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Iphone 4s Wifi greyed out.

Iphone 4S, running iOS 6.1.3

Wifi toggle is greyed out. Tried rebooting and resetting the network settings in Reset Options but nothing works. I googled this problem and it seems many Iphone 4s owners are having this issue. There is also a discussion in the Apple forums regarding this issue. I would like to know from Verizon what my options are. From reading the Apple forums it seems its a issue with the product itself and not the user. You can google it or go on the apple forums and look for yourself. This is a issue which is no fault of the user.

Comments

unknown

Did you try this fix? http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=o_ws5srnVVM&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Do_ws5srnVVM%26feature%3Dyoutu.be The author states to let the iphone 4s fully discharge and then plug into charger to full charge, then under settings the wifi should be back on. I personally cannot vouch for the fix but hey what can you lose by trying? Good Luck

unknown

Here is Apples Fix http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1559

epi231

I tried the link that you provided from apple and also the stuff from Youtube. I just got this phone like 35 days ago because my last phone was having problems with the power button. This phone they provided me is refurbished. I noticed something was odd that I had to manually add my phone to my home network several times since I have received . Then starting two days ago it would not even find any wifi networks. I have three networks in my house. I rebooted the phone to see if that solved the problem and when I looked the wifi was greyed out. I reset the network settings, reset the phone and all the stuff in Apple forums as well as Youtube.

I believe this is an issue with the 6.1.3 update and this is a widespread issue as many people are in the same boat as I am. I want to know what my options are as I dont think there is a fix for this issue yet. I am eating up my data plan because wifi doesn't work at no fault of my own. Sorry about the rant but I am hoping to get a reply from Verizon. Paying for another refurbished iphone withing 35 days of getting this one is not something I am willing to do.

unknown

The store (Verizon) could try yet another refurbished iphone to you but its a chance if that problem is corrected and you may end up with something worse.

If you are paying you more than likely using your Asurion Insurance since the only time you pay is your deductible. Or the dreaded verizon line of you had water damage, or the box was empty, or never received back which is a whole other set of issues.

I read some of those forum posts last night and it seems you can call applecare for free on that new os issue and Apple was saying a patch would be given if they keep hearing of the wifi or bluetooth issues.

When I use a network I just use my primary wpa security network. I turn off guest networks and my iphone connects while I am getting out of my car. I see other networks on my phone but they don't interfere with my home network connections.

If you have all these other additional networks in your home you may have a conflict which causes that connection problem.

I tried to reply last night but for some reason I could not reply to you. Sorry for the delay.

epi231

Elector thank your for your reply. I had already thought of what you said and tried different networks and even different locations to see if my wifi would start. But like I said, it wasn't searching for a network simply because the wifi modem was turned off and the toggle was greyed out. I went to the Verizon store near me and they said they will mail me a new phone. I spoke with the IT guy and I think this is a prevalent problem with Iphone 4s problems. As soon as I told him my symptoms of it being only 3G and the wifi toggle was greyed out, he simply asked me where I wanted it mailed. He just said Iphone 4S have been having this issues. He was very nice and polite. So thank you Elector for trying to address my problem and thank you Verizon for having good customer service. Hope the next phone works out better :smileyhappy:

EpJayhawks12

This has been an ongoing issue with the iPhone... I contacted Apple and they have been aware of the issue for quite some time, but they have no fix for it!

unknown

There is scuttlebutt on the Apple Support Forums about an os update, or a replacement policy being thought of.

I read that Apple Care is giving free support for that last OS update that may be causing the problem.

tjomro

I am having this same issue. My IPad connects fine but like epi231 said - wifi is greyed out (and so is bluetooth on mine) I have had the phone for 6 months and for about a week this has been an issue. I am going to stop at a store as you did. I would really just like it fixed as I have a few apps that I depend on with info in them. Thanks for your information, wish me luck!

hoolahop

This is an issue related to your wifi chip overheating. There are a number of reasons why your wifi chip can overheat and the biggest one of them all is your iOS version. Apple has not done thorough testing between their iOS latest version optimizations and the WiFi chips of some devices. There is more information which can be found here:

http://transfer-iphone-contacts.blogspot.com/2013/07/iphone-wifi-greyed-out.html

charming72002

I had the same problem and tried all of the fixes. Apple Genius Bar said i needed a new phone.

