How to fix an Apple iPhone XR that won’t connect to Wi-Fi [Troubleshooting Guide]

This post highlights some standard procedures and generic solutions to address an issue regarding Wi-Fi connection failure on the new Apple iPhone XR device. To get some inputs on what to do in case your new iPhone won’t connect to Wi-Fi as it should, scroll down and read this post.

Before going further, if you found this post because you were trying to find a solution to your problem, then try to visit our troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed most of the commonly reported issues with the phone. We’ve already provided solutions to some of the problems reported by our readers so try to find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work for you and if you need further assistance, fill up our iPhone issues questionnaire and hit submit.

How to troubleshoot iPhone XR that can’t connect to Wi-fi

Many factors can be regarded among the possible causes as to why an iPhone won’t connect to Wi-Fi. In most cases, software issues as well as misconfigured settings on the phone are to blame. There are also instances when the wireless router/modem becomes the root cause of the problem. Routers and modems also give in to random firmware issues that eventually caused Internet connectivity issues to all connected devices. And the worst possible cause is hardware damage. But before rushing to a service center, you can try some helpful workarounds to eliminate software errors that might have prevented your iPhone XR from connecting to Wi-Fi. Read on and try these methods whenever needed.

First solution: Power cycle your wireless router then restart your iPhone XR.

When dealing with Internet problems in computers and smartphones, it’s recommended to start working on the very source of the Internet connection and that would be the wireless router or modem. If all your devices are experiencing the same symptom and are using the same Wi-Fi network, the problem is likely on the wireless router or modem. Thus, performing this trick usually solves the problem unless hardware damage is present. If you can access your wireless router or modem, then follow these steps to power cycle the equipment:

  1. Locate the Power button on your router/modem then press to turn it off.
  2. While it’s turned off, unplug its AC adapter from the power source and keep it that way for about 1 minute.
  3. Then plug it back into power and turn on again.

Just wait until all lights and signal indicators are stable and that should be good. After power-cycling the router/modem, go to your iPhone XR and then perform a soft reset with these steps:

  1. Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
  2. Release the buttons when the Slide to Power Off command appears.
  3. Drag the power off slider to the right.
  4. After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button or Side button again until the Apple logo appears.

A soft reset on your iPhone XR does the same as a power cycle on your router/modem. It clears out minor software errors that caused adverse symptoms to your phone’s wireless Internet functions.

Second solution: Turn Wi-Fi off and then back on.

Restarting the Wi-Fi feature itself also helps eliminate wireless data errors that may be disrupting the phone’s Wi-Fi functions. Here’s how it works:

  1. Tap to open the Settings app from Home.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Toggle the Wi-Fi switch to turn the feature OFF.
  4. After a few seconds, tap the switch again to turn Wi-Fi back ON.

Toggling the Airplane mode switch also does the same positive outcome when it comes to eliminating minor problems affecting wireless connectivity features of the phone. This trick has been used by many when dealing with various types of network connection errors and for some reasons, it does wonder. The trick is done by toggling the Airplane mode switch on and off from the Settings menu or by tapping the Airplane Mode icon from the Control Center of your iPhone.

Third solution: Forget/Delete Wi-Fi network then set it up again.

The problem could persist after applying the previous solutions if the wireless network itself is not working. This is often the case if the Wi-Fi network gets corrupted and no longer works unless set up again. To solve the problem, forget your Wi-Fi network to delete it from your iPhone’s Wi-Fi network directory and then set it up as new and connect to it as if it’s the first time your iPhone does. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Settings app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap the information icon (i) next to the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to forget/delete.
  4. Then tap the option to Forget This Network.
  5. When asked to confirm, tap Forget.
  6. If you see other saved Wi-Fi networks, delete them all to prevent any of them from causing conflict with the current wireless network used on the phone.

After forgetting your wireless network, restart your iPhone XR then go back to Settings-> Wi-Fi menu. Enable the Wi-Fi switch to view a list of wireless networks in range. Then select your Wi-Fi network to reconnect. If prompted, enter the correct password for your Wi-Fi network to confirm access.

Fourth solution: Reset network settings on your iPhone XR.

If forgetting the Wi-Fi network doesn’t help and for some reasons your iPhone XR still doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi, try performing a network settings next. Doing so will erase all network configurations from the phone and restores the default settings and options. Any incorrect settings that might have barred iOS from joining a Wi-Fi network will also be cleared in the process. Just follow these steps to get started:

  1. Tap to open Settings from Home.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll down to and then tap Reset.
  4. Select Reset network settings option.
  5. Enter your passcode when asked to continue.
  6. Then tap the option to confirm network settings reset.

After the reset, your iPhone should restart by itself. As soon as it’s finished rebooting, you can continue to set up your Wi-Fi network and then retry to connect. If that doesn’t work either, then you’re most likely dealing with a complex system error that requires system resets.

Fifth solution: Reset then restore your iPhone XR to its factory defaults.

Consider a factory reset or master reset as your last resort before taking your phone to a service center. If your iPhone still failed to connect to Wi-Fi after exhausting all prior solutions, then the problem could be due to a major data corruption. In that case, a full system wipe-out or iOS restore is usually needed. But you have to note though that these methods also erase your iPhone contents and so, backing up files is recommended. On the bright side, major system issues are cleared, and your iPhone XR is given a clean fresh start. To perform a factory reset/master reset through your iPhone XR settings, simply follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down to and tap on Reset.
  4. Select the option to Erase all content and settings.
  5. Enter your device passcode if prompted.
  6. Then tap to confirm full system reset.

You can also reset and restore your iPhone XR through iTunes. To get this done, you will need to secure a Windows or Mac computer with the latest version of iTunes software installed. Connect your iPhone XR to the computer via USB and wait for iTunes to recognize your iOS device. Once recognized, your iPhone should show up in iTunes and all you have to do is click on the buttons to Restore it to factory defaults.

After the system reset, enable Wi-Fi on your iPhone XR and set up the wireless network you want to use. Try and see if your phone can now connect to Wi-Fi. If it’s still failed to do so, then your phone needs service.

Seek more help

Escalate the problem to your Internet service provider if your iPhone XR still cannot connect to Wi-Fi after applying prior troubleshooting methods. If you suspect that the wireless router is at fault, then you can ask your service provider to reset the router remotely.

For official recommendations and other options, contact Apple Support or your device carrier instead. And don’t forget to avail for warranties, if necessary.

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If you need more help with the use of certain functions and features of the Apple iPhone XR smartphone, feel free to visit our Tutorial Page. There you can find a list of how-to contents, step-by-step tutorials, as well as answers to FAQs regarding iPhone XR. If you have other concerns or encountered some troubles while using the phone, you can reach us through this form. Just be sure to tell us more details of the problem or device issue(s) you may have and we will be more than happy to assist you further.

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