iPhone 4 cannot connect to home Wi-Fi

I had issues like yours, but the problem was my router configuration. There are two ways to fix this, one is to change your Wi-Fi settings on the router, the other is to enable QoS (which I understand people sometimes don't like to do) I personally have found doing both solutions works best as these are solutions issued directly by Apple. And in my own experience, this not only fixed connectivity problems, but also speed and stability issues with my Apple devices on my home network.

There are currently two iPhone 4's (not to be confused with iPhone 4S), three iPod touch's (2G, 3G, and 4G {the numerical generations for the iPod's, not the non-existent cellular data connectivity}), an iPad 2, occasionally a MacBook Pro, and three Windows-based PC's (which I am not fond of); speaking simply, if these solutions don't work for you, either you didn't follow the instructions below, or you're simply not someone who should be using such sophisticated devices (A.K.A.-computers, phones, etc....you should probably go be Amish)

➕ Now before I get started, make sure you have WPA2 "Security Mode" enabled with a good password or your neighbors are probably using your Internet. Also the fixes are geared directly towards those with Apple devices who have issues connecting to their own home Wi-Fi, who have WPA2 security enabled on their routers, and also towards those with intermittent connectivity and/or slow connection speeds.

Solution #1

⚠(steps- follow in order or don't bother reading them because you will mess up and whine all over the discussion boards, preventing comp)

1. Go to the router setup page (using your browser, follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to access this)

2. Look for a tab named something like "Applications and Gaming" (and click it)

3. Look for something called QoS (click it)

4. Turn on QoS (which may be called WMM {Wi-Fi multi-media} support depending on the manufacturer of your router)

5. Save your settings by clicking the "Save Settings" button

6. Reboot your router

7. Attempt to connect to your Wi-Fi with your problem device

8. If you are still unable to connect, then continue on to solution #2. If you are able to connect after solution #1, do not screw with your router settings anymore or you will be stuck having to do this all over again.

ℹ-(something that would be somewhat comical due to stupidity, but also a pain in the bum)

Solution #2

⚠(steps- yes you still have to follow them in order, I don't care how smart you think you are, if you want the problem fixed, follow the simple instructions that I am putting 20 minutes of my life into writing for those technologically challenged, or simply hated by their electronics for whatever reason)

1. Go to router setup page

2. Look for a tab named something like "Wireless" (click it)

3. Look for a tab named something like "Basic Wireless Settings" (click it)

4. Now you should see a screen that has stuff like "Network Mode, Network Name, Channel Width, Channel, SSID Broadcast," etc.

5. Look for Network mode (click it and you should see a drop-down menu)

6. If possible, choose "Mixed" as this option provides you with the most compatibility and least amount of headaches. (click mixed and then save your settings by clicking the "Save Settings" button"

7. If you want to be difficult (or are capable of doing this without completely boning your Wi-Fi for every other device) and only use a specific Wi-Fi standard (ex. 802.11a/b/g/n), first verify that the device you are trying to connect supports that wireless standard, and then you must ensure that every other device connecting also supports that standard or you will completely annihilate the ability to connect to your Home Wi-Fi on those devices. (and ensuing the wrath of the owners of those devices until you change the network mode back to 'Mixed")

8. Check the "Channel Width," it should say either "Auto" or "20 MHz Only," and if it doesn't then you need to click it, select "Auto, or 20MHz Only" and click whichever you choose, (personally, I'd just click "Auto"), and save your settings by clicking the "Save Settings" button.

ℹThis is where the ability to see the network and not connect is either your fault for playing with settings you don't understand, or your router manufacturer's fault for telling you to change it (or it being default). Because Apple devices do not support connecting to networks that use 40MHz channel width, besides those that support Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n; 802.11n on 2.4GHz and 5GHz). Many people who have connectivity issues can easily resolve them just by changing this one setting.

