chuckfresh
Level 1 (10 points)
iPhone

Q: Any fix for the iPhone 6 "incorrect password" WIFI error?

Began shortly after iOS 9 update. We have several customers experiencing the same issue with iPhones and iPads.

2016-04-18 09.02.18.jpg

Yes, we have been meticulously entering the correct password. We are aware it is case sensitive.

 

Apparently, this is a some sort of strange intermittent issue. My kid's MX5X2LL/A iPhone 6 will connect to WIFI for a week or two, then completely "forget" the passwords to every single wireless network it ever connected to with no notification or no warning. Then, a week or two later, miraculously connect to WIFI once again. This bizarre bug is driving us bananas - especially with all the data overages. It all seemed to begin upon upgrading to iOS 9. Here's what we've done since September:

 

• upgraded to iOS 9.1 and subsequent 9.1 updates

• re-upgraded to iOS 9.3.1

• erased and reset network settings at least 12 times

• erased and reset entire phone three times

• reset all wireless routers, changed SSIDs, changed passwords

 

A few things that did seem to give us at least some sort of progress, yet still unacceptable:

 

• disabled find my iphone - connected to WIFI immediately, then lost it again about a week later

• connected to Bright House public WIFI hotspot, although not through typical WIFI interface

• connected to two 5G wireless networks, even though it would not connect to the same network's 2G with same or different passwords

 

Signal strength is great everywhere. I've checked all the obvious and not so obvious stuff. Running a hotspot with no password is dangerous and not an option. It's not thermal, because this happens from a cold start. The only thing I can come up with is a firmware discrepancy in authentication in the WIFI chip used on MX5X2LL/A. Vendors are swapped mid-model in all cell phones, computers, and tablets, and it's usually transparent, so there may be a vendor-specific problem Apple is not aware of.

 

Apple support has been unhelpful and unfortunately pompous as usual, repeatedly declining there is a problem, and requesting that I send my phone in for a paid out-of-warranty service or replacement, which is NOT a solution, thanks. There are at least hundreds if not thousands of people posting here who have the SAME EXACT PROBLEM. My last post was deleted because some Apple genius somehow surmised there was funny business going on, but I can assure you and prove it has NOT EVER been hacked, cracked, unlocked, or jailbroken, whatever that means. Perhaps they have a mandate to delete posts that indicate their hardware may not "just work."

 

<Edited by Host>

iPhone 6, iOS 9.2.1, null

Posted on Apr 19, 2016 7:33 AM

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chuckfresh

Q: Any fix for the iPhone 6 "incorrect password" WIFI error?

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  • by fromsouth,

    fromsouth fromsouth Apr 21, 2016 6:08 PM in response to chuckfresh
    Level 5 (4,806 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 21, 2016 6:08 PM in response to chuckfresh

    Any problems on other professionally managed networks?

  • by Weefee lover,

    Weefee lover Weefee lover Apr 21, 2016 6:21 PM in response to chuckfresh
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apr 21, 2016 6:21 PM in response to chuckfresh

    You can try going to general>reset and then click on reset network settings. Don't worry it will not reset your phone.

  • by chuckfresh,

    chuckfresh chuckfresh Apr 22, 2016 7:10 AM in response to fromsouth
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 7:10 AM in response to fromsouth

    This problem exists and has been repeated on all 2.4 GHz home or business networks. I have tried 14 different ones and got the same results. It's curious that 5G networks are actually working and stable. Assuming there's a 2.4 GHz encryption conflict between this vendor's WIFI chip and iOS 9.

  • by chuckfresh,

    chuckfresh chuckfresh Apr 22, 2016 7:11 AM in response to Weefee lover
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 7:11 AM in response to Weefee lover

    bro, i'm a professional.

  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar Apr 22, 2016 7:28 AM in response to chuckfresh
    Level 7 (28,591 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 22, 2016 7:28 AM in response to chuckfresh

    had

     

    iPod touch 1g

    iPod touch 3g

    iphone4

    iphone5c

    iphone6s

    ipad2

     

    never experienced it on any wifi network with any of the ios versions

    is it an issue with only some phones ?

