iPhone SE not staying consistently connected to wifi

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

If the iPad and Mac connect ok to the router, the router should not be the issue. That being said, I have seen difficulties with routers/iPhones - there are so many variables to consider. All I can suggest is trying the steps one at a time including testing with a different network. If the phone does not work with any network I would then try #8 and 9, even if you have to use a friends computer or go to a store. Good luck.

alexis18 wrote:

II've tried everything but 8 and 9. I can't back up to iTunes because my computer is 5 years old and can't download the newest iTunes, required by this phone.

You may have to update the OS before you can download the latest iTunes. It should work with Windows 7 and El Capitan which you can get if you meet the requirements: Upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

And my closest Apple Store is 60 miles away so I'm trying to avoid that. Any other tips are welcome.

i Was wondering if it was dropping when the signal was weak because it will show one bar before dropping, but then my other devices are working fine and show full bars.

Did you try the phone at a public Wi-Fi? If so and it worked I suspect router/isp issues.

I have this problem too -- I can only stay connected to WiFi when the phone is very, very, very close to the WiFi router. Move away and it loses the signal - this is with a brand new iPhone SE. I have a ton of other WiFi devices (apple and other) in my apartment and everything else works fine. I'm a Ph.D. software engineer and I know something about networking... and I'm pretty sure we're seeing hardware issues here.

I think Apple has some sort of quality problem with this phone. Apple -- can you confirm a bad hardware batch?

Yep - exactly the same issue for me..

I have a router and a wireless access point - it used to fail on both so I replaced the router with a newer model and then it connects to that. However, I have precisely the same issue as everybody else on the WAP.. My suspicion is that the SE and 6 models of the iphone hardware are a lot more fussy (or just downright rubbish) compared to the old models and don't like older (or certain wireless devices).

.....

NN

As I mentioned you may need a stronger router to reach that location.