iPhone 3G / Wifi problem / 4.2.1

So far this discussion has 140031 Views and 225 Replies. Most of the people in this discussion raised the same issue, only few had suggestions, I tried those and no luck. All I did was an update through iTunes and Wifi stopped working 😢. I strongly believe it is an issue with the 4.2.1 release for IPhone 3G. I don't think there is any response from Apple's behalf so far. Apple didn't care about the hundreds of complaints? For most of us, iPhone cost a fair amount of money, we don't treat iPhone like a candy.

Yes Apple has the majority of the market share in their domain; ignoring customers may not help Apple in the long run😊.

⚠ Wake up Apple and please help!

I've tried everything. This week I got it activated for cell & data service at the local AT&T store. It had been just used in our home stereo to stream music. (Previously described in prior posts; and still a good ipod but.. ) All to say this was another last ditch effort in thinking that by activating cellular service it would then allow me an opportunity to update from that awful v4.2.1. It did not. This was the latest possible solution and it was a fail.

Here's what I know. Our iPhone worked great in everyway.

Got v4.2.1 update. Result: No wifi.

Soulution? None to date, tried them all, every one.

Tried everything posted on this site thru this date, 11.12.11. Result: Still Do Not Have WiFi........???

It's not fair to sell a product and the software update wipes out your wifi.

Not Aplle-like most of all.....?????

A fix would be appreciated. PLEASE!

Even an opporunity to roll back the the prior software 3.XX if that would restore the wifi would be sweet.

Coincidence is not the same as causation.

It's highly unlikely that the upgrade to 4.2.1 caused the wifi to fail. It's possible, but…

The most likely problem is the solder on the motherboard, specifically between the motherboard and the radio module. The 3G uses a type of solder with little or no lead in it. This is great for the environment, but it has problems when used with particular types of assemblies. Small, SMT (surface mount technology) parts usually work fine. Larger, more power hungry devices can be problematic. This is because they heat up in use, and if they are large enough, they can put a physical stress on the board, causing the solder bond to fail.

The radio module in the 3G is one such module.

I've had the same problem a number of times with my 3G. I've solved it by reflowing the solder on the motherboard (in an oven; google is your friend). It recently failed again, and I'm not going to bother fixing it. With each fix, a tiny little bit of the solder vapourises; eventually the joint is starved and can't be re-established.

I've spent 30 years in the electronics manufacturing business, and I've watched (and been involved with) the soldering processes as it's evolved from "more solder is better" to today's techniques. Today's is better, but there are limitations - and the 3G bumped up against one of them. Compared with the number of phones in the field, the number of problems with the solder is vanishingly small, but that's no consolation is your phone is one of those with a problem.

However, it's a three year old phone, and it's long out of warranty. It's only recently out of contract (contracts are three years in Canada, not two years that our friends in the US have) - and I do have a problem with the fact that the contract with the carrier lasted way longer than the phone, but that's another issue.

It's possible that the latest OS provided more power to the radio module than previous versions, if it did, then it might have contributed to the failure of the solder just a bit earlier than otherwise. Unfortunately, as a user, there's no way to tell.

Regarding rolling the OS back to 3.X. That's not supported. Which is unfortunate, because, really, the 3G hardware is just not powerful enough to run 4.X.

I had an interesting discussion with an Apple service tech about a totally different issue. I brought up the fact I was using a 3G and he asked if I had updated the OS to 4.X. When I said I hadn't, and mentioned why (underpowered hardware), his comment was "good call".

Before you upgrade the OS on any computer (and the iPhone is just a computer), do some research. Just because the manufacturer _says_ that your hardware will support the upgrade, don't assume that they're telling the whole truth. It'll probably work, but it might not work as well as you hoped. There are limits to what older hardware can support.

That's why you can't upgrade to 4.3.X on the 3G. Apple has decided that it just doesn't have the capabilities to run the OS. There's nothing you can do about that, and after all, it's probably a reasonable decision.