  • by ZikzakCorp,

    ZikzakCorp ZikzakCorp Apr 22, 2016 8:11 AM in response to chuckfresh
    Level 4 (1,033 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 8:11 AM in response to chuckfresh

    A professional with the Wi-Fi network name "Dingleberry?" Right.

    <edited by user>

  • by chuckfresh,

    chuckfresh chuckfresh Apr 22, 2016 8:28 AM in response to ZikzakCorp
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 8:28 AM in response to ZikzakCorp

    Sweet lord. I'm the one who should be angry. Lighten up, Mr. Serious. Like "Zikzak" is a name you can trust.

     

    I have tried all sorts of combinations of passwords and SSIDs on my 2.4 GHz wireless networks, thanks. Here's what I've gone through, for those of you playing along at home:

     

    • lower case only SSIDs and passwords
    • numeric only SSIDs and passwords
    • combination of numbers and characters
    • combination of capital letters and numbers
    • combination of capitals, lower case, numbers
    • combination of capitals, lower case, numbers, and symbols
    • Results consistent across DLink, Netgear, Belkin, Linksys, Cisco and even a Watchguard Firebox. Like I said, I'm a pro, bro. There ain't no Zik in my Zak.


    There's obviously a problem with the encryption module with iOS 9 and 2.4 GHz networks in the MG5X2LL/A series. It ain't working, and it ain't as simple as y'all think. It's a logic defect. Admit it - no one's perfect. Not Google, not Microsoft, not even Apple.


    AGAIN, if you missed it, 5 GHz networks ARE working and stable.

    ZikzakCorp wrote:

     

    A professional with the Wi-Fi network name "Dingleberry?" Right.

    <edited by user>

  • by chuckfresh,

    chuckfresh chuckfresh Apr 22, 2016 8:39 AM in response to Rudegar
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 8:39 AM in response to Rudegar

    Picture 2.jpg


    The issue is iOS 9.1 through 9.3.1 and 2.4 GHz WIFI networks in the MG5X2LL/A series iPhone 6. Unfortunately, I have three of these in my home. We have two later models that are unaffected.


    5 GHz connections seem to be stable so far.


    On a side note, my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is rocking with zero issues.


  • by ZikzakCorp,Helpful

    ZikzakCorp ZikzakCorp May 19, 2016 7:41 AM in response to chuckfresh
    Level 4 (1,033 points)
    iPhone
    May 19, 2016 7:41 AM in response to chuckfresh

    "The Zikzak Corporation: We make everything you need, and you need everything we make." - Max Headroom

  • by fromsouth,

    fromsouth fromsouth Apr 22, 2016 9:20 AM in response to chuckfresh
    Level 5 (4,806 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 22, 2016 9:20 AM in response to chuckfresh

    Does the problem exist on professionally managed single band 2.4 routers?

  • by fromsouth,

    fromsouth fromsouth Apr 22, 2016 9:48 AM in response to fromsouth
    Level 5 (4,806 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 22, 2016 9:48 AM in response to fromsouth

    No need to respond to above, I believe some of your observations are correct. I also believe that Comcast/TimeWarner senior support is familiar with that fact and fixes specific complains of Apple customers not being able to do auto backup to icloud by connecting them to 5.0 networks. I am perhaps not as much of a Pro as you to think that it is - precisely what you think it is and that Microsoft is not perfect .

    I would suggest if you are so inclined to feedback it to Apple using their regular feedback channels, cause there is nothing else I can offer.

    Suggest to be as precise and as positive as you can.

    http://www.apple.com/feedback/

  • by chuckfresh,

    chuckfresh chuckfresh Apr 22, 2016 10:53 AM in response to fromsouth
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 10:53 AM in response to fromsouth

    Contacted our ISP (AT&T) initially, since it was their router we were using when we first saw trouble, but it's not their problem and they do not have a solution. Surprisingly, they had received quite a few calls about this situation since iOS 9 was released. Since AT&T decided against offering fiber in my home area, I dumped them and switched to the cable provider, Bright House. Same problem. Except, Bright House has 5G bands on their wireless routers, and AT&T does not. I have a ridiculously large house with three independent 5G routers, but our kids live with other parents or at school sometimes who don't have 5G, and that ***** up my Verizon LTE data in a hurry.