Called Verizon tech support. called in from another phone. Tech support had me push new update from verizon

then turn off phone. Turned back on. Wi fi worked. Found my home network. Put in passcode. Back in business.

Not a phone issue.

mcrisost1999

charming, do you by chance know/ remember what the verizon update is? wife's phone has same issue, would love to fix it vs. upgrading devices. thanks in advance.

charming72002

Unfortunately it only worked for part of a day.

New phones soon so I would wait to see what

Apple announces

Sent from my iPhone

binkroon

Maybe you should read these discussions:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5331834?start=60&tstart=0

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5328365?start=390&tstart=0

Let me sum up my observations in this discussion.

Everyone having a problem in this discussion has the following problem:

All phone affected are IPhone 4s
All problems occurred after the upgrade to iOS7
The issue we are experiencing is a greyed out WiFI button, which was not greyed out before.
We have tried all options advised by Apple to resolve this issue.
we are all unable to solve this problem ourselves constructively, although some of us have managed adhoc 'fixes' like hairdryers or using the fridge to 'cool off' the wifi chip.
Our iPhone 4s's were operating without any noticable problems prior to the upgrade to iOS7

The above makes me to draw the following conclusion:

There is a clear pattern and these are obviously not individual cases. It appears the wifi chip of the iPhone 4s is being of a substandard quality and not being not fully compatible with the new iOS firmware which causes this problem. Also most of the beta testing over the past months was done using the iPhone 5 and not the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4s. Most likely because the 4 series were not part of the large scale testing Apple was not fully aware of this accelerated issue with the Wifi chip (when you do a Google search on "iPhone greyed out wifi" you see that this issue is not new, and you see the issue involves mostly the 4s ) But it seems iOS 7 pushed these weak and thus unreliable wifi chips just over the edge, causing them to overheat and thus to stop functioning altogether.

Apple must be fully aware of this issue by now but they are incredibly silent in communicating with their in my estimation 'multiple thousands' of customers worldwide experiencing this problem. Apple only sticks by claiming the upgrade to iOS7 is "at your own risk" (that's what I was told) and sticking to the warranty period

(I bought my iPhone in Aug 2012, so am out of Apple warranty)

I feel that Apple should take their responsibility and help her customers in solving this quality issue.

As customers in good faith we bought this product (I paid some €600) having trust in Apple and in the faith the quality would be such that we could use it -with good care of course- for at least 2, 3 or even 4 years.

But unknown to her trusting consumers Apple created a product using a faulty wifi chip (hence the overheating issues which can eventually lead to failure)

As result of this us, we, customers are now stuck with an unusable iPhone for which we paid plenty of money.

( One thing I am sure of, if Apple would be a car manufacturer or an airplane manufacturer they would never get away with this, and would be forced to do a recall)

My message to Apple:

It is now time to act. Taking responsiblilty never hurts (even if you for some reason feel you are not fully to blame) It gives you credit. And credit gives you loyal customers.

GalacticHero

Same here. My Verizon 4s keeps greying out the WiFi since iOS 7 or drops and reconnects. It will eventually crash to black screen and require the home-lock button reset to bring it back. I've tried all of Apple's suggestions including full wipe and restore. Problem happens only with my 4s not the wife's 5 nor any other WiFi device in the house. My router is Apple's own AirPort Extreme. Apple should just own up to this problem.

leepeihung

Apple should be punished and everyone should "STOP" buying their stuff. They chose to blame this issue to the broken hardware(that's the end result caused by ""APPLE""), but not telling us what the root cause is. I can't believe how contemptible they are. I have called Asia apple care and they told me they didn't see this issue reported in Asia and they won't acknowledge any evidence from apple forum or websites. I was pissed and told them that if I paid the stupid fee, can you promise me you refund my fee if the new phone exhibits the same problem after the upgrade? They said they can't promise that and they can only make another replacement if it happens. If they are so confident with their phone/iOS7, why can't they promise that? Then I called US apple care. I sent them the link about this problem in apple forum and she told me "I do want to let you know that the likelihood of heat causing the wifi to be grayed out is extremely slim.". I don't know if they are all blind (removed). Even with so many postings, they can still ignore it and educate their staff to talk this (removed). I really want to know if this issue happens to their own phone, what would they react??? Believe this (removed) themselves!~ ? APPLE, please stop wasting our time. I don't want to try fixing your damn phone myself!!! My next step will go for media and force them to speak up!!!!