You've got a very good chance of fixing the wifi on the phone if you reflow the solder on the motherboard (as I said, google is your friend). But you have to dismantle the phone and it _could_ cause the phone to fail entirely, so unless your OK with the small risk, don't make the attempt.

Good luck

coop

Thanks! Most thoughtful reply to date! Makes sense too.

To clarify, the wifi disappeared as soon as 4.2.1 was installed.

I'll might try that when I find time. Thank you again Coop.

Thanks Coop, Great post! Very informative.

I did was an update through iTunes and Wifi stopped working 😢.

Same issue here, just for the record.

Hate to think that this is Apple's way of forcing us into purchasing a newer product.

I would be content in rolling back to the last version (before 4.2.1) of the software also.

Even i tried every things possible .

1. Reset

2. Reset Network Settings

3. Reinstaling firmware.

4. Password reset ( MODEM )

Finally what worked for me was

Force ShutDown ( pressing Home and Power button together )

Now I am able to connect to my wifi .

Regards

Abhyudaya

here are some facts bout iPhone 3g/3gs with jailbroke with iOs 4.2

here are some things that 4.2 can't get to jailbreak,

1. Wifi

2. Reset Network

SETTINGS>GENERAL>RESET>RESET NETWORK

I had Same Problem that my iPhone 3g's coundn't find any Wifi

When i reseted my Network, my Wifi worked but only Close Range and can't read B networks

So, here is a great way to test your wifi Close Range

step1: make sure your computer has wireless modem ( all ways known as WiFi Capatablity

step2: Download this version, LITE http://www.connectify.me/

step3: Start HOTSPOT, AD-hoc wep or Ad-hoc Open

step4: turn on Wifi via iPhone 3g/3g's

step5: stay close to Pc/desktop

step6: wait for iphone to pick up the Ad-Hoc signal, due to the fact that Jailbroken iOs 4.2 Affected iphones one of its main function WIFI

FACT1: When jailbroken with iOs 4.2 your Wifi reaches only to A network / or Ad-Hoc connection.

Hi All,

Same problem... just updated my phone to 4.2.1 after hearing last year to wait b/c of the wi-fi problem. Hoping Apple does another update soon to fix this problem as paying for an expensive phone/phone plan to use the phone is less than ideal, especially while it doesn't work properly.

Apple are you at least compensating people for this? Time spent, money, new phone perhaps?

Thanks,

Mooochaan

Much to my surprise, this actually worked for an iPhone 3G showing no wifi activity whatever, even when within an inch of routers:

darkzigma wrote:

1.Go to your wireless router setup: open explorer. type in the ip address for your router's setup

2.Go to MAC ADDRESSES. In my router its under the WIRELESS tab. I dont know on other routers, just find it.

3. On my router there is an option that says something like "you can block or allow devices from the network manually" and there is a list. Mine was empty.

4. I typed in the MAC ADDRESS for my iPhone and then clicked on ALLOW.

5. Save changes

6. Try once more on the iphone (you are almost there). turn on your wifi and then............

Same problem. After updating/upgrading fw 4.2.1? Wi-fi lost. *****! And my husband says that the problem is the hardware already. Should i go to repair shop to open my phone for repair? Or is there anyone can tell me what will i do best? Thanks! 😉

It's over for your wifi. The software update intentionally killed it. People say it can be fixed but you will it cannot be restored. And you can't roll back the update either.

Best advice to those with an iPhone3, never update.

I downgraded back to the previous software and all was back to normal.

Not "apple approved" but my phone was already out of warranty.

This process worked for me, and no need to open the phone...

http://lifehacker.com/5572003/how-to-downgrade-your-iphone-3g%5Bs%5D-from-ios-4- to-ios-313

This is the Error message im getting "Sorry, we Couldnt connect to our login server. Please confirm you have an internet connection and try again in a moment" Help please

I have the same problem with my iphone 3g, my wifi doesn't connect anymore. It can detect wifi network but was unable connect to the network even if you know the password. I already have reset my ihone network settings and reset my router still having problem with my wifi connection.

What is exactly happening with my Iphone? Is it totally no remedy on the problem?