WIFI disabled - Greyed out since iOS 7 update on iphone 4s

There is definitely an overheat sensor. The display has a warning and then it shuts down. Solder issues will be very variable - hardly influenced by a software upgrade. My money is not on widespread solder issues. This is a chip that cant cope with OS7.x

Yes, there definitelly is a sensor but it is not dedicated to a Wifi/Bluetooth chip. And I don't believe there is any on/off switch on wifi chip. And I also don't think that the chip can't cope with iOS7... This is just software and +/- it uses same resources and processing power as iOS6. The only difference is that iOS7 is more demanding and producing more heat than iOS6 under heavy load and therefore this issue affect much more users now. There were users who reported same issue even on iOS6 but it was maybe 1/100... It is really very strange problem, but if it would be only software issue Apple would already fix it, don't you think? We shall hope that 7.1 will help to reduce the heat and our chips will last longer before they need to be re-heated again, eventually they will last "forever" 🙂

Guys,

We can speculate over and over again, but one thing for me is for sure - I had the WIFI chip repaired (replaced) 4x times! Well, a costly experience, I might say.

All the syptoms described in the thread above - I do recognize 'em. Yes, I recall that WIFI sometimes "hanged" - showed no available networks, but the button was still there. When rebooting the phone - it went grey.

Also, I recall I was charging it in the craddle of a Hi-Fi system, and it was super hot - when I took it, I noticed a WIFI network available and - a MIRACLE! - the button was enabled again. Few hours later (cooled down?), the WIFI was not working again (greyed out).

I switched Reduce motion to ON, we'll see what happens. No, that I have switched my iPhone back to ON again, I am just curious how long it will last until WIFI crashes. Countdown - starting from January 14 ("freshly" replaced WIFI chip).

Facts:

#1. Iphone 4S WiFi & Bluetooth working OK prior to IOS7

#2. Iphone 4S WiFi & Bluetooth stopped working OK after IOS7

#3. IOS 7 update causes hardware issues on (some) Iphone series 4(S)...

and, after months of internet discussions.....:

#4. You can't fix this on your own.....

What kind of consumer world are we living in when customers start to experiment with hairdryers and refrigerators on $800 gadgets.......? Would you do the same with your watch, car, TV, radio...?

So why is it that a large group of do-it-yourself technicians are trying to fix problems that should not have occurred in the first place........?

My advice: Go to the nearest Apple store and get a new phone.....for free if you are lucky, or pay the price if you have to.............There are no other lasting solutions, irrespective of the no. of household appliances that you mobilize......

If you would read more you would know, that not only iOS7 users have been affected after they've updated their systems. This was reported also by some iOS6 users. The fact is, that iOS7 has speed up wifi chips to failure because it is much more resources hungry. The wifi can't handle it. But it does mean it is dead. If this is a software issue, then freezer and hair drayer method would not work at all! Also you can fix it, but seems there is not a permanent solution. Most 4s are much more than 1 year old so you would not get them replaced for free... Most of 4s are more than two years old. If this was Apple intent to force users to replace their phones after 2 years, then shame on them.

And if you have no other possiblity to make it work, why one would not try even these extreme methods if it is proven to work??? It's better to put the phone in the locker and don't use it at all ? No. For me the phone without wifi is such a crap - this is SMART phone (mobile data is not an option for me), even more this should be a top quality product. And as one user said, he was so anger with this that he smash his phone at the wall and bought a new HTC one... This issue can make you crazy if you have a non working gadget for 800$ bucks... If Apple is serious they would call all affected users and change phones for free with an apologize. Because they forced us to update and not provide a way to get back! So we are just hostages for them.

So it if works for you than you should be happy. All other desperate users try everything to make it working again.... And who knows, maybe iOS7.1 will fix it. But I'm very sceptical...

I tried all of the fixes suggested in this thread. Restored it, reset network settings, airplane modes on and off etc. Last resort was i put it in a snap lock bag in the freezer for 15 min and it worked.

This is what I did and it worked...Download the Witness Driving app and overheat your 4s using the app with all settings enabled and make sure it is charging as well... it may take 1/2 hour or so (maybe longer)...after that let it cool down (I held mine out the car window while driving) and then just do a reset of all settings. It worked on mine and it also fixed the battery issue as well. It went almost a day before it dropped to 99%, just sitting (not being used). It heats up right by the wifi chip and when you are running video, nav and charging all at once it gets toasty...enough to do the trick. It's been fine for a week so far..... http://youtu.be/FBi7wkatyPQ

This fix works, but it is really a short term effect and it is not good for the phone because of condensation.

This seems interrestig 🙂 It could be a good alternative to hairdrayer or heatgun. For me it could be a good way because I have a foil on the back side and this burn if I use halogen lamp 🙂 I'm just curios for how long it will work for you. Let us know if it is off again. Btw, for me last time when wifi start on and off I had my phone on charger and the heat made it malfunctioning. Then after few hours of cool down the wifi started work again. So I always turn off wifi if the phone is on charger. But I assume the problem will occure again if the phone heats up again and cross the "border". This is really annoying issue, I wish there is any permanent fix to this issue. Maybe placing some heat protector on the wifi chip, or cooler, I don't know 😟

People,

I mentioned earlier in the post that using dryer works and yes, it is temp solution, but I have been using it 4 times and it lasted long enough for me until I could switch to different phone model. I also agree that for such "hight tech" item as iphone it is silly that it was the only solution to resolve the problem unless you are stupid enough to go and pay apple $199 for another 4S lemon.

However, I just switched to ANDROD 2 days ago as I originally promised. At first, it was painful experience. However, the more I use it now, the more I like it. It is great and the fact that u don't have to use STUPID Itunes anymore makes it even more exiting. I have another 2 iphones in my family and two IPADS. Well, I am selling those now and planning to switch to Android devices as well. I have been Apple customer for 6 years and now I am finally free of Apple "great products" and customer service.

Hi all,

I was having same issue and tried almost evrything.

Updating iOS 7.0.4 to 7.1 beta and after around 12 hours wifi started working.

updating to iOS 7.1 beta solves wifi issue for me.

I got rid of my 4s recently. No more hairdryers and shady solutions.

Thank you, Apple. But no, thanks.

@nikhilgohil11What beta did you use? Beta 3 ?? Would be great if this works but I'm bit concerned about the fact that it started to work only after 12h of usage. If this would be a software fix, it would work immediatelly. This could indicate that this will not be permanent. Please keep us posted if the wifi is still working.

@wishkau: also a solution 🙂

Is it still working? When I updated to iOS 7.0.3 the WiFi turned back on pretty much right away but it was very short lived, and even still it wouldn't reliably connect.

Can anybody else confirm or deny whether iOS 7.1 has resolved the disabled WiFI issue?

I had this problem with my 4s which was out of warranty, I took it to the Apple store they confirmed that there was a problem with both the WiFi chip and the battery. The only way it could be fixed was to pay £159 and get a replacement. I went to the THREE shop who I had my 24 month contract with. The shop claimed that I couldn't get it replaced as I had upgraded to IOS 7! Anyway I checked on the web site of Three and there in black and white was the sentence "Users should ensure that their phones are always updated with the latest software!

UK law states that an item must be fit for purpose and if part of a service contract should last a reasonable length of time (the courts have ruled that a reasonable time should be at least as long as the service contract. So I rang three direct, they agreed that I should get it replaced, I would have to pay for the replacement and then send the invoice to Three who would then refund me so I have done that.

The new phone really is like a new phone the battery lasts a couple of days on standby the old one never managed that and the wifi works great. So fingers crossed