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Level 1

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iPhone 3G - wifi not working after upgrade to OS4

After the OS4 update completed last night, I am not able to access wi-fi networks. At home, I can't see my own wifi network nor any of the neighbor's networks which I could previously see. At work, I can see the wifi network but am unable to connect to it.

I bought the 3G only 15 months ago and now I don't know if it is going to become a lemon. I have heard rumours that you are not allowed to downgrade to OS 3.1.2 which was working very well for me - is this true? I didn't see any warnings in itunes and I did backup my phone before saying OK to the upgrade.

I have tried all of the diagnostics I could find on the forum:
- resetting the router
- resetting the iphone network settings
- disabling cellular data
- turning off security on my wifi network (still couldn't see it)

Is my only option to do nothing and live with a broken phone, hoping that this is addressed with a software update? (i.e. my own fault for upgrading?)

Hopefully there will at least be an announcement of which problems apple is working on a patch for so I know whether I should be patient or if I need to try and research some more desperate measures such as trying to find a way to downgrade to 3.1.2 (which could lead to even worse problems... but honestly I would rather take the risk then not have wifi access anymore.)

If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate hearing them.

Thanks.

PC, iOS 4, mac

Posted on Jun 23, 2010 8:49 PM

55 replies

smurdoch

Level 1

0 points

Sep 19, 2010 11:51 AM in response to koro_77

Hey,
I has an iPhone 3G that was recently upgraded to iOS4.1, and it killed my WiFi. Even though the phone was out of warranty, I went to an Apple store today, and with not too much effort, but a bit of concern, was able to get a brand new iPhone 3G on the spot, for free. The tech was no willing to outright admit that the software was at fault, but if replacing a phone out of warranty on the spot isn't an admission of guilt, I don't know what is. I'm glad that they could help me out, but they need to make this an official recall or something.
Thanks
-Scott

Sep 22, 2010 9:45 PM in response to koro_77

I don't see why people are claiming this is a hardware issue. There are tens of thousands of people whose iPhone 3G's wifi quit working after updating to IOS4. Look at eBay. There are thousands of people selling 3Gs with broken wifis. All of their descriptions are the same. The wifi quit working after updating to IOS 4. It is not a hardware issue, and if it is a hardware issue it is due to IOS 4. IOS 4 could have possible burned up the wifi chip or may have changed a setting in the phone. I am sure Apple knows this or they would not be replacing some people's phones. But some unfortunate people who bought their iPhones from somewhere other than Apple, At&t or a Apple certified seller will not get a replacement. Despite the fact that Apple is responsible. I am sure an apple tech in R&D found this problem before hand and apple ignored it. There is no way they don't test their products. Even Microsoft does this, but at least MS quickly applies fixes/patches for their products. Apple ripped off many thousands of their customers and hopefully most will decide to not buy apple products anymore. 400 bucks is very expensive for a paperweight.

mugwamp

Level 1

7 points

Sep 23, 2010 9:07 AM in response to shane0613

shane0613 wrote:
I don't see why people are claiming this is a hardware issue. There are tens of thousands of people whose iPhone 3G's wifi quit working after updating to IOS4. Look at eBay. There are thousands of people selling 3Gs with broken wifis. All of their descriptions are the same. The wifi quit working after updating to IOS 4. It is not a hardware issue, and if it is a hardware issue it is due to IOS 4. IOS 4 could have possible burned up the wifi chip or may have changed a setting in the phone. I am sure Apple knows this or they would not be replacing some people's phones. But some unfortunate people who bought their iPhones from somewhere other than Apple, At&t or a Apple certified seller will not get a replacement. Despite the fact that Apple is responsible. I am sure an apple tech in R&D found this problem before hand and apple ignored it. There is no way they don't test their products. Even Microsoft does this, but at least MS quickly applies fixes/patches for their products. Apple ripped off many thousands of their customers and hopefully most will decide to not buy apple products anymore. 400 bucks is very expensive for a paperweight.

The 8 or so folks at my work who have broken wifi as a result of iOS4 are all looking at Androids now, me included.

torq1337

Level 1

0 points

Sep 26, 2010 6:00 AM in response to koro_77

HI Guys !

SO i got the sam problem on my iPhone 3G... after upgrading to 4.1 my wifi was killed...

So i made everything and nothing helped except this solution ! Its a lil bit dangerous but MY 3G wifi is working now JUST FINE !

http://www.iphonetiquicia.com/iphone-wifi-oven-trick/

**** good freeks who discovered this solution !! **** GOOD !

I hope it will help you !!!!!!

haveamac

Level 1

0 points

Sep 27, 2010 12:46 PM in response to torq1337

What's next -- an article on how you can stick the iPhone up your butt, fart and poop it out on the floor?

This is getting ridiculous!

Sep 30, 2010 10:10 PM in response to koro_77

I had this problem and now its solved. I had to go to an Apple Genius twice and did everything imaginable. They didnt solve it. But when I got home, I reset my wireless router by putting a paperclip in the reset button (which is a hole really) for 10 seconds, waiting a few minutes for the router to come back to normal, turned off my phone, put my password in and voila! it worked 🙂

Alexlava

Level 1

0 points

Nov 1, 2010 2:35 PM in response to koro_77

Well, i've also tried everything !

Downgraded to 3.1.3 ... turn on and off all the network settings, Reset the Netwok Settings. Resotre the iPhone 3G a hundred time! The best i got was a WIFI detection, then once you enter the password you get an error joining the network. Then the netowrks disapears again, only to re-appear a few minutes later, then back into oblivion once more.

Short of baking the **** thing ... i'm out of ideas.

APPLE !! REFUND ME !!! Your iOS 4 killed my iPhone 3G !

mgnnmr

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2010 10:17 AM in response to koro_77

I'm having the same issue. I haven't upgraded to IOS4 yet, but it started when I was using Skype on my phone for about 30 minutes.

Its nice to see that some people have been able to get their phones replaced. I'm going to try my luck at the Apple store.

Nov 5, 2010 4:42 AM in response to mgnnmr

I gave my 3g iphone to my girl, updated it to 4.1 and then the wifi trouble started aswell. (no network could be found)
Tried everything restoring, resetting wifi settings ect. nothing worked.
After a week holiday wifi started working again.
It worked fine for over a week to suddenly stop, didnt manage to get it back up again.
In the week it worked it worked totally fine so this cant be an hardware issue since it stopt working for like 2 weeks, then it worked for a week and now its broke again for 2 weeks.

The gps fix still works so it cant be the antenna.
Good to see that somany people having problems, it cant be a hardware issue then.
I got my hopes up for the 4.2 version of the os.
Anyway this ***, if the ios 4 is responisble for this then they made a big error in testing at apple.
The phone is only a bit older than a year so I cant get a new phone on warranty.

Nov 6, 2010 9:49 PM in response to loekieloekie

Just adding my phone to the masses that can no longer receive wi-fi after updating. I've a 3G which gives the error message "unable to scan for wireless networks". All other iphones, laptops, etc. work fine. Tried suggestions on discussion boards & called Apple support. Went to the Genius Bar for help. 3G didn't pick up apple wi-fi (of course). None of their suggestions worked. Phone is no longer under warranty, so Apple said I basically have to buy a new phone, with new contract (no more $30 unlimited data).

One of the Genius's said he heard it was corrupted software. Hmmm. How & why?

I really think this was engineered by Apple to boost sales of new phones & thereby new, more profitable (for them) phone plans.
Well, guess what Apple? That's dirty pool. I'm not playing.

iPhone 3G - wifi not working after upgrade to OS4