How to fix your iPhone 7 that cannot access the Internet but connected to Wi-Fi (easy steps)

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Connected to Wi-Fi but unable to browse. This means your device has no access to the Internet. If it occurs only to a specific site, then it’s an isolated problem to a website like when the server is currently not available. In this case, you’ll have no choice but to wait until the site becomes available again. But if your device cannot access any site, it means it doesn’t have access to the Internet. Hence, you need to deal with no connectivity issues. This is the main issue that we’re trying to address in this post. And to make it more specific, we tackled the same problem on a particular device that is the iPhone 7. Read on to learn what to do whenever you encounter a similar issue on your iPhone and feel free to refer to these generic solutions.

Before going any further though, if you have other concerns with your new iPhone, make sure you drop by our iPhone 7 troubleshooting page for we have already started supporting the device. Moreover, if you need further assistance, you can always contact us by completing our iPhone issues questionnaire and providing us with sufficient information about the problem.

First solution: Power cycle your wireless router/modem.

The main source of your Internet connection is your network equipment. Depending on your network setup, you may be using a modem or wireless router as the Internet source. If something goes wrong with the source, then all connected devices will likewise have trouble. Whatever the symptom you’re experiencing, it will likely be resolved by power-cycling or restarting the network equipment. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Locate the Power button or switch then press on it until the device powers down. You will know if the modem/router is off when all the lights go off.
  2. After about 30 seconds, press the Power switch again to restart your network equipment.

Wait until all the light indicators are up again. If you see any red light on your network equipment, wait until it turns green or blue. A red light usually indicates trouble that needs to be dealt with first. It could be a firmware issue on the modem or network problems on your service provider’s end. That said, you may call your Internet service provider for further assistance.

Second solution: Reboot your phone (soft reset).

Random software glitches can also trigger the same network error to occur. It could be due to some rogue apps or software bugs that might have caused your iPhone’s network functions to become erratic or unstable. Often times, this can be rectified by performing a soft reset or reboot your iPhone with these steps:

  1. Press and hold the Power button until the Power off slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn your iPhone completely off.
  3. After about 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button again until you see the Apple logo.
  4. Alternatively, you can shut your phone down by going to Settings-> General-> Shut Down menu, and then select the option to turn off your iPhone.

After your iPhone restarts, turn Wi-Fi off and on to refresh wireless functions. Then reconnect to your wireless network and test browse with your preferred app browser. If you can access websites, then it means you’re iPhone is connected and so you’re good to go. Otherwise, you need to try some other ways to fix the problem.

Third solution: Forget wireless network(s) on your iPhone 7.

Another way to restart wireless connection on your iPhone is by deleting or forgetting your wireless network and then reconnect. Doing so will allow your device to connect to your Wi-Fi network, as if it’s the first time it does. Any glitches that might have caused your wireless network to get corrupted will likewise be obliterated. To give it a try, follow these steps:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap the information icon (blue i) next to the Wi-Fi network you want to forget or delete.
  4. Tap the option to Forget This Network.
  5. If you see other saved Wi-Fi network, delete/forget them as well to prevent any of them from causing conflict with your Wi-Fi network in use.
  6. Restart your iPhone then go back to Settings-> Wi-Fi menu.
  7. Turn Wi-Fi on, then tap the option to join or connect to your wireless network.

When connected, do some test browsing and see if your phone is now able to access websites.

Fourth solution: Update to the latest iOS version.

Installing the latest update can potentially fix the problem especially if it’s inflicted by some bugs. Updates usually bring bug fixes to address various issues including those concerning with wireless connectivity. Last week of March, Apple has rolled out iOS 11.3 and another follow-up iOS version 11.3.1 on the 24th of this month (April). The new update brings bug fixes and security improvements so check if you have any of these updates available on your device.

But given that your iPhone has no Internet access, downloading and installing updates over the air (OTA) won’t be your option. As alternative, you can use a computer and check for update using iTunes instead. Here’s how it works:

  1. Connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB cable.
  2. Open iTunes on your computer.
  3. Wait for iTunes to recognize or detect your iPhone.
  4. When connected, click the iPhone icon on the upper left side of the iTunes app screen.
  5. Navigate to the Summary section then click Check for Update.
  6. If an update is available, you will be prompted to download and install the update.
  7. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the entire process.
  8. Wait until the update has finished and disconnect your iPhone from the computer.

Restart your iPhone again to apply the new changes then retry connecting to Wi-Fi and see if you can now access the Internet.

Fifth solution: Reset network settings on your iPhone 7.

Performing a network settings reset might be necessary if the problem continues after performing all prior workarounds. Some network settings might have been configured incorrectly. This can happen if auto-update is enabled on your device as other bad app updates can override or current settings. To rule this out, reset network settings on your iPhone 7 with these steps:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll to and tap Reset.
  4. Select the option to Reset all network settings. This will clear all your current network configurations and server settings and restore the default values.

When the network settings reset is finished, your iPhone restarts automatically. Wait until it reboots completely then set up your wireless network to connect your iPhone 7 to Wi-Fi again.

You may opt to proceed with a master reset if the problem persists and you’ve run out of options. This will wipe everything from your device including bugs and complex system errors that might have caused you this trouble. But you have to note though that this will result to data loss. Should you wish to continue, don’t forget to back up all your critical data beforehand.

Seek more help

Contact your Internet service provider to check on the current service status of your account and ensure that your network services are active. If possible, request re-provisioning of your wireless router or modem. Your service provider can remotely access your network system and if necessary, reset your network equipment using a dedicated software on their end.

If you suspect that the problem is on your modem or wireless router, you can also contact your device manufacturer or carrier for further assistance. There might be a more complex firmware issue on the modem or wireless router that needs to be dealt with first.

Connect with us

If you need more help with the use of certain functions and features of the new Apple iPhone 7 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 7. 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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