There are many reasons why your phone might not be connecting to WiFi. In this article, we will go over some of the most common causes and troubleshooting tips.
Why Is My Phone Not Connecting to WiFi? What to Do
#1. Is your Wi-Fi router accessible?
You may have trouble connecting to the network if your Wi-Fi router is too far away. And even if you do connect, it may not work properly.
Many factors can have an impact on Wi-Fi performance. Interference of any kind can degrade the signal. This is especially problematic if there are multiple walls or if the walls are too thick between your device and the router. It’s a very common problem in concrete buildings.
Furthermore, not all routers can reach that far or transfer data as quickly.
If signal reach is an issue, move closer to the router. You can also upgrade to one of the best routers to increase the likelihood that they will reach further and handle more simultaneous connections.
#2. Have You Reached the Router’s Device Limit?
If you only use a few devices, most people won’t have any problems with lower-end Wi-Fi routers. As you add more smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, smart lights, appliances, and other smart home devices, your Wi-Fi performance may suffer. Everything appears to be smart these days, which can be a problem because different routers have different device limits.
Lower-end options can typically handle 10–15 simultaneous connections. Beyond that point, your Wi-Fi network will become useless, which could explain why your Android phone won’t connect to Wi-Fi.
Turn off or disconnect any other devices or smart products you aren’t using. You should try splitting connections to different channels if you have a router with multiple bands. If you absolutely must have multiple devices connected simultaneously, you’ll need to upgrade to a more capable router.
There are numerous capable options. If you have a lot of connected devices, you should look into their 6 and Wi-Fi 6E options. Many of these can handle more than 50 concurrent connections.
#3. Restart Your Phone
We’re not sure why, but quickly restarting your smartphone will resolve most minor software issues and hiccups, especially when your phone is not connecting to your WiFi. It’s always one of the first troubleshooting suggestions we give, and it’s a quick and simple fix you should try.
To restart an Android phone, follow these steps:
- Press the side and volume-up buttons at the same time.
- Press the Restart button.
To restart an iPhone, follow these steps:
- Press the side button and volume-down buttons simultaneously
- Swipe the shut-down toggle
- Switch it back on using the side button
#4. Check your connection Settings
If your phone isn’t connecting to Wi-Fi, make sure Wi-Fi is turned on. You may have accidentally forgotten to turn it on or turned it off. Fortunately, this is a simple fix.
How to Enable Wi-Fi on Android:
- Navigate to the Settings app.
- The internet and the open network.
- Click on Internet.
#5. Check that Wi-Fi is Turned On
Another thing to look for is Airplane mode. When activated, it disables Wi-Fi, data, and other functions, making it impossible to connect to the internet. If you have Airplane mode turned off and Wi-Fi turned on but still don’t have a connection, proceed to the second solution on this list.
How to Disable Airplane Mode:
- Navigate to the Settings app.
- The internet and the open network.
- Check that Airplane mode is turned off.
#6. Upgrade your Phone Software
While software versions aren’t a common problem with data or Wi-Fi connections, they can help your phone fix system bugs. Updating your phone software is worth a shot, and it’s a quick way to get things back up and running.
How to Update an Android Device:
- Navigate to the Settings app.
- Select System.
- Select System update.
- Select Check for updates.
- If an update is available, your phone will notify you. To update, follow the instructions.
It's almost the same process if you are using an iPhone.
#7. Check the Name and Password of Your Router
Another reason you may be having connection issues is that you are attempting to connect to the incorrect network. This can occasionally happen, especially if your neighbours share the same ISP and, as a result, have similar network names in some cases. Check the back or bottom of your router to see what your network is called. You’ll notice a small sticker with the necessary information if you haven’t renamed your unit.
If you’ve determined that you’re on the correct network, the next step is to double-check your password. The generic password is printed on the same sticker as the network name. Re-enter the password for the network you’re attempting to connect to and see if that resolves your issue. Keep in mind that you may have changed the password after the initial setup, and it will be case-sensitive.
How to Change Wi-Fi Settings on Android:
- Open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Network & Internet.
- Click on Internet.
- Locate your Wi-Fi connection. Tap the gear icon to the right of it.
- In the top-right corner, tap the pencil icon.
- You can change the password and check other information here.
You can factory reset your router if you’ve changed your network name or password and can’t remember it. This method varies by router, so look in your manual or Google for how to factory reset your router model.
#8. Restart Your Router
It’s possible that the router, rather than your smartphone, is to blame for your connection issues. This occurs frequently and, in most cases, is a simple fix. Many modern routers include a reset button or can be restarted via an app. If your router has neither, unplug it from the power outlet and wait at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
After that, you’ll have to wait a few minutes for the router to restart. Once it’s configured, reconnect to the network to see if everything is working properly.
#9. Disconnect From the Wi-Fi Network and Reconnect
The next solution that may solve your problem is to forget about the network and reconnect to it.
On Android, here’s how to forget a Wi-Fi network:
- Navigate to the Settings app.
- The internet and the open network.
- Choose Internet.
- Find the network you want to forget under Wi-Fi and tap the gear icon next to it.
- Select Forget.
You can reconnect by tapping on your network and entering the correct credentials.
#10. Carry Out a Factory Reset
This isn’t a great option, but it’s worth a shot if the previous fixes don’t work. A factory reset will remove any software bugs on your device that may have been causing your connection issues. It’s not difficult, but you’ll have to spend some time resetting your phone. It will erase all of your data (images, apps, documents, and so on) from your device, so make a backup first. You can find instructions on how to do so right here.
How to Perform a Factory Reset on an Android Phone:
- Navigate to the Settings app.
- Select System.
- Choose Reset options.
- Select Erase all data.
- Enter your PIN here.
- Tap on Erase all data to confirm.
When you turn the smartphone back on, you’ll have to go through the setup process again, just like when you first used it. After that, restart your Wi-Fi, select your network, and try to connect again. Hopefully, everything is now operational and you can connect to the internet without incident.
#11. Reset Your Phone’s Network and Operating System Settings
If all else fails, the problem could be with your phone rather than your internet.
Restarting your phone will clear out any glitches and allow it to reconnect to Wi-Fi.
If your phone still won’t connect, it’s time to reset it. Go to the Settings app and select “General Management.” There, select “Reset.”
We’ll start with the “Reset Network Settings” option, which deletes your network and Bluetooth settings. Your phone will restart; reconnect to Wi-Fi once more.
If that doesn’t work, try the “Reset Settings” option, which will erase all of your custom settings as well as any ringtones you’ve changed. However, your apps, pictures, and other personal data will remain safe.
Finally, consider performing a “Factory Data Reset.” This will erase everything on the phone and reset it to factory settings, as if you had never used it before. This will delete all of your data, so proceed with caution.
If nothing else works, you should contact the manufacturer of your phone.
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Why Is My Phone Not Connecting to WiFi? References
