Many iPhone users including those with iPhone SE were raising various complaints after installing the iOS 11 update on their iOS devices. Among the commonly raised issues is on the Wi-Fi connection that suddenly becomes unstable or keeps browsing as well as slow Internet browsing.
If you happen to be one of the affected users, this post highlights some helpful workarounds that you can try to resolve the problem on your end before deciding to take a trip to an Apple Genius. Be sure to test your iPhone SE Wi-Fi connection after performing each method so that you’ll know whether or not the problem has been resolved.
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.
Troubleshooting iPhone SE with WiFi connection that keeps dropping
Before you start, try to restart your wireless router. Doing so will refresh the Wi-Fi signal it receives from the tower and transmits to all wireless devices within the network, including your iPhone SE. After the restart, try to observe your iPhone’s Internet connection and see if it becomes stable. If not, then it’s time to move on and try some workarounds.
First solution: Restart your iPhone (soft reset).
A restart can help fix minor glitches that occur to any mobile devices. It’s a simple yet effective solution that rectifies random and less complex issues caused by corrupted software and/or applications. No data is affected in the process therefore it’s safe. For starters, here’s how a soft reset is done on your iPhone SE:
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake or Power button for a few seconds until the Slide to Power Off menu appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone completely.
- After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button again until the Apple logo appears.
- Wait until your iPhone boots up completely then try to observe your Wi-Fi internet to see if it is now stable.
If the first restart fails to fix the problem, then give it another try (at least 3 times) and see how your iPhone works afterwards.
Second solution: Turn Wi-Fi off and then back on.
Toggling the Wi-Fi switch off and then back on can also help fix minor glitches affecting the iPhone’s wireless functions. Many people have found remedies from doing so, thus you might as well consider giving it a try and see what happens.
- So go ahead and swipe up from the bottom of your Home screen to launch the Control Center. Tap the Wi-Fi icon to turn Wi-Fi off then after 30 seconds tap the icon to turn Wi-Fi on again. Make sure you turn Wi-Fi back on.
Or you can also head over to your iPhone Settings-> Wi-Fi menu then toggle the Wi-Fi switch off for a few seconds and then tap to turn it back ON.
Toggling the Airplane mode can also bring positive impact to your iPhone’s wireless connectivity and for some reasons fix pertinent random issues. You can give it a try too. To do so, just launch the Control Center then tap the Airplane Mode icon to turn it on then after a few seconds tap the icon to turn it off again. Turning Airplane Mode automatically disables Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions on your iPhone so you’ll have to turn it OFF again in order to enable wireless connectivity features on your device.
Third solution: Forget Wi-Fi network then reconnect.
Forgetting or deleting the Wi-Fi network works as if your iPhone is connecting to the network for the first time. It can help eliminate problems inflicted by corrupted networks due to a faulty update or incorrect network configuration. Here’s how to forget a wireless network on your iPhone SE:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the information icon or blue i located next to the connected network.
- Tap the option to Forget This Network.
- Tap Forget to confirm.
- Restart your iPhone then go back to Settings-> Wi-Fi menu.
- Scan for available wireless network then tap to select your Wi-Fi network to join or connect to.
- If prompted, enter the network password to continue.
Wait until your iPhone is connected then do a test browse to see how your Internet connection works.
Fourth solution: Reset network settings.
If your Internet connection remains intermittent or keeps dropping, performing a network settings reset can help. If by any chance, the new update overrides your current network settings thus resulting to some conflicts and likewise slow browsing and intermittent connectivity issues, this reset can potentially fix it. Here’s how to reset network settings on your iPhone SE:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll to and tap Reset.
- Select the option to Reset network settings.
- If prompted, enter your passcode.
- Tap Reset Network Settings to confirm.
Please note that all your Wi-Fi and server information including network passwords will be erased in the process. Be sure to take note of them beforehand.
Fifth solution: Factory reset/Master reset.
If the problem persists after performing a network settings reset, then the next option to consider would be a factory reset or master reset. The problem might be more complex and tough enough to withstand the prior procedures. That being said, a tougher solution is likewise needed. This is where a factory reset plays a vital role. However, you have to note that all your iPhone data will be erased in the process as your device is restored to its factory defaults. On the positive note, it will also eradicate any software bugs and malware that might have caused iOS conflict and messed up with your iPhone’s wireless connectivity feature. If you’re willing to proceed be sure to backup your iPhone data for safekeeping. Then follow these steps to perform a factory reset through your iPhone SE settings menu.
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll to and tap Reset.
- Select the option to Erase All Content and Settings.
- If prompted, enter your device passcode then confirm the reset.
Alternatively, you can perform a factory reset through iTunes on your computer. All you have to do is secure a Windows or Mac computer that has the latest version of iTunes software installed then follow these steps:
- Open iTunes on your computer.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB cable.
- If prompted, tap the option to Trust This computer on your iPhone.
- Select your iPhone SE when it shows up in iTunes or click the iPhone icon.
- Go to the Summary section then click Restore [device] in iTunes.
- Click Restore again to confirm. Allow iTunes to erase your device and installs the latest iOS firmware available.
- Once your iPhone is restored to its factory defaults, it reboots. You then can proceed with the initial setup.
Connect to your Wi-Fi network after the setup then see if the problem is fixed and that your internet connection is no longer dropping, fast and stable.
Last resort: DFU Mode restore.
If the standard factory reset failed to resolve the problem, then you may opt to proceed with the deepest type of iOS restore known as DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode restore. When you put your iPhone in DFU mode, it allows it to communicate with iTunes without loading the iOS or bootloader. This makes it safer for you to configure or make changes to your iPhone system. You can restore to a previous iOS version that is more stable (downgrade), if necessary. Just be sure to do it right so as to prevent the risks that a DFU mode can bring. Please note that while a DFU mode restore offers you a higher chance of fixing complex software problems, it can also cause your iPhone to brick especially if the process gets interrupted. This is the main reason why it is highly discouraged to perform a DFU mode restore to an iPhone with physical or liquid damage. In case you decided to take the risks and go for a DFU mode restore, backup your iPhone data then follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB connector or lightning cable.
- Open iTunes on your computer.
- Press and hold the Home button for 3 seconds then press and hold the Power button. Keep holding both buttons down for 10 seconds. If you see an Apple logo, it means that you’ve held them too long and you’ll need to start again.
- Release the Power button but keep holding down the Home button for about 5 seconds more. If you see a Plug into iTunes message, it means that you’ve held the button too long and you’ll need to start again from the very start.
- If the screen remains black, then it means your iPhone is now in DFU mode. At this point, iTunes will prompt you with a message saying that it has detected your iPhone and will allow it to be restored.
- You can now proceed with iOS restore or download to a previous iOS version, if necessary.
- To exit DFU mode, just reboot your iPhone.
Note that timing is required when putting your iPhone into DFU mode so if you failed on your first attempt, don’t be afraid to try again until you get there.
If none of these is able to fix the problem, contact Apple Support to escalate the matter and seek further assistance and recommendations. More likely you’ll be advised to wait until iOS 11.2.5 is rolled out but try to ask for other options while waiting for the said fix patch.
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.