iOS 6 WiFi option is GREYED OUT (unrelated to iOS 6 WiFi connectivity issues)

About a month ago I had to get my iPhone 4S replaced because sound was not working correctly on it. I was missing phone calls and text messages. This was all after iOS 6.

For about a week I had no problem with my phone until I noticed my internet speed was reaaaaaally slow at home. I noticed my wifi had been disconnected and it was not reconnecting when I attempted. I restarted my phone to see if that would solve the issue. By then the wifi decided to completely grey out.

I tried EVERY solution I found on the internet (except the freezer solution because that just did not seem like a good idea) and NOTHING worked. For almost a month I lived without wifi on my phone. I made an appointment with Apple for this weekend, but then I came back to this post and read about the Flashlight app fix.

It sounded silly to me, but I decided to give it a shot anyway since I figured it couldn't hurt. And guess what!? It worked!

I don't know if it will work for everyone, but if you have tried everything and you are not getting anywhere, give it a shot. For me it surely beats going to the mall to get my phone replaced during a week when the mall will definitely be crazy with people exchanging and returning Christmas gifts. I'm glad I don't have to put up with that mess.

Apple really needs to solve this issue because it's absolutely ridiculous that a flashlight of all things is what fixed my phone. Especially when I'm pretty certain that iOS 6 was the cause of it in the first place.

i'm trying it right now--- thank you so much for the idea! because that sounds 100x safer than the freezer or hair dryer idea!

THE FLASHLIGHT TRICK WORKS.

i tried it, and it worked perfectly! thank you so so so much jaizoll!

you just saved me $800!

Hi Jaizoll,

How's it going now? I actually had the same issue intermittently when wifi toggle button becomes active and then dies after a few days. I am actually trying this tip right now. Please advise if this is working for you still. TIA

I'm glad if it helped at least few of you:) it's been only 4 days since it fixed my phone, but for now everything is still OK. Even battery life got back to normal..when wifi button was greyed out my phone was using almost whole battery during one night (e.g. 100%-->12% in 7 hours without being used!). That was even more annoying than wifi problem. But the flashlight trick also fixed it-I wonder for how long.. Apple needs to hurry up with service,they are losing clients in a stupid way..what makes Samsung happy btw;)

Flashlight trick did not work for me :(

My iPhone 4s wifi became "greyed out" about a week after updating to iOS 6.0.1. It's always worked perfectly, no problems, and nothing seemed to trigger the failure (no changes in software/firmware, hadn't synced or changed any settings, no extreme temperature changes and I hadn't dropped/damaged the handset in any way).

I researched the problem extensively, apparently this isn't an uncommon issue. I tried all the standard troubleshooting; reset, "hard reset", reset network settings, reset router, even did a full factory reset, nothing worked. I saw that other people in the forums have had success heating their phone up with a hair dryer and putting their phones in the freezer, ridiculous as that sounds. There's no Apple store anywhere near me, and I'm not eager to send my phone in to support by mail, so as a last resort I placed my phone in the freezer for 15 minutes. I can't endorse this method, because I'm sure it's not good for the phone and could potentially cause more damage to the battery & hardware. When I removed mine from the freezer, it showed the "connect to battery" icon on the screen (even though it had full battery when I put it in), then shut itself down. There was quite a bit of condensation beneath the screen, I dried it as best I could and powered it back up, and the wifi was working!! That was yesterday afternoon, and it's still working as of now. From what I understand, the phone's internal sensor mistakingly believes it's overheating, so it's shutting down the wifi (because wifi causes the phone's temperature to increase). Not sure why people aren't having the problem until after updating to iOS 6, but hopefully there's a firmware fix that Apple will release soon, since it appears to be a widespread issue.

Good luck!

Emily M.

Flashlight doesn't work for me too 😐

hi everyone out there i help my gf update her iPhone 4S OTA without using computer & after updating the wifi button was grey . after trying all kind of solution for 2 days i tried this : go to setting - general - cellular - turn off 3G & data , then press the power button & off phone . then power on & check the wifi button to see whether you can toggle it or not . if wifi work , go to general - cellular - turn on the 3G & data .

