Sunday I updated software to version 14.2. Ever since then my iPhone (7+) will drop connection to my home wifi. I reconnect but if the screen shuts off for a period of time then it disconnects. I did not have this issue prior to the update. My router is up to date on any updates, I've forgotten the network on my phone and then added it again, I've reset network settings on my phone and nothing has helped. Does anyone have any ideas?
When you unlock the phone does Wi-Fi reconnect? Note that Wi-Fi has always disconnected 30 seconds after the phone locks, unless the phone is plugged in. This is nothing new; it has happened with every iPhone and every version of iOS since June 2007 when the first iPhone was released. It does this to save the battery, because Wi-Fi uses energy continuously as long as it is connected, whether data are being transferred or not.
If it does NOT reconnect when you unlock the phone try these steps in order, stop when its fixed:
You don’t have to change your Wi-Fi password; it won’t do any harm, either. But if you change it you will have go to all of the devices that use your network and change it on each of them.
You have my sympathy, but I’m running out if ideas. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the SIM card.
Your router is probably dual band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). Do you have different network names for the 2 bands, so you can try both? If both have the same network name the router may be choosing a band at random. So one more thing to try is to change the name of one band if they are currently the same. For example, my network name is buckmulligan for my 2.4 GHz band and buckmulligan-5G for the 5 GHz band.
Oh, and one more possibility—>Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference - Apple Support
Have you acquired anything new that uses radio frequencies, such as a cordless phone or smart appliance recently that might be causing local interference? Or any new neighbors?
Looks like you have done basic troubleshooting already. I would suggest to change your wifi password on your router if you know how to do this and try connecting again. if not you may have to do a full reset of your iPhone
I can report the same issue in my house also even after buying a new router. Two iPhone 11s, two iPhone XR’s and an iPhone 7. Oh and an iPad Air 2. All do the same thing. WiFi disconnects and you have to go in and manually choose to connect to the network. All other WiFi devices in the house work fine, including the Macs. If you search for “iOS 14.2 WiFi issues” it does appear to be an issue impacting a number of people. Very frustrating.
Verizon won’t offer much help (they eliminated tech support in stores several years ago, and now just have sales people - one of my associates was a support manager in a Verizon store and she and her staff were all let go). You are much better off with an Apple store. However, if your router is more than 5 years old you should probably replace it. Technology changes very fast.
Welp, I think I just confirmed the issue is my phone. I just bought and set up a brand new router, updated it, and the problem persists. UGH!
I've restarted my router, forgotten the network then reconnected, changed the password, reset network settings, and it's set to autojoin my home network.
When I unlock the phone it does not reconnect to the wifi automatically like it used to. I have to manually go and rejoin my home network, but once the screen shuts off for a certain amount of time (I have not timed it, so it may be the 30 seconds you mentioned) it disconnects then when I turn the screen back on it doesn't reconnect.
I turned off private address with the same result. I turned it back on when I saw it did not change what was happening.
Thank you everyone for the help you're providing!
Yes, my network has a it's own unique name that's been the same for a few years, so it's not something I've changed recently or anything like that. I do not have a range extender. And when I turn the screen on it doesn't connect to any network in the proximity, it just stays stuck at LTE. So I go in under settings-Wi-Fi-find my network and connect manually. Wifi assist is off.
I don't believe in coincidences and since this just started happening after the latest software update I did Sunday, I think the issue is related to that. I can't go to the local Verizon store to see if they can figure anything out because they're shut down due to covid. I did try an online chat with Apple support but they were convinced it was my router, and I'm not believing that.
Thank you again!
Well, if it’s the update I don’t have the problem with any of my family’s 4 devices on my home network, so it’s a very selective issue if it is related to the update. There were some reported problems with iOS 14.0.1 and Wi-Fi, but users who had that problem reported that 14.2 fixed it.
Hmm, well crap.
Any possibility it could be a SIM card issue? I had to have mine replaced about a month and half ago due to an unrelated problem. I'm pretty much grasping at straws now as far as a fix.
I'll start shopping for a new router. Thank you for your help Lawrence, I greatly appreciate your help.
Here’s a good, honest place to start: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/lists/the-gear-to-get-reliable-wi-fi-in-any-home/
The private address shouldn’t make any difference unless you router has MAC filtering (also known as Access Control) enabled, and yours apparently doesn’t. That suggestion was a long shot.
I’m running out of ideas, but here are a couple more:
I haven't purchased anything new that's electronic, but I can't say the same about my neighbors. I don't have any new neighbors but the possibility is there they may have purchased something.
What has me scratching my head is right now I'm literally 6-12 inches away from the router so I'd think the signal strength should be pretty good. It is an older router so maybe I'm due for a newer one? There's no issues with anything else that connects to that router however. I may have to suck it up until the Verizon store opens back up and see what they think.
iPhone disconnecting from home wifi
