Fix an iPhone or iPod Touch Losing WiFi Settings

Does your iPhone or iPod Touch lose its Wi-Fi connection or fail to connect to your preferred Wi-Fi connection automatically? iPhone and iPod users have been dealing with sporadic wireless headaches since the release of iOS 8 and 9. Because Wi-Fi issues vary depending on different network setups, different fixes work for different users. These following methods have proven to repair Wi-Fi issues on iPhone, iPad and iPod devices.

Steps

Updating iOS

  1. Find out if there’s a new version of iOS. The best way to start troubleshooting is to make sure your device is up-to-date. Apple has released updates which claim to resolve issues of flaky Wi-Fi. A system update could solve your issues as well as give you additional features. [1] Open the Settings menu and select “General,” then “Software Update.” If you see any software listed (for example, “iOS 9.1”), that means you can install an update.
  2. Connect your iPhone or iPod to a power source. Updates can take a while, so you’ll need to make sure the battery won’t die.
  3. Connect to a Wi-Fi network if possible. If there’s a Wi-Fi network that gives you less trouble than others, connect to it. Software updates can be large files, so you probably won’t want to use your cellular data for an update.
  4. Tap “Download and Install.” You may see a message about iOS needing to remove apps to save space. If you choose “Continue,” your apps will be reinstalled after the update is complete. [2]
  5. Tap “Install.” Once the installation is complete, reconnect to your wireless network.

Disabling Location Services for Wi-Fi Networking

  1. Understand Location Services. The settings we are about to modify affect certain features of your GPS while you are connected to a Wi-Fi network. This modification will not affect the use of your GPS using your cellular data.
  2. View the Location Services. Tap the Setting menu and select “Privacy.” Choose “Location Services” from the menu. [3]
  3. Disable Wi-Fi Networking. Select “System Services” to bring up a list of options. Toggle the switch next to “Wi-Fi Networking” to the off position.
  4. Restart your device. Reconnect to your wireless network once your device has restarted. If your issue is not resolved, return to the Location Services menu and re-enable Wi-Fi Networking to resume previous functionality.

Turning on or off Wi-Fi Assist

  1. Understand Wi-Fi Assist. Wi-Fi Assist was introduced with iOS 9 to help make the switch from wireless networks to cellular data (and vice-versa) more seamless. Basically, it tells your device to drop Wi-Fi connections with networks it interprets as too weak. [4] Depending on the networks in your area, you may have better results with Wi-Fi Assist enabled or disabled.
  2. Find your Cellular or Mobile Data settings. Open the Settings menu and select “Cellular” or “Mobile Data” (you will see one or the other, depending on your region).
  3. Toggle on Wi-Fi Assist. Scroll down until you see Wi-Fi Assist and move the switch to the on (green) position if off (gray). If it’s already on, try switching it off to find out if Wi-Fi Assist is hindering your ability to stay connected to your preferred network.

“Forgetting” Wi-Fi Network

  1. Make sure you have the wireless network name and password written down or memorized. This method instructs your iPhone or iPod to erase all settings associated with a single wireless network. After you’ve completed this method, you’ll need to log back in and provide a password if required.
  2. Open the Wi-Fi settings menu. Tap the Settings icon and select Wi-Fi.
  3. Select your connection. From the list of Wi-Fi connections, tap the one you’re trying to use.
  4. Tap “Forget This Network.” This will cause your device to erase all settings associated with that Wi-Fi connection, including the password required to connect.
  5. Turn Wi-Fi off and then on again. This will cause your device to search once more for available networks.
  6. Reconnect to the wireless network. Select the network from the list and enter the keyphrase if prompted. You’ll now have a brand new connection to the wireless network.

Resetting the Device’s Network Settings

  1. Back up your information. Resetting an iOS device's network settings has shown some success in resolving wireless connectivity issues. This method will clear all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, so make sure you have your networks and passwords written down somewhere before continuing.[5] It’s also a good idea to back up your device before making significant changes to your settings.
  2. Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Tap the Settings icon to view your options.
  3. Tap “General” and scroll down to Reset.
  4. Select Reset Network Settings. Once you perform this step, you’ll need to re-enter the passwords for all of your secured wireless networks.
  5. Reconnect to your wireless network. Go to your Wi-Fi Settings and reconnect to your wireless network.

Broadcasting Your Home Router’s SSID

  1. Find the IP address of your router. If your Wi-Fi issue only occurs on your home network that doesn’t broadcast its SSID (wireless access point name), try making the SSID visible. [6]
    • The IP address of your router is a set of numbers that you can use to access the settings of your router. Typically, this information can be found printed on a label found beneath your router and is usually something like 192.168.0.1.
    • Using your iOS device, tap Settings, then Wi-Fi, then and select on the name of your wireless network. Your router's IP address will be found next to "Router" on the resulting page.[7]
  2. Type your router's IP address into your browser’s address bar exactly as it is shown and press . You can do this from a computer or your iPhone/iPod connected to the network from which you're losing Wi-Fi access.
  3. Log in with your router’s username and password. If you do not know the username and password, and it cannot be found on your router’s label alongside its IP address, visit http://portforward.com/default_username_password to see a list of default usernames and password.
  4. Find a section or tab for wireless or WLAN settings on your router's setup page. There are many different router manufacturers and models, so poke through the menus until you find the wireless settings. They may also be under a section called “Advanced settings.”
  5. Look for "SSID Broadcast.” Once you find your wireless settings, look for a setting related to SSID broadcasting.
  6. Check “Enabled.” Enable SSID broadcasting. Remember to save or apply your settings and close your browser when you are done. Your wireless network should now be discoverable when scanning for nearby networks on a wireless device.

Tips

  • Hiding your SSID does not actually make your network more secure. A strong password and WPA2 encryption are plenty secure.[8]
  • Keeping your devices up to date can ensure that you will get fixes for issues when they arrive.
  • Back up your device before performing updates or adjusting settings.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/04/09/apple-ios-8-3-wifried/#6e38c12176a8
  2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204204
  3. ↑ http://www.redmondpie.com/tips-to-fix-ios-9-wifi-problems-on-iphone-ipad-ipod-touch/
  4. ↑ http://www.redmondpie.com/why-and-how-to-enable-ios-9-wifi-assist-feature-on-iphone-or-ipad/
  5. ↑ http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204051
  6. ↑ http://news.softpedia.com/news/fix-wi-fi-not-working-in-ios-9-492797.shtml
  7. ↑ http://www.computerworld.com/article/2474776/network-security-find-the-ip-address-of-your-home-router.html
  8. ↑ http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/28653/debunking-myths-is-hiding-your-wireless-ssid-really-more-secure/
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