Strange WiFi problem on iPhone 3G after 3.0 update

Sounds like an interesting plan 🙂
I think they will give you another iPhone.
My problem is, that I am in Germany with an iPhone from a different Europe country, to avoid the netlock. So I have basicly no guaranty. That would really suck if OS 3.0 did something to my hardware :/

The easiest way to tell is the freezer trick. Stick it in a ziploc, put it in the freezer for a few minutes or in the fridge for a while. Take it out, and test your wifi. If it works briefly, boom, hardware failure. Off to a Genius Bar! That or buy the wifi part off the internet and do it yourself and prey it works since that will definitely void your warranty.

Apple is very efficient when it comes to warranty issues, so if you have a 3g, you've got nothing to lose.

Same problem here. I have an original iPhone and it worked fine (minus horrid battery life) after the 3.0 upgrade until I synced. After I synced, I started having wifi problems. Furthermore, I've restored several times. The freshly restore phone seemed to pick up wifi okay (albeit in a different language) but as soon as I restore to a previous backup (I've tried 3 different ones), it fails to connect to wifi. It won't even find any wifi networks, it just spins and spins and spins "looking for networks". Why doesn't apple acknowledge this problem!?!?

Same here... Wifi grayed out and 'no wifi' at all! was working in 2.2.1 ...
in case nothing were fixed in 3.1, and cause there's no apple store in Belgium, should I bring it back to the phone shop I bought it or to an apple premium reseller?thx

I thought I'd add my wifi problems to the thread. I've got the iPhone 3GS (32Gb black). I've got a Linksys WRT54G (latest firmware) running WPA1+PSK, TKIP. I'm running wireless G only. I have 2 access points, one running channel 1 (upstairs), one running channel 11 (downstairs). All speedtests are either done using the Speedtest.net website or the iPhone app. All tests are to the same server.

I have an AT&T FastAccess DSL 3.0 Mbps line.
Wired desktop speed: 2.9 Mbps
Wireless laptop speed: 2.8 Mbps (tested on 2 laptops)
iPhone wifi speed: 0.6 Mbps

I've reset network settings and done a complete erase all content and settings. I consistently get these results. This causes me to use 3G over wifi in my own house.

I just saw this thread and have not read the whole thing but does anyone know if Apple is aware of this problem?

How does one go about letting Apple know about this?

I am also having a WIFI problem.

I know this is an OS 3.0 problem. The problem is that they screwed up the WPA2 Encryption in the OS. Try WPA. For most people I bet that will fix it.

Honestly I believe that there are probably a number of different issues that people are posting here. Some might be an os bug, others might be a Wi-Fi Chip issue.

I really don't think that putting your phone in a freezer or doing the voodoo magic restart series of clicks will help all that much. I've had success with this and it is a simple solution. If it works for you, great, if not well, good luck.

All that freezer 'trick' is going to do is trip the immersion sensors and prevent you from getting a replacement phone when you finally go to the Genius Bar.

Keep the phone away from: Sneezes, rain/tears, condensation of any kind, sweat, high humidity, spray cleaners, or any other moisture - basically, only use your phone in the desert at night.

The genius bar replaced mine after the 3.0 WiFi problem. So far no issues with new phone.

Yes, same problem here. iPhone G3 worked fine with any wireless network, after the upgrade to OS 3.0 the signalstrenght dropped and it's not able to connect anymore. I tried different networks/routers, did the networksettings reset, full resets, full restore,... nothing!

I just do not understand that there are so many people having this issue, it's being posted in an official Apple forum, and until now not a single reaction from Apple themselves. How long can they keep ignoring this. I have been dreaming of and planning to buy an 24" iMac, but if this is the way Apple services their customers I never will...!

"'Im off to the Genius Bar ( UK ) this afternoon to try and nail this, I'll try not to be fobbed off by the "restore will solve it" mantra, interesting to see what happens."

Well luckily the problem was replicated in the Apple Store - despite a full signal icon no connection could be made.

They gave me a new phone, I've restored and updated to 3.0 and it works just fine.

Thats left me scratching my head - perhaps it was a hardware issue after all.....

OK, my problem is finally solved - Vodafon replaced my 3G with a brand new one (my third in the warranty period) and this one works flawlessly on any router and any public network! Stable and fast connection with no issues. One more proof that messing with routers is not the catch, the problem is in 3.0 and not in our routers and public networks.

Of course, it's 2.2.1 and there is no chance I'll upgrade to 3.0 and kill it again.

So, I hope this one will last and I'll upgrade only to 3.1 - and only if reports are positive.

There is still no Apple feedback - is this software problem? Hardware problem? Both?

My wifi connects but *the icon does not appear*! It was ok before I had to reset the phone as the sms application was buggy after OS 3. Apple are you listening?
The networks are detected, it says connected, the tick mark appears but the icon does not appear on the top of the phone, Has any one had this problem?

EDIT:
It works now after I reset the HTTP proxy setting to auto!

There seems to be no edit option to my posts? Ok - the wifi works but if the phone goes to sleep it seems to disengage itself and I have to go to wifi settings to activate it again

I just wrote about all this on TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog), which does get a pretty large readership.

This would be a good place to take it off the support boards and bring it into the public discourse.

Check it out at TUAW.com and comment on your experience.

David Winograd
TUAW