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Sudden Weak WiFi signal on 3Gs

Over the last month or so I've experienced a big drop-off in my 3Gs's ability to latch-on to my local home WiFi signal. I've not recently upgraded, or changed settings on the phone. An example; my BT Home Hub router sits in my office and casts a strong signal throughout my timber-frame house, (and I know the signal's still fine because my 3-yr-old Macbook, which I use anywhere and everywhere, and spanking new iMac display full WiFi bars and the speed is excellent.) I normally access the web via my iPhone from my living-room, which is no more than 20 Yards from the router, and up until a month or so ago, enjoyed a full reception on the iPhone also, but now nothing. Zilch. (There is one small corner where I can sometimes pick up one bar.)
I'm composing this message on the iMac, which displays the full WiFi signal, with my iPhone propped up next to it and displaying zero WiFi reception. We are about eight yards away from the router.
(I realise this topic is closely linked to others already posted, but it's something that Apple should really be responding to; they obviously have people who keep an eye on forums like these to monitor feedback about their products, and connectivity issues seem to be a bit of a hot potato at the moment.)
My hunch is that the iPhone's capability to receive a WiFi signal has somehow become compromised, being as all other devices - and Apple devices at that - work fine.
Can somebody help.
Thx.

iMac 27" 8 Gig, 2 TB, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jan 18, 2011 2:21 AM

97 replies

May 28, 2011 3:21 PM in response to Andrew Teilo

I've got an iPhone 3GS, which is coming up to two years old now. Up until the 4.3 release wifi was perfect with it, at home, and on the road (at hot spots). Since the 4.3 release, unless I am within a couple meters of the ap (and even then direct line of sight) then wifi is a joke at best. At first i was like everyone else and assumed that it was my router / ap. So step in a new router / ap, as well as rolling back to a previous router / ap, both to no avail.

My wifes iPhone 3G, and her iPad1 (neither are on 4.3) have no issues at all with wifi.

One other thing to note, and i'm not sure if this is just my phone or a bug in the software, but since the 4.3 update came out, i have also been having issues in getting a gps signal. Google maps can only bring up the "assisted" location, other gps enabled apps just don't work at all.

There is a lot of discussion on other forums of other users having the same issue with all i devices, and its not getting to the point that i am furious at apple for allowing such a major bug to slip through.

When will apple be releasing a fix to this???

May 28, 2011 4:58 PM in response to Andrew Teilo

This absolutely MUST BE A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. It is impossible for hundreds of iPhones to simultaneously have identical hardware failures.

May 28, 2011 8:33 PM in response to redhotmojo

I totally agree!!!! From what I have read, this is across all i-devices, and to have been hanging here for this long is completely unacceptable on apple's part. And to have their website say that I can not send them an email informing them of the issue is a joke... (unless I want to pay for the ability to tell them which is e'en more o a joke!!!!)

Jun 10, 2011 9:34 PM in response to Braun Audio

Nope, it's not just you. I'm having the exact same issues with both WiFi and GPS on my iPhone 3GS. Any app that requires GPS either is way off-target (like a couple of miles) or basically doesn't work (such as Nike+ GPS or RunKeeper). All other devices in our home have no issues (including my wife's iPhone 4). While I'm somewhat relieved this may not be a hardware issues, I'm wondering what software is messing up these signals.

Jun 11, 2011 4:42 AM in response to cweirupacn

WOW! YOU'RE RIGHT! I am having the identical sudden problem with GPS based Apps on my iPhone 3GS, too. I can't use GPS tracking on Maps for directions anymore, and my location is often incorrect, sometimes by hundreds of miles! I had not connected this problem with the sudden loss of wifi signal strength before your note, but they occurred at the same time!

To clarify, my iPhone may sometimes connect to wifi, but the router signal must be strong, and my iPhone must be within about 5 or 6 feet to receive any signal. At the wifi source, my iPhone works well on wifi.

I took my iPhone to an Apple store Genius Bar. The Genius said, "Oh, yeah, you need to buy a new phone. Your antenna is no good."

So Apple's canned explanation is that the antennas on thousands of iPhone 3GSs simultaneously broke at exactly the same time.

I don't care what Apple says. I want a solution. If anyone figures this out, please share the explanation and/or the solution!

Jun 13, 2011 4:46 AM in response to redhotmojo

There is no solution available other than APPLE RELEASING A FIRMWARE FIX.

This has gone on long enough, and apple need to rectify this before more ppl start getting irate.

And on another note, my phone bill came in with an unbelievable excess data charge added on. I am seriously ****** at this, and now looking into my options for sending the bill to apple to cover.

Jun 20, 2011 12:47 PM in response to barryfromuxbridge

PMFJI,

I see that the Discussion Group "administrators" left your post untouched while I had posted a similar message which they subsequently removed. I admit it, I was really annoyed. You succinctly expressed your statement while I was not holding back, although the gist of our messages was the same -- poor customer service on Apple's part. Taking down messages is not going to solve the maladies brought about by the iOS 4.3.2 (and 3) releases. This is uncceptable...

I guess it's part of Apple's Corporate DNA (I really hate that statement) that they deny any sort of wrong doing whenever possible.

I'd just like to see this issue resolved. It's not due to a lack of troubleshooting (as one user had previously suggested). There are too many people in the same situation for this to be just a mere coincidence.

