Cannot Connect to WPA2 Network

Question

Cannot Connect to WPA2 Network

Hello. I am having a problem with my iPhone 3G and 3GS. My problem is that I cannot connect to my WPA2 network with either phone. Both phones are version 3.1.2. If I remove my security key or reduce it to WEP, the phones see the network and connect immediately, once I've put in my password for the WEP. However, once I reestablish my WPA2 connection, both iPhones see the network but after I enter the network password, neither phone will connect. I get the "Unable to connect to *** network" error. I am positive I am entering the password correctly.

We have tried replacing the 3G phone (did not solve the problem), and this network issue was actually one of the reasons I upgraded to the 3GS. Needless to say I was very disappointed to find that the problem exists on my 3GS as well.

I have called Apple but they are at a loss as to how to help me. One representative suggested I post my problem here and maybe the "very knowledgeable Apple community members" could help me (those were his exact words)...

So, can anyone please help me?? Thank you!! 🙂

3G & 3GS, Windows XP Pro, SP3 Installed

Posted on Dec 31, 2009 10:33 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 31, 2009 11:17 AM in response to BlueWinged Angel

Does your router allow you to use both WPA and WPA2 simultaneously? If so, try that as a work-around and use WPA on your iPhone and WPA2 on other devices. The difference between TKIP and AES encryption might make a difference.

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Answer 2

Dec 31, 2009 11:39 AM in response to FormerPCer

I have a Linksys WRT160N wireless router. WPA & WPA2 are listed as two different, seperate security mode options. So, I think I would be unable to do as you suggested.

The WPA2 option lists the encryption type as TKIP or AES, both in the same option box, so I'm not sure if/how the router differentiates between the two...

BTW, thank you for helping me. This is driving me nuts... 🙂

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Answer 3

Dec 31, 2009 11:45 AM in response to BlueWinged Angel

Pity, my Belkin N1 Vision router allows both at the same time. Just try switching the router to WPA to see if WPA2 is the issue (although it shouldn't be). The only other thing I can think of is to check your pass word/phrase carefully. Upper and lower case make a difference and can mistakes can easily be made on an iPhone keyboard.

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Answer 4

Dec 31, 2009 11:59 AM in response to FormerPCer

You are correct. WPA/WPA2 is not the issue.

I know my password is correct because I copied and pasted it directly from my router setup page.

sigh

Any other ideas?? And again, thank you for your help.

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Answer 5

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Dec 31, 2009 12:39 PM in response to BlueWinged Angel

You should use WPA2 with AES. On your phone, Settings>General>Reset>Reset Network Settings. Then, Settings>WiFi>Off. Once you've done that, reboot your router & make sure it is set to WPA2 with AES. Once your router is back up, go to settings on your phone & turn WiFi back on, see if you can connect now.

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Answer 6

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Dec 31, 2009 1:51 PM in response to BlueWinged Angel

Select Settings>General>About. Scroll down that screen and you’ll see a setting called “Wi-Fi Address”, that is your iPhone"s MAC address.

Now enter that exact address as an allowed MAC address on your wireless network.

See if that helps.

I'm assuming here that your router is set to broadcast "G", not "N", as the iphone only works at "G" speed.

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Answer 7

Dec 31, 2009 1:57 PM in response to wjosten

I tried this. No go. I know I'm doing it correctly because I'm seeing the change in my wireless connection on my PCs when I enable the MAC address and disable it.

I'm sorry to keep bugging you but thank you so much for working with me. I really, really appreciate this. 🙂

Next idea??

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Answer 8

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Dec 31, 2009 2:37 PM in response to BlueWinged Angel

I don't know what type of router you have, but the way things work is that your network speed is slowed to the slowest device on the network unless you have a dual band router capable of broadcasting on two separate bands simultaneously, I.E.-G & N. I'm wondering out loud here, if perhaps if you set your router to broadcast at B & G, not N if that would solve your problem. Could be the N devices you have connect & thus, unless you have a dual band router, the g devices can't connect since the router is only broadcasting at N speed. Although the mixed setting should downgrade the whole system as slower devices connect.

You could also try changing channels.

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Answer 9

Dec 31, 2009 2:46 PM in response to wjosten

Ok. Let me try both of these options and I'll get right back to you.

(That's my subtle way of begging you to hold on and not leave because I really believe you're gonna solve my problem!!)

Off to change some settings....

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Answer 10

Dec 31, 2009 3:11 PM in response to wjosten

I changed to B & G. No go.

I changed to G only. No go.

I tried changing channels. No go.

I also tried disabling the SSID broadcast and tried to connect as an "Other Network". No go.

Next idea??

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Answer 11

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Dec 31, 2009 3:20 PM in response to BlueWinged Angel

I'm out of ideas...sorry, but I believe the problem rests with a setting/settings on your router & not your phones. Try a different password, something with at least 7 characters, numbers & letters, no characters. Make sure the firmware on your router is up to date.

Wish I could have been of more assistance...But, a Happy New Year to you!

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Answer 12

Dec 31, 2009 3:37 PM in response to wjosten

Thank you so much for all of your help!! You have given me some new avenues to explore so I will continue to try to solve this on my own, unless someone else posts on this thread 😉

Have a wonderful, wonderful New Year and when I get a solution to this, I will be sure to post it.

Bye!!

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Answer 13

tillug79

Level 1

0 points

Jan 11, 2010 10:01 AM in response to BlueWinged Angel

hi just to let you know i have the same problem. it seems to me the iPhone's implementation of WPA/WPA2 is flaky? cos i have no problems connecting to my dd-wrt router using WPA2 AES/TKIP on my mac mini/windoze notebook.

my iPhone is only able to connect after a reboot.
but a few days later, i will lose the connection again. only solution
is to reboot the phone.

try rebooting, you should be able to connect.

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Answer 14

Jan 11, 2010 1:52 PM in response to tillug79

Obvious test - take all the security off your router for a short while and see if you can connect without passwords ?

If you can, thats great, but if not, its not a wireless security problem and thats one option narrowed down.

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Answer 15

Jan 24, 2010 8:14 AM in response to BlueWinged Angel

My iPhone 3GS connects to my home Wifi using WPA-PSK on the router and WPA2 on the iPhone with a 9 character alphanumeric key. It does not connect with a 23 character key including -=#]( characters. ESSID broadcast has to be enabled as far as I can tell. I do not know whether the problem is the length of the key or the inclusion of the special characters. I use a static connection with Google's free DNS addresses (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) and MAC address filtering.

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