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User profile for user: jeff33702
jeff33702 Author
User level: Level 1
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No WiFi after 3.0 on 2G - does not recognize any networks

After my upgrade to 3.0, my phone no longer sees wifi networks at all. Even if I try to manually enter an SSID, the phone replies with "Could not scan for wireless networks.". I've tried a restore, resetting network settings, the works.
I went to the apple store today and they took a look at the phone. They commented that they are aware that there is an issue but there isn't an "official" fix from Apple as of yet. Since my phone is not under warranty, there is nothing they can do. I really wanted to get the 3G S but I don't want to deactivate my current phone until it's fixed - as I'd like to use it for wifi access around the house.

I'm a little frustrated since this issue seems directly linked with 3.0. Warranty or not, your device shouldn't be made useless by an OEM supplied update. Apple, please step up and handle this or at least let people know what is going on. I'm not buying a new 3Gs until this is resolved.

Dell, iPhone OS 3.0

Posted on Jun 22, 2009 10:17 AM

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45 replies
User profile for user: eyhk
eyhk
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jun 22, 2009 11:10 AM in response to jeff33702

Try resetting your network settings.
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

This will basically wipe clean any stored Wireless access points so you will have to set them up again, but it does not wipe out any data or any other settings.

I read about this workaround from a post by Gazza @ MactheForums ( http://www.mactheforum.com/showthread.php?p=2716).

I did have some issues first time around but it fixed the issue completely when I tried again.
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User profile for user: jeff33702
jeff33702 Author
User level: Level 1
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Jun 22, 2009 11:26 AM in response to eyhk

I've tried everything. When I say everything, I mean everything. 🙂 I've been to the Genius bar where they admit to seeing the issue but not having a "fix" from Apple yet. I've also called tech support at Apple and they too had me jump through all the hoops and ended up telling that they are aware of the issue and that it is one of a bunch of bugs that the dev team is working on. They suggested calling back in a day or two to check on the status of any pending updates.

If I find a resolution, I'll post it here.
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User profile for user: ZEITGE1ST
ZEITGE1ST
User level: Level 1
5 points

Jun 22, 2009 1:23 PM in response to jeff33702

Resetting the Network Settings will not work for this problem. That has been given as a solution to every post that I have read but it won't work with this exact problem (I have the same problem). It doesn't matter if you have an original iPhone, 3G, 3GS or iPod Touch, all have been affected by this. My 3G and original iPhone have this problem, my mothers iPod Touch (2nd Gen.) and my cousin's 3GS all behave this same exact way after installing 3.0. I would imagine if enough people keep posting about it sooner hopefully rather than later Apple will have a solution. It is definitely a 3.0 software problem though. I restored my phone with an old 2.2.1 backup that I was keeping around just in case and I had no problems. As soon as I hear something I will make sure to post it here.
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User profile for user: ZEITGE1ST
ZEITGE1ST
User level: Level 1
5 points

Jun 22, 2009 7:19 PM in response to jeff33702

I would imagine that if you google "iPhone 2.1.1" you would find it somewhere on the interwebs. I got lucky, the last time I sync'd my iPhone with 2.2.1 it saved the backup. I have a MacBook so I am not sure if you have windows how to check if you stll have an old backup (I imagine it must be similar) but the way I do it is:
--click on iTunes in top menu bar
--click preferences
--window pops up, click on Devices tab
This shows all the backups you have made to each iPhone you have sync'd.

If you have one there that was made before you installed 3.0 then just restore you're phone with that backup and you are back to 2.2.1. I didn't think it would work when I did it but it did.
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User profile for user: ZEITGE1ST
ZEITGE1ST
User level: Level 1
5 points

Jun 22, 2009 7:26 PM in response to jeff33702

I actually just checked my backups again. On the 14th I was able to get a new (refurbished) 3G through warranty becuase I had a problem with the vibrate switch. So the last backup from that phone was the one I was able to restore my phone too. I am goIng to guess that normally the latest backup would erase the previous backup but because the following backup was from a new phone it kept the one I used.

Hopefully I didn't confuse you anymore than I confused myself but I think that makes sense. Long story long, that is why I still had a backup with 2.2.1.
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User profile for user: Grizzley
Grizzley
User level: Level 1
5 points

Jun 22, 2009 8:45 PM in response to jeff33702

I spent 3 hours on the phone with support about this today. He acted is if he'd never heard of this problem. As I was telling the support guy about it, he started messing with his and he was SHOCKED to see what I was telling him. Midway, he said "Oh, the girl next to me just noticed this on her iTouch".
He actually was seeing some other "issues" on his phone as well.

He said he would pass it on to the engineers and see what they say. I guess more people need to call in and actually report it.
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User profile for user: Seadragon
Seadragon
User level: Level 1
35 points

Jun 23, 2009 11:53 AM in response to jeff33702

I just got back from the Apple Store here in Toronto and I showed them this problem. My WiFi is not working after the 3.0 update. More specifically, it can't see networks and when it does, I sometimes can join them, but don't get any IP address. I've already done all the resets and restores etc.

Anyway, the Apple Store Genius told me that Apple is aware of the issue and it's a software problem that will be fixed in 3.0.1. In fact, he showed my his iPhone and it has the same problem as mine! He said that usually these updates come out within 2 weeks of these problems being identified. I don't know if that will actually happen, but this is what I was told.
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User profile for user: Nicholas Leskiw
Nicholas Leskiw
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jun 28, 2009 9:41 AM in response to jeff33702

I'm experiencing this problem as well. I had an iPhone 2G (original model, running OS v3.0) and bought a 3GS. After the new phone activated, the old one dropped off the cell phone network but cannot access any WiFi networks. When trying to manually connect to a WiFi network it says "Could not scan for wireless networks." I cannot downgrade to an older version (2.2.1), I get the error message
"The iPhone 'Old iPhone' could not be restored. An unknown error occured (20)."


If I try to clear all network settings, the WiFi option is greyed out in Settings, and says 'Not Available'.

I was told that my old iPhone would operate like an iPod touch with WiFi when I upgraded to the 3GS.
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User profile for user: jeff33702
jeff33702 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jul 6, 2009 1:17 PM in response to Nicholas Leskiw

This was my intention as well. I wanted to use this like a touch. Apple still hasn't come out with a fix that I know of. I'm going to try calling again. The problem is that my phone is out of warranty. It's irritating because it's PERFECT - I mean, it's been in a case since the day I got it and with a screen shield. They did offer to replace it with a 3GS for an out-of-warranty charge of $199 plus a $29 service fee....I said thanks - but that's more than a 3GS would cost me if I just went and bought one...
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No WiFi after 3.0 on 2G - does not recognize any networks

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