How to fix an iPhone SE that won't connect to Wi-Fi after updating to iOS 11.3.1 (easy steps)

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Post-update issues are as inevitable as network errors in mobile devices and network errors can occur among other post-update issues. In this context, I will tackle the latter which is on a post-update network error transpiring on the special edition iPhone (SE), following the iOS 11.3.1 update implementation. The main issue is on the iPhone SE that won’t connect to Wi-Fi after the update. Read on to find out how to deal with this post-update issue should you happen to encounter it from installing the new iOS update.

Now, before we proceed with our troubleshooting, if you have other concerns with your new iPhone SE, drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already published some guides and tutorials. You may also contact us by completing our iPhone issues questionnaire. This is a free consultation servicer we offer and all we need is information about the problem. So please give us that so that we can help you better. 

How to troubleshoot iPhone SE that won’t connect to Wi-Fi

Before you begin troubleshooting, try to reboot or power cycle your wireless router or modem (the very source of your Internet connection). Like any other electronic devices, your router or modem can also give into random firmware glitches, resulting to wireless network connectivity issues. And this might have occurred after you installed the new iOS update, so you think it’s a post-update issue but it’s actually a problem on your wireless router or modem in use. To rule this out from the underlying causes, power-cycling the router/modem can help. To do so, turn your router/modem off by pressing the Power button or switch until all the lights are off. When it’s turned off completely, unplug the AC adapter from the power source and allow it to rest for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. After the elapsed time, plug it back into the power source and then press the Power button to turn the router/modem back on. Wait until all its lights are stable. If you see any red light on your modem or router, it usually denotes a problem either on your network provider’s end or the network equipment itself. In this case, contact your Internet service provider (carrier) or the manufacturer of your network equipment (router/modem) for further assistance. Proceed to any of these workarounds, whenever you’re all set.

First solution: Perform a soft reset on your iPhone SE.

A soft reset or device restart might be necessary to clear any minor flaws from the new update implementation. It’s normal for any device to experience unusual behaviors after a new software is implemented and it could be what’s occurring on your iPhone SE after the update. As remedy, you can perform a soft reset or restart your iPhone with these steps:

  1. Press and hold the Power button until the Slide to Power Off prompt shows up.
  2. Drag the slider to power off your device completely.
  3. After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button again until the Apple logo appears.

This won’t affect any of your iPhone data so no need for backups.

Second solution: Disconnect Wi-Fi then reconnect.

A simple yet effective trick to deal with minor errors concerning your iPhone’s Wi-Fi function is by toggling the Wi-Fi switch off and then back on. It somehow refreshes the Wi-Fi connection on your iPhone. If you haven’t done it yet, then you should give it a try with these steps:

  1. Tap Settings.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Toggle the Wi-Fi switch to turn Wi-Fi off.
  4. After about 30 seconds, toggle the switch to turn Wi-Fi on again.

Wait until your device is connected then test to see if you can now access websites on your iPhone. If you can then everything is working fine and you’re good to go. Otherwise, you’ll need to dig deeper and resolve the root cause of the problem.

Third solution: Forget/delete Wi-Fi network then reconnect.

It’s possible that the new iOS update implementation has resulted to your Wi-Fi network becoming unstable or erratic. In this case, deleting your wireless network then setting it up as new can help. Here’s how:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Touch the blue i or information icon next to the Wi-Fi network you want to delete or forget.
  4. Tap the option to Forget This Network.

Then reboot your iPhone then scan for and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network with these steps:

  1. Go back to Settings-> Wi-Fi menu.
  2. Tap to enable Wi-Fi, if necessary.
  3. Wait for your phone to scan for available Wi-Fi networks.
  4. Tap to select your wireless network.
  5. Enter your network password.
  6. Then tap Join.

Once you’re Wi-Fi status says Connected, do some test browsing or navigate to different websites and see if you can access.

Fourth solution: Factory reset/master reset.

Among the last options to consider if the problem persists or your iPhone SE still cannot connect to Wi-Fi after performing all prior workarounds is a factory reset or master reset. This reset will wipe and clear all your iPhone data such as customized settings, downloaded apps and files, as well as personal information. Any system errors caused by the new software update will likewise be cleared in the process. After the reset, you can set up your device as new.

If you wish to proceed with a master reset, then you may do so with these steps:

  1. Back up all your important data to iCloud or iTunes.
  2. Go to Settings-> General-> Reset menu.
  3. Select the option to Erase all content and settings.
  4. If prompted, enter your device passcode to continue.
  5. Tap the option to confirm iPhone reset.

Your iPhone then reboots when the reset is finished. After it boots up, you can proceed with and complete the initial setup process. Enable Wi-Fi and then connect to your Wi-Fi network.

You can also reset your iPhone to factory defaults through iTunes.

Fifth solution: Restore your iPhone SE in iTunes.

Aside from factory reset, you may also opt for iOS restore in iTunes. You can go for a recovery mode restore or restore your iPhone SE in DFU mode instead. Both these restore methods are carried out using iTunes on a computer. If you wish to give it a shot, then you may refer to the subsequent steps.

Follow these steps to perform a Recovery Mode Restore on your iPhone SE:

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using the supplied USB cable or Lightning cable.
  2. Press and hold the Power button and Home button simultaneously for a few seconds.
  3. When you see the Connect to iTunes screen, release both buttons.
  4. If prompted with the option to Restore or Update, select Restore to restore your device from a previous iOS backup file. Otherwise, select Update to let iTunes reinstall iOS without erasing your data and downloads the software for your device.
  5. If the download takes longer than 15 minute and your iPhone exits the Connect to iTunes screen, let the download finish and then go back to the first step to put your iPhone back into recovery mode.

After the Update or Restore process completes, let your iPhone reboot and then proceed with the initial device setup.

Follow these steps to perform a DFU Mode Restore on your iPhone SE:

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using the supplied USB cable or Lightning cable.
  2. Press and hold the Power and Home buttons simultaneously for about 8 seconds.
  3. After the elapsed time, release the Power button but keep holding down the Home button until you will see the iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode message prompt.
  4. Release the Home button then.
  5. Your iPhone’s screen will then become completely black. This means you have successfully entered DFU mode.
  6. Once your iPhone is in DFU mode, you can restore it through iTunes.

If you see any logo on the screen, it means you haven’t entered DFU mode and so you need to retry from the very start.

Restoring your iPhone in DFU mode allows your computer to erase and reload every bit of code that controls your iPhone software and hardware. This results to data loss.

Seek more help

Contact Apple Support or your carrier’s customer care to report the issue and ask further assistance and recommendations. Reporting the problem will let them become aware of it, make some further assessments and if necessary, develop a fix patch to address the problem in the next update rollout.

Connect with us

Visit our troubleshooting page to view more solutions to other iPhone problems we have addressed in our prior posts. If you wish to reach our iOS support team for further assistance, then you may do so by filling up this form with all the required information. Be sure to provide us with the significant details of the issue that you need help with so we would be able to give you the best possible solutions and recommendations to try on.

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