This post highlights potential solutions to unstable wireless internet connection on the new 3rd generation special edition iPhone. Read on to learn what to do if your iPhone SE 3 (2022) keeps disconnecting from the Wi-Fi network.
What Causes Wi-Fi Drops on iPhone?
Wi-Fi drops or intermittent Wi-Fi network access is tagged among other inevitable widespread issues encountered by iPhone users. There are many factors that can trigger this issue to occur.
Random problems transpiring on the network base (ISP servers) like unexpected technical difficulties and outages are usually the underlying causes.
Random software glitches on both the wireless equipment (modem/router) and the iOS devices are usually at fault.
Other possible triggers are network settings conflicts from personalized network configurations and automatic settings overrides from software updates. A corrupted Wi-Fi network in use is also another possible cause.
The transpiring symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause. Most of the known symptoms though are software-related and therefore easily rectifiable by end-users.
Outlined below are potential solutions to a relevant issue on the recently rolled out 3rd generation iPhone SE, particularly about an unstable connection to Wi-Fi network.
Feel free to try any of the given solutions should you need additional inputs in getting rid of software-related triggers.
Troubleshooting iPhone SE 3 (2022) that keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi network
Performing the following solutions will help eliminate common software-related factors that can make the iPhone’s Wi-Fi connection unstable. These methods won’t affect any user data so all your downloaded files, personalized settings and saved documents won’t be deleted.
Just refer to the outlined solutions whenever you’re all set to troubleshoot your iPhone SE 3.
Solution #1: Reboot router/modem and iPhone.
Bumping into random Wi-Fi internet issues is inevitable given that there are a lot of factors that can trigger unexpected connection errors.
Oftentimes, minor connection problems are inflicted by random firmware glitches either on the network equipment (modem/router) in use or the iPhone itself.
To clear these out, rebooting the network equipment and the iPhone is recommended.
To reboot a wireless modem/router, just follow these steps:
- Power off the modem/router by pressing on the Power button until it turns off completely.
- While it’s powered off, unplug it from the power source for at least a minute or two.
- Plug it back into the power source.
- Power it back on.
- Wait for the router to complete the reboot process.
A modem/router reboot is also referred to as power cycle — a simple yet very effective solution to different types of internet connectivity issues in mobile devices and computers with a Wi-Fi network setup.
It refreshes and clears out any errant residual data that might have been ruining the modem/router’s firmware and eventually affects wireless feeds.
After rebooting the modem/router, restart your iPhone next. This is recommended to clear out errant system cache that might have caused conflicts to the iOS wireless system and network services.
To reboot the iPhone SE 3, just follow these steps:
- Press and hold the Side button on the top-right edge and then release when the Power off slider appears.
- Drag the Power Off slider to the right. Doing so powers off the device.
- After a few seconds, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
When the iPhone is finished rebooting, give it a few moments to re-establish Wi-Fi network connection. It should reconnect to the Wi-Fi network shortly after rebooting unless auto-connect to the network is disabled or not turned on.
If necessary, manually connect to the Wi-Fi network by entering the network password.
Solution #2: Optimize Wi-Fi network connections.
Another simple yet very effective solution to minor Wi-Fi connection errors including intermittent access to the Wi-Fi network is the typical Wi-Fi refresh.
- To do this, just go to Settings-> Wi-Fi menu and toggle the Wi-Fi switch off and on. Alternatively, you can launch the Control Center then tap to disable and re-enable the Wi-Fi icon.
Another tweak is to enable Airplane mode on the iPhone for a few seconds and then disable it again. Performing the Airplane mode trick has also been proven helpful when dealing with random problems affecting the iOS wireless features and services including Wi-Fi drops.
To rule out the possibility of a corrupted Wi-Fi network connection, forgetting the current Wi-Fi network and re-adding it might help.
Forgetting the Wi-Fi network will delete the network from the iOS wireless directory and thereby allows you to set it up as new.
- To forget the Wi-Fi network on the iPhone SE 3, just head over to Settings-> Wi-Fi menu. Make sure that the Wi-Fi switch is turned on so all available connections are visible.
- Tap the information (i) icon next to the name of the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to then tap Forget This Network. Follow the rest of the onscreen prompts to confirm that you’d like to forget the network. The selected network will then be deleted from the iPhone’s wireless system.
At this point, you can set up the network from scratch and connect to it like the first time. Be sure to enter the correct Wi-Fi password to ensure successful login and connection.
Solution #3: Update the modem/router and iPhone (if available).
Modems/routers also receive regular updates like your iPhone does. And just like iOS updates for the iPhone, firmware updates rolled out by modem/router manufacturers also contain system enhancements and bug fixes that are programmed to get rid of any existing bugs that might have destabilized the internet system.
