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Wi-Fi not working on iOS 8.4

Hi,

I had problems on iOS 8.3 where Wi-Fi worked at the beginning, but then stopped. Sometimes iPhone 4S attempted to connect, I saw wifi icon and then it disappeared. I tried Reset Network Settings, I managed to setup Wi-Fi connection again, but it worked for a few minutes and then again the same issue.

I was hoping that the issue will be fixed on 8.4, but now it's worse. After resetting network settings I cannot even join wifi network. After entering password, it says "Unable to Join the network. I have correct password, because I'm using it for other devices.

I tried to restore iphone through iTunes, but I cannot do that, because I'm getting error message "Find My iPhone" must be turned off. The problem is that I cannot turn Find My iPhone off in iCloud settings on the device, because Wi-Fi is not working. Now I cannot restore iPhone and I cannot setup Wi-Fi.

Another issue is the fact that device may not have 8.4 installed. Although it reports version 8.4, the device didn't show locked screen after update, like it did on iPad. It seems that device only shows version ioS 8.4, but hasn't really been updated, otherwise I would see locked screen after restart.

Is there a way to force iOS 8.4 update again on the device?

How can I fix wi-fi problem? Wi-Fi scanning seems to be a little slow. On that page the device often freezes for 20 seconds or so. The quality of iOS and Mac OS X has gone down dramatically.

I have $800 iPhone 4S, which has the antenna problem and I don't think I want another Apple device, if I can get Android device with better spec than iPhone 6 for $200. Over 3 years I made around 50 calls with this device and I'm not using much. I'm just using password manager app and need wifi for sync and backup.

You know what, forget this, because no one is going to fix/revert wifi code back to what it was on 8.0 or older.

MacBook Air (13-inch Late 2010), Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jul 1, 2015 4:00 AM

Best reply

RobertDeveloper Author

Level 1

5 points

Posted on Jul 1, 2015 9:09 AM

iOS 8.4 with broken wifi also drains battery. In 3 hours battery capacity dropped from 100% to 73% (loss of 27%).

I recommend users who experience wifi issue to completely disable wifi until Apple fixes the problem. It looks like device is occasionally scanning wifi networks while in sleep mode.

After you disable wifi, avoid enabling it again or even navigating to the wifi settings. The device may freeze. In that case you need to press and hold power button and home button at the same time. When the devices shuts down, power up again and don't try to change wifi setting, leave it off.

I think the device must be doing something on the background that causes high CPU usage, device slows down and after a few ore seconds it freezes completely. Clearly some multi-threaded deadlock in wifi or networking routines.

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210 replies

Sep 28, 2015 10:29 AM in response to RobertDeveloper

This sounds impossibly complex. Can I revert back to the previous operating system. If so, how?

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Sep 28, 2015 10:54 AM in response to ipadnewcomer

No, you can not revert.

Oct 8, 2015 5:42 AM in response to ipadnewcomer

Hi,

Have you tried iOS 9.0.2? Wi-Fi seems to be working now. No fiddling with settings and no recovery from backup is necessary to enable Wi-Fi.

Although I still have following "Location services" disabled:

- Find My iPhone

- Share My Location

- Wi-Fi Networking

- Frequent Locations

I'm not sure if I can enable these again.

When I installed 9.0 and 9.0.1, wi-fi was able to connect, but was still disconnecting every now and then and I couldn't quite update apps, especially larger than 20 MB updates. After upgrading to 9.0.2 wi-fi seems to be running for more than a week.

It is possible that it can recover quickly from temporary disconnection, so user does not notice any problem. Although from Wi-Fi router logs I can see it working perfectly. When iPhone establishes wi-fi connection, it always leaves a trace (like DHCP request sent, authentication, etc). I don't see multiple connections, so it looks like iPhone with iOS 9.0.2 is connected to the network all the time without any disconnections.

We will see what other users report. Let's hope Wi-Fi was fixed for good.

Regards.

elcpu

Level 7

31,481 points

Oct 8, 2015 7:09 AM in response to RobertDeveloper

Hi Robert,

If you are interested in some details about Wi-Fi in iOS 8 vs. 9 please read my post here, p.219, 4th from the top (elcpu):

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6546549?start=3270&tstart=0

In a brief, Apple had been using a different networking routine for years which, while not perfect, was rather stable, mDNSResponder. With the advent of iOS 8 they developed a new routine, DiscoveryD, which proved rather problematic. After attempting to "fix" DD, they ditched that routine and reverted back to mDNSR in OS X 10.10.4 and did the same with iOS 9. Most who have posted on the thread above have reported success with iOS 9. The current version of mDNSResponder was tweaked from the old version in order to allow some of the new features of iOS 8 & 9 and perhaps some issues still remain. iOS 9 solved the bugs for my wife and I (4 iOS devices) which were minor in comparison to some - more details on the link above and more details there from other posters like old_chap, nickrob84, don_wan and many others.

I recommend that you enable Find my iPhone and Share My Location - they work well with our devices. I have left Wi-Fi Networking and Frequent Locations off. They may work ok, don't know, but I don't see much purpose to them (there may be for others).

Cheers.... and thank you for your feedback.

elcpu

Oct 8, 2015 12:36 PM in response to elcpu

Hi Carlos,

thanks for the link. It is interesting. Although I think that Apple shouldn't give up so easily. I'm sure there was a good reason to implement DiscoveryD, they just need to fix it and test it well in Beta version (not release).

Anyway, for now we have wi-fi working and I'm getting max connection speed (40 Mbps). Too bad I downgraded speed with my ISP (in order to save money of course). It would be nice to test with 240Mbit, or perhaps 300Mbit they just introduced, which is theoretical limit for 802.11n.