9. Reboot your router after saving your settings. (wait 60 seconds to make sure that your changes were saved successfully- usually there is a dialogue that says so unless you are using a cheap router that was built before iPhone's came out)

10. Verify your that your device is able to connect to the network, and if you are able to, then CONGRATULATIONS, YOU NOW MAY USE Wi-Fi ON YOUR DEVICES! If you aren't able to, then you either have an outdated router, or did not follow the instructions.

I hope this guide helped you,

thanks for reading guys!

ForgeMaster343 - The iPhone is a MOBILE device, which means that it is made to work with any router. If your router is a problem, the fault is in the phone or the OS. You should never have to change or even futz with your router to get your phone to connect properly. I just went throught this with my new iPhone 5. Since it was still under warranty, I got a replacement and have had zero problems since. (By the way, I tried every trick mentioned in this and other threads on the same subject, including 2 different routers, which I had on hand.)

Thanks for the reply, but how does my wifi configuration prevent me from viewing all of my neighbours wifi connections????

If my iphone cannot connect to my wifi it should stilll see any available networks right?

My iphone cannot detect my neigbours networks....*** does this have to do with my router?????

When my iphone wants to play ball it detects my network and all my neighbours, when it drops it it just searches, other times the wifi logo is greyed out with no wifi connection.

This is not a wifi router issue.....it's obvious. My iphone will not pick up the networks at work either.....you telling me a big multi has wifi issues too?

This is a software/hardware issue. I want to detect it to get to the root of the problem. Some feedback on the software, but now am considering this to be a hardware problem. Keep the feedback coming!

If it was made to work with any router, than why would you even have to put a password in? Why would you have a CONFIGURATION (basically the wifi options) in your settings app if you didn't have to do SOMETHING to make it work? The fix I posted wasn't meant for you to tell me publicly that it didn't work for you. Personally, I don't care. I posted it to help people who wanted help, not to have someone who doesn't understand the technology tell me that my wifi magically started working after following the steps I put above. This worked for everyone I know, and even the local high school who I provide NETWORKING services for. It's a mixture of both hardware and software as pointed out by another poster.

JUST TO BE CLEAR, IN CASE YOU ARE INCAPABLE OF READING THE (In response to iRageU95), MY FIX WAS FOR THE PERSON WHO STARTED THIS DISCUSSION. NOT A DIRECT RESPONSE TOWARDS ANYONE ELSE.

Your inability to connect to your neighbors wifi is not surprising , as wifi has trouble traveling distance through walls. However, the wifi greying out is possibly a software issue. Many people had wifi problems after the new iOS update, which was due in part to a test page (that your device uses to check Internet connectivity when you connect to a network, however this process is invisible to you unless you have knowledge of how iOS works and the ability to track incoming and outgoing connections) being taken offline. Apple has since restored the page, fixing such problems, although there is the possibility of the site going down since machines do break.

If your device has consistently had this problem, your best course of action is a fresh restore and proper network settings. Unless you are still under Apple's one year limited warranty or AppleCare, in which case you should call them or visit your local Genius Bar to have your phone's hardware tested.

Thank you for wasting 20 minutes of your time with your "holier than thou" response. There is a reason the Apple logo has a bite out of it... They will NEVER have the full apple! I have no time for guys calling other people idiots because something is not working and you believe you have the cure for cancer! This is a real problem and Apple refuses to acknowledge that their CRAP devices are the problem! Why would a iPhone work on a router and after upgrading to iOS 6 the SAME device suddenly doesn't work on the SAME router???? After upgrading an iPad to iOS6 it no longer connects with the SAME router???

You have no time for Windows PCs... WELL THEY WORK!

It's time for Apple to step up to the plate and fix their RUBBISH they are making millions of!

hhelmbold - You have my complete sympathies. I think Apple will come up with a fix. I think they do not know what the problem is at this point, hence no word. That's a mistake businesswise, but nothing we can do about it. I also have an iPhone 4, which I have not upgraded to iOS 6 because of these problems. There is something you can do. If your phone is out of warranty, and Apple will not replace it free, google for how to revert back to iOS 5. It's agains the rulest to talk about how to do that here, but you will find info if you google. Your phone may even be worth more afterwards.

