iPhone WiFi Problems (aka greyed-out “No WiFi”)
February 23, 2008
It appears a number of people have run into this particular problem on their iPhone: for no specific reason their WiFi stops suddenly working… often with a very low battery life (approx 6hrs) and the phone itself getting hot when in use. Here’s what I have discovered so far about this issue…
Firstly, there appears to be numerous people reporting this problem across the more popular forums. I had a reader contact me about his specific issue, and since a colleague of mine had been having the same problems, I thought I’d do a bit of digging.
So far, I have only found 2 posts on the web from users who have actually been able to fix this problem on their phones - here and here. To try it for myself, I borrowed my colleague’s faulty phone (Week 38, BL 3.9) to see if by meticulously following one of these documented processes I could also get the same result. Unfortunately, neither worked for me.
Much to the chagrin of my own determination, I also found a post on one of the Hackint0sh forums worthy of quotation:
“Well I finally gave in and this is how I fixed my iphone: I walked in to an Apple Store and explained to them this was my friends iPhone and he had updated it to 113 and since then no WiFi…
From my experience, I had tried everything mentioned in these forums to try to fix it and I believe it was genuinely a hardware failure…
So if you have exhausted your efforts then don’t waste your time, because it really may be a faulty WiFi/Bluetooth causing the problem…
They swapped it out for a brand new one right there and then.”
I have to say, after hours of working through all the things other people have tried, I am finally at the same place - I am pretty convinced that my colleague’s iPhone at least, is also a solid hardware failure.
The only unanswered question I still have: ‘Is there a common theme?’ I am interested to understand whether this problem that quite a few iPhone owners have experienced is random… or whether it is in fact, the result of a particular sequence of events?
The one thing I can say about my colleague’s phone was that it was originally unlocked (back at 1.02) with IPSF. Is this related? I don’t think so… but, it does appear that the IPSF method of unlocking is very different from AnySIM and does not permanently alter the BaseBand Modem Firmware (see here for a detailed explanation). And, my initial full restore to 1.1.3 did NOT remove the iPSF unlock - so the ‘full restore’ option is obviously not overwriting everything. All I can assume for the moment is that it is possibly related, but I suspect unlikely. Hardware does fail of course, and perhaps this problems with the WiFi/Bluetooth radio chip is just a peculiar weakness of this iteration of the iPhone?
The other thing I have discovered through the process is that there are a good number of different tools available now for hacking the iPhone - a good list can be found here. At this point, I would say the essentials for me have been:
(1) iJailbreak (Mac only)
(2) ZiPhone (Windows & Mac)
(3) iNDependence for the Mac or iBrickr for Windows)
I found none did everything flawlessly, and would occasionally need rescuing from one of the others - but the portfolio of all three has so far not let me down. 
I would be very interested (and I’m sure many others would be too) in hearing about anyone else’s experiences with this problem - particularly if you actually managed to fix it! Please comment below…
I have an IPSF unlocked phone - unlocked on 1.0.2 but was an OTB 1.1.1. I recently upgraded to 1.1.3 via ziPhone and actually ran with the Unlock option. So effectively I ran the AnySIM unlock over the top of the IPSF unlock. This was to avoid having to run Signal.app which wasn’t working too well for me. Anyway - I haven’t had any problems with my Wi-fi and I have probably run ziPhone about 4 times now and also performed the Dev team soft-upgrade prior to that… so I don’t believe it is IPSF related either.
Yep - another piece of evidence to suggest it actually IS a hardware problem. Thanks.
I GOT MY WIFE A NEW FONE AND IT WAS 1.1.13 4.6 UNLOCK WITH ZIPHONE AND I COULD NOT GET WIFI TO WORK ANY MORE WENT TO APPLE AND EXCHANGE THE FONE I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET WIFI BACK THE NEW ONE THAT I GOT ALL WAS WORKING GOOD BUT ON DAY SHE WAS IN YOUTUBE AND WIFI WENT ALWAY DID A RESTOR AND FIX THE PROBLEM,
I DONT THINK IS THE UNLOCKING SOFTWARE I THINK IT HAVE TO DO WITH THE IPHONE IT SELF
SO LIKE THE POST SAY IF YOUR WIFI DOES NOT SHOW UP GOT EXCHANGE DONT DO LIKE I DID SPEN ABOUT 2 DAY DOING ALL I WAS TOLD AND AT THE END HAD TO EXCHANGE THE PHONE
Thanks - another one for Hardware.
