Fixing issues with phone unable to connect to Wi-Fi

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If your phone is having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi, it's probably happening at the worst possible time, when you need to check some information or write an important email. If you've faced this issue several times, you're not alone because it's a common problem that many people encounter. Fortunately, fixing the problem of your phone not picking up Wi-Fi or being unable to connect is quite simple, and Mytour will share the solution with you right away.

In a previous article, Mytour shared and guided on how to fix the issue of the phone not connecting to 3G network to help you resolve the ongoing problem. In this article, 'Why can't my phone connect to the Internet?', there are many reasons why your mobile device can't connect to Wi-Fi, and they can be classified into 4 main cases:
- Network configuration such as IP address and DHCP.
- Software and firmware errors.
- Password and incorrect information.
- Wi-Fi coverage range.

Fixing issues with phone unable to connect to Wi-Fi

Article Contents:
1. Ensure the network and router are functioning properly.
2. Turn on/off airplane mode.
3. Turn off and restart Wi-Fi.
4. Check the Wi-Fi network name and password.
5. Restart the phone and router.
6. Update the system.
7. Delete and reconnect to the connected Wi-Fi.
8. Restore the phone to factory settings.

Various Solutions for Phone Not Detecting Wi-Fi

1. Ensure the network and router are functioning properly

Before exploring various troubleshooting methods, you need to ensure that your wireless network and router are functioning correctly. The best way to check the network is to see if other devices can connect to that Wi-Fi network. Ask your friends or someone nearby to help. If multiple devices can't detect Wi-Fi, the issue may lie with the router and network service.

2. Toggle Airplane Mode

Enabling Airplane Mode is effective for certain network and phone signal issues. Try turning on Airplane Mode from the notification center or Control Center on your phone, wait a few seconds, and tap the airplane icon again to disable it. Afterward, attempt to reconnect to Wi-Fi and check if the phone has successfully detected Wi-Fi.

3. Turn off and Restart Wi-Fi

Sometimes, minor details are overlooked when the phone encounters issues. Ensure that Wi-Fi is turned on before implementing more advanced troubleshooting steps. Additionally, turning off and restarting Wi-Fi can successfully fix the issue of the phone not connecting to Wi-Fi. You can perform the toggle Wi-Fi action from the Notifications page on the home screen or within the Settings app. Also, you may refer to How to turn on/off and open wifi on a laptop if you are not familiar.

4. Check Wi-Fi Network Name and Password

You may want to verify that the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is indeed the network you intend to connect to, as well as checking the password because entering the wrong password will prevent you from accessing the network on the device.

5. Restart the Phone and Router

Sometimes, temporary data may be the cause of issues in the phone's software. Restarting the device will clear the cache of temporary data and allow it to operate more efficiently. This is a simple yet effective troubleshooting method, widely used to resolve various issues on mobile devices. Turn off and restart the phone, then try connecting to the Wi-Fi network to see if the issue has been resolved.

Additionally, the issue may not be with your phone but with your router. In such a case, the most basic thing you can do is restart the router.

6. Update the System

New operating system updates help improve device performance and fix many issues that occurred in previous versions, including problems with Wi-Fi. If you haven't updated your phone for a while, do it immediately.

- On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If there is an available update, choose Download and Update.
- On Android phones: Go to Settings > About device and select Update or Wireless Update (the steps may vary slightly on different Android phone models).

7. Delete and Reconnect to Connected Wi-Fi

A useful method in resolving Wi-Fi issues, especially when you can't connect to a network, is to delete all networks so that your phone's Wi-Fi starts fresh. But before proceeding, ensure you have all the necessary details to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network. This will include the network name and password required to connect. After the networks are deleted, you need to add the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to by going to Settings and turning on Wi-Fi or enabling Wi-Fi from the Notifications page. There, tap on the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to and enter the password.

Network Settings on iPhone

There are 2 ways to disconnect from a network on iPhone: resetting network settings and 'forgetting' the network.

- To 'Forget' a network, follow these steps:
+ Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, select the Wi-Fi network you want to remove from the network list.
+ Tap on the (i) icon next to the network name and choose Forget This Network.
+ In the confirmation screen, press the Forget button.

Resetting all network settings removes all network connections. This measure is recommended as a last resort if no other options are available because resetting network settings erases all saved Wi-Fi settings, Wi-Fi passwords, VPN configurations, and mobile data settings.

- To reset all network settings, follow these steps:
+ Go to Settings > General > Reset.
+ Select Reset Network Settings and enter your screen password.
+ Next, choose Reset Network Settings from the confirmation prompt. This resets all network settings and restarts your iPhone.
+ After restarting, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, select the network you want to connect to, and enter the Wi-Fi password to connect.

Network Settings on Android

The Android operating system comes with various versions, depending on the brand and model of the phone. The details of the steps may vary slightly on different Android phone models, but the process is similar.

+ Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
+ Tap on the network in the list and select Forget.
+ From the Wi-Fi network list, choose the network you want to connect to and enter the password to connect to Wi-Fi.

8. Restore Phone to Factory Settings

The most drastic but effective solution when the phone cannot connect to Wi-Fi is to bring the device back to the manufacturer's state (Factory Reset). This means restoring the phone to its original settings. During this process, all data, including downloaded apps, will be removed. Therefore, before proceeding, it's advisable to create a backup of your data.

- On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
- On Android phones, navigate to Settings > Backup and Reset > Factory Data Reset and press Reset phone (specific steps may vary depending on the Android phone model).

Wait for the reset process to complete. Afterward, the device will restart. Proceed to connect to Wi-Fi and check if the issue has been resolved.

Here are some easy and effective methods that can help you fix the issue of the phone not connecting to Wi-Fi. Apply one of these methods to troubleshoot the Wi-Fi problem, and you'll be ready to browse the web and play online games without encountering any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I check if my phone won't connect to Wi-Fi?

First, ensure that your network and router are functioning properly. Verify if other devices can connect to the same Wi-Fi. If they can't, the issue may lie with the router or network service.

How can toggling Airplane Mode help with Wi-Fi connection issues?

Yes, toggling Airplane Mode can help. It refreshes your phone's network connections. Enable Airplane Mode, wait a few seconds, and disable it to see if your phone can reconnect to Wi-Fi.

What steps can I take to restart my phone and router?

To restart your phone, simply power it off and then turn it back on. For the router, unplug it for about 10 seconds before plugging it back in. This often clears temporary issues affecting connectivity.

How do I update my phone's software to resolve Wi-Fi problems?

To update your phone's software, go to Settings and look for Software Update on your device. Ensure you are connected to Wi-Fi and follow the prompts to download and install any available updates.

What does it mean to forget a Wi-Fi network on my phone?

Forgetting a Wi-Fi network means removing it from your device's saved networks. This allows you to reconnect fresh. You can do this in Settings under Wi-Fi, selecting the network and tapping 'Forget.'

When should I consider restoring my phone to factory settings for Wi-Fi issues?

You should consider a factory reset as a last resort if other methods fail. This process erases all data on your device, so be sure to back up important files before proceeding.

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