To ALL,

Could someone perhaps try OOKLA speed test on newer iPhone with 802.11ac on iOS 9.0.2, let's say 1000 Mbps???

Thanks.

elcpu

Level 7

31,481 points

Oct 8, 2015 1:02 PM in response to RobertDeveloper

RobertDeveloper wrote:

Thanks for the link. It is interesting. Although I think that Apple shouldn't give up so easily. I'm sure there was a good reason to implement DiscoveryD, they just need to fix it and test it well in Beta version (not release).

My understanding is just as you stated above but recall that they tried to do this for 9 months - from Sept 2014 when the issue was first reported to the release of OS X 10.10.4 on June 30, 2015. Apple tried to fix DD during these 9 months (they called me and others a couple of times to get info). They issued a revision to DD with iOS 8.3 which helped some, not all affected. In the end they decided to reissue mDNSR... so I would not hold my breath for a quick solution for DD. Time will tell...

On your request for a speed test, I have a new AC router and a MBP with an AC chip but no dice on my ISP as there is no fiber here, only VDSL or Cable (ironic that my house built in 2010 has a conduit to bring fiber from the outside to my "homerun" networking panel but I cannot get fiber 5 years later). I actually do not need the higher speeds as my most demanding task is a single HD movie streaming from Netflix or Amazon Prime but I would "buy" fiber if available.

I am interested in the answer to your question myself and have this thread bookmarked.

Regards... 🙂

Oct 8, 2015 1:23 PM in response to elcpu

In 9 months it's possible to deliver a baby, which is a lot more complex system than wi-fi network. Just consider it's neural network... 😁

What they really need is to debug affected system, when connection is failing and when UI is freezing while trying to scan. Getting info, logs and crash dumps from users may not be enough. Bugs could be sometimes trivial and really hard to see. I know that from experience.

Too bad they don't have code somewhere in a public source control system. I would really be interested if I can fix it on my device.

elcpu

Level 7

31,481 points

Oct 8, 2015 4:03 PM in response to RobertDeveloper

If you have a Mac you can launch Activity Monitor and look under CPU. If you are running OS X 10.10.4 or later it will show mDNSResponder and it did the same under Mavericks (a slightly different version). If you have a Mac with Yosemite 10.10.0 to 10.10.3 it will show DiscoveryD.

Oct 11, 2015 2:08 AM in response to RobertDeveloper

sighs...... everyone seems to be saying that they had this issue in iOS 8 well i didn't have it then and i have it now with iOS 9.0.2. this is so ridiculous, apple is a piece of ****. ive read other replies with potential solutions but a few of them are just so confusing and overwhelming with information. ive tried everything i know how (resetting network settings, turning off FMIphone.... dont even remember what else i tried anymore im just so over it ugh)

😟😟😟

petermac87

Level 5

7,447 points

Oct 11, 2015 2:13 AM in response to Krzysztof1

Krzysztof1 wrote:

sighs...... everyone seems to be saying that they had this issue in iOS 8

No, just a tiny handful. The same as with iOS4 iOS5 iOS6 and iOS7 and now iOS9. They are isolated incidents. Any major flaws were picked app in very early updates, yet a tiny number still had issues particular to their devices and practices.

Cheers

Pete

Oct 11, 2015 2:41 AM in response to petermac87

lol well i obviously meant the general everyone who ive read about from this thread but thanks.......

petermac87

Level 5

7,447 points

Oct 11, 2015 3:19 AM in response to Krzysztof1

Krzysztof1 wrote:

lol well i obviously meant the general everyone who ive read about from this thread but thanks.......

Then be more precise in technical help forums. 😉

Pete

elcpu

Level 7

31,481 points

Oct 11, 2015 5:30 AM in response to Krzysztof1

Hi Krzysztof1,

Here are some general guidelines for addressing Wi-Fi issues. Unfortunately Wi-Fi is complex, several devices are on-stream - from the ISP and its equipment to the router to the Wi-Fi chip on your phone and its configuration... Routers are often complicated and not easy to properly set if you are not experienced. Try the recommendations below, the easier ones are first, and if any feel "overwhelming" just skip to #9, the Apple Store (or AppleCare for that matter). Good luck...

1) Perform a Forced Restart: Hold down the Home and Wake/Sleep buttons at the same time for about 15-20 seconds until the Apple logo appears. Allow device to restart.

2) Reset Network Settings: Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Rejoin the Network again.

3) Change to Google's DNS: Settings > Wi-Fi > Click on the Network, Delete all numbers under DNS and enter 8.8.8.8 or alternatively 8.8.4.4

4) Disable the QoS service on the router if available.

5) Reboot Router/Modem: Unplug from power for 2 minutes and plug again. Update Router Firmware (check manufacturer’s support website). Verify your router is Wi-Fi certified.

6) Determine if other Wi-Fi devices on network are working well (other iOS devices, Macs, PCs).

7) Try device at another Network, i.e., neighbors’, public coffee house, etc.

8) Restore the Device (ask for additional for details if desired).

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201252

9) Go to an Apple Store for hardware evaluation.

Oct 11, 2015 10:25 PM in response to elcpu

thank you elcpu for your suggestions. i didnt think it could be the internet router cos everything else is connected to the wifi just fine so it didnt make sense to me and the issue was that it kept saying my password is wrong when it wasnt but i decided to reboot it anyways(didnt realise all i had to do was unplug it) and im shocked that it seemed to work! hopefully it doesnt go off on me like this again but i guess i can also hope that all it will take is rebooting the router again.

elcpu

Level 7

31,481 points

Oct 11, 2015 10:41 PM in response to Krzysztof1

My pleasure. Rebooting the router is something all of us have to do from time to time.

Wi-Fi not working on iOS 8.4