iOS 15.4.1 Wi Fi problem

Fix for me:

Settings -> Wifi -> i (next to the network name) -> Configure DNS -> Manual

* Remove router's ip (192.168.0.1 in my case)

* Added Google's DNS server: 8.8.8.8

VPN was not the issue (perhaps it is for some). After the iOS update, my phone couldn't use my router for DNS (other devices and computers work w/o any issues). This appears to be an Apple incompatibility introduced w/ the last update.

You may want to replace 8.8.8.8 with your ISP's DNS servers.

I was having similar issues with multiple apps (eg. Zoom, MyFitnessPal) and no amount of reinstalling, rebooting, or LTE vs various Wifi networks would solve the issue. And when I would log out of the app, I would be unable to log back in due to “network issues”. I even completely uninstalled my VPN, not just turn it off. I’m on an iPhone XS with iOS 15.4.1. What finally worked for me is I turned off Apple’s “Private Relay (Beta)” feature - and now everything is working again.

I ran into this same problem after updating iOS to 15.4.1. VPN was not the issue.

I was able to work around the problem by doing the following:

Settings -> Wifi -> i (next to the network name) -> Configure DNS -> Manual

* Then removed my router's ip (192.168.0.1 in my case)

* Added Google's DNS server (8.8.8.8)

Before someone suggests that my router is misconfigured... my other devices (such as my MBP) respond perfectly to DNS requests directed at my router and this problem only occurred on my iPhone after I updated iOS. It may be related to an incompatibility w/ my router's DNS w/ the latest iOS update, not sure. I have a NetGear Nighthawk R8000P w/ firmware V1.4.3.88_1.3.50.

Also... you may want to plug in your isp's DNS server(s) rather than 8.8.8.8 which I just used for testing.

The Answer link is incorrect. "Apple Recommends" - the actual issue is that Private Addressing is enabled on the WLAN(SSID) you are connecting to, you see a blank page on the CNA (the pop-up mini page you see when you connect to an SSID behind a portal) once you turn off the feature and reconnect to the SSID... The Portal page fills in the CNA with the appropriate page, and you can get online. Just a workaround for someone who stumbles on these boards out of frustration. The setting "Private Wi-Fi Address" is a default privacy setting per WLAN. If you are at a hotspot, Marriott pay-per-use type pages or name and room number authentications; Hyatt, etc., you will want to have the feature on out of privacy and tracking purposes. I have also noticed if you keep trying... if you are that bored and want to put yourself through pain and suffering.. and leave Private Addressing on.. it will eventually load, took me nine times in a row once not to get the blank page. ( I was bored and testing) - Samsung device with Private Addressing had zero issues.

Apple please fix it, you have people in your business that travel.

jigneshkhatri wrote:

Nope, not using VPN (had never installed/used that on this iPhone). Also, there is no firewall. WiFi Internet works seamlessly with my laptops.

This was the same for my iPhone 12 Pro, my daughter's, and my AppleTV (which also updated to 15.4.1). I solved this by doing the following:

Settings -> Wifi -> i (next to the network name) -> Configure DNS -> Manual

* Remove router's ip (192.168.0.1 in my case)

* Added Google's DNS server: 8.8.8.8

My MBP M1 Max did not need to do this. Clearly an iOS change broke something.

Check the range of the mobile network, see this Apple article: If you see No Service or Searching on your iPhone or iPad

If you see No Service or Searching on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Check also the Wi-Fi network, see the following Apple articles:

Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won’t connect to a Wi-Fi network

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't connect to a Wi-Fi network - Apple Support

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support

If you need help with your Wi‑Fi password

If you need help with your Wi‑Fi password - Apple Support

I’ve had the same problem: iPhone 13 pro max after updating to 15.4.1

Are you using a VPN-app? After I deleted and reinstalled the VPN app, the problem was solved. Hope it works out on your end, good luck!

