iPhone 3GS WIFI Connection Instability Problems

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Level 1

0 points

iPhone 3GS WIFI Connection Instability Problems

Hi guys

I have just recently purchased an iPhone 3GS 32GB Black, and I am experiencing problems with connecting to WIFI networks. I have a wireless connection at home and one minute I am connected to the network just fine and the next it has just totally disappeared. At first I suspected that the issue may be down to my router, as I have never previously experienced this problem with my first gen iPhone or my iPhone 3G.

But it seems that the router is working fine as I have been browsing the internet on my laptop while my iPhone 3GS is still not acknowledging the existence of the same network. However, sometimes suddenly it will decide to connect to the network at it's own will, so one minute I'm on edge and the next on the WIFI.

What is also annoying is that when I do manage to get a connection I can be sitting on the same spot and initially I may have three bars on the WIFI icon at the top of the screen, and this will fluctuate between two and one bars when I am not even moving so the connection shouldn't be disrupted.

Just to make sure that it wasn't a problem with my home wireless connection, I have tried this out at my friend's house who has WIFI and I still have the same issues. I have even tested to see if I would have the same problem on a public network so I attempted to connect to the network at my University. Although I managed to connect to the network, it did not take long for my iPhone 3GS to decide that that connection was no longer available.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues. I'm just curious to know whether it's a general fault or maybe it's just my handset or possibly some sort of settings/software problem. Either way it is quite odd that I am experiencing these problems with my iPhone 3GS as I did not have any such issues with either of the first gen iPhone or the iPhone 3G.

Please can somebody get back to me on this. Look forward to reading your comments.

Kind Regards

Anees Younis

iPhone 3GS 32GB Black, iPhone OS 3.0

Posted on Jul 4, 2009 1:30 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 4, 2009 1:48 PM in response to 4Fabulous

Yes, this problem is emerging as a real issue. Look at the forums here (go backwards iPhone 3GS < iPhone Hardware etc) and you will see many threads about this. I'm having weird WiFi problems. Keep reading threads for clues. If somebody doesn't figure out how to work it out, Apple will fix it with an upgrade.

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Answer 2

w7ox

Level 4

2,407 points

Jul 4, 2009 2:39 PM in response to 4Fabulous

4Fabulous wrote:

Has anyone else experienced similar issues. I'm just curious to know whether it's a general fault or maybe it's just my handset or possibly some sort of settings/software problem. Either way it is quite odd that I am experiencing these problems with my iPhone 3GS as I did not have any such issues with either of the first gen iPhone or the iPhone 3G.

Some have reported wi-fi problems. Most have seen none: We have three 3GS units in the family (replacing one 2G and two 3Gs) and are having no problems on any wi-fi network. I'd guess it's your iPhone.

Phil

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Answer 3

4Runner

Level 1

70 points

Jul 4, 2009 2:52 PM in response to 4Fabulous

No issue to report on my end. Works like a charm for me.

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Answer 4

KORG__

Level 1

30 points

Jul 4, 2009 2:52 PM in response to w7ox

The thing I notice is that at times I get low bars of wifi signal even if I'm right next to my TC or AE.

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Answer 5

w7ox

Level 4

2,407 points

Jul 4, 2009 2:58 PM in response to KORG__

KORG__ wrote:
The thing I notice is that at times I get low bars of wifi signal even if I'm right next to my TC or AE.

I seem to always get full scale signal with my 3GS and any of our three wi-fi networks when connected (the routers are all about 25 ft away through one wall). But I don't see any of the other neighborhood wi-fi nets my MacBook detects.

Phil

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Answer 6

Jul 4, 2009 3:31 PM in response to 4Fabulous

Yes I have trouble keeping my wifi connection even though I'm close to my router.....

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Answer 7

xcess007

Level 1

10 points

Jul 4, 2009 5:17 PM in response to KORG__

I too am noticing my WIFI connection is very unstable on my new 32 3GS. Sitting right next to the router I only have 2 curves and then it goes up to 3. No rhyme or reason. I'm also having battery issues.

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Answer 8

Tony2009

Level 1

4 points

Jul 5, 2009 1:33 AM in response to 4Fabulous

I don't think my wifi problems are as serious as what you are seeing, but I definitely see poor streaming performance over wifi compared to my previous 3g. Web surfing and email seem fine, but if I try to stream a video over youtube, quicktime from a website, or even sling player, the video willl play or queue up for a couple of minutes and then just stop...no further progress until I close the app and try again. The video might or might not finish - it's a crap shoot.

I've noticed the same issue at home where I'm using a WRT160N router with DD-WRT firmware, as well as another location where I use an Apple Airport Extreme with stock firmware.

If I turn off WiFi and just use the 3g connection, video streaming works fine, although at reduced quality for YouTube, and of course not at all for SlingPlayer(boo!).

Here's hoping for better for better wi-fi performance when 3.1 (or 3.0.1?) drops.

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Answer 9

Steelbom

Level 1

0 points

Jul 5, 2009 4:59 AM in response to Tony2009

I have that problem with my 2nd gen iPod Touch, streaming youtube, it just stops at 30-70%, can't get it to move, whether I'm next to my router or not!

Is this not normal behaviour I always put it down to that?

Kind Regards

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Answer 10

Jul 5, 2009 6:18 AM in response to Steelbom

I have this problem, and it makes it absolutely impossible to listen to internet radio unless I switch to 3G (which I can't do often because I'll quickly hit the 1GB data transfer cap in France). I hope the next OS update fixes it.

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Answer 11

Jul 5, 2009 1:41 PM in response to 4Fabulous

This issue (not maintaining WiFi connection) is driving me crazy - I finally looked on here to see if it was me, my router or the new 3Gs. Come on Apple - fix this!

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Answer 12

Jul 5, 2009 2:42 PM in response to w7ox

Not sure I agree with that, w7ox. My iPhone 3GS had NUMEROUS similar issues with the netgear router I had. I bought an Airport Express and boom..all gone. Perfect Network.

And I'm pretty sure 3.1 (out to Developers) has some fixes for network issues.

So.

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Answer 13

Jul 6, 2009 10:45 PM in response to 4Fabulous

Seeing similar problems on a 16GS and 32GS and this is only happening on my GS. Doesn't happen on my wife's 16G or my previous 8G. I'm also using WPA-PSK2 for my wifi security at home. For those not having these issues wondering if you are using WEP or no security.

It would be a shame for this to be a 3GS only issue. 😟

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Answer 14

Buhhhh

Level 1

0 points

Jul 7, 2009 1:29 AM in response to 4Fabulous

Hi guys

Have the same connection problems WiFi, keeps prompting me to rewrite WiFi password and still does not connect. Had the iphone 3G with no problems 😟

Please Apple fix fast, Where I live there is no 3G connection, så i´m depended on the WiFi´s around

Sincerely Buhhhh

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Answer 15

dogear

Level 1

60 points

Jul 7, 2009 2:06 AM in response to Buhhhh

Hello all, no connection issues but slow wifi mostly notice it whilst sending email. Got a replacement iPhone same deal. I have basically narrowed the problem down as being access point specific. We have three different types of access points operating on this wireless network and the Time Capsule and old style cisco ap seem to work best although not great. Here's hoping 3.1 fixes the issue. Might add that like everyone else my old 3G worked fine on this same network. Cheers

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