Sudden Weak WiFi signal on 3Gs

I did the rollback by downloading an old version (.ipsw), putting the phone into dfu mode, then when in itunes hold shift while clicking restore and it lets you pick your own restore (.ipsw) file.

I didnt do a rollback to os3.x because it requires an old version of itunes, which means a bunch of time, which i dont have to do it. Like most on here I've given many hours to figuring this out and am tired of it. If I get around to the os3 rollback I'll post results.

I am SERIOUSLY considering going to Android when my contract is up this fall.

You were more fortunate than I was. I found a restore file for 4.2.1 and I received a 3194 error. The odd thing is that this file came from a previous update. I wonder if this is trying to tell me that my version of iTunes is too new?

This is ridiculous. I (along with a hoard of others) are at Apple's mercy on this, as GPS is totally unusable and Wi-Fi severely crippled. It is my fault for not reading these boards more thoroughly. I waited several weeks after the release of 4.3.2 and the went ahead and applied it. My problem was that I didn't get to use GPS until very recently, when I discovered it was hopeless trying to use it. The Wi-Fi issue was no fun either.

I thought I had this licked when I searched my system for all .ipsw files and came up with one under I user account I used to use back when iOS 4.2.x was out. I option-clicked the Restore button, navigated to the file in question, and then my hopes were dashed when I received the 3194 error. I am using the latest version of iTunes. The other suggestions in the document referencing the 3194 error do not help.

Message was edited by: Rocky Pope (fixed typos)

I forgot to ask if your rollback was successful, allowing the use of GPS enabled applications...

I just did a rollback to iOS 4.1 (8B117), and restored as a new phone. I added a GPS-enabled application and performed a test. This did not work for the weak WiFi/GPS problem, as the application did not acquire a lock. I then restored 4.3.3 and and all my data.

It looks like I'll be stuck waiting for a fix from Apple. This is so frustrating. It would seem that the vendor is keeping tight lipped on this issue, admitting nothing, although it is quite apparent the the hundreds (or more) of users in this situation that there is quite obviously something amiss here.

I suspect we'll all die of old age waiting for a fix... 😕

I am having the same problem like what somewhat all of the 3400+ persons who's viewed this thread are having.

I've searched through the web just now about why is my 3Gs' WiFi signal's weak that brought me to this thread.

After reading all of the posts here, I realized that this might have something to do with the hardware, could be the antenna or anything that's for the WiFi of our iPhones.

I have come up to this thought as:

1.There was one who NEVER updated his phone's FW but encountered the same problem.

2.Problem was fixed after replacing the WiFi antenna.

3.The problem started after updating the FW and rolling it back to the previous version did not fix it.

4.There is one case that he updated two 3Gs' but only one unit experienced the problem.

Considering these cases, it is very possible that the hardware responsible for the WiFi signal gets damaged or busted after an update or after a long time of using it.

Not quite sure but could be that the FW update does not match the hardware that perfect why because of the software's(FW) demand of performace had pushed the not so compatible hardware through its limits then colapsed why it stopped working.

Same with using it for a long time or that it might have encoutered a bad bump on something or a bad drop on the ground that damaged the WiFi thing.

Or if not about the FW, could be that the hardware for the WiFi signal encountered a problem during the update could have encountered an error due to bad download after a silent interference during the FW download.

Bottom line is that if I am correct, this will never be fixed by another software or another FW update.

I am no expert. But I have been messing up with gadgets for a long time now since it is really my interest.

Again, this is just a possibility.

Interesting thought... My brother had an audio interface that suffered a similar fatality. He updated the driver to the latest version. [It ran on the Mac platform.] The update process flashed the firmware during the install. The update actually fried one of the chips in the unit! He sent the unit in for warranty service and they replaced the unit! They didn't even ask if the unit was under warrenty, as they knew they were on the hook.

Considering my situation, as my phone is out of warranty, I'm thinking that we'd have to gather up enough users to form a "class." I don't want to say anything more on this, as Apple will likely pull this message. I'm sure they are many other places to post information such as this.

