iOS 17 bug: Wi-Fi not connecting after restart iPhone and iPad.

SravanKrA wrote:

This issue is not related to any of the iOS updates. If it were, millions of other iPhones would have been affected as well.

Well, no, not necessarily. As a software engineer (and just as a user), I can say that it is frequently the case that a bug can affect a smaller number of people because some issues are often only triggered by a very specific set of circumstances, sometimes rare or sometimes under a specific unlucky timing situation.

However, in this case it looks like enough people are being affected that fixes for WiFi issues are already coming with iOS 17.2:

https://www.techradar.com/phones/ios/ios-172-promises-to-fix-your-wonky-wi-fi-connection-issues

This issue is not related to any of the iOS updates. If it were, millions of other iPhones would have been affected as well.

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches. Turn off your iPhone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.

1. Restart the device. That's it.
2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

Reset Network Settings: Only network settings are removed.

• When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.
• To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile. See Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone in this guide.
• To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM. See “Mobile device management (MDM)” in the iOS Deployment Reference.
• Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.

If the above fails...

Reset All Settings: All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.

1. Reset All Settings: Return iPhone settings to their defaults - Apple Support:- Return iPhone settings to their defaults
2. You can return settings to their defaults without erasing your content.
3. If you want to save your settings, back up your iPhone before returning them to their defaults. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but returning settings to their defaults doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.

If nothing above works probably it could be your iPhone may have a WiFi radio or antenna problem. In that case, take your device to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, or contact Apple Support and get the hardware tested and if needed repaired/replaced.

Find Locations - Location Selector - Apple

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support 

Get a Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Contact Genius Bar. Manage Reservations - My Reservations - Apple

I had the same issue. After going through the motions with all the suggestions listed to no avail that didn’t work. I began to think let me compare all communications setting and I stumbled upon the VPN was set to on demand. As soon as I disabled “on demand” WiFi immediately started working again.

Good Luck!

I updated my iPhone SE mid November 2023 to IOS 17. Since then I can’t connect/ or I connect and it drops repeatedly to wifi. This has happed to all my Apple devices (iPad, iPhone, Mac and MacBook).

I have repeatedly reported this to Apple and they said that no one else is having this problem and tried to blame my provider. I had already looked into this with my internet provider for 2 full days. It was then realised that only Apple products are affected and that all non Apple products work fine.

I have Apple products that I worked my arse off to pay for, so I have the best support for my disabilities while I’m at uni. I have my final deadline coming up and I have not been able to do uni work since November because the internet can no longer connect to my Apple devices.

Apple also stated that everyone on here are liars and we have all independently decided to make up this issue and lie about the iOS 17 update. Main stream media that have published reports about the problems with IOS 17 and wifi since October 2023 are also liars and Apple claims that they are not aware of any issues with the IOS 17 update and wifi.

Does anyone know about legal rights etc for this? IOS 17 update has made all my Apple devices unusable. I’ve asked to go back to IOS 16 but Apple refuses.

I hope someone can help. Apple refuse to even acknowledge the issue.

I’m surprised that this is not affecting many people. I have 3 devices at home (2 iPhones and an iPad Pro) and are all affected by this issue. After a restart I have to toggle WiFi off/on for it to connect.

I have same issue on my 12 Pro after iOS update. Cannot connect to any WiFi

Definitely an Apple iOS issue

In one particular way, it certainly IS related to the IOS update. When connecting to a (private) network where you must manually configure the IP address, IOS 17 behaves differently than IOS 16. In IOS 16, you need not configure the "Router" IP address in order to connect, whereas in IOS 17, you must. I have two iPads: one still running IOS 16 and the other running IOS 17. The former still connects wonderfully (without the Router IP address configured) but the latter, with the exact same network configuration, stopped connecting immediately after the update from 16 -> 17. After pulling on what hair I have left, searching the forums far and wide, and uttering discouraging words, I finally tried entering the access point IP address in the Router field of the network configuration and Voila!

Unfortunately, even manually entering the IP information (device IP, subnet mask, router IP) didn't solve the problem. I entered all that, then restarted my iPhone, and lo and behold, it was back on cellular data and not connecting to wifi.

This should be a newly introduced bug in iOS17. Since upgrading to iOS17, I have also encountered this problem. After many attempts, I found that it is related to the Wi-Fi encryption method:

1. WPA_PSK/WPA2_PSK, everything is ok

2. WPA2-PSK/WPA3-SAE, there is this bug

literally what im experiencing right now after I updated my iPhone 13 pro max to ios 17.1.1. I cannot connect to wifi because it's "greyed out" (can't on/off) and sometimes Bluetooth does the same thing too (sometimes not) but it's been difficult to pair/connect my AirPods. I tried EVERYTHING, rebooting, resetting network setting, airplane mode hacks, disabling content & privacy restriction hack, disabling networking & wireless hack, and I even got to the point of factory resetting my phone AND STILL NOT WORKING!!! I know wifi is not the problem because my Mac is perfectly fine and can connect to my airpods.

I am sooo frustrated searching for a solution. My last resort is to go to Apple technician, hopefully not expensive. :(

APPLE FIX THIS!

For me the issue is related to the update to IOS 17.1.1. From the moment I updates the software I cannot connect my phone to the wifi because it keeps saying the password is incorrect. I changed to BootP setting and then it works...only if I am sitting right on top of the router. If I move more than 10 meters away the problem persists. No other devices are affected (and they haven't been updated). Not good enough Apple :(

This is pathetic. Very poor update. Very poor testing and planning. Once again an update causes more problems than it helped. This is unusable. Going to look at a non-iphone for the first time since the 1st Iphone. Just plain sad and no fix in 3 months.

Apple won’t allow devices to go back to the last functional software. I’ve been in tears asking them to please let me go back to IOS 16 because I can’t connect to wifi on any of my Apple devices since the IOS 17 update and I can’t do uni work. My final deadline is in April and I have my PhD thesis to finish writing up.

The property owner where I live has said they will allow an Ethernet cable but I have pay for it and the professional installation. I don’t have access to that kind of money and Apple can’t guarantee that this will fix the issue because they say that there isn’t an issue to start with.

how is this even legal???

I have done everything possible except wiping my phone

my wifi still not working 😭

Turn off private WiFi address and it fixes the problem