Phone Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Being too far from the router
• A network that doesn’t work with the iPhone’s private Wi-Fi address
• A downloaded app interfering with Wi-Fi on Android
• An incorrect date and time on your phone

Step-by-Step Solutions

Work through these steps in order and try joining the network again after each one, leaving resets for last.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check if the problem is your phone or the network

   Trying another device and another network tells you where to look.

   Try joining the same Wi-Fi network with another device, like a laptop or a friend’s phone. If other devices can use the network, the router and network are working, and the problem is most likely with your phone.

   Then check whether your phone can join a different Wi-Fi network, like at a friend’s house or a public network. If it can connect elsewhere, the problem is most likely with that one network.

2. 2

   Step 2: Check Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode, then restart

   Make sure Wi-Fi is on and Airplane Mode is off, then restart your phone if needed.

   On iPhone, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi and make sure Wi-Fi is turned on. Tap the network name to join it, and look for a blue checkmark. If you still can’t connect, go back to Settings and make sure Airplane Mode is off. Then tap Wi-Fi again and make sure Connectivity Assist is off.

   If the Wi-Fi setting on your iPhone appears dimmed (grayed out), restart your iPhone.

   On Android, make sure Wi-Fi is on, then turn it off and on again. Make sure Airplane mode is off, then turn it on and off again. To restart a Pixel phone, press the power button for a few seconds, then tap Restart on the screen.

   Good to know

   When Connectivity Assist is on, iPhone uses cellular data along with Wi-Fi when Wi-Fi is weak, busy or not connected to the internet.

3. 3

   Step 3: Check the Wi-Fi password

   Make sure you have the right password and type it exactly.

   A lock next to a network’s name means it’s password-protected. When you tap the network, enter the password if asked. Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure you’re typing the correct uppercase or lowercase characters.

   If you don’t know the password, you can find it in a few places:

   • Another iPhone that has joined the network: open the Passwords app, tap Wi-Fi, tap the network, then tap the Password field.
   • Share from a nearby iPhone: the other iPhone must be unlocked and connected to the network. Choose the network in Wi-Fi settings on your iPhone, and the other person taps Share Password when asked.
   • The router: check for a label on it, its documentation or an information sheet left by whoever set it up. These might show the default network name and password, which might still be in use.
   • The router’s admin webpage or app, if you manage the router.
   • The network administrator, or a staff member at a library, hotel or other shared space.

   Good to know

   To share a password between Apple devices, they must be within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range, not using Personal Hotspot, and in each other’s contacts.

4. 4

   Step 4: Move closer to the router

   A weak signal can keep your phone from joining.

   Make sure the router is turned on and that you’re in range. You might be too far from the signal.

   If your router offers separate frequencies, try joining another one, for example 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz.

   On Android, the signal strength shows on the Wi-Fi icon next to each network in Settings, under Network & internet, then Internet. A fuller icon means a stronger signal.

5. 5

   Step 5: Forget the network and join it again

   This clears an old saved password or old settings so you can enter the current ones.

   If your phone joined the network before with its old password, or the router’s settings were changed, forget the network and join it again. On iPhone, you’ll be asked for the current password when you rejoin.

   On iPhone, open Settings, then tap Wi-Fi. Tap Edit to see the networks your iPhone knows, tap the More Info button next to the network, tap Forget This Network, then tap Forget to confirm. Then tap the network name to join it again.

   On Android, open Settings, tap Network & internet, then Internet. Touch and hold the saved network and tap Forget. Then tap the network in the list to join it again. Networks that need a password have a lock icon.

   Good to know

   If your Apple devices use iCloud Keychain with the same Apple Account, forgetting a network on your iPhone makes your other devices forget it too.

6. 6

   Step 6: Set the date and time automatically on Android

   An incorrect date and time on your phone can cause Wi-Fi connection problems.

   On a Pixel phone, open Settings, tap System, then Date & time, and turn on Set time automatically. Then try joining the network again.

7. 7

   Step 7: Check Private Wi-Fi Address on iPhone

   Some networks need updates before they work with private addresses.

   A private Wi-Fi address doesn’t affect how you join most networks. If your iPhone can’t join a network with private addresses, install the latest software updates first and try again.

   If it still won’t join, you can turn the feature off for that network only. Open Settings, then tap Wi-Fi. If you aren’t connected to the network, tap Edit in the upper-right corner. Tap the More Info button next to the network name, tap Private Wi-Fi Address, then tap Off. When it’s off, your iPhone uses its hardware MAC address on that network.

   Good to know

   For better privacy, Apple suggests keeping private addresses on for networks that support them. Some routers are set to let only devices with specific MAC addresses join, and businesses might need to update their Wi-Fi security to work with private addresses.

8. 8

   Step 8: Rule out downloaded apps

   A downloaded app can get in the way.

   On Android, restart your phone in safe mode and try joining the network again. Airplane mode turns on in safe mode, so turn it off first. If Wi-Fi works in safe mode, a downloaded app is most likely the cause. To leave safe mode, restart your phone.

   If Wi-Fi doesn’t work in safe mode either, the problem is likely with the Wi-Fi network or internet connection.

9. 9

   Step 9: Restart your router and modem

   This refreshes the network connection and can resolve minor connection issues.

   If the router and modem are yours, unplug their power cords for 15 seconds, then plug them back in. Wait a few minutes until the lights on the modem and router are working right, then try joining again.

   If the lights aren’t working right, there could be an issue with the modem, router or internet connection.

   Also make sure the router has the latest firmware and supports your iPhone. The router’s manufacturer can help with that.

   Good to know

   If you change the router’s settings, you might need to forget the network on each phone that joined it before, so the phone uses the new settings.

10. 10

    Step 10: Reset network settings

    Try this only if the other steps didn’t help, because it removes saved networks.

    On iPhone, open Settings, tap General, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone, tap Reset, then tap Reset Network Settings. This resets all Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings.

    On a Pixel phone, open Settings, tap System, then Reset options, then Reset Bluetooth & Wi-Fi. At the bottom, tap Reset settings.

    Afterward, tap your network’s name to join it again. Networks that need a password have a lock icon, and you’ll need to enter the password again on iPhone because the reset removes saved Wi-Fi passwords.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related guides

• Internet ConnectionWi-Fi Connected but No Internet? Try These FixesFind out whether your device, router or internet provider is the problem, then restart, rejoin and reset the connection on iPhone, Windows and Android.
• Wi-FiWi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting? Try These FixesCut interference and obstacles, try the other band, change your router’s channel and settings, turn off Windows power saving, and check iPhone and Pixel settings.