Are you using a VPN connection? If you are, that is the issue, not any version of iOS. If it was the update causing the problem, with roughly 500 million iPhones updated, you would see thousands of posts about it.

After VPN, here are standard troubleshooting steps:

• Restart your router
• Restart your phone
• Reset Network Settings on your phone

danielfromparsons wrote:

That isn’t the problem, auto join is on. My phone connects to the Wi-Fi it just doesn’t work until I turn it off and then back on.

Are you using VPN? Or do you have it installed even if you are not using it?

Is your network name (SSID) unique?

Do you have a problem with all Wi-Fi networks, or one particular network?

Have you restarted your router?

Have you “forgotten” the network and reconnected?

Have you tried Reset Network Settings?

Tymeout2 wrote:

I’m having the same Wi-Fi drop issues ever since the latest update. Very annoying. Apple is very slow at correcting issues even when attention to it from its customers is brought up. For what they charge for their products you’d think they would be more timely.

Are you using a VPN connection? If you are, delete the VPN app and the VPN profile and see if that fixes it. If it does, you can try reinstalling the VPN and it may work.

Something to think about→Don't use VPN - GITHUB

There are two legitimate purposes for using VPN:

To allow access to a private network such as a school or business when you are not on site. 

To allow access outside of a country with a repressive government that has restricted Internet access. (This has suddenly become more important)

Any other use is risky, and can lead to problems like the one discussed in this thread. VPN disguises your location by making you appear to be somewhere else in the world. But you usually can’t control that “somewhere else”, and if it is in a location that an app isn’t approved for the app won’t work. Plus the fact that the provider of the VPN knows everything about you and your location, as well as what sites you access through the VPN. So you are totally dependent on the VPN provider’s honesty. As a start, if the VPN is free, DON’T USE IT. The provider has to make money somehow, and if you aren’t paying them then they are selling your private data to make money. But even those that charge can’t necessarily be trusted. For example, a few years ago Avast was caught selling user browsing data. They claim they have stopped doing so. 

You don’t really need VPN when using public Wi-Fi, because all communications between your device and the servers it accesses are end-to-end encrypted.

If you want VPN for privacy about the sites you visit, that’s not a good choice as discussed; instead you should download and use the TOR browser.

With iOS 15.2 for iOS/iPadOS and MacOS Monterey 12.2 and later Apple now has iCloud+ Private Relay, which is like a super VPN, except that it doesn't spy on you→About iCloud Private Relay - Apple Support

Good observation. VPN is the most common cause of Wi-Fi and cellular data problems. And you really don’t need VPN unless you need to access a private work or school network or you live in a country with a repressive government that blocks or monitors your Internet activity. It offers no benefits, causes various connectivity problems, and slows down your Internet connections. Plus it allows your VPN provider to monitor your Internet activities, which means you need to trust them.

On the advice from this forum, I turned off Private Address under the specific wifi on the device and this seems to have resolved it for us. Still a small delay reconnecting but it is automatic which is way better than before.

Dopp180 wrote:

Yes, I turned VPN off, restarted my phone, and reset all network settings. Nothing is helping.

Turning VPN off is not sufficient. You need to delete the VPN profile and app. Even when off the VPN profile interferes with the network stack on the phone.

If you really feel you must have VPN (and there are almost no reasons to use it) delete it before any update, then reinstall it after the update. Most update change details in the network stack, and the VPN app needs to be reconfigured for the new parameters.

have you restarted your router? Have you restarted your phone? Have you Reset network settings? Have you deleted any VPN profiles on your phone?

Apple will never give you an option to downgrade, because that would leave your phone vulnerable to hacking. And anyway it won’t solve the problem, which is not related to the version, but rather to either a setting or app on your phone.

I just submitted a feedback on the beta to let Apple know of the issue. But I did find something that has helped my Wi-Fi to connect when I did the feedback. Go into your Wi-Fi connection and see if you have “Use Private Address “ on, if it’s on then turning it off should resolve Wi-Fi issues.