Filed under: iPod Family, Troubleshooting, iPhone
Loss of Wi-Fi connectivity plagues the iPhone 3G as well
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.
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.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
ramond said 7:53PM on 7-09-2009
The WiFiFoFum app solved all my connectivity problems.
Reply
Greg said 10:31PM on 7-09-2009
Sorry to jack your first post, however from primary analysis I've done with a thermal imaging camera (one of the perks of working in a job such as mine), it seems the extra processing power used by the 3.0 software heats the WiFi chipset to the point where functionality begins to be lost and the effectiveness of the chipset starts to go down. This also affects the cell (3G, EDGE, GPRS) effectiveness.
Only way this can be fixed is in a future firmware update by Apple. Though you can stick your iPhone into a freezer too, I guess.
DannyP said 12:35AM on 7-10-2009
This hasn't been a problem for me but my GPS is never working now. I noticed this on my 3g and 3gs. I hope there's a fix for this soon. Post that!
burningspear said 8:14AM on 7-10-2009
I'm using Ultrasn0w. No connectivity problems so far. Coincidence? ;-)
Scooterpsych said 7:54PM on 7-09-2009
I had the issue on my 3G after updating to 3.0. It wouldn't reconnect automatically after going to sleep. Very frustrating. My fix was To Reset the Network Settings (General-Reset-Reset Network Settings). Haven't had a single problem since then!
Reply
greg said 11:50PM on 7-09-2009
this one worked for me (so far)...
signal strength went from min to max and it hasn't dropped...
thanks heaps!
Mikeman118 said 10:36AM on 7-10-2009
After just following this article from Apple, http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1559, my Wi-Fi connectivity is at full strength on my iPod Touch 2G. Before, it was only at 1 or 2 bars after the 3.0 update. All I did was reset the Network Settings as well and it fixed it. However, Bluetooth still doesn't seem to work correctly.
Jason said 7:57PM on 7-09-2009
I've personally never had a problem with wifi post-3.0
Reply
Kento Ito said 7:58PM on 7-09-2009
I had HUGE PROBLEM with 3.0, but here's the good news: 3.1 software update might fix this.
I am a developer and I have been using 3.1 for days now. One huge difference I noticed between 3.0, is that 3.1 does lose Wi-Fi connectivity.
Reply
Mike said 10:15PM on 7-09-2009
I assume you mean 'doesn't' lose connectivity...
Lee said 8:29PM on 7-09-2009
No shit Sherlock we've been telling Apple this since the beta came out !
Reply
kissfan73a said 8:14PM on 7-09-2009
After upgrading to OS 3 on my iPod Touch my wifi performance has been crap. Constant dropped connections.
Wish I had never spent the money. Not worth it.
Reply
Christopher Long said 8:35PM on 7-09-2009
The are just as many frustrated iPod touch users on the Apple forums complaining about this issue with OS 3.0.
ERico said 12:20AM on 7-10-2009
Having noticed issue after issue with the Iphone and the conscious indifference Apple and ATT exhibit to their customers one solution might be to bring a class action lawsuit against these companies. The data service provided by ATT is anything but inexpensive and given the heavy marketing done by Apple concerning the 3G and 3GS you have to wonder if these commercials could not be used as evidence of deceptive trade practices. I for one am beginning to wonder if this is perhaps not a new avenue for litigation.
Luis said 10:38PM on 7-11-2009
There have been wifi issues with the touch devices for previous firmware versions as well. It seems to be hardware compatability in some cases. Details here
http://www.notascoolasitseems.com/mp3-player/product/apple-ipod-touch-32-gb
The details in the above link are usually associated with not being able to connect and the beacon intertval settings of the Apple device or router you are trying to connect to.
The info might help someone.
Nicholas said 8:17PM on 7-09-2009
I had this problem on my 3g, a friends 3g and another friends 3gs. Just delete the network connection (forget network) and then re-add it. The problem disappeared on all three phones.
Reply
David Winograd said 10:26PM on 7-09-2009
How long did it work for?
I tried it a few times and it only worked for 20 minutes or so. The back to varying signal strength.
Nicholas said 11:07PM on 7-09-2009
It has been working for weeks now.
asis.ganguli said 1:37PM on 9-02-2009
Please tell me how to get to the "forget the network" settings ... I just can't find it. It's locked with the Indian Airtel service provider.
Ryan S. said 8:17PM on 7-09-2009
I was noticing that my WiFi was dropping out as well. I though it was just being slow, because it would eventually load. I hope this gets fixed in 3.1...
Reply