How to Fix Wi-Fi Not Working on iPhone After iOS 18 Update

Is WiFi not working on your iPhone after iOS 18 update?

It seems that nearly every time Apple releases an iOS update, some users are impacted with WiFi and internet performance issues and iOS 18 is no different!

I am sure all of us want our iPhones to run the latest iOS update available. Therefore, having to deal with Wi-Fi connection issues after installing iOS 18 update can be quite frustrating.

For some users, their iPhone’s are not even joining a known network and sometimes even show no WiFi available at all after updating their devices to iOS 18.

For others, their iPhone’s randomly disconnect from WiFi or connect to a very low signal only to have it disappear. This WiFi dropping out in iOS 18 is very frustrating, especially when the only thing that changed is iOS software.

Therefore, I have decided to explain what steps you need to take in order to fix your Wi-Fi problem in iOS 18 and get back to your everyday work.

These solutions have worked for me, so try them one by one until your problem is resolved.

How to fix iPhone Wi-Fi not working after iOS 18 update

1. Verify Wi-Fi Is turned on

It’s possible that an update or stray touch turned off Wi-Fi on your iPhone without you realizing it. To start, you should thus confirm that Wi-Fi is actually turned on:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Confirm the toggle next to Wi-Fi is turned on.

2. Toggle your Wi-Fi off and on again

After making sure the the Wi-Fi is enabled, try turning Wi-Fi off and then back on again. Please follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app from your Home screen.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the Wi-Fi On/Off Switch twice. Once to turn it off and another time to turn it back on.

3. Make sure you are connected to the right network

If you’re somewhere with multiple Wi-Fi networks that your iPhone could connect to — like in a coffee shop or at a business — your iPhone will pick the first one that pops up in the list, which is less than ideal. Head into your Wi-Fi settings and make sure you’re connected to the right network.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the Wi-Fi network you want.

4. Forget and Re-Add the Wi-Fi Network

Forgetting a network removes its password and all other network information from your iPhone. This can help clear up issues with connecting to specific networks. Keep in mind that you’ll need the password to reconnect after forgetting a network.

To forget a Wi-Fi network on iOS:

1. Start the Settings app and tap on Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the i icon next to the network you want to forget,
3. Tap Forget This Network.

For best results, try restarting your iPhone before rejoining the network.

5. Make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS 18 version

If there’s an iOS 18 update available, install it. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

6. Disable VPN

One of the most common reasons that seem to cause iPhone WiFi problems in iOS 18 is VPN. If you have enabled it via the Settings app or a VPN app, then try to disable it to see if it resolves the issue. You can disable VPN via the Settings app and navigate to the VPN settings to disable the Status toggle from Connected to Not Connected. If you are not able to disable it, then launch the VPN app to disable VPN temporarily to figure out if it resolves the WiFi problem on your iPhone running iOS 18.

7. Reset your network settings

If one of the Wi-Fi settings was corrupted in the process of iOS 18 update, it could prevent you from connecting to Wi-Fi. Although this deletes some preferences, sometimes it’s your only option.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select General.
3. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap Reset
5. Tap Reset Network Settings.
6. Type in your Passcode if prompted.
7. Tap Reset Network Settings to confirm.

Once this is complete, you’ll have to reconnect to every Wi-Fi and Bluetooth device you own or use, but if your Wi-Fi starts working again, then it will all be worth it.

8. Reboot your router

If you’re having problems with a specific network, it’s time to check out what’s going on under that network’s hood. If the Wi-Fi network is yours to tinker with, you can dive into your router’s settings to try and reboot or reset it. Alternatively, unplug all the cords from the router and then wait a few minutes. After you plug it back in, wait a minute or two for it to set up.

If you’re having problems with a network that isn’t yours, check with the proprietor or IT administrator — are other people having this problem? Can the network be rebooted? If not, you may be out of luck.

9. Reboot your iPhone

How to reboot your iPhone with Face ID

1. Press and hold the On/Off button on the iPhone’s right side.
2. While still holding the On/Off button, press and hold either of the volume buttons on the left side until you see the power-off slider on the screen.
3. Drag the slider from left to right to turn your iPhone off.
4. To turn your iPhone back on, hold the On/Off button again until the Apple logo appear.

How to reboot your iPhone without Face ID

1. Press and hold the Side) button on your iPhone until the power-off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider from left to right to turn your iPhone off.
3. To turn your iPhone back on, hold the Side) button again until you see the Apple logo.

Once your iPhone is back up and running, turn on Wi-Fi to see if this solved your problem. If it didn’t, it’s time to move on to the next step.

10. Restore your iPhone to factory settings

If you’re still unable to connect to Wi-Fi, you may want to take a rather drastic step: restoring your iPhone to its factory settings. This deletes everything from the iPhone and returns it to its original, out-of-the-box condition.

Before you do this, be sure to back up of all the data on your iPhone.

11. Reach out to your internet service provider

Did you try out all the fixes listed in this post but your Wi-Fi is still not working? If so, there’s a chance you’re going to have to make a call. But before you do, try to figure out if the problem is with your device or router. Try connecting as many devices as possible to your Wi-Fi network. If none of them can get online, the problem is with the router or the network. But if only one of them can’t connect, it’s likely there’s something wrong with that specific device.

Give your ISP a call. It can check if there’s any work being done in your area that’s causing interference with the network, or if there is a problem with your router. If the router is to blame, your ISP will send a guy over to replace it.

12. If All Else Fails, Reach Out to Apple

If you’ve tried all the software options available and you still can’t connect to any Wi-Fi network, your iPhone may have a hardware issue. Wi-Fi chip or antenna failure is rare, but it can happen — and the only way to fix it is to visit your local Apple Store or Apple Authorized Repair Shop.

WiFi not working after iOS 18 update: Fixed!

These are the best solutions for your iOS 18 Wi-Fi problems. Running into any other Wi-Fi problems after iOS 18 update? Drop a comment and let us know.