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wifi is greyed out and cant turn on

wifi is greyed out and cant turn on

iPhone 4S

Posted on Jan 28, 2013 2:49 PM

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20 replies

Feb 14, 2013 7:44 AM in response to vickersjaime

My iPhone 4s was experiencing the same problem since the iOS 6.1 (intermittent with unstable wifi connection) then iOS 6.1.1 (completely greyed wifi). After numerous resets (network, all setting and even complete reset), no luck.


My last resort was put it in the freezer for 30 minutes and WALLA!! it works now seamlessly!!!! Let see how long this will last as many forumers said it will dissapear once the phone got hot. For me, it has been 3 hours and still going strong for now..

Mar 9, 2013 1:57 PM in response to vickersjaime

Have you tried this: iOS: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings grayed out or dim - Support - Apple


If that doesn't work, also posted as reply to another thread on the identical issue:

For me it was a non-recoverable device failure. I've had the same issue on my iPhone 4S every since the 6.1 update at the end of Jan. I tried everything, network reset, all reset, restore from older backup. Updating to 6.1.1, then 6.1.2 did not help. I finally made an appt at the genius bar at an apple store and went in today. They tried everything too, opened it, did a full factory software wipe and reinstall (except for my data, of course)...still didn't work. I was told that the 6.1 update had messed up my 4S firmware and there's nothing more they could do. They suggested that I upgrade to iPhone 5 or get another 4S at my expense. I suggested that they restore my iOS to 6.0.x so that my phone could be fully functional again. Apparently there's no way to revert to 6.0.x. At which point I asked to speak to the manager. I explained that I had to be allowed the option to keep my phone and get my wifi working without having to buy anything. In the end, the manager agreed it was fair for them to give me a new iPhone 4S at their expense.


Additional Note: on my 4S, immediately after the 6.1.2 update, my battery was going from fully charged to fully drained in a fraction of a day. I once charged it fully, set it to airplane mode, and let stand overnight. By morning it was down to 15%. My take-away from all of this: iOS 6.1.x wreaks havoc with iPhone 4S hardware

May 6, 2013 7:46 AM in response to vickersjaime

I just experienced the same issue. I am VERY disappointed in the apple customer service. I called and I was told that they would charge me $100 to repair this since this is a "software" related issue. My iphone 4s is less than a year old and it is still under warranty. Apparently the warranty is only for hardwares, not softwares. Come on, this is SO STUPID. Apple issues all the OS upgrades, and after I install what they issued, I have to pay for the software repair that was caused by this upgrade? This is unbelievable. I have the latest 6.1.3 version, and ever since I upgraded, i started to have wifi connection issues. It would kick me out of the network from time to time, orignially i thought it was the network connection, then i realized it is actually the phone itself. It just finally broke down completely last night. I tried everything and nothing works. I still can not believe apple charges customers for software issues that they caused by inforcing the upgrade. And apparently, there is no way to go back to the old operating system either. How dumb is this?

May 17, 2013 5:09 AM in response to ChloeLu

I total agree with what you are saying.


I have the same problem. I tried the suggested troubleshooting guides for the support iphone which hasn't solves my problem. After reading about this problem on Apple forum and different websites this appears to be a world wide issue.


My phone is now out of warranty and like you say, when there is a software update most people tend to update there device so that your get the latest features or fixes. i think i started having this issue after updating to ios 6.1 because i noticed the phone was getting hot to touch which made me on the odd occasion turn my phone off to allow to cool down which is when i noticed the wifi was grayed out but after turning the phone off because i didn't really need it the wifi would work again. My mistake was i should off taken it to a Apple store straight away but instead i waited for the next ios release to fix the problem. After updating my phone the issue seemed to go away but after updating to 6.1.3 the wifi is grayed out again.


I made an appointment with an Apple Genius at the Apple Store in Birmingham UK hoping that because this seemed to be an issues around the world they would swap my phone free of charge or offer to repair it.


