Q: Apple -- IOS 8.2 resulted in greyed out WIFI button on a new Iphone 4S. This is a common problem please advise.

meggerber wrote:

 

I am not due for an upgrade and don't have bucks to buy new phone.  After upgrading to IOS 8, wifi button greyed out.  Wifi is working just fine -- other devices having no problem including another iPhone (not upgraded) and two iPads (neither upgraded).

 

Apple store ran a test and told me antenna wasn't working and gave me a new 4S (under protection plan).  Wifi was fine and now greyed out. I tried restart and reset.

 

Not everyone can afford an iPhone 6 please support older hardware as well.

So, wait, is your current iPhone 4S working properly or not?  It sounds like Apple replaced your device under warranty/AppleCare.  So, it sounds like they are supporting 'older' hardware.

It sounds like your first iPhone 4S had a hardware defect, and Apple replaced it for free under the warranty/AppleCare. Is that correct?

Apple is apparently trying to fix your issue but yet you come here to complain?

meggerber wrote:

 

Something about iPhone 4s and IOS 8 is causing the wifi to grey out.

No.  Nothing about iOS 8 (or any other iOS) directly causes an iPhone's wi-fi to grey out.

This is a known issue affecting a very, very small percentage of iPhone 4S units that get a greyed out wi-fi at some point, usually after any iOS update done over wi-fi.  The most common cause is that the wi-fi chip gets too hot during the update process, and either temporarily disables or burns out permanently.  This also has happened when someone updates/downloads a lot of apps at one time over wi-fi.  Basically, the wi-fi chip runs too hard and too fast for too long, and fails.

It is a hardware issue, not an iOS issue.

Keep Googling, and you'll find this hardware issue reported as far back as iOS 5.

The freezer 'trick' only works in a few cases, and even that essentially proves it's a hardware issue. 

I too am facing same kind of problem.I was earlier using ios 8.0, after a while my wifi button greyed out.

Later, i updated to ios 8.1 that did help but not too long after a couple of weeks my wifi button again greyed out.

i have tried resetting my iphone 4s several times even tried restoring via iTunes.

My friend said, i must try downgrading my ios 8.1 to ios 7, will that work ??
Suggestions ?

Yes, once the wifi is greyed out, it is a hardware issue, but it must be caused by a software issue. Clearly, newer versions of iOS are pushing older wifi chips to run too fast, too hard, for too long. As for the 4s, once it is flipped, it doesn't reset on. All of this is what I was told by my brother, who works at the Genius Bar,  when my 4s went grey (it's something they can't tell customers, but it is mutually agreed upon those who work there).

Also, if it is only a very small percentage of iPhone 4s's that are experience this problem, why is there currently a class action lawsuit sitting on a judges desk right now in California awaiting a decision to approve or dismiss Apple's proposed dismissal? Why would several highly esteemed law firms take on such a financially risky case if they didn't believe there was significant evidence in it's favor?

Please understand, I am a devote Apple fan. Furthermore, my brother's career depends upon Apple's success. I am not accusing them of intended extortion. I am accusing them of neglecting a real, reasonable, and obvious software issue. New software should not be available for download if it is not supported by your wifi chip. And just because you can't watch the software F up the chip, doesn't mean that it is not the cause of the F up, in fact, evidence suggests strongly that it is. And furthermore, I want everyone to understand, that those of us who are upset, are clearly upset for a reason. There is no way to fix my phone. It must be replaced at my expense. It is not my fault and it is not normal wear and tear or use.

jjhuley wrote:

 

Yes, once the wifi is greyed out, it is a hardware issue, but it must be caused by a software issue. Clearly, newer versions of iOS are pushing older wifi chips to run too fast, too hard, for too long.

It's the downloading of a large file (the update to the iOS) that causes the problem, not specifically the iOS itself. If can occur with any prolonged download.

I have this problem too... i do a hard reset, reset all settings, reset network settings all DID NOT WORK for me... Then,  i saw someone fixing it using hairdryer and freezer method... IT FIXED MY WIFI PROBLEM!! Its already 2 weeks, and my wifi still up and running perfectly

im not lying, it really works for me!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Wyp7SnUTc

yqkent wrote:

 

I have this problem too... i do a hard reset, reset all settings, reset network settings all DID NOT WORK for me... Then,  i saw someone fixing it using hairdryer and freezer method... IT FIXED MY WIFI PROBLEM!! Its already 2 weeks, and my wifi still up and running perfectly

im not lying, it really works for me!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Wyp7SnUTc

And it's a temporary fix, and it also isn't a support procedure, so doing so may cause an issue with the device which Apple then determines they don't support.

Using anything other than the approved procedures by Apple runs the risk of having your Apple support voided.