I know it would for me & have not have the chance to find out whether this last or not but until now it is still working now. let me know if there is anything arises from it . hope this solve the wifi grey out issue !

Completely draining my iPhone 4S so that I could not even get the "low Battery" Icon on power up worked for me temporarily (couple of hours)
No wifi signals are available were there are over 20 though the wifi option is not currently greyed out

I have already:
Settings ~ General ~ Reset ~ Reset Network Settings
Settings ~ General ~ Reset ~ Erase All Content and Settings
iTunes Restore
iTunes Restore from DFU mode with fresh download of IOS (Hold down Home button whilst connecting & follow instructions)

My research also revealed the following options:
Downgrade IOS ... Only possible if jailbreak so NOT an option
!!!!!! HAIRDRYER !!!!!! TOTALLY MAD !!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT TRY THIS
!!!!!! FREEZER !!!!!! TOTALLY MAD !!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT TRY THIS
An iPhone is a sensitive electronic device
The components are heat sensitive & can easily be destroyed by extremes of temperature
Operating ambient temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
Non operating temperature: −4° to 113° F (−20° to 45° C)

I would suggest that even though the lowest temp is −20° C there would be dangers to the LCD display & damage caused by moisture in freezer / device

I expect there are several causes to this symptom
>Corrupt wifi settings (Reset Network Settings)
>Corrupt IOS installation (Erase All Content and Settings & restore)
>Hardware failure.. if the wifi components fail this may show short term resolution after extremes of temperature or just switching off to allow device to cool
>An issue with the IOS update itself that either fails to recognise the wifi components after some unknown trigger
Possibly the IOS update is overstressing the wifi through more aggressive power management maybe to squeeze extra performance out or through error
This could cause overheating & possibly hardware damage
I suspect I have a hardware failure
As over a year old I probably have a very expensive door stop as most services will max out my 3G allowance
Off for a GENUS appointment on Wednesday to see if there is any admission of responsibility by Apple

This is so brutal. I've been waiting FOREVER for this problem to be solved. I've restarted a million times and reformatted countless times. Nothing will solve this as of yet. !!!!!!!! EPIC FAIL FOR APPLE

Having the same issue here. Tried all the fixes listed and still cant connect. Spent a day on the phone with Apple and there only suggestion was to buy Apple care fro $299.97! I have had the iPhone 4 for less than 6 months and this is the second major issue...Never buying an Apple product again....looking forward to reactivating the ol flip phone, it even has a camera! screw smart(ish)phones and Apple

Hi Keith,

You do not need to buy Applecare if you bought you iPhone 4 new in the last 6 months. iPhones are covered by a 1 year warranty through Applecare by default.

You have a couple of options... If you live near an Apple store make an appointment at a genius bar and have them swap it out under warranty.

If you don't then contact Applecare via Apple support, they will arrange for a new phone to be sent out and return of your old one.

Note you can access your support profile using this link https://supportprofile.apple.com/MySupportProfile.do if your device is not present, it is easy to add using it's serial number.

Usually in this process there are two options; send your fault hardware to Applecare and they will send the replacement hardware. OR Applecare will take a credit card number and 'hold funds', send you the replacement hardware first and then you send back your faulty hardware. Once they receive your faulty hardware (if found to be faulty) they 'release' the funds hold on your credit card.

I had the same issue with my iPhone 4S and on contact with Applecare used the second option. My replacement hardware arrived within 3 days and I send the old device back. All good now; and have not had an issue with the replacement device.

I am also one of many with the same problem with the 4s/iOS 6 and the wifi greyed out.

I went to the Apple store and it was incredibly easy to swap out my phone for a new one under warranty. However, three weeks later I am getting the same problem.

Dear Apple

Please fix.

Regards,

Every 4s owner in the world (assuming of course you want any of us to own a 5s)

Just recently upgraded my 4s to ios6 and wifi button is grayed out. Hard to believe this issue has been reported numerous times since Sept/2012 and there is still no official fix for it. Extremely disappointing!