Wifi works, but only if right next to the router

Question

Level 1

19 points

Wifi works, but only if right next to the router

My phone will show full bars for the wifi signal, but won't connect to the wifi or load pages unless i am in the same room as the router. My wife has the exact same phone as me and my son has the 5s and neither of them have this problem. This is not limited to my house's router. I have the same issue at my in-laws house.

The only thing that i can figure is that the strength of what my phone sends to the wifi router is very weak. It works just fine if i am standing beside the router.

Any ideas or should i drive 45 minutes to the genius bar to get it replaced? Thanks.

iPhone 5, iOS 7.1

Posted on Mar 31, 2014 8:23 AM

Reply

Answer 1

pommeree

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2015 4:35 PM in response to JakkL

JakkL,

I feel your pain as I've been through the same. My daughter's iPod refused to connect with "incorrect password" or simply "can't connect" unless held within inches of the router. It could detect the access points from anywhere in the house and no other devices had this issue.

I rebooted and reset everything including full reset on the iPod. Ultimately I caved and spent the $149 for "service" which is actually an exchange for a new or refurbished iPod.

The replacement worked for about two weeks but is now displaying the IDENTICAL symptoms!

Now I'm thinking 'virus'? Or something in my WiFi environment?

What was your solution ultimately?

Thanks in advance.

-Eric

Reply

Answer 2

JakkL Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 21, 2014 6:34 AM in response to jason269

Hi Jason.

Those steps do not fix my issue. I drove 45 minutes to the Genius bar in Lancaster, PA and the "genius" tried to tell me it must be software. He couldn't explain to me how it is a software issue if it works just fine in close proximity to a router, but slows down or stops when I move 20 feet away even tho the wifi signal strength still reads "full bars". I have the same issue at other wifis like my mom's comcast and my inlaws verizon fios.

I've been a software developer for almost 20 years. I know how to logically debug an issue. It's not software because it works fine if im near the router. Its not my router because it works fine for my wife and son's iphones and I have the same issue at all wifis. It must be my phone's hardware.

The only thing that i haven't tried is wiping out my phone and restoring as new. I haven't done this because I don't think it is worth the time involved since I believe it is a hardware issue with my phone.

Should i just contact Apple Support to request a swap for a refurbished one? My phone is a couple months out of warranty.

Thanks.

Reply

Answer 3

jason269

Community Specialist

Apr 2, 2014 11:07 AM in response to JakkL

Hello, JakkL.

Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.

I see that you are experiencing issues when connecting to Wi-Fi but other people in the household are not having the same issue. I would recommend trying the steps in the article below as they may help with this issue.

iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398

If the issue persists after processing these steps, try reaching out to us via the article below.

Contact Apple for support and service

http://support.apple.com/kb/he57

Cheers,

Jason H.

Reply

Answer 4

JimHdk

Level 7

28,898 points

Apr 21, 2014 6:57 AM in response to JakkL

Yes, your iPhone probably has a hardware problem. You will have to replace it with a refurbished one.

Reply