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jackngator

Exact same problem here with no support from Apple or Verizon. The best they can offer is to replace the phone with another iPhone 4S for $200. The phone worked great until the new OS came out and then, like many others, the phone's wifi chip dies. Now my only option is to use 3G all of the time and HOPE that we don't have data overages. Of course if we do have data overages, Verizon will profit - so they have no motivation to help solve this issue either.

Very disappointing.

panhead527

I have the same problem with my 4S - also started with new OS. Turn on wireless & bluetooth in the "new" control pannel & it stays grayed out in settings - WTF. Turn the phone off then back on & the control pannel reverts to off for both wireless & bluetooth!! Blue tooth issues, mostly stays at daisy wheel ocassionaly brings up devices. Working in electronics for 40 years - Apples explanation of a hardware issue only is pure bull excrement. Proabley their way of making this 4s obsolete & selling more 5's. Bad idea as this will be my first & only Apple device.

barnespennstate

Same problem. iPhone 4S' wifi greyed out and phone is out of Apple warranty. Called Apple on Friday & was told to take my phone into a retail Apple store. Took to Apple store on Monday, where my phone was diagnosed by a "Genius" without looking at my phone. My only guess is that he had seen this same issue a bunch of times and knew that there was a problem because the guy was acting nervous and literally knew that I would need a replacement phone without even seeing that my phone worked. I told him that I didn't want to purchase a new phone from them for $200 since I had the extended phone warranty from Verizon. I asked him to write up notes from the consultation so that I could share them with Verizon, who would hopefully be willing to replace my phone in accordance with my EW. Monday night rolls around, no dice on the notes. Call Apple retail store & ask that notes be sent again. No dice twice. I'm currently chatting online with an Apple rep to get some notes on the issue. Sounds like Apple is avoiding this issue at all costs. Here's what the rep said: "Basically, what they found at the store is the wireless chipset in the iPhone has physically failed. Essentially, it tried to update the wireless firmware along with the rest of the update, but it failed to install due to a self-reported failure from that component. In essence there’s a few things that could cause this, but it’s likely to be an issue of failed memory or an overall problem with the wireless chipset. Though a restore or update brings out the problem, it’s not exactly the cause, and the wireless would have failed on its own eventually. The only possible fix for this is physical service to the phone"

leepeihung

Please sign the petition here:

http://wh.gov/lKjFd

Here's some more information about this petition:

Apple should replace all broken iphone4s for free due to update of iOS7 which destroys wifi chip.

Apple refuses to investigate and give a clear answer on this in public. They tried to ignore all evidences or analysis which shows it is a problem caused by its software. They blamed this problem to customer's defective hardware without evidence. It is obvious against the law. We need US government's attention!!!!

multimac

Now mine's gone out too. The suggested Network Settings Reset (in Elector's post above) didn't help at all. ios 7.0.4, iPhone 4S, under 2 years old.

btrau1

Mine hasn't worked for a month now and the phone is barely over a year old. I believe their is 0% fault to me and 100% fault to Apple. The only thing to do now is spread the word that Apple iPhones are completely unreliable. Sorry Apple. I was an enthusiastically loyal customer but you've completely dropped the ball and left me and millions of other customers out in the cold. Fail. :smileysad:

djtown

My 4S is 8 months old and I'm having the grey out wifi. I placed it in a zip lock bag and put it in the freezer for 15 minutes. It is now working. I'm going to return it to Verizon tomorrow because I don't plan on refrigerating my phone for the next 15 months.

unknown

You put it in the freezer? Hopefully no condensation was the result since the water sensor may have been triggered.