     

    I'm a software engineer and I have done technical writing, and I can usually figure this stuff out myself. But this one is beyond me. I have contacted Apple support, been to the Apple store, and spoke with every brilliant software and electronics engineer I know (there are quite a few here on Florida's Space Coast), and no one can figure this out. Apple recommended I replace or upgrade my three out of warranty phones, but that's silly, expensive, and not a fix. It's a software or logic bug. Apple could fix this, but since the 6 is now old tech and 7 is on the horizon, I suppose it's not cost-effective to invest any time or resources into it.

     

    There is no Apple-sanctioned downgrade to iOS 8. Apple needs a Microsoft-like system-restore. Backups and resets all have failed.

     

    Hoping this Hail Mary on the community boards might find someone else who knows more than I do. Looking for a miracle at this point...

  • by fromsouth,

    fromsouth fromsouth Apr 22, 2016 11:58 AM in response to chuckfresh
    Level 5 (4,806 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 22, 2016 11:58 AM in response to chuckfresh

    I am pretty sure you already familiar with that article but if not may be that helps. I would pay specific attention to WMM settings and interference of 2.4 sources in your house.

    Like I said before feedback is the best I can suggest. Good luck.

     

    Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support

  • by elcpu,Helpful

    elcpu elcpu Apr 23, 2016 5:27 AM in response to chuckfresh
    Level 6 (16,186 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 23, 2016 5:27 AM in response to chuckfresh

    No Hail Marys here but for whatever they are worth....

     

    1) I have read through your posts and unless I misunderstood you are saying that all your iPhone sixes cannot connect to any 2.4 GHz network. None. Is that correct? If so there is something unique to your phones. Considering that the iPhone 6 holds 30% of the iPhone market and there are many millions in service, your experience, even if thousands are also encountering it, is not common. So what makes your devices different? That is the Hail Mary question. I don't have a 6 but my next door neighbors have two. They are not having any issues connecting on that band to any network so what makes yours different? Did you by happenstance buy a batch of sixes with a defective wi-fi chip ??? If 9.3 triggered this, why did it not trigger it on the other millions?

     

    2) Long shot...  try disabling Bluetooth on the phones. As you know BT also operates on the 2.4 band and ties some of that crowded spectrum. See if they connect with BT off just to test. You may have to reset network settings yet again to properly test.

     

    3) If I were you I would call AppleCare and ask to speak to Level 2 Support. Yes you would have to be patient and go through the process to get there. Persistence and politeness helps. If this is a bug they would have to escalate it to Engineering. I had an issue with my iPhone 5 and even though it was past warranty AppleCare replaced it for free - and it solved the issue. Again persistence and politeness helps (sorry for the redundancy).

     

    4) Apple used to use a networking routine by the name of mDNSResponder in iOS 7 and also in older versions of OS X. With the advent of iOS 8 Apple replaced mDNSR... with a new routine called DiscoveryD. This routine was rather problematic and Apple ditched it in OS X 10.10.4 and iOS 9.0. They reverted to mDNSResponder again in iOS 9. Many users including myself were helped (I could not leave BT on in iOS 8). iOS 8 was not a problem for the vast majority of users but it was a problem for many. If you are so inclined you can read my post on this thread, page 219, have way down the page.

    iOS 8 Wi-Fi problems

    This will not solve your problem but it may help you with the history of networking routines in iOS.

     

    If you have a Mac, open Activity Monitor, sort by process name and look under the M. You will see mDNSResponder there. Prior to 10.10.4 you would have seen DiscoveryD.

    http://9to5mac.com/2015/06/10/ios-9-os-x-10-11-discoveryd-mdnsresponder-network- bugs/

     

    5) There may well be issues with the current mDNSResponder and about your only choice is to pursue this up the ladder with AppleCare. Good luck.

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