After explaining the problem i had he said he wanted to run some diagnostic test on my phone🙂 He took the serial number of the phone and then immediatly told me that my phone was out of warranty and there was nothing that could be done to repair it.😕 I said i thought you wanted to run a diagnostic on the phone and he then told me there was nothing he could do because as long as i had the latest ios on the phone that would fix the problem unless it was a hardware issue and they didn't have the facility to make repair and would offer to make any repair because they would just recycle the phone and offer to replace my phone for a £140 which i don't have. After a short argument with the Techie i left.


I received a call from customer support yesterday who asked me about my experience which i told him that i wasn't impressed because i had already done what had be suggested on their support site before i got to the store. I also asked why can't i go back to a previous ios because at least my wifi was working before 6.1.3 he said that that question gets asked quite often and he would pass this info on and he also said that the latest ios is designed to turn of any faulty parts (wifi) hence why i'm unable to turn it back on. He was very sympathetic because there does seem to be a lot of people with this problem and if apple do decide that this is a poor workmanship on these device they would be in touch.


We will see. My advice would be to keep reporting it people. The more we complain the better the chance of someone listening.


And as for heating it up or putting it in a freezer, i personally cant afford the risk of total destroying my phone.

May 23, 2013 10:19 AM in response to vickersjaime

Hi all,

I am having the same problem. After wasting hours trying all the fixes on line and making phone calls to the help lines there only option was to send them my phone and they would change the modem for one that would work with the update at a cost of £140 to myself!!! His explanation was that the phone must have had the fault but until the update it went undetected.

My question was how do I know that the fault was not on the phones from the off? Surely the phone is not fit for purpose if the components fail due to a standard software upgrades or the software upgrades should be removed to allow the phone to function fully?

I can not see how they can be allowed to get away with this and rip off customers like this. You buy what is arguably one of the best and most expensive phones on the market, sign up to a two year contract that out lasts the phone due to software up dates!!

May 30, 2013 8:43 AM in response to shaneb1977

hi! i had the same problem that started just today and im glad i can sleep sound.. 🙂 my wifi geyed out too.. i did these steps and it worked..


>go to settings and turn your airplane mode on as well as your do not disturb mode..

>turn your phone off.. wait for 3-5 minutes.. then turn it back on..

>then turn your do not disturb mode and airplane mode off..


>after doing these steps, i hope your phone's wifi is already working just like mine.. goodluck! i hope it helps! 🙂

Jun 3, 2013 9:27 PM in response to Macer101

Hi, I have just had the same problem.....all the network resets & hard resets have not worked!

Spoke to Apple who basically told me that IOS6 software updates have damaged the wifi & the phone needs to be replaced. The tech on the end of the phone said "in your case its the wifi" which indicates there maybe other issues with the software damaging the phones. Looking at the amount of people who have had this problem in these forums however you should not be paying anything & apple shold be replacing your phone FOR FREE as they have basically forced people to update with malicious software. I'm off to see the "genius bar" tomorrow or as I like to call it the "idiot bar". My advice don't waste your time demand a replacement!

Jun 27, 2013 2:27 PM in response to packermom3

I had this same exact problem and took my phone to my local Apple store. They did a diagnostic test and verified that my airport card was damaged due to the iOS 6.1.3 update and since it was out of waranty it had to replaced for 199$ which, they explained, was the actual price it cost to make the phone so the company did not make any money on this replacement. Basically I was told their software damaged my phone and it was my responsibility to replace it. This was not okay with me since my phone was in otherwise perfect condition other than the damage caused by their software and barely 4 months out of waranty. I refused to pay for their mistake and spoke to a general sales person, a technician and finally some of the managers and was finally able to get a replacement phone with completely no cost to me. The technician who helped me was amazing with the best customer service I've ever experienced at an Apple store.


Long story short, if this happens to you and they want you to pay 200$ for a replacement if your phone is in perfect condition and out of waranty don't settle,

wifi is greyed out and cant turn on

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