What does "Unable to join network" actually mean?

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Level 1

145 points

What does "Unable to join network" actually mean?

I have a wifi network in my flat. Due to the shape of the property, I've had to install a couple of access points and a Powerlink connection (all TP-LInk), effectively providing an Ethernet backbone to the network (my Mac is directly attached to the Ethernet). All this works well with all my devices, except that one of the APs drops the connection despite a strong signal, correct SSID and password (I can check this with my TP-link app), and when I try to reconnect either my iPhone or my iPad, I get

Unable to join network "MyNetwork" (obviously using my real network name)

Does anyone know what this actually means. It doesn't mean that the LAN has failed, or that the signal is too weak or the password is wrong, since all this can be shown to be working OK. Indeed if one of these other factors were wrong, for example the password, I know I'd get a different message.

I can't believe the kind of explanation that suggests I should restart my router, as both wifi and ethernet are working perfectly well on all other devices and locations. Fundamentally I want to know what my Apple devices think is missing. By the way, I can't see a topic "wifi networks" which the one I actually want

iPhone XS

Posted on Dec 1, 2021 2:34 AM

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Answer 1

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MKYASHO

Level 1

21 points

Dec 8, 2021 10:53 PM in response to Living Fossil

The guys who respond to questions on this forum are fluent in customer care speak. They just regurgitate some stuff from some guidebook and state it over and over till your head aches. Really infuriating stuff.

I am having the same problem on 13 Pro that’s barely a month old. I’ve reset network settings, I’ve reset the router, but the issue persists. Every other device connects to the WIFI except this one.

Yet you bring it up here and you immediately get bombarded by community specialists who read from pointers like “reset, restart”. Good Lord!!!!!

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Answer 2

Living Fossil Author

Level 1

145 points

Dec 19, 2021 6:57 AM in response to MKYASHO

What I find super-frustrating about this thread (and to some extent other issues I've raised in this forum) is that I get bombarded with instructions, when what I want is an explanation! My question is clear enough. I'm an old software developer, and I'm looking for an understanding of the logic behind the issue. For example, the message I'm getting doesn't ask for the password of the wifi network, so I assume it isn't a missing or incorrect password that's causing the problem. I would like to know what logic leads the OS to refuse to connect, and what exactly it finds missing. It's nice to get instructions, but these don't always work: I think one should start by understanding the actual issue. Though frankly I doubt if this will ever happen.

For what it's worth, in my case I think it's something to do with the state of the Access Point I'm using, since the oldest trick in the book - turn the device off and turn it on again (the AP, not the Apple device), often works, though sometimes I have to do it twice. What why?

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Answer 3

Living Fossil Author

Level 1

145 points

Dec 2, 2021 8:14 AM in response to OrigamiFan1

Well, I think I've done all of that apart from resetting the entire iPhone, since this would mean a lot of tedious re-inputting of passwords for the various networks I use (at least ten, in my family locations, public transport etc as well as my own house). The response is a bit boiler-plate as it doesn't actually answer my question, which (I repeat) is

What does "Unable to join network" actually mean?

My question is there in the hope of better understanding about what internal processes in iOS experience failure and produce this message, rather than other similar messages that asks for passwords etc. I am no further forward with that.

By the way, I have presently provided a fix by using the app that TP-Link provided with my Access Points. As far as I know I didn't change anything, but I confirmed the existing settings on the AP and Bingo! my phone connected. But it's still a mystery - and looking back over the Apple Discussions, it's one that's been around for a long time.

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Answer 4

MKYASHO

Level 1

21 points

Dec 19, 2021 9:57 AM in response to Living Fossil

Haha I don’t think I have ever followed a topic on Apple’s forum and come out informed tbh. It’s like the forum is manned by bots ready to bombard you without engaging the real concern.

PS: I updated to iOS 15.2. Didn’t solve the issue. I did a full phone reset back to factory settings, didn’t solve the issue. I guess it’s one of those things I will have to learn to live with

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Answer 5

Dec 2, 2021 7:37 AM in response to Living Fossil

Hi Living Fossil,

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you're having an issue with seeing an "Unable to join network" alert. We're happy to provide some information to assist.

If your iPad and iPhone connect to other Wi-Fi networks as expected it could be strength issue. However you might see the alert ""unable to join the network" if there's a password issue. You can view that information and helpful steps here: If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won’t connect to a Wi-Fi network

Should the issues continue after completing those steps for your iOS devices, double check your network settings with the recommended network details here: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points

Also, as recommended at the bottom of the first article, be sure to update any firmware on the main router and all access points.

Best!