Amigo, estoy 100% seguro de que el problema esta en el software, no esta en el hardware, les explico: yo use el metodo para subir el 1.1.2 otb desbloqueado en 1.1.1 y luego subido a 1.1.2, cuando estaba en 1.1.2 use el ibrickr 1.1.3 y luego desde el instaler use el upgrade 1.1.3 que esta en el system, y tuve un telefono 1.1.3 perfectamente bien, este metodo corre perfecto, 100% confiable, todo servia wi-fi, bluetooth y todo.
despues de esto intente probar el mismo telefono con un metodo diferente, que no es actualizarlo con el upgrade 1.1.3 que esta en el installer sino usar la actualizacion desde el itunes y alli esta el problema, esa actulizacion desde el itune es lo que bloquea el wi-fi y el bluetooth, cuando termino el proceso ya no tenia wi-fi ni bluetooth, ahora por que digo que es de software, por lo siguiente, tenemos el firmware 1.1.3 y no lo podemos bajar porque nuestro telefonos tienen el bootloader 4.6, entonces fiejense todos que si bajan a la version 1.0.2 les permitira apagar y prender el bluetooth, en esta version permite encenderlo o apagarlo, pero en las demas solo dice no disponible. por esta razon creeo que no es ningun hardware sino software, fijense que ni siquiera puedo bajar nada del instalar con edge no lo permite, y tampoco puedo meterle un programa con el ibrickr tampoco lo permite, espero sirva de algo para encontrar la solucion, este es mi correo amer_jg@hotmail.com estoy a la orden, I can speak english but not so perfectly. sorry for haven`t writed in english.
Here’s a basic translation of the above comment (via Google Translate and my own paraphasing). Amer (or someone else) please correct me if I’ve got it wrong:
“Friend, I am 100% sure that the problem is software, not hardware, let me explain: I use the method to downgrade the OTB released 1.1.2 to 1.1.1, and then back to 1.1.2, which I then upgraded up to 1.1.3 using ibrickr, since it was before the release of the installer method that upgrades to 1.1.3 directly, and I ended up with a working 1.1.3 iPhone. This method is perfect, 100% reliable - all with WiFI, bluetooth and everything. After this I tried the same phone with a different method, which is also not upgraded to 1.1.3 via the installer method, but updated via itunes and there is the problem with activation since itunes seems to be what blocks the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. When I finished the process, I no longer had WiFI or bluetooth. Hence, I think its software for the following reason - we have firmware 1.1.3 and we could not downgrade because our phones are bootloader 4.6. Then if I downgraded to version 1.0.2, I can activate and deactivate bluetooth - this version lets me turn it on or turn it off, but the other versions just say its not available. So this reason for this is must not be hardware but software. But I can’t remember any specific step from the second method that kills the WiFI, nor did I get any problems if I used the ibrickr method. I hope to digg deeper to find the solution. amer_jg@hotmail.com”
Amer obviously thinks this is a Software Problem - caused (I think) by the iTunes upgrade process. Sounds interesting, but his theory needs some more detailed testing…
Hello , another guy with bad news, it’s me…and my iphone I am trapped with the same bug, and so far I think there is no solution. I am from outside the US and you will now that I cannot exchange this unit anywhere. I experienced this when I was using safari and suddenly the iphone hanged. When I restarted no wif and getting hot and battery drained quickly. I am upset . The question if this happends to AT&T customers, or is the unoficial unlocking members?
I cannot downgrade to 1.0.2 only 1.1.3 and 1.1.4 can restore, last time I unlocked with ziphone 2.5c
even tried refurbish and downgrade bootloader to 3.9, even ibrick download apps fails.
so If this does not happend to geohot or dev team I think nobody will investigate technicaly what is the solution.
good luck !!!
This sounds like a hardware failure to me…
Same for me ….
This is a problem that needs to bee addressed because if this is a hardware problem it is being caused by some sort of software glitch.
I talked to a apple tec i know that has, as of 3 days ago, 4 iPhones and all of them with a similar background.
1. downgraded to 1.1.1 or bought with 1.1.1 and unlocked.
2. 3 upgraded via iTunes and then unlocked, 1 restored then upgraded and unlocked
3. 2 of them hand “No WiFi/Bluetooth” right after restart but the other 2 some days later.
I might be wrong here but if the phones that have this problem are heating up and losing power there might be reason to think that this is a software problem that is overdriving the WiFi and/or the bluetooth.
I’m did some testing with a friend of mine on this and the WiFi and Bluetooth are not damaged from what i can see but i’m not a software guy so i dont know about that side of it.
I think you may be right, but I suspect there may be more to it than meets the eye. It does have that hardware ’smell’ to it…
Apparently ZiPhone 3.0 has been released (http://www.ziphone.org/) and claims to feature a “Solution for GREYED wifi”! I won’t have a chance to try this out, so please let me know if it solves your problems…
I,ve tried the ziphone 3.0 wifi fix option in the advanced tab, but with nog succes. Hope someone else has a solution
Hi,
I am also from a country other than US…i too seem to have the same problem..the symptoms are..restart your phone and first launch installer : wifi connects…come out of it..wifi disconnects…use other applications..e.g. tunewiki..mobilerss..etc..they won’t even launch that wifi finder window…safari too is buggy…i have done a lot of searching on the net but no1 seems to have come with a solution
Have you tried the WiFi fix option in ZiPhone 3.0?
