iOS 14.0.1 wifi issues

Turn off your automatic updates!

Before you install a new update I would wait at least a month to determine how many more bugs they’re releasing into the Apple network. Apple seems to have a knack for finding and undeterminable amount of gasoline to throw on a huge bonfire.

Get rid of Bitdefender and don’t use VPN. There is ZERO benefit, you aren’t more secure, and you run into issues like this. iPhones do not need added security; all it does is slow your phone down and provide information on your usage to the VPN provider, which they can sell, thus exposing you to identity theft.

See this article—>Don't use VPN services. · GitHub

I had tried to shut off VPN previously by using the slide tab in Settings, but it kept reconnecting. However, on your advice, I did a deeper dive and found the VPN source in the third party antivirus app. Deleted the VPN and now the iPad connects and runs perfectly. Without your suggestion, it would have taken much longer to run down the remedy, so “Thanks” for that. The only concern now is that a VPN is considered as an extra layer of security, but one that is apparently untenable when running 14.0.1.

I am having a similar issue. Upgraded an iPhone 11 Pro to 14.1 sometime in October, was receiving constant prompts to enter my network's WiFi password. Some quick searches revealed this to be related to VPN services running on the phone - had one installed from Bitdefender Armor (via Netgear), removed, and issue seemed to be resolved. My wife's phone, also an 11 Pro, did not have this issue as she is not using Bitdefender Armor at this time; all other devices in the home were operating normally. Router is a Netgear Orbi RBR50 with an RBS50 satellite.

Fast forward to Monday this week and my internet connectivity on my phone is not working - connection to our home wireless network is fine but it behaves as if there is no internet connectivity. Rebooted modem and router, no difference, rebooted phone, no difference, reset network settings on the phone, no difference. I had a pending update to 14.2, updated, no change. Disabling and re-enabling WiFi seems to correct the issue but only momentarily. My wife's phone is also experiencing the same set of issues. All other devices in the home are working as expected.

Found a post on Apple's developer forums (https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/651079) suggesting to try Google's public DNS addresses - no change. Also on that forum, a user described changing their security type on their router to "WPA2+WPA3" which unfortunately is not an option with the Orbi RBR50, only WPA2-PSK [AES] or WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES] are choices. Router and satellite are running the latest firmware as well, V2.5.2.4.

Checked adding a new wireless network on the iPhone Pro 11 and of the security types available, default is WPA2/WPA3...there is no WPA2 only. I cannot validate what was present on my phone before updating to 14.x but I have an old iPhone 5s running 12.4.8 and WPA2 by itself is an option and this phone has no issue with internet connectivity.

My guess would be something to do with the WPA2/WPA3 security type currently set on IOS (could have been present before, not sure) and the lack of the option on the router. 

I have an email into Netgear for some insight. Fingers crossed as this is impactful - cell reception in my area is not good so WiFi is used for calls. I will update the thread with my findings in case anyone is used an Orbi system too but I would also try the DNS suggestion as well as the security type set on router suggestion - they may fix the issue for you.

Mine was strictly related to VPN that was installed via COX internet as part of their security services. I simply deleted the VPN on my phone and it was fine. It seems that it is conflicting when trying to connect through vpn . Interestingly though my wife’s phone and both ipads never had an issue.

I’m adding on to previous post because the end isn’t correct. I said my other devises never had issues which is true but the also didn’t have the Cox security suite on the either. Convinced it’s VPN related

1. This is not Apple; this is a user to user technical support forum
2. There is no problem in the iOS version you installed for Apple to fix, there is a problem in your phone or router
3. Follow these troubleshooting steps, checking after each one:

• Can you turn on Wi-Fi? If not your phone has a hardware problem that no amount of software updates can fix
• Update to the latest version of iOS (as of today, 14.2)
• Go to Settings/Wi-Fi, tap on the i next to the network name and turn Private Address OFF
• Restart your router by removing all power for 15-30 seconds (don’t just turn it off)
• Go to Settings/Wi-Fi, tap on the i next to the network name and Forget the network, then try to reconnect
• Go to Settings/General/Reset - Reset network settings
• Test with a different network

If NONE if these fix it your phone has a hardware problem.

We have three iPhones - Xs, Xr and 11. We have never had any issues with WiFi until we installed iOS 14. All three iPhones are experiencing the exact same issue. We have not experienced any issues with the other devices in our home, including iMac, 2 MacBook Pros, 2 iPads running iOS 13, LGTV, etc.

I have talked to Apple Support three times and followed every step they recommended including including the three things you mentioned. I've reset my router. I even reset my iPhone to factory settings and restored. Apple ran diagnostics on my iPhone and found nothing wrong with the hardware.

The fact is there are thousands of posts about this issue.

Thank you for the info Lawrence and thanks for letting us know we are not alone Steve xx And hopefully Apple will sort out another update to sort the “bugs” as I not given up hope yet. Apple will not admit that they are at fault but hopefully will promptly issue an update. Please keep us posted how you get on. Thank you for everyone who has commented and tried to help and hope correction update is released promptly. R x

Even if you don't use a VPN check your settings and look for a VPN, if you have one uninstall it. Even of you dont use it you have to uninstall it completely. For some reason there is something in 14 that has a conflict with the native VPN. Good luck!

Every iPhone ever made drops Wi-Fi 30 seconds after the phone goes to sleep to preserve the battery, unless it is connected to power. It isn’t random; it will happen every time, after 30 seconds. By design.

That has not worked for me or many of the other folks on this thread.

I've been on the phone with Apple Support multiple times. We tried EVERYTHING. Including a Reset to Factory Settings and restore from backup. It did not solve the problem. They ran diagnostics on the H/W - nothing wrong. They ran remote system diagnostics - nothing wrong. Problem still exists, especially after coming out of sleep mode or moving to certain parts of the house.

I agree I've just switched to iOS after 10 years with Android phones and first thing that happens is an update breaks my phone, and my phone wasn't cheap either ,very disappointed

If you have a vpn configuration on your phone try deleting it and see if WiFi stays on.. it worked for me

Thanks mikael73. Resolved in the same way (full reset of the iPhone WITHOUT using a backup)!

But it is a barbaric and laborious way. Everything has to be reinstalled all over again! Unacceptable!