Easy fixes for an iPhone XR with Wi-Fi signal that keeps dropping after iOS 13 update

Did you notice your iPhone XR keeps losing Wi-Fi signal after iOS 13 update? If yes, then you are more likely dealing with a post-update problem on Wi-Fi signal drops. A lot of users have recently raised similar complaints regarding a similar issue on their iPhone XR with Wi-Fi signal that keeps dropping after the iOS 13 update implementations. Some of them resorted to the usual tweak of turning the Wi-Fi feature off and on but to no avail. If you’re dealing with the same issue after updating your iPhone XR to iOS 13, then this post may be able to help you out.

Listed below are potential solutions that are proven effective in rectifying different types of wireless connectivity issues affecting iOS devices after updating to the latest iOS version. 

Before moving on, feel free to browse through our troubleshooting pages to find potential solutions to other problems with your other Apple devices. If your iOS handset is in the list of our supported devices, then you can visit its exclusive troubleshooting page and find the problem that you need help dealing with. You can refer to or use our provided solutions and workarounds if needed. In the case where you’d prefer to get direct assistance from us, simply fill up our iOS issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

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Troubleshooting an iPhone XR problem on Wi-Fi signal that keeps dropping after iOS 13 update

Before we proceed in applying these steps, let us try to determine the possible triggers.

Since the problem occurs after the iOS update, post-update bugs are most likely to blame. But we can’t eliminate other factors that can possibly trigger such symptoms to occur. These are firmware glitches on the wireless router/modem, network service outage, account-related issue, misconfigured network settings, and random software glitches. Good thing is, the above-mentioned triggers can be corrected using the solutions that we have listed below. As long as your iOS device has not been exposed to physical damage that might have caused the Wi-Fi signal to keep disconnecting, then everything is rectifiable in your end. Read on and start troubleshooting your phone whenever you’re ready.

First solution: Check your Home Wi-Fi connection and power-cycle the router/modem when necessary.

Prior to performing a series of troubleshooting steps on your iPhone XR, make sure that your Home Wi-Fi connection is working at all. Check if all other devices connected to your wireless network are working just fine. If not, then your router/modem might have been inflicted by random firmware glitches which can be eliminated by restarting (power-cycle) the Wi-Fi equipment. Here is how:

  1. On your router/modem, press the Power button to turn the equipment off.
  2. Unplug the AC adapter of the router/modem from the power source for at least 1 minute.
  3. Then plug it back after the said time and press the Power button on the router/modem to turn it back on.

Wait until the LED lights are blinking again. You may check your router’s manual to see which light indicates that your equipment is already back online. You can also update the firmware of your router/modem and again, you can refer to your manufacturer’s manual for the process.

Afterwards, reconnect to your wireless network and check if your iPhone’s Wi-Fi signal is no longer dropping or losing. If it does, start troubleshooting your phone.

ALSO READ: How to fix your iPhone XR cellular data that is not working in iOS 13

Second solution: Reboot your iPhone XR to fix Wi-Fi signal losing issue. (soft reset)

Minor software glitches are often eliminated by simply restarting your iPhone. The process will also dump out junk files from corrupted apps that were left running from the background while doing the software update. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume Up/Down button simultaneously.
  2. Once the Slide to Power Off command appears, release both buttons.
  3. Then drag the power off slider to the right to shut down your iOS device.
  4. After at least 30 seconds, press and hold the Side/Power button again until your iPhone boots up again.

Turn on the Wi-Fi feature on your iPhone when needed then reconnect to your wireless network. Open any internet-operated apps and check if the internet connection is already stable. If the Wi-Fi signal still keeps on losing or disconnecting, proceed to the next solution.

Third solution: Toggle the Airplane Mode on and off again.

The Airplane Mode trick can effectively resolve wireless connectivity issues like intermittent Wi-Fi signal on iPhone devices. Thus, minor flaws from the recent iOS update affecting your phone’s wireless functions can be eliminated by this process. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. From the Home screen, select Settings.
  2. Select Airplane Mode menu.
  3. Toggle the switch to enable Airplane Mode. Your phone’s wireless radios including Wi-Fi will then get deactivated. 
  4. Restart (soft reset) your iPhone XR while the Airplane Mode is On. Then head back to Settings->Airplane Mode menu, and then toggle the switch to disable the feature again. Once Airplane Mode is turned off, your phone’s wireless radios and services will be restored. 

