How to Fix WiFi Internet Connection on iPhone iPad

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Troubleshooting the Internet connection for your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch can be a daunting and frustrating task.

This guide will help you with that and take you through the basic steps to get your wireless connection fixed. These steps are listed in order, so start with the first one, see if that helps, and then continue with the next one if it doesn't.

What You'll Need:

  • No extra tools or supplies are needed.

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Before You Begin:

Extra instructions.

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WiFi settings on iOS.

2. Restart the iOS Device

Many issues you may have with your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch can be easily and quickly resolved by just restarting the device:

iOS devices with side buttons pointed out

Restart your iPhone X

  1. Press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn your iPhone X completely off.
  3. After your iPhone X turns off, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Restart your iPhone 8 or earlier, iPad, or iPod touch

  1. Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn your device completely off.
  3. After the device turns off, press and hold the Top (or Side) button again until you see the Apple logo.

With iOS 11 or later, you can also turn off your device by going to Settings, then General, then Shut Down.

3. Make Sure the Device is in Range

The device needs to be within a reasonable range of the router in order to connect and have the best connection speeds.

  • In general, in most homes, you can be up to 30 feet from your router for a decent connection.
  • From 30' to 50' away, the speeds will be slower, and may drop occasionally, but it should be usable.
  • Greater than 50' away, and the signal will most likely be too weak to overcome interference. The speeds will be slow, and the connection may be sporadic.

The above numbers are approximates only. Optimal range may vary based on router make and model.

4. Delete the WiFi Network

Sometimes the WiFi network information can get corrupted on your iOS device, or the connection parameters may get changed on the wireless access point. To reestablish the connection you will first need to delete the network information.

  1. From the main screen, open Settings.
Settings.
  1. Tap Wi-Fi to open Wi-Fi settings.
iOS Settings with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  1. Select your Wi-Fi network name from the list.
Wi-Fi settings with network highlighted.
  1. Tap Forget This Network.
Wi-Fi Network Settings with Forget This Network highlighted.
  1. Tap Forget to confirm you wish to forget the network. Your device will no longer join this Wi-Fi network unless you reconnect once again.
Forget Network dialog with Forget highlighted.

5. Reconnect the iOS Device to the WiFi

Get your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch connected to WiFi:

  1. Open Settings.
iOS Settings.
  1. Select WiFi.
iOS Wi-Fi

  1. Next to the icon you will see one of following statuses:
  2. Off - WiFi feature is disabled
  3. Not Connected - WiFi connection is not established
  4. [Network Name] - WiFi connection is established
  5. Make sure that the WiFi feature is enabled by flipping the toggle switch to the On position.
Wi-Fi toggle switch highlighted in iOS settings.
  1. Your iOS device will automatically connect to the closest network you have connected to it in the past. The checkmark indicates you are connected.
Checkmark highlighted next to Wi-Fi network name in iOS settings.

To Connect to a New Network

If you're connecting to a WiFi network for the first time:

  1. Select the Network Name from the list.
Wi-Fi networks highlighted in iOS settings.
  1. Enter the Password if required then select Join.
Wi-Fi Password field and Join button highlighted in iOS settings.

To Connect to a Hidden Network

If the WiFi network you wish to connect to is hidden, it won't appear in the list of available networks. However, if you know the network's exact name and password, it can be added manually.

  1. Select Other...
Other highlighted in Wi-Fi network list of iOS settings.
  1. Enter the Network Name, choose the Security type, enter the Password then select Join.
Network Name, Security type, Password fields and Join button highlighted in Wi-Fi connection of iOS settings.

6. Restart the Modem and Router

Many times a connection issue can be resolved quickly and easily by restarting the Internet equipment:

  1. Disconnect the power cable from the back of your modem. The power cable is usually near the bottom, and tends to be a thin black cord. It usually does not have any clips on it.
Back of cable modem, power port highlighted.

  1. Some modems may have a battery backup to keep the telephone service working in case of a power outage. If the lights on your modem do not turn off when you disconnect the power cable, make sure you also remove the battery as well, then put it back in place before you reconnect the power cable.
  2. Disconnect the power cable from the back of your router, or if your router has one, push the power button to turn it off.
    Some Internet Service Providers now provide "Wireless Gateways", which contain both a modem and router in one simple device. Some users prefer separate devices. Both are perfectly acceptable. If you are using an all-in-one Wireless Gateway, you can safely continue without this step.
Back of router, power port highlighted.

  1. Wait 30 seconds.
  2. Reconnect the power cables back into your modem and router.
  3. Make sure the power light comes on for each device. This is usually labeled by the symbol below.
Power
  1. Please allow 3 to 6 minutes for the modem and router to start up fully.

7. Check the Cables to the Modem and Router

Whether you have a wired or wireless connection, your Internet equipment such as your router, modem or wireless gateway requires to be wired to the Internet signal source and a power source.

Check the Connections to the Modem

  1. Make sure the power cable is connected firmly to the back of the modem and the electrical outlet, and the power light is on. The power light usually has the symbol below next to it.
Power
  1. Make sure the connection to your service provider is proper. This could be a cable line if you have cable Internet, a phone line if you have DSL, or a Fiber cable for fiber Internet.
Modem connected to power and Internet. Diagram.

Check the Connections to the Router

If you have a "Wireless Gateway", or combination modem and router, you can skip these checks.

  1. Make sure the power cable is connected firmly to the back of the device and the wall, and the power light is on. The power light usually has the symbol below next to it.
Power
  1. Make sure the Ethernet cable going to your modem is connected securely, and into the "Uplink" or "Internet" port.
  2. Make sure the other end of the Ethernet cable is connected securely to your Modem.
Router connected to power and modem. Diagram.

8. Check the Internet Light on Modem and Router

There's a light representing the Internet connection. It will usually be labeled "Internet", or have one of the common symbols below.

Globe with meridians.
Lower case italic i.
Planet with satellite symbol.

Make sure the light next to this symbol is on and solid (or flickering very briefly) on both your modem and router. This means you should have a good connection to the Internet and your devices should be able to go online.

If the Issue Persists