Phones & Tablets

iPhone Won't Connect to Wi-Fi — Step-by-Step Fix

Whether Wi-Fi is greyed out, asking for the wrong password, or just won't hold a connection, these steps get your iPhone back online.

iPhone Won't Connect to Wi-Fi — Step-by-Step Fix
Photo: Árpád Czapp · Unsplash
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  1. 1. Toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode
  2. 2. Restart the iPhone and the router
  3. 3. Forget the network and rejoin
  4. 4. Check for a software update
  5. 5. Reset Network Settings

iPhone Wi-Fi problems are nearly always settings-related, not hardware. Go in this order.

1. Toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode

Open Control Centre, turn Wi-Fi off and on. Then turn Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds and off again — this resets the radios.

2. Restart the iPhone and the router

Power your iPhone fully off and back on. While you're at it, power-cycle the router. This pair fixes most cases.

3. Forget the network and rejoin

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the i next to your network, then Forget This Network.
  3. Reselect it and re-enter the password carefully (passwords are case-sensitive).

4. Check for a software update

Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install anything pending — Wi-Fi bugs are often patched here.

5. Reset Network Settings

If nothing else works, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This clears Wi-Fi passwords and VPN/APN settings but keeps your photos and apps. You'll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Wi-Fi greyed out on my iPhone?

A greyed-out Wi-Fi toggle usually clears after a restart or an iOS update. If it persists after Reset Network Settings, have the device checked, as it can indicate a hardware fault.

Does Reset Network Settings delete my data?

No. It only clears saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings and VPN/cellular settings. Your photos, messages and apps are untouched.

Sarah Whitfield

Consumer-tech editor covering computers, printers and home-office gear for US and Canadian readers.

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