Best Tips & Tricks to Fix Wi-Fi Not Working in iOS 16/iPadOS 16 on iPhone and iPad
To begin with, let’s first dig into the reasons that could be hindering Wi-Fi on your iDevice. Having got a fair perspective about the culprits, we will go on to take on each villain with a viable solution.
What Could Be Causing the Wi-Fi Issue on Your iPhone?
As far as I can remember, the Wi-Fi problem has been around on iOS for ages. Even though Apple has been putting all the hard yards to get rid of this issue, it always found a familiar or unfamiliar way to crop up. But before you may put the entire blame on Apple’s failure to resolve this issue, you should know all the factors that play an equal role in triggering the Wi-Fi issue on iOS.
An occasional software glitch related to iOS: From time to time, an occasional software glitch tends to raise its head out of nowhere, which you can usually resolve through a soft reset. Ongoing technical issue from network provider: If the Wi-Fi network itself is going through an outage, you will face Wi-Fi issues. Miscellaneous issues related to the Wi-Fi router: Just like any other mechanical device, the Wi-Fi router may also, at times, face miscellaneous issues. Software bug related to iOS: A hidden software bug could be preventing Wi-Fi from working smoothly.
What Sort of Wi-Fi Issue Ails Your iPhone?
While some iPhone users complain that their iPhone is not able to connect to Wi-Fi, others report that their device automatically disconnects from Wi-Fi every time the device is locked. Not to mention, many iPhone owners state that the Wi-Fi is too sluggish to let them stream video or browse the web at the desired speed. Irrespective of which one of these issues is haunting you, it’s annoying to be in any of the aforementioned situations. Been there done that; I have discussed all the ways and means to troubleshoot the Wi-Fi problem. So, get started with the first solution and keep trying until you have gotten the better of the problem.
1. Turn On/Off Airplane Mode
Airplane Mode is more than capable to fix sluggish or ill-functioning Wi-Fi issues. Therefore, start this troubleshooting guide with this incredibly straightforward yet effective solution.
On iPhone with Face ID: Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen and hit airplane mode to turn it on. After waiting for a few seconds, tap on the airplane mode icon again to disable it. On iPhone with Touch ID: Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to bring up the Control Center and then hit the airplane mode icon to turn it on. Wait for some time and then tap on it again to turn it off.
Now, open a browser and navigate to a site to check if Wi-Fi has started to work normally. If it has, you have gotten the better of the issue. Rejoice!
2. Turn Off/On Wi-Fi
At times, all you need to do to resolve a Wi-Fi issue on your iPhone is just turn off/on the Wi-Fi toggle. So, give it a go as well.
Head into the Settings app on your iPhone -> Wi-Fi and then turn off the toggle.
Now, restart your iPhone. Once your device has rebooted, navigate to the Settings app and then turn on Wi-Fi. Once again, check if the Wi-Fi connection has returned to its usual self.
Read more: 10 Common iOS 16 Problems and Their Solutions
3. Ensure That Your Device Can Automatically Join Known Networks
While it’s not a solution per se, make sure your device can automatically connect to known networks. This is designed to enhance user experience. Thus, make the best use of this feature to connect to a familiar Wi-Fi network without any hassle. It’s important to note that your iPhone will notify you when there are no known networks.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone -> Wi-Fi -> Ask to Join Networks and then select Notify.
4. Enable Wi-Fi Assist
Again, this one can’t be considered a direct solution to the Wi-Fi issue. However, it can play a vital role in helping Wi-Fi work without any sluggishness or interruptions. For those unaware, Wi-Fi Assist enables your iPhone to automatically use mobile data when Wi-Fi connectivity is poor. Times when you are playing an online game that requires a strong and stable Internet connection or binge-watching a high-quality TV show, it can come in super handy, ensuring the poor Wi-Fi connection does not ruin your experience.
Launch the Settings app on your iPhone -> Cellular/Mobile Data -> Scroll down to the bottom and then ensure that the toggle next to Wi-Fi Assist is turned on.
5. Restart Your Router
Every time your iPhone faces a Wi-Fi issue, you should not jump the gun on iOS straightaway. If the Wi-Fi network has encountered an occasional glitch, you can easily get rid of it by just rebooting the router.
You can use the power button to restart your router. Besides, you can also remove the plug from the power source. Then, wait for about 5 minutes and connect the Wi-Fi router to the power source again.
6. Forget the Wi-Fi Network and Reconnect
Another very reliable way to fix an ill-functioning Wi-Fi connection is to forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect to it.
To do so, open the Settings app on your iPhone -> Wi-Fi -> tap on the “i” button next to the Wi-Fi network -> Forget This Network and confirm the action.
Now, reconnect to the Wi-Fi network. Once you have securely connected to the network, try to stream any video online to figure out if the issue has finally gone behind your back.
7. Reset Network Settings
Believe me, there is no better troubleshooter for fixing a persistent network-related issue than this radical solution. Whenever I find myself entangled in a Wi-Fi or cellular problem, I look for it as my go-to hack. No prizes for guessing, I’m going to count on it to resolve this issue as well.
To get it done, launch the Settings app on your iPhone -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings.
Now, enter your device passcode. If you have set a Screen Time passcode as well, you will be prompted to enter it as well.
8. Contact Your Wi-Fi Provider
If the problem continues to persist on your iPhone, I would recommend you contact your Wi-Fi provider and ask if the Wi-Fi network is currently facing any technical issues. If the network is going through an outage, you can’t do anything but wait until the issue has been resolved.
9. Update Your Software
As already stated above, iOS 16 seems to be already plagued with too many issues. Hence, the likelihood of a hidden bug that is causing Wi-Fi issues is strong. In this scenario, updating the software to the latest version is your best bet. Keep in mind that your iPhone must have around 50% power for being able to kickstart the software update. And if your iPhone’s battery is currently below 20%, it must be above 20% while being connected to the power source for being able to let you download and install the software update. Needless to say, the update also requires a strong and stable internet connection.
To get started, open the Settings app on your iPhone -> General -> Software Update. Now, download and install the latest version of iOS as usual.
10. Factory Reset Your iPhone
There is a pretty famous idiom that comes to mind when dealing with this radical solution. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Save this hack for the times when all the basic tips fail to do their magic. For those uninitiated, factory reset erases the entire settings on your device. However, it ensures all your media and data remain safe. Hence, there shouldn’t be any panic with regard to losing important files.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset All Settings.
Now, you will need to enter your device passcode. And if you have set up the Screen Time passcode, you will need to enter it as well. In the end, tap on Reset All Settings again to confirm.
Fixed Wi-Fi Issues on iPhone and iPad!
There you have it! I guess you have eventually gotten the better of the Wi-Fi issues on your device. Since these tips have worked for most users, I don’t see any reasons why they may not click for you as well. Do let me know the tricks that have got the job done for you. And if something else, not mentioned in this guide, has come to your rescue, be sure to tip me about that as well.
