Newsroom Update

Apple and Google deliver support for unwanted tracking alerts in iOS and Android. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iphone 5 wont stay connected to wifi

My iPhone 5 keeps dropping wifi connection after about 30 seconds of being connected. It's not my router or internet because we bought 2 phones and the other phone works and stays connected just fine. It's only my phone. It tries to connect to a website, youtube, email, whatever and then just times out. If I attempt to renew the lease it renews with some strange IP address that isn't tied to my router and leaves the Router and DNS fields blank. I have reformatted, reset network settings, reinstalled the OS, forgotten the access point and re-entered, changed the wifi channel for troubleshooting steps so far. Any further ideas other than a bad antenna?

iPhone, iOS 6

Posted on Sep 21, 2012 2:53 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Sep 21, 2012 10:38 PM

Very similar and very frustrating problem. My regular wifi connections (which are up to date and very fast) will onl work if I'm literally no more than 5 feet away from the router. If I'm farther than that it disconnects and won't even find it! My iPhone 4S still works and connects perfectly from anywhere in the house.

229 replies

Sep 25, 2013 12:18 PM in response to Nilotec

I finally solved my issue by turning off cellular while at home using wifi. I called tech support at Netgear because I couldn't stay connected. I tried everything all of you have posted; forgeting the network, renewing the lease, changing security, etc. What they told me at Netgear is that when I have cellular turned on it's competing with the wifi. I have Verizon wireless, an iphone 5 and ipad 2 and couldn't stay connected. My husband has ATT, an iphone 4s and ipad3, leaves his cellular on and never has an issue. It looks like the LTE4 is competing with our 5G wireless router. It's a nag to turn it on when leaving and off when home again, but at least now I know what the issue is and how to fix it. Hope this helps.

Nov 13, 2013 2:40 PM in response to Nilotec

I am going insane with this problem , i have a similar issue were my iphone 5s disconnect with the wifi every 30 seconds and i have to go back to settings and press on it to connect again

I tried the following :

1) turning the airplane mode on and off

2) renew lease

3) change http to auto

4) "forget this network" and re adding it

5) turning off the cellular data off

6) reset network setting

7) "ask to join networks" on and off

8) turned off the iphone for 10 seconds


Nothing worked i still have to manually go press on it again to connect every minute

Nov 14, 2013 6:01 AM in response to Nilotec

I posted in this thread back in May and "thought" my related iPhone WiFi issues were a thing of the past after using poster Ellywyte's renew lease procedure. Of all the suggestions listed in this very long thread this one lasted the longest. Unfortunately, the problem returned after 48 hours.


I had resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to live with this problem. Coincidentally, I was having difficulty with a system of five IP Camera's that are on my home network maintaining connection as well. Each camera has a static IP address and I have no idea why but I decided to change the port fowarding assignments for these cam's from the low to mid 1020's to ports in the 8000. I know that this sounds strange but after doing this my iPhone, my wife's iPod Touch, and her eReader have never lost the WiFi connection since (and it's been months).


I'm wondering if others with this problem have other devices on their wireless networks that may be causing their problem.

Apr 12, 2014 8:36 AM in response to Nilotec

My iPhone 5c, which has been working perfectly with wi-fi for months is suddenly having problems. I can use wi-fi for a few minutes but it is slow and then loses connection quickly. I smashed my screen a few days ago and had it repaired by an electronics shop. Since then it has not been working, I am wondering if this has anything to do with my problems.

Apr 26, 2014 5:23 PM in response to Nilotec

I spent multiple tries on this topic and finally found the solution to fixing this problem. (Weather the phone is plugged in or not)

If your iPhone 5 (S, C or regular) is dropping your connection to your infrastructure network (Home or Business) whatever the case may be; follow these steps


For Home Users.
1. Unlock iPhone and go to settings. Choose WiFi and Connect to the desired network and tap the ℹ icon


2. Observe all the Numbers and Values for: (See Image "Before" for example)
IP address
Subnet Mask
Router
DNS
Search Domains
You can Omit the Client ID (Not required)



3. Choose Static from the 3 Bars at the top (|DHCP|BootP|Static)

Enter in the same values but change the last 3 digits of the IP address from it's original (Eg XXX.XXX.XXX.100 change it to XXX.XXX.XXX.75)



4. Go back to the list of networks. Are you connected? (Checkmark)
______________________________________________________________

For Workplace users you may need information from your network administrator unless you are savy.


1. Unlock iPhone and go to settings. Choose WiFi and Connect to the desired network.


2. Download fingbox and run a network scan.
Start from the top IP addresses (Eg: XXX.XXX.XXX.1 and see if there are any devices between XXX.XXX.XXX.1 - XXX.XXX.XXX.20) If there are no devices using any addresses between 1 and 20 choose any number.
If there are see your network administrator and request if he/she would enter this in on the device. (NOT IN THEIR SERVERS)


3. Tap the ℹ icon



4. Observe all the Numbers and Values for: (See Image before for example)

IP address

Subnet Mask

Router

DNS

Search Domains

You can Omit the Client ID (Not required)


5.Choose Static from the 3 Bars at the top (|DHCP|BootP|Static)

Enter in the same values but change the last 3 digits of the IP address from it's original (Eg XXX.XXX.XXX.155 change it to XXX.XXX.XXX.15)


6. Go back to the list of networks. Are you connected?
________________________________________________


BEFORE

User uploaded file
AFTER
User uploaded file

May 24, 2014 7:18 PM in response to abouyahya731

I will have to look into the Bluetooth functionality using an iPhone shortly. However for the other part in regards to WiFi if you don't mind (Since It can become confusing I'll make it easier) I will have you go to the WiFi network you want to stay connected to (Like your home wireless) and send me a snip of the numbers in there.


Unlock the phone and go to the Home Screen, tap settings,go to WiFi and tap the ℹ like icon beside the current wireless network. Take a snip of the numbers in there and send me the image via e-mail. (To take a snip: Hold the top sleep/power button and tap the home screen button together within 3 seconds)




E-mail me the image I will override the numbers for you to replace with. (Also with how to do that)
let me know how many devices are on the same Router or Network and weather it's a Home or Workplace network.
E-mail: dmderbowka@sasktel.net


Do note: If your home consists of wireless access points in multiple locations, your phone may have a more difficult time remaining connected if you are moving from location to location. If you have one router working for everyone then not to worry.

Jul 13, 2015 4:54 PM in response to abouyahya731

Bluetooth should remain connected aslong as the phone and the device are connected to power (If applicable) - in a car, the stereo should automatically request connection when it gets power from it's ignition.


Other devices that are connected via Bluetooth may not stay connected if they are connected to share an internet connection (Such as being if the iPhone is using hotspot mode)


Unfortunately there is not a Static option in Bluetooth so therefore it makes it difficult for any of us to configure this to remain connected.

iphone 5 wont stay connected to wifi

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.