Fix Apple iPhone SE Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues: Cannot Connect To Wi-Fi, Connection Drops [Troubleshooting Guide]

This post highlights some of the most recommended workarounds and solutions to a problem on the #Apple iPhone SE (#iPhoneSE) affecting the its wireless connectivity. If you bumped into this page in an attempt to fix the same device that cannot connect to a Wi-Fi or can connect to but the Internet keeps dropping, then this content might be able to help you. Read on to learn why your iPhone is having this problem and how to get its wireless functions back up and running flawlessly using any of the given fixes below.

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Possible Causes

There are several factors that can hinder your Apple iPhone SE device from connecting to a Wi-Fi network. Among the most common are network service outage, dysfunctional wireless router, a corrupt application, incorrect Wi-Fi settings, and worst, damage to your device. There are also some cases where third-party accessories are to blame, as they tend to block the device from getting a good Wi-Fi signal from the wireless router or modem. All these factors can likewise result to an intermittent connection or on and off wireless internet on your iPhone.

Recommended Solutions

After knowing the possible causes, you may now proceed with diagnosing the actual problem with your iPhone. The best way to start is to determine when and how did the problem start. Is it a recurring issue on your device or did it is happening suddenly? If it is a recurring issue, then most likely it’s the internet source or your phone itself is to blame. Here are the things you can try to work on.

Step 1: Reboot your wireless router or modem

This process is often referred to as power cycle. It’s a simple yet very helpful workaround in dealing with connectivity issues. To do this, you will need to: Turn off your router by pressing the power button.

  • Unplug it from the power source for at least a minute or two.
  • Plug it back in to the power source.
  • Power it back on.
  • Wait for the router to complete the reboot process.
  • After rebooting the wireless router or modem, reboot your iPhone.

As what I have mentioned earlier, the problem might have been inflicted by a bad router or modem, so it’s is just reasonable to start working on that matter. You will also know if your wireless router or modem is at fault, if all your devices are unable to connect to the same network your iPhone is using. It will help you determine if the problem is on the router or modem if you try to connect your iPhone on other networks.

For example, your iPhone can connect to a wireless network at your office, some coffee shops or other places offering free Wi-Fi access but not at home or own network. Should that be the case on your end, you may try to update your Wi-Fi router or modem software. If necessary, contact your Internet service provider (ISP) or the router/manufacturer for further assistance in the process. It may also be necessary for them to re-provision your router so as to fix the underlying cause and/or implement firmware update on your router.

Step 2. Check for any possible network outages

If the problem happens all of a sudden or is not recurring, then more likely the network may be just interrupted. Verify and ensure that there are no on-going outages in your area that could affect network services. You may contact your ISP or network carrier to check before you jump into the next troubleshooting procedures only to end up with the same problem on your iPhone.

Step 3. Reboot or restart your iPhone

Once you have verified that there are no outages, then you may proceed with an iPhone reboot. A simple restart on the device can help eliminate minor software glitches that may have affected the phone’s network functions.

To restart your iPhone SE, follow these steps:

  • Hold down the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider appears.
  • Slide your finger across the slider to turn off iPhone.
  • Turn the iPhone back on back pressing the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears.

Alternatively, you can force your iPhone to restart. To force restart, hold down the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo shows up on screen.

After the reboot, try to connect to your wireless network. If the problem persists, try other applicable workarounds.

Step 4. Diagnose apps

If you suspect that a third-party app is preventing your iPhone from connecting to the Internet, then try to disable the app temporarily or have it uninstalled. This is a must-do especially if the problem just started to manifest right after a new app is downloaded and installed on your device.

Step 5. Forget the Wi-Fi network and re-join

This is what you need to do if your iPhone is unable to connect to a wireless network and prompted with an incorrect password or relevant errors. In case, you have entered an incorrect password while attempting to connect to your network, try to forget and rejoin to the network. But before you start, take note of the correct password for your network.

Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Go to iPhone Settings.
  2. Select Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap on the Wi-Fi network from the list of available Wi-Fi.
  4. Tap on the option to Forget this Network.
  5. If prompted with a message, tap Forget the Network again to confirm action.
  6. Now go back to Settings-> Wi-Fi.
  7. Select the wireless network you want to connect to.
  8. Enter the correct password for your Wi-Fi network and re-join.

Now, see if that works. Otherwise, continue to the next workaround.

Step 6. Reset Network Settings

If the problem is triggered by some network-related factors, then resetting network settings on your iPhone can help. This process flushes caches and clears DHCP settings as well as other network related information on your device. That being said, you have to take note of your wireless network credentials before you start the network reset process.

Here’s how to reset network settings on your iPhone SE:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Settings-> General-> Reset menu.
  3. Tap on the option to Reset Network Settings.
  4. Wait for the network reset process to complete.
  5. Reboot your iPhone.
  6. Re-enable Wi-Fi, if necessary.
  7. Then try to reconnect to your wireless network.

If that fixed the problem, then you’re good. Otherwise, try the next workaround.

Step 7. Disable Wi-Fi Networking Services

There are some cases where a device may not be able to connect to Wi-Fi and the only thing that’s needed to get it fixed is disabling the Wi-Fi network services on the device settings. It wouldn’t hurt if you give it a try too.

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy.
  3. Tap Location Services.
  4. Select System Services.
  5. Toggle the switch next to Wi-Fi Networking to disable it or turn off the feature. This change only applies to your location being used for Wi-Fi networking services so it does not disable the Wi-Fi entirely.

Step 8. Manage and Set Custom DNS

This is a recommended solution especially if the problem is caused by your ISPs DNS servers. Should this be the case, you can try to switch to Google DNS or OpenDNS for your iPhone. Here’s how to change the DNS server on your iPhone:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap on the Wi-Fi menu.
  3. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list of available network.
  4. Tap the information icon (i) on the right.
  5. Scroll down until you get to the DNS section.
  6. Tap the numbers to the right.
  7. Enter a new DNS server address. Among the highly recommended alternative DNS servers you can use are Google DNS represented by 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4, and OpenDNS with numbers 208.67.222.222, or 208.67.222.220.
  8. Once you’re done, tap on Wi-Fi to save the changes and go back to the previous screen.

Try to reboot your iPhone and connect to the Wi-Fi afterwards.

Step 9. Update to the latest iOS version available

Software updates are made available to either improve a device performance or fix certain software bug, including the ones affecting your iPhone’s wireless functions. If you still haven’t done it, then you might as well consider doing it now.

Go to your iPhone Settings-> General-> Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

If you already have downloaded the latest version of iOS but did not install it, then head on to Settings-> General-> Software Update-> and then tap Install Now.

Alternatively, you can update your iPhone SE through iTunes. In this process, you will need to connect your device to a computer with the latest version of iTunes program installed.

Step 10. Restore your iPhone and set it up as new

This should be your last resort. If none of the aforementioned steps is able to fix the problem, then you might as well consider doing a hard reset on your device. This method will erase your iPhone and restore it to factory defaults. So be sure to back up your iPhone beforehand. You can perform a master reset and iPhone restore via iTunes. Once the restore process is complete, your iPhone will restart. By then, just follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone as new.

If none of these is able to fix the Wi-Fi problem on your iPhone SE and that factory reset is not your option, I suggest you should contact Apple Support or carrier now for other recommendations.

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