Having issues with your phone and wondering why your iPhone can’t connect to WiFi? There could be a number of issues at play, and most of them are easy to fix – so let’s do it!
If you are experiencing other technical difficulties, like your iPhone won’t detect your SIM card, won’t vibrate, or even won’t turn on, we have guides to help. We can also talk you through what to do for water damage, how to fix your speaker problems, and tell you what you need to know about iPhone screen repairs.
imFixed offers repairs in and around Manchester, and believe that local is best, which is why we put so much effort into giving you the best possible service. From our in-store and home repair offers to our wide range of blogs and guides to help you get your devices working, we have it all.
Some Simple Fixes to Try First
Before we jump into the more technical and difficult options, why not try the more basic ones first? You would be surprised by how many issues can be fixed with a simple solution – one that you might overlook in the frustration of the moment.
Check Your iPhone’s Mode
Airplane Mode will not allow your device to connect to the internet, so double-check to make sure that this is not on. This is so easy to forget, but it can make a world of difference in a moment, so take the time to check!
Ensure WiFi is Turned On
It might sound obvious – but is your WiFi turned on? This can relate to the router (there may be a malfunction, or it could have accidentally been unplugged), and your iPhone itself. Check the settings on your phone to see if the WiFi feature is on.
To make sure WiFi is turned on, simply follow these steps: Setting → WiFi → toggle on. If it’s already on, toggle it off for a second, then toggle it back on, and this might get it working again.
Is a Password Needed?
It’s so easy to type in the wrong character or have the incorrect capitalisation, so double-check this before you start getting too frustrated. Show the password as you input it, and double (maybe even triple) check every letter you type in.
Why Your iPhone Can’t Connect to WiFi
If you have gone through the above options, but still aren’t having any luck with your iPhone connecting to WiFi, it’s time to dive into the more in-depth solutions. Any one of the options provided below might resolve the situation, but if there is a bigger problem at hand – like a hardware issue – you will need to bring it into a repair shop to get it looked at.
Restart Your Device
Sometimes a simple restart is all that’s needed to jumpstart the correct processes in your iPhone. Depending on the iPhone model you have, you will need to take different steps to force restart your device.
For iPhones that Support iOS 16 or Later
- Quickly press the volume up button and release
- Quickly press the volume down button and release
- Hold down the side button
- Release the side button when the Apple logo shows
For iPhones that Don’t Support iOS 16 (iPhones 6, 7, 8 and SE (1st Gen)
- iPhone 6 models and iPhone SE (1st Gen) – Hold down the home and sleep/wake button at the same time, then release the buttons when you see the Apple logo
- iPhone 7 – Hold down the sleep/wake button and volume down button at the same time, then release the buttons when you see the Apple logo
- iPhone 8 and iPhone SE (2nd Gen) – Quickly press the volume up button and release, then do the same with the volume down button. Hold down the side button, and release it when you see the Apple logo
Make Sure Your Device’s iOS is Up-to-Date
Usually an iPhone will update without any issues, but sometimes things just don’t do right. If you are struggling to update your iPhone, you can update your iOS in Recovery Mode. To do this, you will need the latest version of iTunes on a Windows or Mac laptop/PC.
Follow these steps:
- Connect your Windows/Mac device to the phone
- Do a force restart (steps outlined in an above section) to get your phone in Recovery Mode
- Don’t let go of the buttons until the phone screen has the Recovery mode screen (a charging cable with an arrow pointed at a laptop)
- Select ‘update’ when the option to restore or update on your computer shows up
- Confirm, then follow the instructions given to you (it can take up to 15 minutes, so have some patience)
- Your phone will restart on its own once you’re done
If this doesn’t work, you can try updating your iOS in DFU Mode. This mode is more complex than Recovery Mode, and varies depending on the device model you have, follow these steps to effectively go through the process.
Just be aware that DFU will restore iOS to a clean slate while bypassing iBoot, which Recovery Mode uses. As such, make sure you back up all your important data before proceeding.
If this doesn’t work, you will need to get in touch with a professional like us, or Apple.
Restart the WiFi Router
The issue might be with your WiFi rather than your device. In this case, simply go to your WiFi router and turn it off for a few seconds, then turn it back on. Give it a moment to boot up and get working again, and try reconnecting your iPhone to the WiFi.
Routers from different internal providers will be different, as will the models, depending on things like age. If you are not sure how to turn your router off, check with your ISP, and they will be able to help you with this – or search the make and model on another device before turning it off, and there should be steps to follow.
Reset Device to Factory Settings
If nothing else is working, you might need to erase your iPhone to its default state. This will get rid of everything on the device, so make sure you back up all your important data before proceeding if you want to keep it.
To reset your iPhone, follow these steps: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings → Erase iPhone.
Need Help? imFixed is Here
At imFixed, it’s our journey to get your tech up and running again like it just came out of the box. This means we are filling to look at anything you throw our way, whether it’s an old iPad or a brand-new iPhone. We also have a collection of accessories like cases and chargers to protect your devices and keep them functioning.
Here, we answer your burning questions – like if it’s worth fixing a MacBook screen, what new MacBook users should know, and if your MacBook battery can be repaired, or get in touch with us for phone repairs in Bury, Rochdale, Manchester, Oldham, and beyond.
You can also learn how to fix your iPhone’s broken power button and poor sound quality in calls, find out why your iPhone battery is draining, why your iPhone isn’t charging, or what to do if a software update fails.
Now that you know why your iPhone can’t connect to WiFi, or at least have a few reasons, why not try resolving the issue at home before coming to us? We all like to save time and money, and if everything you try fails, we would love to see you and get the issue fixed once and for all.
