Q: wifi greyed out iphone 4s

How could it be the iOS 6 update when not everyone experiences this problem? Where I work, we have 50 company iPhone users and 15 personal iPhone users. Not a single one had the wifi button grayed out when upgrading (and they were all upgraded). While I sympathize with those who did experience the problem, you cannot blame it on the upgrade.

Same problem here -- was working fine, and yesterday, no wifi, no bluetooth. All other devices are fine. Argggh.

Turn off the Bluetooth then go to the general settings and turn off the cellular

Then reset the network settings. I did that and it worked for a month

When it happen again I tried it but it didn't work

I got desperate and tried the hair dryer to the port where the headphone is inserted

When I first read that solution I thought the person was kidding

But it actually works, you have to heat it up until it won't let u turn it on right away

But once it cools and you restart it, it works like magic.

Good luck

OK!!! PLEASE READ! IF YOU HAVEN"T DONE THIS YET, DO IT NOW CAUSE IT WORKS!!!

First try all of the basic things suggested in this thread on your iPhone 4s.

But lemme tell you what worked for me.

Get a blow dryer, and heat the iphone corner up for 3 minutes. (HAS TO BE WHERE HEADPHONE JACK IS).

Then, if you have nice cold A/C, put the iphone in fronmt of the A/C till it's ice cold. OR Put in freezer for like 6 minutes or so. (A/C worked for me)

So what really happens when the WiFi grays out?

Well, the temperature sensor is a mechanism that if the iPhone gets too hot, it will turn everything off so nothing will melt, or overheat and desolder or break. That's what heppens to the WiFi chip. It overheats. (usually after a fresh ios6 restore) and the temperature sensor tells the WiFI to shut off altogether.

Spread the word. I was like, "holy crap", and you will be too.

Though, if the phone has been internally tampered with, it might not work and the WiFi antenna was probably physically damaged.

LMK if this helps yall!!!!

It does...didn't see this. Good fo you!

Preaching to the choir, padre.  Too many people assume that their, personal situation is indicative of everyone's situation. 

This is the most popular problem and it is everywhere. I have never seen this issue stay after the procedure is done to fix it. Ever. UNLESS, like I mentioned, the WiFi was internally broken by rough hands and pyshical contact. I fix, rebuild, and sell iPhones for profit. So I should know...heck I should.

I meant the part about people assuming that an iOS upgrade caused the problem.  It doesn't cause it; it reveals it.

Well, IMO, the upgrade causes everything to show its ugly face on the iDevices.

I would recommend NOT putting your iPhone in the freezer (or Frig). I do not know if an iphone could pick up enough moisture to activate the 'water damage' sensor, but Why even risk that? It clearly seems the 'fix' happens from heating the iPhone as descibed. I think cooling it quickly via the freezer/frig. would add no value, but may add another big problem. Putting your phone by an air conditioning vent (home or car, would NOT add moisture. But, If I was doing this procedure, I would let it cool at room temp, even if it took 20- 30 mins. Even my A.D.D. personality can wait THAT long.  ;o)

I found this MUCH discussed issue when recently researching whether to update from iOS 5.0.1 on my AT&T 4S to iOS 6. Obviously I am choosing to stay right where I am (5.01.). When iOS 7 comes out, I'll wait a month or two and reseach how that has gone for folks. As a loyal Mac and iPhone fan, I used to update with all OS ugrades when released. I have had problems on occasion after an update (on iMac), so my default is to never update right away (and back up prior to). I do realize that this issue as well as many issues that develop do not affect all, or probably most phones/ Macs, but having been in the VERY frustrated 'problemed population' before (4S poor battery life out of the box), I want to lessen my chances of problems. Like, would you pick a pass code of 1234? Sure it works, until it doesn't. Like longer passwords, I like to increase my odds of avoiding problems.

It was very hard to go non iPhone, but my wife recently lost her iPhone 4 and wanted to go with a 'bigger screen' for work (she's an admin and views her phone screen alot). She chose to go Android (LG Optimus G Pro). She loves it (and I do too ;o)  But she is in a Windows world, so there was no inteface downsides for her. I have always had Macs. But because of all the problems I (poor battery life on 4S) and others have had AND the sound of "C R I C K E T S" from Apple on this and other issues, I am researching Android/Mac syncing and interfaces. They are not as easy, but I well may jump ship to Android for the OS and maybe a 5" screen as my eyes are not getting better.  ;o)  Sad to see Apple in this light. I don't know if it is related, but I do miss you Steve.

PS. Playing with the wife's new Andoid LG has surprised the heck out of this die hard iOS/ Mac devotee. I find the OS VERY user friendly and even more useful than my iOS. Even just the simple things like being able to CLOSE all open Apps with one key stroke (HUGE + to me) and show a contact # on the lock screen, as well as many other things I see I can do on Android that I cannot on on my 4S. I'll stop now. Sorry my intend was not to do a change OS speach..

Best to you all in your iOS and real lives! 

That's why you put the device in a plastic bag with the air removed.  Vacuum seal bags are best for this.

But I don't recommend the procedure in any event, since it means you don't get the OOW service option anymore.

If there was a need to put your phone in the freezer/frig, a zip lock and sucking out all the air (air has moisture in it that condenses when cooled), would reduced the amount of moisture in the air to condense on internal parts. The the minute amount of air actually inside the phone might not be an issue...

But since it seems what causes the 'fix' is 'reflowing' the solder on the wifi connection (from the heat), I cannot see how rapidly cooling that rewarmed solder, would be more helpful. I could be wrong.

My wifi started greying out while the 4s was still under gaurantee. I made an appointment to get it exchanged, but then it mysteriously started working again - so foolishly I didn't go through with the exchange.

Over the next six months, the problem became more intermittent until it finally stopped working completely and all the fixes (heat, freeze etc) could not get it working again. By then my guarantee was expired.

I had to make an appointment with Apple Store who replaced my phone for €199 (that is about $266). The salesperson refused to even acknowledge that there is a problem with the wifi chip, and told me that it was no different than if I had dropped it in water. I told him that there were many people in the same position as me on the internet and the arrogant little snot replied "and there are a lot of people who drop their phones in water too".

I now have 90 days so before the 90 days is up I will insist on exchanging the phone anyway - I will just say the wifi is intermittent again.

I suggest everybody else do the same - just before the guarantee expires tell Apple you have greyed out wifi and insist on changing the phone. If it is working when you're in the store - point them to all these threads with users complaining about intermittent wifi.

I literally just fixed mine by doing this. I read this in all of the comments below me and it seems to work. I really dont understand why it works but it did.

Turn off your iphone

Use blow dryer to heat it up by blowing into the ear piece for approximately 2 minutes.

Let it cool off for a minute because it will be VERY hot to the touch

Turn your iphone back on and it should be working. Amazed me when this worked but it does.

Hope it works for you to!!!

works! Just did it!