I'd bet my last dollar that unlike the other hardware vendor mentioned above, Apple will admit no wrongdoing.

I really wonder if this message will be posted...

I wanted to inform users of this thread about my experiences with the latest iOS release and the GPS/Wi-Fi issues that have been well chronicled here. They removed the post. Don't thing that the update will fix what now appears to be a hardware issue -- it won't.

Rocky

iPhone 3GS, iOS 4.3.4, GPS Inop, WiFi Crippled

Message was edited to enter my hardware string, which was apparently removed by Apple. It is the default hardware string. Since it didn't appear, I added it inline.

Regarding the assertion that the user somehow applied the incorrect firmware, it occurs to me that such an opertion would be impossible, assuming the user udated via iTunes and the phone hadn't been jailbroken.

Ok, just a question to the community following this thread.

What model phone is e'eryone having issues with??? (mines a 3gs, two years old).

Now, reading through the release notes for iOS 4.3.4, it is just an update to plug the hole that "jailbreakme.com" was exploiting to jb the phone via the use o a .pdf file. There was no mention to gps, or wifi resolutions within the package.

now, lets see if the next paragraph will kill this post.

as a test, i used the aforementioned page, and followed the steps, and suprisingly, my wifi reception on the 2 year old 3gs is a lot better, it's far from perfect, but it is better. GPS is still dead tho.

But do i just bite the bullet considering my contract is now up, and am free to upgrade, to the already out there 4, or wait for the no release date iPhone 5????

If you do decide to take the "upgrade" route, you better hope they release updates that fry components while you're still under warranty. But then, who is to stop them from saying the phone sustained "water damage" or some other ficticitious condition?

very true, but one thing is for certain, there won't be any chance o just "oh, there is an update available, cool, lets put that on the phone....." without waiting a month or so, and extreme checking o the forums first....

after having a phone bill come in a couple hundred dollars O'ER what it should have been due to data usage is just something that i can't afford to have happen again.....

I take it you had that happen? I received a warning message about my data usage potentially going over my cap. At that point, I shut off data service, except for the feeble WiFi.

I'm having the same problem with my 3GS but for me it started back in January 2011, probably around the 20th/21st.

I can't recall if I did an OS update around that time but I definitely DID finish my monthly contract with O2 and switched to their Simplicity plan.

Fortunately this gives me a decent amount of data, though not unlimited, and I've not exceeded that cap yet.

Personally I felt this was a hardware problem rather than software and at the time I thought it might have been caused by trying to connect to some kind of "poisoned" router in a hotel - I didn't get a connection in the end. I was away at a conference when it started to happen only realising there was an issue when I returned home.

I'm from Spain and I'm having the same problems as you. Suddenly my Wi-Fi reception was 0. I thought that was due to my old router, but after buying a newer one, I realised that it was the iPhone's fault. As many of you, I hoped that the iPhone update would fix that but the problem persists. In addition with that recent problem, I've experienced something wierd with my 3GS. Suddenly there's no possible way to charge my phone, neither Mac&PC USB system nor the battery charger. And that is a really bothering error or bug.
Apple don't forget your costumers, even if they haven't got a brand-new model!

Hi, I'm having the same problem. I'm 14 and definitely cannot afford a new iPhone. It is about a year old and last week, I was away in the lake district, and half the week was recieving a great wifi signal in the cafe. Next day, without me updating or even syncing, i couldn't recieve wifi. I was running 4.3.1 and at the time as i knew there was a newer update avaliable, put it down to outdated firmware. I then updated to 4.3.5 (latest) and the problem still exists, even at home and at friends' and family's wifi, with no luck. My Mom's iPhone 4 (also running 4.3.5) and iPod Touch 2nd Gen have no problems at all. I cannot even get wifi in my room, which for me defeats the point of having the device as it's main usage is apps that use the internet.😠

It's now out of warranty by about 3 months, so i don't see the point of going to a Apple Store, as they are just going to charge me or tell me to replace it? 😕

Just discovered the GPS is reporting a location about 15 minuites in the car from where I actually am, after reading this thread... didn't notice if it was at the same time or not as i rarely use it. 😕