Why my iPhone is not connecting to WiFi but other devices are?

How to fix iPhone won’t connect to WiFi issue?

You may sometimes find iPhone users making the query – why my iPhone won’t connect to WiFi or why my iPhone is not connecting to WiFi but other devices are?

In most cases, the ‘iPhone WiFi not working’ issue can be fixed by following some simple steps for troubleshooting iPhone WiFi issue, although in some cases more advanced techniques may have to be tried. In this post, I am going to suggest a few simple solutions when your iPhone won’t connect to internet but other devices will.

Find below 10 simple steps you can try to fix common WiFi connectivity problems on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. But, before trying the suggested steps for troubleshooting iPhone WiFi issue, make sure that your WiFi router is working all right and that you are within range. If you’re too far from your router you won’t get a signal. After each step check, whether your iPhone is still unable to connect to WiFi or not.

My iPhone won’t connect to WiFi – steps to fix

When you see your iPhone not connected to WiFi try the following steps for troubleshooting iPhone WiFi problem:

1. Ensure WiFi and router are turned on

If you are not sure about why won’t my iPhone connect to WiFi / Internet the first thing to do is to ensure that WiFi is set to the ‘ON’ position and you are within range and you can see your network on the device. You are also to check whether the wireless router is connected to the modem and turned ON. To do this,

Go to settings > tap WiFi > toggle the switch next to WiFi to turn WiFi on. If you find iPhone WiFi won’t turn on because the setting is grayed out, update to the latest iOS.

To join a network, tap the name of the WiFi network. A blue checkmark beside the network’s name will mean you’re connected.

A password-protected WiFi network has a lock icon next to its name. To join such a network you are required to enter the password when prompted;

Fix the ‘iPhone won’t connect to WiFi’ issue

2. Toggle WiFi or Airplane Mode

Turn off the WiFi, turn it back on, and then check if the ‘iPhone not connected to WiFi’ issue has been fixed or not. If not, turn the Airplane mode on, and a few seconds later turn it back off. Then, check again.

3. Restart your iPhone

Sometimes force restarting your iPhone can be a very effective solution to iPhone problem connecting to WiFi.

To force restart your iPhone,

i. Press and hold the sleep/wake button until the red slider appears;

ii. Drag ‘Slide to power off ‘ to turn your iPhone off;

iii. Once the device is off, press and hold the sleep/wake button (until you see the Apple logo) to turn the device back on again;

4. Check for issues with the WiFi network

If the iOS detects an issue with the WiFi connection, iPhone users will find their iPhone cannot connect to WiFi.

You will see a WiFi recommendation under the name of your network when iOS detects an issue. To get more information about the problem with your WiFi network, tap the WiFi network for suggested solutions;

5. Forget the WiFi network

If you are having iPhone problem connecting to WiFi network despite entering the correct password then forget the network and re-join it. To do this,

Go to settings > WiFi > tap the network that you can’t join > tap ‘Forget This Network > tap ‘Forget’ to confirm your action.

Now go back to Settings > WiFi > rejoin the network by selecting it and re-entering the password.

6. Reset Network Settings

Many times it has been found that the ‘iPhone won’t connect to WiFi’ issue could be resolved by simply resetting the network settings. Therefore, if you find your iPhone not connecting to WiFi even after trying the above solutions, reset your network settings. To do this,

Go to settings > tap General > tap Reset > tap Reset Network Settings> Enter your passcode if asked > tap Reset network settings to confirm your action.

However, this step will clear the memory caches and DHP settings and reset the network settings with factory-recommended settings. You will, therefore, lose your current cellular and WiFi settings, WiFi passwords, VPN, and APN settings by implementing this step.

7. Turn ‘OFF’ WiFi Assist

‘WiFi Assist’ is a new feature in iOS 9 and later versions. This feature helps you to always have a stable internet connection on your device. Whenever your iPhone encounters a weak or poor WiFi network, ‘WiFi Assist’ will automatically switch to Cellular Data. In many cases, toggling WiFi Assist ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ could solve WiFi issues on iPhone. You may, therefore, give a try to this ‘WiFi Assist’ feature if you are not sure about ‘why is WiFi not working on my iPhone’.  To do that,

Go to settings > tap Cellular > tap WiFi Assist> toggle the feature ‘ON’ and turn it back ‘OFF’

8. Turn off Location Services for WiFi networking

When an iPhone won’t connect to internet it is reported by many users that the issue could be resolved by simply turning off the location services. To implement this,

Go to settings > tap Privacy > tap Location Services > tap System Services > turn off WiFi networking by moving the slider to the ‘Off’ position

9. Switch to Open DNS or Google DNS

Faulty DNS Servers from your Internet service provider may sometimes cause network connectivity problems or speed issues. Changing the existing DNS server to more reliable ‘Open DNS’ or ‘Google DNS’ services can be a solution for the problem when your iPhone is not connecting to WiFi. To change DNS settings,

Go to settings > tap WiFi > tap on the info button (i) right next to the network > tap on numbers next to DNS > the Keyboard appears > enter the new DNS address.

