Is your iPhone SE randomly disconnecting from Wi-Fi or suffering from painfully slow browsing? You’re not alone—many users experienced this issue after an iOS update. The good news is that there are several easy and effective fixes you can try before heading to the Apple Store. This guide will walk you through step-by-step solutions to help stabilize your Wi-Fi connection.
1. Restart Your Router and Modem
Sometimes, the issue isn’t your iPhone—it’s your router.
- Unplug both your router and modem
- Wait 30 seconds, then plug them back in
- Let them boot fully, then reconnect your iPhone
🔁 This refreshes your network signal and clears up temporary bugs.
2. Reboot Your iPhone SE (Soft Reset)
A quick restart often solves minor Wi-Fi glitches.
- Press and hold the Power button
- Slide to power off
- Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on
Repeat this 2–3 times if needed to fully flush out temporary system hiccups.
3. Toggle Wi-Fi Off and On
This resets your iPhone’s wireless connection without restarting.
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi
- Toggle Wi-Fi off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on
- You can also use Control Center (swipe up) and tap the Wi-Fi icon
✈️ Tip: Turn Airplane Mode on, wait 10 seconds, then turn it off again. This resets all radios including Wi-Fi.
4. Forget and Rejoin Your Wi-Fi Network
Reconnecting from scratch can fix corrupted connections.
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi
- Tap the (i) next to your network
- Tap Forget This Network, then confirm
- Restart your iPhone
- Reconnect by entering your Wi-Fi password again
5. Reset Network Settings
If your network preferences were corrupted or messed up after a software update, reset them.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset
- Tap Reset Network Settings
- Enter your passcode if prompted
This will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and VPN settings—so be ready to reconfigure those.
6. Factory Reset (Only if Necessary)
If all else fails, a full reset might be the only way to eliminate bugs introduced during an iOS update.
⚠️ This will erase all data. Back up first.
To reset:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings
- Follow the prompts to complete the reset
- Set your iPhone up as new (don’t restore from a backup right away)
Check if Wi-Fi is stable before reinstalling apps or restoring data.
7. Try a DFU Mode Restore (Advanced)
If even a factory reset didn’t help, try a DFU restore—this bypasses iOS completely and reloads system firmware.
How to enter DFU mode on iPhone SE:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina+)
- Press and hold Home + Power for 10 seconds
- Release Power, but keep holding Home for another 5 seconds
- If the screen stays black and iTunes detects the phone, you’re in DFU mode
- Follow on-screen prompts to Restore the iPhone
⚠️ Only do this if you’re sure your iPhone doesn’t have hardware or water damage.
Still Having Issues? Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all the fixes and your iPhone SE is still dropping Wi-Fi:
- Contact Apple Support
- Book a Genius Bar appointment
- Or wait for the next iOS patch if this started after an update