Some iPhone users have said they are unable to connect to Wi-Fi networks after the latest iOS 17 update. The good news is there are usually clues that can help you figure out the cause and find a solution. That way you can get back online quickly.
- If your iPhone won’t connect to Wi-Fi in iOS 17, you can forget the WiFi network, toggle airplane mode, and restart your phone to try to fix the problem.
- Here are 15 of the most common and reliable ways to fix your iPhone when it can’t connect to Wi-Fi network in iOS 17.
Your iPhone can’t connect to a Wi-Fi network? The problem is more common than you might think. If you try to join a WiFi network on your iPhone and see an error message that says "Unable to Connect to Wi-Fi," here are 15 of the best ways to troubleshoot and solve this frustrating problem.
Why won’t my iPhone connect to Wi-Fi in iOS 17?
There are a number of reasons your iPhone can’t connect to Wi-Fi in iOS 17. Here are some of them:
You’re not in range of a Wi-Fi network
With WiFi, the idea is that you can connect to your internet even when you’re well away from the router. However, the signal may not be strong enough to reach all corners of your home, especially if you have concrete walls or other solid obstacles that can obstruct the WiFi signal.
Your Router Is Down
A functioning router is essential for a WiFi connection. The router works to direct traffic between your internet service and the devices you are connecting to the network. Most of the time, you can “set it and forget it” when it comes to your router. However, if your router has been up and running for a while, it may get bogged down.
Your Internet Service Is Disrupted
If you suddenly lose your WiFi connection, the issue could be beyond your control. Although less and less common, internet service providers (ISPs) can go down on occasion—especially if there is extreme weather or you live in an area with a large volume of internet users who can congest the networks.
What to Do If Your iPhone Can’t Connect to Wi-Fi in iOS 17
If your iPhone won’t connect to WiFi after iOS 17 update, there are a few quick steps that can help you troubleshoot the issue and get back online quickly.
1. Make sure you are in range of a Wi-Fi network
Don’t discount the possibility that the problem isn’t with your iPhone, but with the Wi-Fi network. It’s possible the signal is too weak to connect. Grab your iPhone and move closer to the Wi-Fi router to see if that helps. Wi-Fi can have trouble going through walls, and so any home or office could have dead zones.
2. Turn airplane mode on and off.
This is a simple but effective tip. Turning airplane mode on and off again can reset the WiFi network, allowing it to connect successfully. I often do this whenever I have a connection problem, including cellular data connection problems. Here’s what to do:
- Swipe down from top right of the screen to show the control center.
- Tap the Airplane mode icon.
- Wait about 10 seconds.
- Tap the Airplane mode icon again to turn it off.
3. Update your iPhone
A bug may be causing this issue and also possible that there is an update already. Here’s how to check:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Update Now.
4. Reconnect to your network
If your iPhone is still having trouble connecting, make sure that you’re trying to connect to the right Wi-Fi network, and that you have the correct password.
Even if you enter the correct password, you might see an "unable to join the network" message or an "incorrect password" message. Restart all of your devices (see the next two sections below), then try to enter your password again.
5. Restart your iPhone
There are a number of issues related to your network settings that might be the culprit when your iPhone won’t connect to Wi-Fi in iOS 17, but sometimes the simplest resolution is to simply restart your phone. Here’s how you can do this:
- iPhone XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15: Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons together until the Power Off slider appears. Then drag the slider. Wait for the iPhone to turn off, and then press and hold the side button again to turn it on.
- iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd generations): Press and hold the power button until the Power Off slider appears. Then drag the slider. Wait for the iPhone to turn off, and then press and hold the power button again to turn it on.
6. Check your cables and connections
If you still can’t connect to your network or get online, check to see if your router is having any connectivity issues. Look for the obvious potential problems, such as if a cord came loose or unplugged. Most routers have lights that signal whether it’s working well, like green lights if the connection is fine or blinking red lights if there is an issue.
7. Reboot your Wi-Fi Router
If you still can’t connect, there could be an issue with your Wi-Fi router. If this is your home, or if you can control the router, reboot your wireless router. Here is how you can do that:
- Unplug the router from the power outlet.
- Wait for about 10 seconds.
- Plug the router back in.
It will take a couple of minutes for the router to get back online, but this could fix your WiFi issue.
8. Enable Auto-Join
Ensure that Auto-Join is enabled. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap the Wi-Fi that would connect.
- Turn on Auto-Join.
9. Make sure the Date & Time is correct
If you still can’t connect to your Wi-Fi network, check the date, time, and time zone to ensure they are set correctly. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
- Turn on Set Automatically.
10. Forget your WiFi network and reconnect
There may be corrupted data in your WiFi network’s saved settings. Forgetting your Wi-Fi network may fix this. Please make sure you have your network name and your Wi-Fi password handy before you attempt this. Here is how:
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Find your Wi-Fi network.
- Tap the info (i) icon next to the Wi-Fi network that won’t connect.
- Tap Forget This Network.
Now again go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the Wi-Fi network, try again connecting.
11. Are you using custom DNS?
Are you using custom DNS instead of the default DNS set by your connection? If so, there may be a problem with the DNS servers.
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > [Wi-Fi network name].
- Scroll all the way down and tap Configure DNS under the DNS section.
- Does this setting say “Automatic” or “Manual?” If it says “Manual,” change it to “Automatic.” If this does not make a difference, you can revert back to “Manual” if you want.
12. Are you using VPN?
Sometimes VPNs are known to cause connection problems. Sometimes VPN profiles/configurations may cause issues, even if you are not actively connecting over VPN. To see if VPN is the problem, turn off VPN and then delete the VPN profile from your iPhone. Here is how you can check these:
- Go to Settings > General > VPN. If it says Connected, turn it off. Then tap the (i) info button next to the VPN and tap Delete VPN.
- Go to Settings > General > Profile (if this option does not appear, it means there is no profile installed). Delete any profile that shows.
If, after turning off VPN and deleting it, you see that Wi-Fi is working, then you have two options:
- Stop using VPN.
- If you do not want to stop using VPN, then you can try to reset your network settings (see the next section). You can also contact the VPN service provider to see if they can help.
13. Reset Network Settings
If you still can’t connect to your WiFi network, it’s possible that resetting network settings may help.
14. Contact your internet service provider
If you still can’t connect, the issue might be with your internet service provider, so contact the ISP to see if there’s a service outage.
15. Contact Apple Support
So, you tried everything above and your iPhone still can’t connect to Wi-Fi. If this is the case, you might be having a hardware problem. Contact Apple support for assistance.
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