iPhone 4S "could not scan for wireless networks" WIFI NOT WORKING?

Question

Level 1

4 points

iPhone 4S "could not scan for wireless networks" WIFI NOT WORKING?

Ok, so I understand there is a million threads on this same issue... YOU'D think it would be fixed by now?

What I don't understand is why the wifi isn't working?

I just got the iPhone 4S yesterday, I already have an iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 is consistently using my home wifi while I am at home PERFECTLY. My iPhone 4 is updated to the latest software too iOS 5.1.

My iPhone 4S will not connect to wifi. I am entering the right WPA user & pass. It is updated with iOS 5.1.

My iPad, iMac, Macbookpro, & iPod ALL have NO TROUBLE connecting to my home wifi.

I do not understand how this is a wireless router issue when it works with all of my other Apple devices BUT the iPhone4S?

I have tried everything under the sun, restart reboot, turn off, turn on, switch network off, switch it on, reset this, reset that?

PLEASE HELP ME! I have never been this disappointed in Apple (as you can tell I own everything by Apple, so I am quite the fan..)

What the ****? 😟

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Apr 8, 2012 8:30 AM

Reply

Answer 1

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Apr 8, 2012 8:33 AM in response to melissareich

Update router firmware?

Reply

Answer 2

melissareich Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2012 8:34 AM in response to ckuan

I don't understand how doing that would change anything?

Why is it working on my iPhone 4 if I needed to update the firmware?

Can you explain....?

Reply

Answer 3

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Apr 8, 2012 8:38 AM in response to melissareich

Router has software (firmware) too. Get the latest will fix quite a lot of problems.

Reply

Answer 4

melissareich Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2012 8:50 AM in response to ckuan

Ok well I haven't tried that

My wireless router is a linksys WRT54G, I'm guessing it's super old is crappy

[BUT it's been working no problem with everything, even my Netflix streaming from my Wii]

Should I buy a new one?!

I don't even know how to log in to it to change settings/ update it. Someone else set it up for me years ago.

Reply

Answer 5

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Apr 8, 2012 8:53 AM in response to melissareich

Linksys Support - Support and Services - of Cisco

Reply

Answer 6

melissareich Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2012 10:17 AM in response to ckuan

Ok, I updated my WRT54G router to the latest firmware v8.00.8.

Still "could not scan for wireless networks"

?????????

See. I told you!! What now. 😢😟

Reply

Answer 7

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,387 points

Apr 8, 2012 10:29 AM in response to melissareich

Settings>General>Resets>Reset Network Settings.

Try temporarily removing the security from your WLAN. Can it connect when unencrypted?

Reply

Answer 8

melissareich Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2012 10:36 AM in response to KiltedTim

Could this be the problem?

iPhone 4 Modem Firmware : 3.0.04

iPhone 4S Modem Firmware : 2.0.10

Wifi is working on my iPhone 4, NOT on 4S -

Why is my new 4S I got yesterday using a 2.0.10 firmware, isn't that old?! Isn't the newest 4.0+?

😕 I am so tired of trying to figure this out.

The Wi-Fi addresses in the About settings are different on both phones too.

Reply

Answer 9

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,387 points

Apr 8, 2012 10:46 AM in response to melissareich

The modem firmware is correct.

The Wi-Fi Address will always be different. That is the MAC address of the network adapter. It is unique for every network device.

Reply

Answer 10

melissareich Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2012 10:51 AM in response to KiltedTim

Ok well I'm restoring the 4S and seeing if that works and this is my last attempt. After this I am going to conclude something is wrong with the phone and has nothing to do on my end.

The wifi on the 4S won't even pick up any wifi signals, like my neighbors (not that I will use theres but on ALL of my devices it picks up plenty of other available wifi. This 4S isn't finding anything.

I don't understand why this issue is so prevalent with everyone yet there is no SOLUTION?!

Reply

Answer 11

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Apr 8, 2012 10:57 AM in response to melissareich

The modem firmware version is different for each model phone. The iPhone 4 has been around longer and has had more firmware revisions. 2.0.10 is current for the 4S.

Reply

Answer 12

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Apr 8, 2012 11:02 AM in response to melissareich

I don't understand why this issue is so prevalent with everyone yet there is no SOLUTION?!

I'ts not at all "prevalent with everyone", and in fact is extremely rare - no more so than any other iPhone model. 99.99999+% of the > 30 million iPhone 4S owners have had no WiFi problems. There are not "a million threads on this issue" as you claimed.

Reply

Answer 13

melissareich Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2012 11:17 AM in response to modular747

Have you not searched this on the forum? Many people are having this issue lol.

Yes I have exeraggerated my numbers due to my anger with this issue, but that is besides the point. There are many thread on this topic.

KiltedTim already answered my question about the modem firmware, I didn't need 2 responses.

----

Restoring didn't work.

Reply

Answer 14

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Apr 8, 2012 11:25 AM in response to melissareich

"Many" people are posting about almost every conceivable problem. If you followed and searched this forum for the last 4 years, you would know that there are no more threads or reports of WiFi problems with the 4S than any prior model. The vast, vast, vast majority of people without problems don't post here.

If restoring as new, without using a backup didn't help, there is a hardware defect in YOUR phone, and you need to take it to Apple for warranty service.

Reply

Answer 15

melissareich Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2012 11:35 AM in response to modular747

What kind of hardware defect do you think it could be? Besides not letting me get wifi, everything else works?

Anyways thanks for everyones reply

This has been pretty annoying

Reply