Phone won’t connect to Wi-Fi: how to fix it (Android and iPhone)

First, figure out whether the problem is the phone or the network: do other devices connect to this Wi-Fi? If none of them do, the problem is the router or the internet connection. If only your phone fails, follow the steps below.

In this article

1. 1. The basics that fix a lot
2. 2. “Authentication error” or “incorrect password”
3. 3. “Connected, no internet”
4. 4. The 5 GHz network (“5G”) doesn’t show up
5. 5. Private MAC address (Wi-Fi that blocks devices)
6. 6. Wi-Fi drops when the screen turns off
7. 7. Reset network settings
8. FAQ

1. The basics that fix a lot

1. Turn the phone’s Wi-Fi off and on (or turn airplane mode on and off).
2. Restart the phone and the router (unplug it for 30 seconds).
3. Move closer to the router to rule out a weak signal.

2. “Authentication error” or “incorrect password”

• Double-check the password, paying attention to uppercase letters, numbers and look-alike characters (0 and O, l and I).
• Forget the network and connect again: Android: touch and hold the network › Forget. iPhone: tap the (i) › Forget This Network.
• The password may have changed. On a computer, you can view the saved password: see how to see your Wi-Fi password.

3. “Connected, no internet”

• Do other devices have internet? If not, restart the router and see connected, no internet.
• Turn off your VPN, Private DNS (Android: Settings › Connections › More connection settings › Private DNS › Automatic) and “ad blocking” apps.
• On hotel, airport and mall networks, open your browser so the network’s login page appears.

4. The 5 GHz network (“5G”) doesn’t show up

• Older or very cheap phones only see 2.4 GHz. Check the model’s specifications.
• If the router uses the same name for both bands, the phone picks one on its own. If they have separate names, connect to the 2.4 GHz one for more range.

5. Private MAC address (Wi-Fi that blocks devices)

Current phones use a private/randomized address on each network. If the router has MAC filtering (common in businesses) or you reserved an IP for the phone, turn this option off for that network only:

• Android: network details › Privacy (or MAC address type) › Use device MAC.
• iPhone: the network’s (i) › Private Wi-Fi Address › Off (or Fixed).

6. Wi-Fi drops when the screen turns off

Turn off battery saver and, on Android, the option to turn off Wi-Fi during sleep or to switch to mobile data automatically (Wi-Fi › Advanced).

7. Reset network settings

This erases saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings and VPNs, without deleting photos or apps.

• Android: Settings › System › Reset options › Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth (Samsung: General management › Reset › Reset network settings).
• iPhone: Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Reset › Reset Network Settings.

FAQ

How do I let guests connect without giving them the main password?

Create a guest network on your router. See guest Wi-Fi network.

Wi-Fi is slow only on my phone.

Test it near the router. If it gets better, it’s a coverage issue: see how to improve your Wi-Fi signal.