Sabine_8
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Q: Incorrect password with iPhone 3GS using time capsule as router

I have an iPhone 3Gs and never experienced problems connecting to my home wifi. Two days ago, I tried to log in to my home wifi, but I was expected to put in a password. I did so, but the message said it was incorrect. I have a Mac Book Pro OS 10.6.8 and the wifi works fine on the computer. My router is a time capsule, version 5.6.1.  I also have an iPad and do not have problems. I tried to reset the network on the iPhone, but still no luck. I read many posts, but I cannot find the solution. There is nothing wrong with the hardware of my phone because I can use wifi elsewhere without any difficulty. I would appreciate some help, if anyone has already had a similar problem. Thank you.

iPhone 3GS, Mac OS X (10.6.8), null

Posted on Jul 1, 2015 2:49 PM

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Q: Incorrect password with iPhone 3GS using time capsule as router

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  • by Sabine_8,

    Sabine_8 Sabine_8 Jul 1, 2015 6:51 PM in response to LaPastenague
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    Jul 1, 2015 6:51 PM in response to LaPastenague

    I did set the wireless security to WPA+WPA2 and used a password with numbers and letters, but still no luck. I guess I will have to factory reset the TC. I do not understand why after so many years, this suddenly happened. Thank you both for your help.

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jul 1, 2015 7:08 PM in response to Sabine_8
    Level 5 (7,793 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 1, 2015 7:08 PM in response to Sabine_8

    Personally I would backup the 3GS in iTunes & erase it then try connecting in the factory fresh state. If that works restore the backup & retry. If it fails again you can contemplate more resets on the 3GS or restoring it manually. iCloud can copy passwords & known networks between devices in unexpected ways, it won't be an issue on 10.6, but the other iOS devices may move passwords around (I think it is when iCloud Documents are enabled). I'd consider the network reset an all devices if you can bear the thought of losing that info.

     

    If that is to much to contemplate I'd also note down the settings & reset the Time Capsule. Do your settings look similar to LaPastenague's images?

     

    Other options are Apple Wireless Diagnostics (10.8 & later) or possibly http://istumbler.net/ (older releases are available for 10.6) to see what wifi is around you (there is potential for interference or spoofed networks). I can't understand how these could cause the issue you describe with the password, but it may be time to look at what is broadcasting around you.

  • by Sabine_8,

    Sabine_8 Sabine_8 Jul 2, 2015 7:23 AM in response to Drew Reece
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    Jul 2, 2015 7:23 AM in response to Drew Reece

    Thank you for your help and useful advice. I do not have much time to do a factory fresh restart or a time capsule restart. I did look into the Apple Wireless Diagnostics, but I have Snow Leopard. I will look into http://istumbler.net/. The whole thing is quite strange. Why would wifi work only without a password from home and not elsewhere? This is a strange phenomenon. Thank you again for your suggestions.

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jul 2, 2015 9:13 AM in response to Sabine_8
    Level 5 (7,793 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 2, 2015 9:13 AM in response to Sabine_8

    It doesn't really make much sense, but when you remove the password it causes iOS to skip the step that fails for you. I have to wonder if a malicious device is doing some strange things around you (most unlikely, but spoofing wifi networks is not unheard of). iStumbler should show what is around you.

     

    I guess your 3GS could be running a really old iOS version that may have had bug like this. It's inexplicable that the device just stopped working. Sometimes starting with fresh settings & a new network name is the best approach in my opinion. Rename the network as another test (with encryption active) if you want to avoid doing the reset on the Time Capsule.

     

    Sorry, I think you may want to plan when you can do the resets to be sure that the devices are at least functioning correctly with clean software & settings.

  • by Sabine_8,

    Sabine_8 Sabine_8 Jul 2, 2015 4:40 PM in response to Drew Reece
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    Jul 2, 2015 4:40 PM in response to Drew Reece

    Thank you, Drew. What does iStumbler actually do? My iPhone is running the last IOS it can take. It has never acted this way at home. I have renamed the network already. It only works without security. The moment I put in security, it will not connect, stating the password is incorrect. I wonder how iStumbler could be of help.

  • by Sabine_8,

    Sabine_8 Sabine_8 Jul 2, 2015 5:56 PM in response to Sabine_8
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 2, 2015 5:56 PM in response to Sabine_8

    This is what I see with iStumblerScreen shot 2015-07-02 at 8.52.32 PM.png

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jul 2, 2015 6:57 PM in response to Sabine_8
    Level 5 (7,793 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 2, 2015 6:57 PM in response to Sabine_8

    Is the top one your network?

     

    The protocol is listed as 802.11.a the 3GS does not support that (only b/g). Double check your settings on the Time Capsule. It may be using other protocols but the display looks very small so I can't tell from here.

     

    Resetting the Time Capsule would put you back to default settings, it is simpler than trying to peck away wild with guesses like this.

  • by Sabine_8,

    Sabine_8 Sabine_8 Jul 2, 2015 7:50 PM in response to Drew Reece
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    Jul 2, 2015 7:50 PM in response to Drew Reece

    It has both a and b/g. I am the first on the list. I guess you are right. Thank you for your help.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 2, 2015 7:57 PM in response to Sabine_8
    Level 10 (105,368 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 2, 2015 7:57 PM in response to Sabine_8

    Your network is using channel 157.  That is a 5 GHz channel......and the 3GS does not support 5 GHz connections.......only 2.4 GHz.  So, you will need to connect the 3GS to a network that uses channels 1-11.

  • by Sabine_8,

    Sabine_8 Sabine_8 Jul 2, 2015 8:33 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 2, 2015 8:33 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    This is what is stated next to channels 157 (Automatic), 11 (Automatic). What does this mean? Is it using both or either one?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 2, 2015 8:40 PM in response to Sabine_8
    Level 10 (105,368 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 2, 2015 8:40 PM in response to Sabine_8

    Sorry, but what are you referring to here?  The iStumbler image is very difficult to see.....even if it is enlarged.  I can see Channel 157, but not anything else.

  • by Sabine_8,

    Sabine_8 Sabine_8 Jul 3, 2015 5:25 AM in response to Bob Timmons
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    Jul 3, 2015 5:25 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    The information on the summary page of my time capsule indicates that there are two channels: 157 and 11. I cannot choose which one to use. By the way, I have always had the same settings for the past four years and never changed anything. My 3GS has always worked in the past. It only works if there is no security set, otherwise it will not accept any password I provide. Thank you.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 3, 2015 6:16 AM in response to Sabine_8
    Level 10 (105,368 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 3, 2015 6:16 AM in response to Sabine_8

    The iStumbler screenshot only shows that Channel 157 is available. It does not show that you have a network using Channel 11. Try a factory default reset on the Time Capsule and set things up again.

     

    If the Time Capsule is operating correctly, you will see your network name in iStumbler two times......one at a higher channel like 149-161 and another using channel 1-11, or it might be 1-13 depending on where you live.

     

    If you do not see your network using a channel of 1-11, then the 2.4 GHz radio in the Time Capsule may be defective.

  • by Sabine_8,

    Sabine_8 Sabine_8 Jul 3, 2015 7:41 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 3, 2015 7:41 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    The manual radio channel is set up so that I can select 2.4 GHz Channel and 5GHz channel for 2.4 I selected 11 and for 5Ghz I selected 157. I cannot simply select one. Thank you for your suggestions.

  • by Sabine_8,

    Sabine_8 Sabine_8 Jul 3, 2015 7:42 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 3, 2015 7:42 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    By the way, iStumbler shows both channels are operating.

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