Jun 20, 2011 1:58 PM in response to Rocky Pope

It is a very frustrating problem and it seems we've all got very angry about it at times.

I find myself every day checking iTunes for the latest update that will rid us of the problems that have dogged us for more than two months now!

I suppose the biggest thing I feel is disappointment, disappointment about being in the situation where i no longer have my 'link to the world' device in which I trust and have the uncertainty of what will replace it!

I used to promote iPhones, the clincher for me was the fact that now everyone has an iPod dock in there home so I could play my music anywhere without having to carry an iPod too.

I'm out of contract and was waiting for the iPhone 5 but now I'm not so sure, I find myself in a personal battle with myself, I don't want to give apple anymore money, but I don't want to get stuck with a useless phone for 18months.

Please apple, help us all and fix this problem ASAP and help restore my faith in you because my faith has almost gone completely.

Ps. Also a way of deleting apps from the cloud would be handy too, it's only a matter of time before all the seedy apps I've downloaded get noticed!!! If that's not too much to ask!

Jun 20, 2011 2:25 PM in response to barryfromuxbridge

In my situation I didn't discover the GPS part of the issue until just the other day when I used a program that reiles solely on GPS and was greeted with an error saying the GPS signal was poor. I waited about 15 minutes (which was the time it took me to get to my destination) and the phone never obtained a fix.

I realized the Wi-Fi problem nearly immediately when all of a sudden I was getting a weak signal when I'd normally have a very strong signal. I attributed the problem to my access point, and changed its location to no avail. I wasn't able to use another device on my access point for several days and then it became apparent it was the iPhone and not the access point.

I had updated iTunes sometime after the problem started but before I realized it may be firmware related, and the iTunes installer dumped an old restore (I believe it was a restore) file in the trash. I dumped the trash...

In any event, I have no way to roll back to iOS 4.3.1 (or earlier, I forget what I had installed prior to installing 4.3.1). I suppose I could restore the phone as new, test the application (install it), etc., but I've seen other users in this situation state that restoring the phone as new did not rectify the situation.

I'd like to be able to use Wi-Fi and GPS again, as would everyone else in this thread.

Jun 20, 2011 2:40 PM in response to Rocky Pope

I believed it was my neighbors new router that was affecting the range of my wifi at first for a few weeks.

Then I realized that my gf's 3GS which hadn't been updated for eight months was picking up wifi perfectly.

My advice in the future would be to not update until you've checked the forums for issues but the new iOS 5 will update without connecting to the computer so we may not be able to stop it from updating. That could be interesting if there is a problem such as this!

Jun 20, 2011 2:43 PM in response to barryfromuxbridge

You're spot on with that suggestion! In this case, I waited a few weeks, but I neglected to check the forums for any negative reports regarding that particular update.

It's my own fault...

Jun 20, 2011 6:32 PM in response to Andrew Teilo

I too have been having the weak wifi range problem and just did a firmware rollback to 4.1.

I am dissapointed to report that it did nothing to fix the wifi problem. Still has a range of about 10 ft, and timesout after about 30 seconds.

I am going to do a rollback to 3.1.3 and will report back with the results.

I suppose if the rollbacks dont fix the problem then it must be a physical problem inside the phone ie: loose connector, right?

That doesn't really explain how this happens to so many users within such a short timeframe tho....

Jun 20, 2011 7:02 PM in response to michaelfromnanaimo

Although I rarely speak in absolutes, it is IMPOSSIBLE for thousands of iPhone antennas to physically break simultaneously. Simultaneous loss of wifi and gps signal reception strengths in thousands of iphones can only be the result of a common event, presumably a software update.

I just want a solution, and am not happy with Apple's offered solution of "buy a new iPhone".

Jun 20, 2011 9:24 PM in response to Andrew Teilo

My wife and I both have 3Gs phones with iOS versions 4.3.3 (8J2). Her phone appears to be working fine but my phone has the exact same symptoms that you all are describing. With so many occurrences within the same timeframe, it is hard to believe that this is a hardware problem. I suppose it may be possible that some software changes could have damaged some of the marginal hardware out there?

You know, I really can't stand Apples policy of ignoring our problem. I had a Windows Mobile phone prior to my 3Gs and there was a huge difference in OS stability, quality, performance, and capability. I really loved this iPhone and I didn't mind telling people how great it was. Now, the competition is much stiffer with Android phones out there and I don't think Apple can afford to be ignoring it's customers like this. Both of our contracts are up and I'm strongly considering changing teams because of these games that Apple plays. I can understand that companies make mistakes. I'm okay with Apple saying, "hey, we screwed this up but we're working on fixing it". But when you have quite a few people being impacted by a problem and all you hear is silence, well that's a good way to lose loyal customers if you ask me.

Jun 20, 2011 10:59 PM in response to michaelfromnanaimo

quick question Michael,

how did you roll back the firmware on your phone??? (i think i know the answer but wan't confirmation lol) sadly for those o us who did the update via itunes we're stuck with this P.O.S. 4.3.3 firmware until apple get around to releasing another update.

i would e'en be happy with them releasing 4.3.1 again as 4.3.4 just so that i can have my wifi and gps back!!!!

Sudden Weak WiFi signal on 3Gs