The process of updating wireless equipment may vary between devices. You can always ask help from your internet service provider if you’re not certain of how it’s done.
- Meanwhile, to check for new iOS updates on the iPhone SE 3, just head over to Settings-> General-> Software Update menu.
If a new update is available, you’ll see the update information and the link to Download and Install. Just follow the onscreen prompts to update the iPhone.
After updating, restart your devices to refresh the system and to implement all recent system changes.
See if any of that fixes the problem on your WiFi connection.
Solution #4: Reset network settings.
Restoring the default network values and options is often needed if the iPhone’s network system gets ruined or unstable following a series of network settings alterations.
To get this done, you will need to execute the built-in reset network settings command on your iPhone.
Just follow these steps if you wish to proceed with this reset on your iPhone SE 3:
- Head over to your iPhone Settings-> General menu.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone
- On the next screen, tap Reset to continue.
- Select Reset Network Settings.
- Read the reset details then tap Reset settings. If prompted, enter your unlock PIN or passcode to proceed.
- On the final warning prompt, tap Reset settings to confirm.
Your iPhone reboots automatically when the reset is finished and then loads up all network settings defaults.
Resetting network settings on the iPhone will delete all recent changes made to the iOS network features and then put back all the original network configurations.
Any problems tied to some network settings conflicts will likely be rectified in the process and so will the associated symptoms.
Is your iPhone still disconnecting from Wi-Fi?
The above solutions are typically deemed effective when resolving software-related intermittent Wi-Fi connection problems. If the problem continues, performing these additional workarounds might be helpful.
Disable VPN connections.
Many iPhone users who faced intermittent Wi-Fi access have later found out that an active VPN is the underlying cause.
To make sure that this isn’t causing the unstable Wi-Fi connection on your iPhone SE 3, try to check your phone settings and disable any activated VPN connections to see if that fixes the problem.
- To access and manage the iPhone’s VPN configuration, just head over to Settings-> VPN menu and set the VPN status from Connected to Not Connected.
You can re-enable the VPN connection on your iPhone at any time, especially after confirming that this isn’t the underlying cause.
Factory reset iPhone.
A drastic solution to recurring network issues tied to complex system flaws is a factory reset. Performing this reset wipes everything from the iPhone storage including any stubborn bugs and malware that might have ruined the iOS Wi-Fi services.
Should you wish to proceed, be sure to back up all your important information from the iPhone storage to your iCloud storage or to a secure computer directory using iTunes.
- Once you’ve secured the backup, you can proceed with a factory reset through Settings-> General-> Transfer and Reset iPhone menu and then select the option to Erase all content and settings.
Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to complete the reset and restore your iPhone back to its factory state.
After resetting, you will need to set up everything from scratch including your Wi-Fi network.
Reset modem/router.
Resetting the modem or wireless router can also be regarded among the last potential solutions you can resort to if you suspect that the problem is with the network equipment.
Just like any other electronic devices, modems and routers may likewise encounter fatal firmware errors that could result in a totally dysfunctional system.
As a result, various types of internet connectivity issues would transpire on all connected devices.
Every network equipment typically has a dedicated reset button, which you can press on whenever you need to restore factory defaults. The location of this reset button may vary between modems and routers.
If you’re not certain, then you better contact your internet service provider for more help. Some carriers do have a remote system that they can use to diagnose and reset the modem/router remotely when needed.
Switch to Cellular Data.
If none of the given solutions worked and you badly needed to connect to the internet, you can use cellular data instead. This however requires sufficient data credits unless you’re subscribed to a post-paid data account. Nonetheless, this can be deemed a potential solution, while waiting for an ultimate Wi-Fi fix.
Seek More Help
Contact your internet service provider to escalate the problem and ask further assistance in resolving it. Should the problem be inflicted by an ongoing network outage, your service provider would suggest on what to do next.
Meanwhile, if you suspect that the problem is due to a problematic network equipment like if the router or modem is somehow faulty, you can ask your service provider to diagnose the network equipment. If necessary, you can ask them to reprovision or reset the modem remotely.
Your Internet service provider can also conduct a remote line check to determine whether or not the problem is due to possible line of sight issues.
A technician visit is typically set to fix internet problems tied to disconnected outside lines.
For Wi-Fi drops that have instigated from an iOS update and persisted after troubleshooting, contacting Apple Support is recommended.
Reporting post-iOS update issues will help Apple become aware that such a bug exists and needs immediate solutions.
Please keep posted for more comprehensive iOS tutorials and troubleshooting guides on this site. Or you can check out this YouTube channel to view more comprehensive tutorial and troubleshooting videos including recent iOS devices.