iPhone Won't Connect to Wi-Fi? 9 Fixes That Work

Quick fix

Restart your iPhone and your router, then go to Settings > Wi-Fi, forget the network and join it again, typing the password carefully.

What it means

When an iPhone won't join Wi-Fi, the problem is usually the password, a saved network setting that has gone stale, or the router itself. If the iPhone joins but shows "No Internet Connection" under the network name, the iPhone is talking to the router fine but the router isn't getting online.

Common causes

A mistyped or changed Wi-Fi password
Stale saved settings for that network on the iPhone
The router or modem needs a restart, or the internet connection is down
A VPN or security app getting in the way
The network blocks private Wi-Fi addresses
Being too far from the router, or an older router that needs a firmware update
Wi-Fi turned off, Airplane Mode on or a frozen Wi-Fi setting after an update

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Check Wi-Fi is on and Airplane Mode is offEasy

Open Settings and make sure Airplane Mode is off.
Tap Wi-Fi, make sure Wi-Fi is turned on, then tap your network's name.
A blue checkmark next to the name means the iPhone has joined.
On the same screen, check whether Connectivity Assist is on. Turn it off while you troubleshoot so the iPhone doesn't quietly use cellular data instead.
If the Wi-Fi switch is grayed out and won't move, restart the iPhone.
Move closer to the router to rule out weak signal.

Why it helps: A switched-off setting or weak signal is quick to rule out before changing anything else.

02Re-enter the password carefullyEasy

If the iPhone says the password is incorrect, check it on the router's label or with whoever runs the network.
Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive, so check capital letters, and watch for look-alike characters such as 0 and O, or 1 and l.
If the router was replaced or reset, the network name and password may have changed to the ones on the new router's label.
Or let a nearby iPhone that is already connected share it: tap the network name on your iPhone, keep the other iPhone unlocked and close by, and have its owner tap Share Password. Both need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on and each other saved in Contacts.

Why it helps: A wrong or changed password is the most common reason an iPhone refuses to join a network.

03Restart the iPhone, router and modemEasy

Turn the iPhone off and on again.
Unplug the router and the modem (or the single box from your internet provider) from power.
Wait about 30 seconds, plug the modem back in, wait until its lights settle, then plug the router back in.
Wait a few minutes for the network to come back, then try joining again.

Why it helps: A restart clears temporary glitches in both the iPhone and the router, which fixes many connection problems.

04Forget the network and join it againEasy

Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
Tap Edit in the top corner to see networks the iPhone has saved.
Tap the More Info button (the small i) next to your network.
Tap Forget This Network, then tap Forget to confirm.
Go back to the Wi-Fi list, tap the network and type the password again.

Why it helps: Forgetting the network throws away old saved details, such as an out-of-date password, that stop the iPhone from joining.

05If it says No Internet Connection, test the routerEasy

Check whether other phones, tablets or computers can get online on the same Wi-Fi.
If nothing can get online, the problem is the router or your internet service, not the iPhone. Restart the router and modem as above.
If it still fails, check your internet provider's website or app on cellular data for an outage, or call them.
If only the iPhone has no internet, continue with the fixes below.

Why it helps: "No Internet Connection" means the iPhone joined the router but the router can't reach the internet.

06Update iOS and turn off any VPNMedium

Update the iPhone in Settings > General > Software Update. Use cellular data or another Wi-Fi network if needed.
If you use a VPN or a security or content-filter app, turn it off or remove it temporarily, restart the iPhone and try Wi-Fi again.
If that fixes it, turn the app back on and contact its maker or your workplace IT for an update or a setting change.

Why it helps: Updates fix Wi-Fi bugs, and VPN or filter apps can block the connection without saying so.

07Change the Private Wi-Fi Address setting for that networkMedium

Make sure iOS is up to date first, since that often solves this on its own.
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi. If you are not connected, tap Edit.
Tap the More Info button next to the network, then tap Private Wi-Fi Address.
Choose Fixed. If the network still blocks you, choose Off for this network only.
Rejoin the network. Some routers with parental controls or device lists need the iPhone to keep the same address.

Why it helps: Some networks only let in devices they recognize, and a changing private address can look like a new device.

08Check the router's settings and firmwareMedium

If your router shows two networks, such as one for 2.4 GHz and one for 5 GHz, try joining the other one.
Check the router maker's app or website for a firmware update and install it.
Check the router isn't blocking new devices with a device list, MAC filter or parental controls.
Try a different Wi-Fi network, such as at a friend's house. If the iPhone joins other networks fine, the problem is your router.

Why it helps: Router firmware bugs, filters and band settings can stop one device from joining while others work.

09Reset network settingsAdvancedResets settings

Use this only after the other fixes. It does not delete photos, apps or messages.
Write down any Wi-Fi passwords you need, because this removes every saved Wi-Fi network and password. It also clears cellular, VPN and APN settings.
If your work or school manages the iPhone's network settings, check with IT first.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings and confirm.
After the iPhone restarts, join your Wi-Fi network again and type the password.
Do not choose Erase All Content and Settings, which wipes the phone.

Why it helps: This clears every network setting at once, which fixes corrupted settings that forgetting a single network can't.

Check it's fixed

A blue checkmark appears next to your network in Settings > Wi-Fi, with no "No Internet Connection" message under it.
The Wi-Fi symbol appears at the top of the screen.
A web page loads in Safari with cellular data turned off.

When to get help

If the iPhone won't join any Wi-Fi network anywhere, even after resetting network settings, contact Apple Support, since the Wi-Fi hardware may need service. If no device in your home can get online, contact your internet provider.

Questions

Why does my iPhone say incorrect password when the password is right?

The saved details for that network may be out of date, or the router may be blocking the iPhone. Forget the network, restart the router and type the password again; if it keeps happening, check the router for a device filter.

What does No Internet Connection under the Wi-Fi name mean?

The iPhone is connected to the router, but the router isn't getting internet. Test another device, restart the router and modem, and contact your internet provider if nothing can get online.

Will resetting network settings delete my data?

No. It removes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords and cellular and VPN settings, but keeps your photos, apps, messages and other content.

My iPhone stopped connecting to Wi-Fi after an update. What should I do?

Restart both the iPhone and the router, then forget and rejoin the network. If that doesn't help, check for a newer iOS update that fixes the problem, then try resetting network settings.

Still stuck?

Paste the exact message to find the closest fix, or search it on Google, Microsoft, Apple, Reddit and YouTube.

How to fix an iPhone that won't connect to Wi-Fi