Loss of Wi-Fi connectivity plagues the iPhone 3G as well

Wi-Fi connectivity problems are not limited to the iPhone 3GS, not by a long shot. The iPhone 3G is widely reported to have connectivity problems that, according to the large number of people discussing it on the Apple Support Discussions, dwarf the reports regarding the 3GS.

In over fourteen Apple Discussion threads, over six hundred messages have been posted with the first one being written on June 17th, shortly after the release of iPhone 3.0 software. These threads have been read by thousands of users. Unfortunately, to date, a solution is not at hand.

The problem, verified by many, is that when updating to the new software, Wi-Fi connectivity on the iPhone 3G either decreased or vanished entirely. Those who were used to getting full bars of Wi-Fi connectivity now experience markedly less bars. Worse, even if some signal strength bars are displayed, often there is no Internet connectivity.

Many solutions have been proposed including resetting the router, changing settings (seemingly at random), and even putting the 3G in the freezer:

"Also i might note, I turned off wifi, turned off the phone, put it in the freezer (in a bag) for 10 mins, turned the phone back on, put the phone right next to my wifi antenna and then turned on wifi and it joined, it JUST joined and I couldnt believe it," says one forum poster. Several others report similar results, but this fix did not last long. In fact, blog posts have been written about possible solutions, but none of them seemed to pan out after using Wi-Fi for a short period of time.

Some writers have said that the 3.1 update will fix the problem while a larger number say that the new software release won't help at all.To prove that this is not an isolated incident, one user wrote about upgrading four iPhones and experiencing the problem on every one of them.

Replacement iPhones have been circulated through Apple Stores, but that didn't seem to fix the problem either. This brings up a a hardship that we in the US, with available Apple Stores, don't have to deal with. In some countries, like Italy and Croatia, all repairs are done via mail order with a four-week wait. The quandary becomes whether to send in your phone and wait a month with no guarantee of a fix, or to wait for the 3.1 software revision which again, may not solve the problem. What to do?

A lesser but salient problem reported in the Discussions is a lack of Bluetooth connectivity in conjunction with the lack of Wi-Fi. It seems that losing Bluetooth for those affected is a package deal with Wi-Fi since I haven't found reports of Bluetooth vanishing by itself.

Apple is reported to be well aware of this problem. As time goes on and the number affected increases, Apple Stores are acknowledging the problem and replacing phones, but to no avail.

If you would like to delve deeper, here are a number of Apple Support Discussion links discussing this problem.

Using the old saw of 'a squeaky wheel gets the most grease,' perhaps a preponderance of evidence will get Apple moving on such a widespread malady.

If you have experienced this issue, please comment about it.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

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Source: http://support.apple.com/

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Wi-Fi connectivity problems are not limited to the iPhone 3GS, not by a long shot. The iPhone 3G is widely reported to have connectivity...

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Iphone 3g, South Africa, problem with 2.1 got worse with 3.0 - no wifi at all - also did not work on 3.1. Put in the freezer overnight and worked for 4 hours and now can't find any network again.

Also had problem saying I was plugging in an accessory not designed for the iphone - every 30 seconds!! Freezer trick solved that though.

October 05 2009 at 10:38 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jun

well, it is exactly true. I got my first Iphone 3G from Singapore about a month ago, it was working fine but after I upgraded the OS to version 3.0, my wifi doesn't work anymore, detecting no wireless networks at all. Worst, I am now living in Copenhagen and Apple center in Denmark doesn't support Iphone at all. They advised me to approach Telia or Telenor which I am not their customers. Please tell me what I should do now!??

August 17 2009 at 2:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

James

Same issue, Freezer trick works for about 10 seconds.
Thinking about popping the iphone open and playing with the wifi antenna.
Warranty is void anyway.
What a pain in the ass.

August 14 2009 at 1:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rich

Have the iPhone 3g....Was PERFECT until the 3.0 update. Now runs slower, has more behavioral glitches and the wifi passwords won't save and have to be re-entered every time I want to use. And even then, 50/50 chance of connecting.

WAS the best phone I've ever had!

July 21 2009 at 12:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

coasterrobb

my iPod Touch 32gb 1st Gen will not connect automatically to certain access points that I use everyday anymore. No problems with WiFi until the OS 3.0 update. I wish I could go back to 2.2.1!

I hope Apple fixes this soon.

Rob

July 16 2009 at 1:47 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to coasterrobb's comment

CDeutsch

Same issue. That's how I found this article.

July 18 2009 at 9:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Doug Hogg

I wanted to add that our issues with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth started occurring when we upgraded devices to iPhone software 3.0. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth use the same aerial. To get around the problem with our game, currently we are advising users to turn off one or the other before trying to connect to the other iPhone or iPod Touch 2g.

(Sorry for the repeated post above - my excellent 1password program re-posted it when I logged in - it had recorded my whole comment.)

July 13 2009 at 3:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Doug Hogg

We ran into problems connecting over Wi-Fi when Bluetooth is turned on when developing our game, iSamurai: Real Life Sword Fight. Turning off Bluetooth while playing over Wi-Fi resolves the problem. And turning off Bluetooth when playing over Wi-Fi also handles it.

We have been working with Apple on this, and they are working on a permanent resolution. So people who are having Wi-Fi problems may want to turn off their Bluetooth connection to see if that helps. It definitely handles the issue when playing our iSamurai over Wi-Fi (or Bluetooth if Wi-Fi is turned off).

Additional info is available on our blog athttp://toykite.com/content/bluetoothwifi-issues-and-status-30

Doug Hogg
Toy Kite Software

July 13 2009 at 3:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jason

I have no issues with my iPhone 3g. My home router is running DD-WRT, so wouldn't this be showing how poorly written most router firmwares are?

WiFiFoFum (or similar apps) are essential for getting the wlan on a channel without major interference. Simple stuff.

July 13 2009 at 9:36 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Doug Hogg

Oops. I meant to say that turning off Wi-Fi when connecting over Bluetooth also handle it.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi use the same aerial in the iPhone and iPod Touch, so when Bluetooth was activated in iPhone software 3.0, some unanticipated results occurred. I am sure that it will all be resolved soon.

Doug Hogg
Toy Kite Software

July 12 2009 at 10:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Doug Hogg

July 12 2009 at 9:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply