| + | |
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| + | |
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| + | == First Steps == |
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| + | |
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| + | * Force restart |
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| + | * Check your ISP for network outages |
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| + | * Turn WiFi off and back on |
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| + | * Forget the network and reconnect |
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| + | * Networks settings reset |
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| + | * Remove the case[br] |
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| + | |
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| + | == Network Issues == |
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| + | |
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| + | Before we start troubleshooting issues with your phone, it’s important to make sure the phone is to blame. Do a few quick checks to sort this out rather than delving into your phone’s innards. |
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| + | |
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| + | # Verify that other devices can connect to the network. Is your iPhone the only device affected? That builds a much stronger case for your iPhone being at fault |
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| + | # Can your iPhone connect to other networks? See if you can use a public network at a local coffee shop, library or anywhere that offers WiFi for the general public. |
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| + | # Are on the edge of WiFi range? Poor signal can cause inability to connect or even detect that the network is present. If your signal is low, move closer to the source of the wireless signal. |
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| + | # Verify you are using an up to date password. If you are getting an error message when you attempt to connect, it does not always specify that an incorrect password is being used. |
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| + | # If other devices are also unable to connect, it’s more likely your network. Unplug your wireless router. Leave it unplugged for about a minute. Plug it back in and wait for it to reinitialize before trying to connect. |
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| + | # If power cycling the router doesn’t help, do the same for your modem. Unplug both the modem and the router, and wait a minute before connecting them back to the outlet. Depending on your setup, the modem and router may be combined into one device, no need to try again if this is the case. |
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| + | # If your issue persists after this and multiple devices are affected, time to call your Internet Service Provider for assistance. |
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| + | |
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| + | == VPN == |
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| + | |
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| + | A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a great way to maintain better privacy while browsing the web. It can also impede your ability to get the web at all. |
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| + | |
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| + | * If you use a VPN, or app which claims to anonymize your web browsing, turn it off to verify it isn’t causing your connectivity issues. |
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| + | * Alternatively, you may need to turn it on, especially if you’re trying to connect to a public network. Some VPN apps have settings which will disable traffic to the web unless they are enabled. |
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| + | * Uninstall the app altogether, if it seems to be causing issues. You may also need to check under ''Settings > General > Profiles and Device Management'' to make sure any configuration profiles associated with the app have also uninstalled. |
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| + | |
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| + | == Software == |
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| + | |
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| + | ** |
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| + | |
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| + | [br] |
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| + | |
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| + | == Faulty Antenna == |
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| + | |
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| + | Just like the FM radio in your car, WiFi uses electromagnetic waves to transmit signals. Also like FM radio, it requires an antenna to collect the signal and convert it into data your iPhone can interpret. Malfunctioning antennas could prevent your phone from even knowing there is a signal present. |
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| + | |
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| + | * Antenna issues are more likely to manifest as weak or non-existent signal. This can result in an inability to connect to the network or frequently dropped connections. |
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| + | * Since there are several antennas in any iPhone, a visual inspection should be your first step. Be mindful that an iPhone makes use of several other wireless communications types, so not all antennas are specifically for WiFi. |
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| + | ** Antennas tend to be located along the edges of the phone, or may be part of other cable assemblies. Consider any damage suspect and worth investigating. |
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| + | * If you have performed a repair recently, check that all the cables are seated properly and look closely in any places you were during the repair. |
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| + | ** The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are especially prone to WiFi antenna damage due to their removal during a battery replacement |
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| + | |
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| + | == Logic Board Fault == |
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| + | |
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| + | * Greyed out wifi, or inability to turn WiFi toggle on at all is a tell tale sign that your issue is with the board. |
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| + | * WiFi modules in many older models are a hot spot for liquid damage due to their location. Most of the board is typically covered in a metal shield, or at minimum a sticker to pretect against interference. But the WiFi chip is nearly always exposed and located near the edge of the board where liquid could have crept in. |
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| + | * Newer models may suffer from WiFi faults due to separation between the parts of the logic board. The WiFi chip would be on the bottom board, and would need to communicate with CPU among other components on the top board. |
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