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Wait until your phone successfully re-established its cellular network connection. Then reconnect to your wireless network, browse multiple websites to make sure that your Wi-Fi internet signal is no longer dropping.

ALSO READ: How to fix iPhone XS No service error in iOS 13

Fourth solution: Delete/forget Wi-Fi network to fix your iPhone XR Wi-Fi signal that keeps dropping after iOS 13 update.

It is also possible that your Wi-Fi network had been corrupted after the iOS 13 implementation that is why your iPhone XR keeps losing its Wi-Fi signal.. And to repair a corrupted wireless network, all you need to do is to forget/delete it from your phone’s directory and then rejoin. Here’s how:

  1. Go to Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Select Wi-Fi menu.
  3. Search for your Wi-Fi network and tap on the information “i” icon next to its name.
  4. Tap on Forget This Network option.
  5. Then select the option to confirm the deletion.

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Do the same to the rest of the saved Wi-Fi networks to make sure that none of them won’t cause conflict to current network used. Then reboot your iPhone XR. Once it’s back on, head back to Settings-> Wi-Fi menu, wait until your phone searches for available networks, select and enter the password for the chosen Wi-Fi network to reconnect.

Fifth solution: Reset network settings on your iPhone XR.

If the recent iOS update automatically overrides your phone’s network settings and triggered the conflict, doing a network settings reset can potentially fix the issue. Doing so will dump network cache and network settings errors that cause the Wi-Fi signal to keep dropping. If you wish to proceed, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the Settings app from the Home screen.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll to and tap on Reset.
  4. Then tap on Reset network settings option.
  5. Enter your device passcode then continue.
  6. Select the option to confirm the reset network settings on your iPhone XR.

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Your iPhone will normally reboot by itself after the reset and restores the default network values and options. With that being said, you need to re-enter your Wi-Fi network password to reconnect. Don’t forget to try any onlines apps and services to check if the Wi-Fi signal on your iPhone XR is no longer keeps on dropping. If this workaround didn’t fix the issue, continue troubleshooting your phone.

Sixth solution: Disable the VPN connection on your iPhone XR.

If you have previously enabled your VPN connection or also known as Virtual Private Network to use encrypted internet connection and gain access to your company’s network behind a firewall, such access can also interfere Wi-Fi connection on your iOS device.  For this reason, try to disable the VPN connection using these steps:

  1. From Home, tap on Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll to VPN menu and toggle the switch to turn the feature off. 
  4. If you wish to delete the VPN from your iPhone, tap the blue “i” icon next to your VPN name.
  5. Scroll down and select the Delete VPN option.
  6. Then tap Delete to confirm.

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After you have successfully turned off or deleted the VPN connection, restart (soft reset) your iPhone XR. Then proceed to check if you are no longer having Wi-Fi signal issue on your phone.

Last resort: Restore your iPhone XR to factory settings.

Complex errors from the recent iOS update might have affected your Wi-Fi functions. Since nothing from the above troubleshooting guide fix the Wi-Fi signal that keeps losing issue on your iPhone XR, performing a factory reset is now your last resort. Bare in mind that the process will wipe everything saved on your phone’s memory, so make sure to create a back-up beforehand. If everything is already set, proceed to restore your phone to factory default with these steps:

  1. From Home, go to Settings.
  2. Then select General.
  3. Scroll to and tap on Reset.
  4. Select the option to Erase all content and settings.
  5. Enter your device passcode to continue and then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the full system reset.

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Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone XR as new again. Complex bugs that caused your Wi-Fi signal to keep losing should be eliminated after the factory reset. To verify, open your browser or any online apps. 

ALSO READ: How to fix iOS 13 slow internet browsing problem on your iPhone 8, websites loading very slowly

What to do if your iPhone XR Wi-Fi signal still keeps dropping in iOS 13?

If none of the basic tips provided above is able to fix the unstable Wi-Fi signal issue on your iPhone XR, calling your internet service provider should now be included in your next “To-Do” list. There might be some temporary service outage in your area which causes your Internet service to become unstable at the moment. It is also possible that your account’s internet service has been capped due to unsettled bills or other account-related issues. In that case, you’ll need to settle whatever account problems there is to deal with your internet service provider. 

Otherwise, report the problem to Apple Support so that they can tag it among other post-update issues to address in the next update release.

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