A couple of iPhone and iPad users are experiencing a strange issue where they are attempting to join a familiar wi-fi network, but they see an “Incorrect password” error message, and the iPhone or iPad refuses to join the wireless network. More specifically, users see the “Incorrect password” wi-fi error despite they being certain the wi-fi password is correct. Given how dependent these devices are to an internet connection, it can be frustrating when an iOS device doesn’t join a wi-fi network or returns a repeated “incorrect password” message.
See also:
Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting on your iPhone? Fix
In this troubleshooting guide, I’ll explain how to fix the annoying “Incorrect password for network” error messages on an iPhone or iPad when trying to join a wi-fi network.
Here are 4 main Reasons Why You Will See the “Incorrect Password” Error on your iPhone
Before you jump into solutions, make sure you cover the following bases:
- Ensure that you know the correct password of the wi-fi network
- Ensure that you are connecting to the correct wi-fi network, sometimes they have similar names as nearby wi-fi access points
- Ensure that you are typing in the wi-fi password correctly, they are case sensitive and the wi-fi password must be an exact match
- Ensure the CAPS LOCK or an alternative language keyboard is not enabled when typing in the Wi-Fi password
You may think the above recommendations are ridiculous, but most people incorrectly enter a wi-fi password, or have the CAPS LOCK on when typing in one, or maybe they hear a word or phrase incorrectly and are typing the wi-fi password wrong. For instance, if a wi-fi password is “Geeksmodo123” then it must be typed as it appears with the proper capitalization, or else you will encounter the ‘incorrect password’ error. It’s also not uncommon for people to be trying to join the wrong wi-fi network, so make sure you are not entering a correct wi-fi password but on the wrong access point.
Supposing you have the correct wi-fi password and the correct network, and you are still experiencing the incorrect password error, follow the steps below to fix the issue in iOS.
Fix “Incorrect Password” Wi-Fi Errors on iPhone and iPad
We’ll explain a number of troubleshooting tips and tricks to resolve the “Incorrect Password” error message when attempting to join a wireless network in iOS.
Are you having this problem too? Randomly, your iPhone (or iPad) says the password is incorrect? If you are having this issue, In this article, I’ll explain why your iPhone says the password is incorrect and help you fix the problem, whether it’s with your iPhone or your wireless router.
Follow the steps below in order. After each step, please check if you fixed the problem:
Solution #1: Reboot the iPhone or iPad
In most cases, restarting the iPhone or iPad can fix strange network connection problems, including an inability to connect to a wi-fi network. It’s pretty easy to restart an iPhone or iPad. You just need to turn your iPhone or iPad off, then back on again. Here’s how:
- Hold down the Power button on the device until the ‘Slide to Power Off’ screen appears
- Drag the slider to power off the iPhone or iPad
- When your device is completely turned off, turn it back on by holding down the Power button until the apple logo appears
When the iPhone or iPad has started up again, try connecting the wi-fi network again.
Solution #2: Forget the Wi-Fi Network, then Re-Join
Sometimes, forgetting a wi-fi network and then rejoining that wi-fi network can fix incorrect password problems on your iPhone and iPad. Here’s how:
- On your iPhone, start the “Settings” app and go to ‘Wi-Fi’
- Now, tap the (i) info button next to the network name of the wi-fi router you wish to join
- Next, tap on “Forget This Network”
- Next on, confirm that you want to forget the network by tapping “Forget”
- Finally, wait for a few seconds and re-join the same wi-fi network again and type in the correct password
Solution #3: Reset iOS Network Settings on the iPhone or iPad
Resetting the iOS Network Settings clears all wi-fi and network preferences and settings from the device. Please note, all your wi-fi passwords, custom settings and configurations, and other remembered network data will be lost. Here’s how:
- Start the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad and go to” General” > “Reset
- Now, tap on “Reset Network Settings”
- Next, confirm that you want to Reset Network Settings
- Finally, re-join the wi-fi network using the correct password
In most cases, resetting network settings can resolve many annoying connectivity issues in iOS, which includes the “incorrect password for network” error, an unclear “unable to join network” error, and much more.
Remember to reconfigure various iOS networking components again after resetting your network settings. For instance if you use custom DNS on the iPhone or iPad, manual DHCP configuration, use a VPN, a proxy, or if you had many networks remembered along with their passwords, you’ll need to enter that data manually again after resetting your network settings
Solution #4: Restart the Wi-Fi Router or Modem
It’s pretty easy to restart a router or modem. Simply unplug a wi-fi router or modem, wait about 30 seconds, then plug the router back in again. In some cases, it’s not possible to restart a router or modem especially in workforce or public environments. So while you can easily do this in a home or small office, it might not apply at an airport, office, or public space.
Solution #5: Have Someone Else Share the Wi-Fi Password With You
With the newer versions of iOS, anyone can share a wi-fi password with another iPhone or iPad that is nearby.
If you or your friend is in a situation where an iPhone or iPad user is repeatedly getting the “Incorrect password” error message when trying to join a network, and you and the other device is running the latest iOS (iOS 11 or higher) then you can use the Share Wi-Fi Password feature in iOS to share the password with your friend and allow them to join the network without having to enter the password manually themselves. This can come in handy if someone is prone to typos or CAPS LOCK, using an alternative keyboard, and other similar scenarios where some user error can be involved in the failure.
Bonus “Incorrect Password for Network” Wi-Fi Troubleshooting Options
- Join another wi-fi network to be sure that wi-fi is actually working on the iPhone or iPad
- If the iPhone or iPad will not join any wi-fi network, it could be having a hardware problem – this is quite uncommon, but can be possible (especially if the device sustained substantial water contact or some other damage). In such a case,
contact Apple Support
to diagnose for hardware problems - Rarely, backing up, resetting, and then restoring an iOS device from backup may fix your issue – you should do this as a last resort
Keep in mind, if the wi-fi network is hidden you will need to manually type in the wi-fi SSID to join a hidden wi-fi network in iOS
Did the above troubleshooting tips fix your “incorrect password” for wi-fi network errors on an iPhone or iPad? Are you able to join the wi-fi network without problems? Are you aware of any other solution for this particular problem? We’d love to hear your experiences in the comments section below!