How To Fix Wi-Fi Connectivity Issue After Upgrading To iOS 6

BY Jason

Published 19 Sep 2012

iOS 6

We’ve received few complaints from our readers that they’re facing  Wi-Fi connectivity issues after upgrading to iOS 6. This thread on Apple support forum also indicates that it is affecting some users.

This is not the first time iOS device users are facing Wi-Fi connectivity issues after upgrading to the latest iOS software update. This issue has plagued users since the first iOS (iPhone OS) update.

If you’re facing Wi-Fi connectivity issues on your iOS device after upgrading to iOS 6 and you are able to connect other devices to that Wi-Fi network then you can follow these tips to fix the issue:

Hard Reset:

Try the hard reset your iOS device by following these steps:

  • Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
  • Release the buttons
  • When the device restarts, try to locate and join the Wi-Fi network again.

Basic Troubleshooting:

  • Launch Settings app and navigate to Wi-Fi
  • Tap on the Wi-Fi On/Off toggle to turn it off and then turn it on again

Renew IP Address:

If this doesn’t work then try to renew IP address, which may be required if you are using a larger wireless network.

  • Launch Settings app and navigate to Wi-Fi
  • Tap on the Wi-Fi network that you connect to from the list
  • Scroll down and tap on the Renew Lease button

Forget This Network:

If renewing IP address doesn’t resolve the issue, try establishing a fresh connection with the Wi-Fi network by using the Forget This Network option. Please note that this will clear your current Wi-Fi network settings, including saved Wi-Fi passwords.

  • Launch Settings app and navigate to Wi-Fi
  • Tap on the Wi-Fi network that you connect to from the list
  • Tap on the Forget This Network button
  • You will be prompted with a message that your iOS device will stop automatically joining this network. Tap on the Forget button.
  • Go back to the list of Wi-Fi networks, try to locate and join the Wi-Fi network again.

Reset Network Settings:

If restarting your iOS device doesn’t resolve the problem then reset all network settings. Please note that this will clear your current cellular and Wi-Fi network settings, including saved networks, Wi-Fi passwords, and VPN settings.

  • Launch Settings app
  • Tap General
  • Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap on Reset
  • Tap Reset Network Settings
  • When the iOS device restarts, try to locate and join the Wi-Fi network again.

Update 1:

Added the hard reset option as it seems to resolve the issue for many users. Thanks Eugene for the tip!

Update 2:

Here are some more solutions if it doesn’t work. However, these are more router related so we’re researching on it:

  • Sometimes changing the security option on the router helps. Try changing the router to WPA or WPA2.
  • Change the broadcast Channel (e.g. from 3 to 12) on the Router Wireless configuration to see if it helps.
  • Increase the the number of DHCP users.

Update 3:

Please refer to the comments as some readers have figured out a way to resolve the issue, which may work for you. Thanks everyone!

Update 4:

It looks like most users were affected due to availability issues with Apple’s web page authenticating Wi-Fi network (to check if there isn’t a login wall on your W-Fi network).  Once the availability issue was fixed, it seems to have automatically resolved the issue. Thanks to Arnold Kim of MacRumors for providing the details.

Let us know if any of the tips mentioned above resolved the Wi-Fi connectivity issue.