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Answer 6

TheLittles

Level 10

195,042 points

Dec 9, 2021 1:39 AM in response to Living Fossil

Living Fossil Said:

"What does "Unable to join network" actually mean?: Fundamentally I want to know what my Apple devices think is missing. By the way, I can't see a topic "wifi networks" which the one I actually want"

-------

Troubleshooting iPhone WiFi:

A. Troubleshooting Connectivity:

Wi-Fi: If your iPhone won’t Connect to a Wi-Fi Network - Apple Support

B. Clear Temporary Internet Files:

If connecting is unsuccessful, try clearing out your Temporary Internet Files: History, Cache, and Cookies

Go Here: Clear your Safari Browser History and Set Up Content Blockers on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

C. Try manually restarting your iPhone:

Go To: Settings
Select: General
Scroll to: the Very Bottom
Select: Shut Down
Slide Finger: to the Right
Wait: 30 Seconds
Power One: the iPhone
Try this Once More

D. Report this to Apple:

Did you just update your iPhone to iOS15?

Do your part: Let Apple know what is going on here. Provide them with feedback on this. They may not get back to you directly, but the more feedback they received on this, the more they will know what is going on, and what needs to be fixed in updates to come.

Go Here: Feedback - iPhone - Apple
Comment: when this issue began, and how you have troubleshoot it this far.
Select: "Bug Report" for the "Feedback Type"
Proceed from there aw necessary

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Answer 7

MKYASHO

Level 1

21 points

Dec 23, 2021 12:34 AM in response to Living Fossil

So, I carried out a few changes to try resolve this “unable to connect” issue I am experiencing.

I relocated the position of my home router to a more visible point. And guess what? Everytime my phone disconnects, I take the phone closer to the router, click the network and it connects. I have done this for about a week.

My conclusion is, “unable to join network” is an error caused by your phone sensing your network to be out of reach to make a connection. In this scenario, the phone does detect the signal, but judges the connection to be very very poor, thus concluding that a connection cannot be made to that particular network.

Let me know what you think and I hope this provides a temporary solution to this glitch.

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Answer 8

Dec 2, 2021 11:02 AM in response to Living Fossil

Hi Living Fossil,

Glad to hear the connection issue was resolved using the app. From what I could gather, there's only the small bit of information about the exact alert from the article previously shared.

However, if you've checked your settings with the additional article about recommended settings and you continue to have an issue without using the app, we'd recommend reaching out to Apple Support directly.

Contact Apple Support

Contact Apple for support and service

Cheers!

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Answer 9

Living Fossil Author

Level 1

145 points

Feb 2, 2022 7:12 AM in response to MKYASHO

After a long gap, I'm coming back to this because I've just acquired a new iPhone 13 Pro. It's running iOS 15.3. Today I found that I was "unable to connect" at my usual access point, but I got an additional dialog which said:

Unable to join the network

"myNetwork"

This network is operating on Wi-Fi

channels in use by several other

nearby networks.

Restarting your wireless router may

allow it to automatically choose the

best channel to use, and may resolve

this problem.

This is a breakthrough in the sense it gives one more information to work with. I live in a building where there are at least four other networks that my phone can see, so this idea makes sense. At first attempt, restarting the router didn't work, but I can interface with my router and force it to use a particular channel for wifi. This has never been suggested before. I will be trying it soon and will report back.

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Answer 10

Living Fossil Author

Level 1

145 points

Dec 4, 2021 3:05 AM in response to OrigamiFan1

Thanks for all that. It looks to me as if I will not be getting a real answer to my question, which was about understanding what triggers the message "Unable to connect...". It seems nobody is willing to engage with this, even though one can be pointed at various techniques for reconnecting. You might say that this is a meta-question, not about how to get my iPhone connected, but about the whole environment in which connections are accepted or refused. Of course I was happy to be reconnected, but my actual question was at a different level. I will just stop asking it now.

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Answer 11

TheLittles

Level 10

195,042 points

Dec 8, 2021 11:01 PM in response to MKYASHO

MKYASHO Said:

"I am having the same problem on 13 Pro that’s barely a month old. I’ve reset network settings, I’ve reset the router, but the issue persists. Every other device connects to the WIFI except this one."

-------

Perhaps this is a Faulty Device?:

How old is this iPad? Note that you have a one-year, out-of-the-box, limited-warranty with this. So, if it is covered under warranty, then see if you can get the device replaced free-of-charge. Being faulty, it likely would be nothing on you. Ask Apple Support for a new device.

Apple Contact Us:

--- Contact Us - Choose Locations

--- Proceed from there as Necessary

NOTE: Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, calls are taking a bit linger to get through. And, that makes sense, because many are at home working out-of-the-house or are taking classes over-the-web, this they have more time on their hands to contact Apple Support. So, it might take a bit to get through to Apple Support. But, just stay on the line, and someone will be with yo

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