Good Luck

TitoMN

I did not / do not have a warranty but Verizon is being kind enough to replace my 4S. You just have to know how to talk to people and put it in perspective.

Happy Verizon customer for 12+ years

P.S. Not paid to post this either... But gladly accepted a free refurbished 4S since my old one was just shy of 2 years old.

cinder333

Lucky you. When I had no luck with Apple I called Verizon three weeks ago and all they could offer me was an early upgrade one month prior to my original upgrade which isn't until March!! I "had" been a happy Verizon customer for 15+ years. I really thought they would come through for me, but no go. So I'm stuck with this phone until I can get out of it and I will not be a Verizon customer any more either. I'm really shocked actually! I really like the fact that well, it just wasn't my lucky day when I called, but Verizon decided it was yours on the day you called.

TitoMN

Cinder

I was put thru to their "Advance Technical Support" team. I really didn't even have to fa-naggle the gentlemen. You should call back as it would be worth another shot. I didn't even have to extend my contract. The phone was shipped to me via overnight delivery. I just rec'd the new (refurbished) phone yesterday and I am setting it up as I post this.

Good Luck

tom_a

I have updated my 4S to the latest firmware few days ago and the WiFi is greyed out. Since updating to 7.0 sometime ago I noticed that the phone was running hotter then previously but I figured it was just do to my heavier usage. I went to the "Genius" people today and had them run a diagnostics and sure enough it was the WiFi chip, and since my phone is 1.5 years old the price tag for that is $200. Now I am not ready to give more money to apple for a product that has an obvious design flaw which is become more apparent from reading hundreds of post on various forums on the net. Just ask yourself one question: "why does the wifi come back after the hair dryer/freezer solution?" How is all that heat supposed to get out of the phone and not fry something on the inside? (For the record I tried every solution except for the freezer/dryer, as I need a phone when I get called into work.)

And Verizon: why are you not addressing this issue with Apple? I have been your customer for a long time, as a matter of fact I have been with Verizon since I got my first cell phone ages ago and never left, but that may change soon.

Apple: its easier to admit to a problem and fix it, quickly, before this fire spreads. At the very least let me downgrade to ios6, where things actually worked.

Thank you.

bfitz

Tom:

After talking to Verizon Support and Apple Support and getting the runaround about the grayed out WiFi button ( dont

forget these 2 companies are in bed together ), I decided to try the Hairdryer approach.

1. Remove phone from case and stand on its side

2. Run Hairdryer back and forth across top edge of phone (power switch end) for approx. 4 minutes. Keep dryer

about 5 inches from phone and wave back and forth

3. Temperature warning screen will come on

4. Power down the phone completely ( use a cloth - it's hot )

5 wait 20 minutes

6. power up phone and go to WiFi screen - Voila !!! Back to normal

7. I have had to do this about every 60 days but it works

Good Luck !!

tom_a

Hi,

I went with a different approach.

Since I realized that the phone gets real hot, I thought of a possibility of short circuit and how can I stop that.

Resetting the setting didn't do much. I thought about all the apps I have and realized that I have many different services running all the time. There were instances throughout out the day where my phone went black and unresponsive, ie I could not turn it on off and I was not sure if the phone was on or off for that matter.

So I started clearing out all the memory hog apps one by one thinking that there is one that is causing my phone to overheat thus short circuit it.

Once I got rid of pretty much all of them, I shut down the phone, wrapped it in two large paper towel sheets and stuck it in a plastic bag and into the freezer. Since my phone has a small crack in the screen I could not risk heating it up in fear of melting the glass. I was reluctant about putting it in the freezer but I did it anyway. And the results:

After turning it on and resetting the network settings the phone is back to normal. After a day of moderate usage which included few YouTube streams and about an hour of internet browsing the phone works fine. I did experience one wifi loss but that was not the phones fault.

Conclusion:

The genius guys at the apple store either don't know what they are talking about,

There was an app on my phone that did cause all the problems and not it's gone

This was a luck shot

Thanks for your help, and I kept the phone in the freezer for 20 min.

-Tom

Sent from my iPhone

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