For the DNS address, you can enter either Google DNS (8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4, or both separated by a comma) or Open DNS (208.67.220.123 or 208.67.222.123).

10. Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

In most cases, one of the solutions listed above should be able to fix the issue – why won’t my iPhone connect to WiFi but other devices will?

However, in case none of these solutions helps and you still find your iPhone not connecting to WiFi but other devices are, your last option would be to reset your iPhone to factory default settings before taking it to a repair center.

Since resetting your iPhone to factory settings would erase all your stored data in the device, don’t forget to back up your data before starting the process. To restore your iPhone to factory settings follow the steps below:

Go to settings > tap General > tap Reset > tap Erase All Content and Settings > enter the passcode when asked for > tap Erase iPhone to confirm this action.

You can also restore your iPhone to factory default settings via iTunes.

When the reset is complete, your iPhone will be back to default factory settings. You can then either set it up as a new iPhone or restore it from the backup.

Try more options

If you see your iPhone WiFi not working even after following each step above you should look into these options also:

i. Make sure you have the latest version of iOS;

ii. Try to use your WiFi network on other devices. If you can’t get online using other devices, there is a possibility of a service outage. In such case you are to contact your Internet Service Provider for help;

iii. Try to connect your device to a WiFi network in a different location. If your iPhone can connect there, your WiFi network needs attention;

iv. Update your WiFi router with the latest firmware. Contact the manufacturer of your router to make sure that the router supports your Apple product;

Frequently asked questions

Before I conclude let me also address some of the queries often asked by iPhone users related to, why my iPhone won’t connect to WiFi.

How do I fix iPhone connects to WiFi but no Internet? 

There could be various reasons why your iPhone connects to WiFi but no Internet connection. Here are the steps to follow to fix the problem:

1. Reboot your iPhone and WiFi Router/modem;

2. Enable/Disable Airplane Mode;

3. Install software updates on your device;

4. Forget your WiFi network and rejoin;

5. Turn off WiFi Assist;

6. Turn off VPN;

7. Reset Network Settings;

8. Use Google DNS;

Why is my iPhone not connecting to WiFi but other devices are?

If your iPhone won’t connect to a WiFi network while other devices will,

1.  Make sure your router is within range and it is on;

2. Turn on Auto Join if it is Disabled under your Wi-Fi network name;

3. Check for any issue with your Wi-Fi network;

4. Make sure that your Router is connected to the Modem and turned on;

5. Try restarting your iPhone;

6. If still your iPhone can not connect to WiFi, reset your Network Settings. If you’re using iOS 15 or later, tap Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhon> Reset > Reset Network Settings. If you’re using iOS 14 or earlier, tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings;

How do I get my iPhone to connect to WiFi?

To Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone,

1. Go to Settings > WiFi;

2. Turn on WiFi and your iPhone will search for available WiFi networks automatically;

3. Tap the WiFi network you want to join;

How do I fix greyed-out WiFi?

To fix greyed-out WiFi follow the steps below:

1. Make sure that your device is using the latest software;

2. Ensure that the Airplane mode is off;

3. Reset the network settings. To do this,

go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings;

Why won’t my iPhone connect to WiFi or internet?

When your iPhone won’t connect to internet reset your Network Settings.

To do this, go to  Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings;

You might also find this related post useful: iPhone keeps disconnecting from WiFi -here’s how to fix the problem

Conclusion

It is hoped that in most cases the fixes suggested above would be able to satisfy the not-so-uncommon query of iPhone users –  why my iPhone won’t connect to WiFi?

As already mentioned, ‘iPhone can not connect to WiFi’ is not an unusual issue. However, despite trying all the above fixes if you still see your iPhone is not connecting to WiFi and you are not sure about ‘why is WiFi not working on my iPhone’, then there may be a hardware problem, which may be best diagnosed and repaired by a designated Apple Authorized Service Provider. In such a case take your iPhone to your nearest Apple Store for a check-up or contact Apple support online for alternatives.

If you have any other suggestions for possible solutions to why won’t my iPhone connect to WiFi or internet, it would be appreciated if you please share the same in the comment section below.

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