WiFi Problems on Android and iPhone
WiFi problems can originate from the phone, wireless router, saved network configuration, internet connection, or the network itself.
The first useful question is whether the phone can connect to other WiFi networks.
If a phone cannot connect to any WiFi network, the device’s settings or hardware become more relevant. If it connects normally to other networks but fails on one particular router, the router, saved network profile, security configuration, or internet connection may be involved.
A third situation occurs when the phone connects to WiFi successfully but websites and apps still cannot access the internet. In that case, the WiFi radio may be working correctly while the router or internet service has a problem.
The WiFi Issues section covers common problems such as WiFi not connecting, frequent disconnections, authentication problems, slow WiFi, and situations where a phone says it is connected but there is no internet access.
Start with simple tests. Restart the phone and router when appropriate, move closer to the router, test another WiFi network, forget and reconnect to the affected network, and check whether another device has internet access through the same router.
Do not immediately reset every network setting on the phone. A network reset may remove saved WiFi networks and other connection information without fixing a router or internet-service problem.
Use the guides below to identify the WiFi symptom that most closely matches what your phone is doing.
Quick Answer If public WiFi connects but the login page does not appear, first disconnect and reconnect to the network, then open a browser and try loading a normal webpage. The network may use a captive portal that requires you to accept terms, enter an access code, or complete another authorization step before internet access … Read more
Quick Answer If your WiFi password is correct but your Android phone or iPhone still will not connect, first confirm that another device can join the same Wi-Fi network using the same credentials. Then forget the saved network and reconnect. If only one phone fails while other devices connect normally, saved network data or phone-side … Read more
Quick Answer If Android stays on Obtaining IP address, Obtaining IP, or shows IP configuration failure, the phone has not completed a usable network configuration. A DHCP problem is one possibility, but the message does not prove the router’s DHCP server has failed. First restart the phone and router, test another device on the same … Read more
Quick Answer If WiFi will not turn on, the switch immediately turns itself back off, or the WiFi control is grayed out, restart the phone first. If the problem remains, check for system updates, test Android in Safe Mode when supported, and reset only the WiFi/network settings. A temporary system software problem is one possible … Read more
Quick Answer If WiFi repeatedly disconnects and reconnects on your Android phone or iPhone, first determine whether the problem follows the phone or the WiFi network. Test another device on the same router, then test your phone on another trusted WiFi network. Weak signal, interference, router instability, saved network problems, VPN or security software, and … Read more
Quick Answer If your Android phone or iPhone says it is connected to Wi-Fi but websites and apps have no internet, first test another device on the same Wi-Fi network. If several devices also cannot get online, focus on the router, modem, or ISP. If only your phone is affected, reconnect the Wi-Fi network and … Read more