Sk8Dreams - thanks for your sympathies. To be honest... My 2 iPhones are now used as gaming devices for my kids and I have moved on. I still use my iPad in frustration but I get by. I have thought several times of moving back to iOS5 and I have also advised other family not to upgrade, but now it is becoming impossible to use the iPAd if you haven't upgraded! Apple is forcing the biggest load of rubbish down on everyone and they are not addressing the problems. There are several apps that now require iOS6, so what's happening is that the apps start to update on the iPad and then it just "hangs" - you can still use the apps that are not updating. But basically the iPAd is crippled until you update to iOS6... after which it gets totally busted!

I really HATE Apple and the iPhone was the first Apple device I thought is quite cool and is working... until they stuffed it up like all their other devices with their software! Apple has AMAZING hardware - but their software developers is the piece that is missing from the logo... the bite that has been taken and spat out!

Like others I have had the many wi-fi problems discussed in this thread, it drove me insane to the point I abandoned my iPhone altogether

In November 2011 I decided enough was enough, and switched to a Galaxy S3, it connected to my wi-fi (Apple Time Capsule) at once and as been rock solid ever since

I would have never made this move as I was an Apple fan, but now I have discovered a world outside of the Apple ecosystem I am gradually switching all my stuff away from Apple

I say this not to score points but to point out the damage Apple are doing by not addressing this wi-fi issue

After trying everything else I have decided to go down the service route. My phone is still covered by a 1 year warranty. I don't live near an apple store so will send my phone in for repair/replacement. Fingers crossed.

I have had the same issue, resetting hasn't helped. On the phone to apple for over an hour, now they are replacing my phone. How frustrating.

They were going to charge me $50 for the shipping express option, I said this was not acceptable as it was an apple problem that has resulting in me requiring a new device, so they agreed to ship the new phone free of charge.

My wifi suddenly stopped working, and then I recalled that my wifi finder app was messing up, so I deleted the wifi finder app and immediately everything else went back to normal. If you have wifi finder app, try deleting it.

HI Greg TB - I wonder if you are ble to help me too please?

I have tried pretty much every thing from turning off phones routers, forgetting network etc etc but nothing seems to allow me to log onto my home wifif. Both my husband and son with a Iphone 3 and Iphone 4 are able to connect but my wheel keeps spinning and times out each time I try to reset it.

It therefore does not have a tick on the left of the network that I want to connect to. when I go to the IP address bit it seems to have picked up the IP address and subnet mask

but not the routernor DNS.

The IP address and the subnet mask number that my phone is picking up is different to the numbers and address on the other 2 phones??? very confused!!

Are you able to shed any light on this please?

Your help would be appreciated

funny.. i have all my devices on iOS6 working great... TROLLOLOLOL!

i think the part that got spat out of the Apple logo was you... possibly you are cursed with bad luck on technology? :S runs in the family?

chunwan maybe you need to learn how to read. At least ForgeMaster343 gave some constructive input.

My phone could not detect wifi networks, icon greyed out. This has nothing to do with router configuration. Tried all solutions given in this thread to no avail. Restored software, followed all step by step guides...all failed.

Phone could not detect networks at work....huge credit card provider, you telling me I need to tell them how to configure their network?

Sent phone back under warranty. Response.. If a hardware component has failed with an iPhone under warranty that is covered under warranty - not due to abuse or accidental damage, the iPhone will be exchanged. That is where I'm at.

Before you get on your high horse calling people ingrates, maybe read the posts carefully. Troll you maybe, smart...I don't think so. Why you waste time to make your post amazes me. Helps no one, just kissing the *** of someone else who was trying to help. Get a life!