TyTyKnee
Level 1 (4 points)
iPhone

Q: My iPhone 6 wifi signal strength suddenly dropped significantly?

My iPhone 6 has lost almost all capability of using wifi networks. I have had it for about a year and it has always worked just fine until now. In order to be connected to my router I have to be within 15 feet of it and even then it drops the signal quite commonly. I have used other routers and the same effect is in play.

 

I didn't do anything that I think would cause such an issue. No ios update, no tampering with settings, etc.

 

I have:

looked through the router settings and found nothing unusual.

boosted the QoS for my iPhone.

reset the network settings

hard reboot on phone

restarted the router

changed DNS

updated to the newest version of ios (has me thinking it might be a hardware issue)

and a bunch of other little things

summoning a demon and selling my soul for the fix

 

the only option I haven't tried if resetting the entire iPhone because I have things that can't be backed up or taken off the phone and I'd like to keep the data

 

I am looking for solutions here as a last resort, before I do the factory reset. I know there are similar threads on this issue but all the ones I found were on new phones, so they have proven to be useless for me.

iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.2, Carrier: Verizon

Posted on May 22, 2016 8:56 PM

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TyTyKnee

Q: My iPhone 6 wifi signal strength suddenly dropped significantly?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by brenden dv,

    brenden dv brenden dv May 24, 2016 7:11 AM in response to TyTyKnee
    Community Specialists
    May 24, 2016 7:11 AM in response to TyTyKnee

    Hi TyTyKnee,

     

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities! I'm sorry to hear that you are having this WiFi issue with your iPhone. It sounds like you have been on the right track in your troubleshooting. Given all the steps you have tried, it would probably be appropriate at this point to try restoring your iPhone to factory settings and testing, before taking it in for a hardware evaluation and/or service. I'm a bit unclear on the specific data of concern, but in general the only things that aren't backed up by either an iCloud or iTunes backup are things that are otherwise accessible elsewhere. In that regard, you may find the information and steps outlined in the following articles helpful:

     

    About backups in iCloud and iTunes - Apple Support

    Use iTunes on your Mac or PC to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

     

    Regards

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu May 24, 2016 7:18 AM in response to TyTyKnee
    Level 6 (16,007 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 24, 2016 7:18 AM in response to TyTyKnee

    Below is a User Tip about Wi-Fi issues. Suggest starting from the top and working down. Maybe one of them will help.

     

    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) Reboot Router/Modem:  Unplug from power for 2 minutes and plug again. Update Router Firmware (check manufacturer’s support website for a newer FW). Also try different bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and different bandwidths (20 MHz recommended for the 2.4 band).

    4) 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

    5) Disable device prioritization on the router if this feature is available. Also disable any VPN apps and test Wi-Fi again.

    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) Backup and Restore the Device using iTunes (ask for additional for details if desired).

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

    9) Go to an Apple Store for hardware evaluation.

     

    User Tip:  https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-9892

  • by TyTyKnee,

    TyTyKnee TyTyKnee May 25, 2016 4:10 PM in response to brenden dv
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    May 25, 2016 4:10 PM in response to brenden dv

    I have now tried restoring the phone and it is still experiencing wifi difficultis, I'll be taking it in to get a replacement soon.

  • by TyTyKnee,

    TyTyKnee TyTyKnee May 25, 2016 4:12 PM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    May 25, 2016 4:12 PM in response to elcpu

    Thank you for suggetions however I have tried all of those, in that order, twice, excluding the restore. I have now restored it and still no change, proving it to be a hardware issue.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu May 25, 2016 4:29 PM in response to TyTyKnee
    Level 6 (16,007 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 25, 2016 4:29 PM in response to TyTyKnee

    Makes sense. Hardware may be the issue.