > General > Software Update” and update the latest available iOS version.
14. Reset Network Settings
On your iPhone, go to “Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone” and choose “Reset” option. You will see a list of options and select “Reset Network Settings”. Resetting network settings will not delete any data on your iPhone. However, this will remove all network configurations on your device like wireless and VPN passwords. You need to connect to the network again using wireless password.
15. Restore Your iOS Device
This solution only works if you have backed up your iPhone before. The backup and restore process should be quite straightforward. You should have a habit of creating a fresh backup when your device is working flawlessly. Follow these steps to restore your iOS device using iCloud:
- Make sure you have a backup and go to “Settings > General > Transfer & Reset” option. Now select “Erase All Content and Settings” to completely factory reset your iPhone.
- After that turn on the device and you will see the Hello screen. Follow the setup steps on the display until you reach “Apps & Data” section.
- Tap “Restore from iCloud Backup” and sign into your iCloud account with the Apple ID.
- Choose your backup possibly before you started to have Wi-Fi connection issues in iPhone.
The backup process should start immediately and in some cases, you may be asked to upgrade your iOS before proceeding. The time to restore depends on your internet speed and the size of your backup file.
Follow these steps to restore your iOS device using iTunes:
- Open iTunes software on PC or Mac computer, that’s used to store the backup file for your device.
- Connect your device to the computer. Follow steps on the screen to trust the computer or type a passcode.
- In iTunes, your iOS device should appear, if it’s connected properly.
- Choose restore backup option. If your iOS version is too old, iTunes may ask you to upgrade it first.
- Choose preferred backup file and click restore. If your backup is encrypted, enter the password.
Conclusion
iOS comes with tons of exciting new features. Unfortunately, it also cause many Wi-Fi connection issues in iPhone. Using the above solutions and upgrading your device to the latest iOS version should solve your Wi-Fi connection issues.
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