A couple weeks ago we posted a fix for the greyed out Wi-Fi issue some users are experiencing on their iPhone 4S in iOS 7. That method involved using a hairdryer to heat up the phone which somehow triggered the Wi-Fi settings to come back to life.
If that fix didn’t work for you, here’s are Apple’s official instructions on the issue, detailed in a recently updated support page:
Follow these steps to resolve the issue:
- Verify that airplane mode is off by tapping Settings > Airplane Mode.
- Reset the network settings by tapping Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Note: This will reset all network settings, including Bluetooth pairing records, Wi-Fi passwords, VPN, and APN settings.
- Ensure that your device is using the latest software. To do so, connect your device to your computer and check for updates in iTunes.
- If your issue is still unresolved, perform a software restore in iTunes.
Apple says if you are still having issues, you should contact them for service options. But for the older iPhone 4S which is out of warranty, this usually means a fix which might cost upwards of $200 according to what you guys have been telling us.
Let us know if this method from Apple works for you (clearly many of you have already tried this).
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Had this issue with my 4s on ios 5.0.1 and couldnt do anything to fix it.Had to take it back to Apple and get a new phone. Came with ios 6.1.3 =(
My 4s is still fine. Currently on 7.0. Odd that some are fine and others aren’t. Current persistent problems include volume up button turns up on its own and now my power/lock button is difficult to press. C’est la vie I guess
that’s ridiculous that Apple would charge money for a fix that their software update caused. It shouldn’t matter that the phone is out of warranty if their update breaks it. The warranty period should start fresh for problems associated with software upgrades.
You don’t have a firm grasp on how the real world works, do ya?
This would cost them billions and right now they’re covered 100% by their EULA.
I hope you learn real quick that major companies don’t give two shits about morality or the end user. The ONLY thing that matters is tha almighty $$$$$.
Just because it’s the “right thing to do” doesn’t mean they’ll do it, especially if it costs them time and/or money.
I’ve experienced this issue with one of the 4S’s here at my company (the boss’s). It seems to be the wi-fi chipset contacts, if heat fixes it that means it’s broken/cold soldier joints or broken traces. Heating expands metals which then make contact again.
Thanks for the tips. Still didn’t solve the issue. 🙁
Weird. I don’t have those problems on my 4S. Sorry for you, guys!
No, it didn’t work. Nothing works! I’m truly fed up! Not even the hairdryer/fridge worked!! I can’t afford $200 to fix it as I’m suddenly widowed with 2 young kids! However, at least I have a phone that works as a phone, I guess!
Try the freezer technique. 10 mins int he freezer.
Next time, invest in a life insurance policy, than you wont be a completely brainless broke a@@ ho! lol
Shoulda bought LIFE INSURANCE so that you wouldn’t become a broke ass welfare bum family! Waaa-Waaaaaaaa, ohh, you already were on welfare, I see! than yur old man was just flat-out gay and shouldn’t have taken it up the butt so hard, otherwise he might still be alive, or did your fat welfare ass crush him to death!
Apple’s fix didn’t work, I’ve tried it numerous times. Going to try the hairdryer trick now. Fingers crossed!
A complete restore is needed to fix. Go to iTune-create backup-restore to backup and you should be all set.
I
just got off the phone with iPhone support, they want to charge me for something that was created with their upgrade (7.0.4), I told them I would rather pay for a new smart phone from a competitor than pay $20 for their services. I will never buy another iphone prduct again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perfect fix – whenever the battery dies, charge it, shut down, put in freezer for at least 10 min, take out, power on. You’re welcome. Well that’s how it is on my iPad 2
Actually the hairdryer fix worked like magic , i didn’t believe it will fix my Wifi greyed out problem but it did , i used a hairdryer for my iphone 4s for like 5 minutes , then wrapped it and put it in the freezer for about 10 minutes , then performed a network settings reset and it worked !
mf apples
How can you do a restore if it won’t connect to wifi?
Guess all the fat on your ass has clogged your brain!
Its a software problem but I used this method and it works for me. Do the reset all network settings and then restart. Once your phone as loaded back up then do a hard restart. Working so far…
I just got a 4s with ios 8.1.3 . The phone was fine for 2 weeks and then started having wifi issues . It Started with the wifi button being greyed out . I tried resetting network settings , didn’t work . Did a full restore of the phone , didn’t work . I didn’t want to try the hairdryer option as I thought it might cause further damage to the phone . I didn’t want to put the phone in the freezer either , so instead I decided to put it in the fridge for about five minutes . When I took it out I did a hard reset and the wifi was back . The wifi signal drops when the phone heats up . DId the fridge method again with a hard reset and it came back . I’ve had to do this several times so far . My conclusion is that the ios , ( which is now 8.2 after the restore ) , is not compatible with the phone and runs it too hot . Apple should take responsibility for their mistake of running a software that is not compatible with their phones that cause them to malfunction . Shame on you Apple .
all this did was make me now have an “incorrect password” problem…but thx anyway