Just to let you know.
i found out that the older models of iPhone are prone to damage some connectors dealing with the WiFi module. haven’t gotten a chance to take a look at it myself but if Ziphone 3.0 dose not work keep in mind that it might just be damaged.
So you might want to viginize and ask a friend with the right phone company and try it with his/ her SIM card to see if it works.
I had this issue for 3 weeks…the wi-fi logo greyed out! but then one fine day automatically it was back again. I did not do anything!
I’m from India and got a 16GB Iphone from US. I unlocked the phone using Ziphone 2.6. The phone worked fine for a month. Suddenly i notice that the phone started to get hot and one day while charging it got stuck. It stuck about 4-5 times the same day. I also noticed that my wifi is greyed out. I downgraded my Iphone and again unlocked it Ziphone 3.0. I also used the wifi fix in Ziphone. It worked for sometime and again it’s gone.
Will i be able to replace the phone? As i’m in india i don’t see that as a possibility. Can anyone help me? Also, i notice that my Iphone is not riniging properly when it is in power saver mode…any clues?
This definitely sounds like a hardware problem to me. If you can get it back to the States with an original receipt, you may be able to get it replaced… Sorry I can’t offer you any better news…
Advice? I recently unlocked my iphone which has firmware 1.1.4 using Ziphone 3 and clicking the “Do it All” button. All’s well with the execption of wifi which gives the message “safari can’t open the page because it can’t find the server”. Any tips or suggestions on how to address this problem? Thanks.
Sounds like a connectivity problem. Is the WiFi greyed-out as above?
I have been struggling with this issue of no wifi for months, and eventually gave up. I do feel it is software issue as my wifi has intermitantly worked during different upgrades. I used both ipsf and any sim during unlock on 1.02 initially. I also have issues with recieving calls when in stanby mode intermitantly as well. Again I’m also an international user. Could this be a baseband issue?
I am not sure if it’s working or not, but i got the greyed Wi-fi twice already. And i installed AnySim 1.3 and turned off the Iphone. Then when i turned it on again, i got the Wi-fi back. But One experience i got is that when you install any javascript software, it could cause this wi-fi problem. Like the one i’m having right now.
Ziphone 3.0 couldn’t really fix this problem. So if anyone else have any advice or experience, please share. Thanks and Good luck
Got the same wifi problem also. 1.1.4 which had to be unlocked with ZiPhone due to another problem. After the unlocking the wi-fi went grey. Tried ZiPhone 3.0 and the “Fix Wi-Fi” -option. No bonus. :/
yeah, grayed out AFTER it froze 2 times, then learned how to do a hard reset from an att phone rep then after that my text msgs dont come in right away (like a couple of hours later and all at once) and when people call me, my phone doesnt light up or ring but it will tell me if i missed a call, if i “open” my phone. im really disappointed because it looks like it is going to be a pain to fix or replace. yeah….
i think the iphone company apple should recalltheir phones as they are having a problem and we pay thro the A** to buy them
i think the iphone company apple should recalltheir phones as they are having a problem and we pay thro the to buy them
Would it be rude to suggest that the common link appears to be “Using software other than iTunes to modify/manage the iPhone.”
This is a hardware and software issue.
My phone will loose wifi (ie greyed out) as well as have the “no ring” problem on sleep mode when I reboot the phone or it resets because of some software crash.
My phone had 1.1.4 on it out of the box and I unlocked it with Ziphone 3.0. Spent a lot of hours on it with no real permenant solution.
The only way I can fix this is to turn the Iphone off and wait from 2-3 hours before powering back up.
It has something to do with heat. There is something in the software that disables wifi and this affects ringing on sleep because it’s in some low power or shutdown state. It is intentionally doing this because the phone thinks it’s too hot and is adjusting the power level accordingly.
People have mentioned that unlocking causes the calibration table to get messed up when they unlock with some programs.
There should be a software fix for this. I’m shocked that no one has found a foolproof and permanent fix!
-Sal
I have the exact same problems as mentioned by Sal in the post above, been waiting for a fix for this problem for 6 months now! :-/
I bought my iphone 3g last weekend and I am experiencing the fast battery draining, greyed out wifi and bluetooth issue. I am not very tecnical i’m afraid and don’t understand all of the jargon. All I can say is that my wifi and bluetooth are greyed out and my battery dies within 4 hours even with EVERYTHING switched off - 3G, push, location maps etc
I really think my handset is faulty.
I have read that when the battery is charged fully, the lightning symbol will turn to a plug symbol, is this correct? My phone never shows the plug symbol, even when charged for 12 hours!
Does this sound like a hardware issue?
Jennifer - your problem definitely sounds like a hardware issue to me! Take back to the store you brought it from as soon as you can…
Thank you, will be doing that today!
phone returned to the shop today. I’m pleased to say i now have a properly working iphone! If anyone else gets the same problems as I previously described, it’s definitely a faulty handset so return it straightaway!