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iPhone 5 dropping WiFi

Hello,

I'm on my second iPhone 5 with the identical, very frustrating WiFi-dropping issue! I also thought the cause was possibly my heavy-duty iPhone case, but it doesn't matter, with or without a case, it still drops WiFi. I have iOS 7.0.6 (11B651).

I even purchased the new more powerful Verizon FiOS Router* and I haven't see any improvement! WiFi will only stay on continuously if I am within 10 feet of my router, which is ridiculous!

*Actiontec Model #: MI424WR with Gigabit Ethernet (GigE for Verizon FiOS); Wireless N speeds up to 130 Mbps

My family and I have been huge Apple fans and a huge Verizon fans! I can't tell you how many times we have literally sold their products to friends because of their awesome products and track record, until now.

Verizon, Apple & Actiontec,

One very interesting note! The WiFi that I use at work never drops and never switches to data! Never! Even if I go outside in our parking lot, it doesn't drop WiFi at all…

What questions should I ask our IT department about their router settings/hardware that might solve the problem? This could be the vital information you need to talk with Apple and/or your router manufacturers to finally solve the iPhone 5 WiFi problem. Maybe?

Thank you!

Comments

Verizon_Support

Rigg,

We want you to enjoy your iPhone! Let's get to the bottom of this. Based on the information you provided, it sounds like the problem is only with the home router; do all the phones at home have the same problem? How far are you from the router when it drops?

AdaS_VZW

Follow us on Twitter at @VZWSupport

Rigg

AdaS_VZW,

All of the other phones and wireless devices work great everywhere in our house (iPhone 4S, iPhone 5S, iPad 2, MacBook, MacBook Pro) -- full bars and never drop the WiFi signal like my iPhone 5 does.

Most of the time I am about 35-40 feet from the router when it drops the signal (in our living room). Our house is "U" shaped: the router is at the top/right of the U; the top/left of the U is where we use WiFi the most, in our living room. The closer I am to the router the stronger the signal gets and is less likely to drop the signal. When I am within 10 feet of the router, it never drops the signal.

I have considered moving the router to the middle of the house, but it seems ridiculous since that is why I purchased the more powerful router.

None of the other devices have lost a WiFi signal with either the old or new routers. Even when we have guests with additional devices logged in to my WiFi, everyone has a full signal strength (including various Android phones and tablets). Nobody we know has an iPhone 5 to replicate the isolated issue I am having. However, this being my 2nd iPhone 5 with the identical problem, does make that comparison.

My point about my office WiFi is there must be something unique with their hardware/software/settings in order for my phone to work so well. For simplicity sake, let's say all routers basically use settings "A/B/C/D/E" that work with all wireless devices. However, what if my office uses settings "A/B/C/X/E" which also works with all wireless devices. Apparently, the settings with X may be what the iPhone 5 will ONLY work with. If I could find out the difference between my office and home routers settings, it could provide a clue? I'm totally guessing here.

I also thought it might be interference from other devices at home in close proximity, but even when I am by myself with no other wireless devices operating, the WiFi still drops. Even if I turn off the Cellular Data setting on my phone, WiFi still drops. Most of the time I have to go into my settings and manually turn WiFi back on. Even then, it struggles to connect.

I have spent countless hours on the phone and in the stores with both Apple and Verizon Wireless about this issue. I have tried many many times to reset, upgrade, update, replace hardware, etc., with no success. Maybe a fresh set of eyes can provide a solution?

Thank you!

Verizon_Support

Rigg,

I understand the need to be able to connect to Wi-Fi to not have to worry about data use. I would love to dig deeper into your Wi-Fi connection concerns. Please follow and private message me so I can investigate options further.

LindseyT_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

cwbyfan62

My sister had the same WiFi issues with her iPhone 5. No resolution ever found for her. Interested in seeing if you get resolution!

TSA19

I'm having the same issue. I've recently had to switch from AT&T to Verizon getting the iPhone 5S from verizon. Older iPhone 5 via AT&T connected to my home (and other) wifi's with no issue. Verizon's iPhone 5 connects very intermitently and often drops to 3G or LTE. Extremely frustrated and disappointed with this service. Is there a work around, or update? Should I need to come into a Verizon store to have my phone checked out?

unknown

This is just a suggestion, I don't work for verizon but this may help.

In every router brand you have an option to assign individual IP addresses to the devices. On my Netgear A/C router I assign these IP addresses to each device, so it can be 192.168.1.129 etc. The device never moves from the assigned IP.

How to do it is in your routers documentation for your type of router.

After this is completed a refresh of the router sets it in place. I am running 18+ devices both wired and wireless and never an issue.

This may help you in your situations.

Good Luck

Rigg

Hi Elector,

Since I haven't heard back from Verizon about this issue, I am willing to try anything!

Just so I am clear, when you say " assign individual IP addresses to the devices" does that mean our iPad2 might be 192.168.1.129, iPhone 4S 192.168.1.130, iPhone 5 192.168.1.131, etc.? Each device has a unique IP address?

Thank you!

unknown

Yes exactly.

I do that for all my devices.

Good Luck

Rigg

cwbyfan62,

My issue was resolved (thanks to Elector)! Please read the solution below...

Good luck!

Rigg

TSA19,

My issue was resolved (thanks to Elector)! Please read the solution posted here.

Good luck!

ajc28

Wow, I'm reading your concerns just like my iPhone 5, for last 3 months and bills of extra data useage and calling ComcastXfinitity and Verizon both with still no solution....they asked me to do a Hard Reset and back up my data and also did the upgrade from iTunes as well with still no luck...my wifi at work does work, I rarely connect anywhere public but always use wifi at home to save data...hope your solution will work for my iPhone 5 too.

WKeasler

Why would a Verizon Rep have to request a "private message" to discuss this problem???!!! EVERYONE on Verizon has this problem, most of them are not tech savy enough to know they are being ripped off by Verizon,.... I have brought this to the attention of Verizon customer service, AND Verizon wireless customers several times,.... I have tried static IP addresses, and every possible solution to this problem,... it is plain and simple a way for Verizon to charge you for data when you are home and should be connected to your home WiFi and not racking up data as if you were offline.

Check your bill closely! you will see data being transferred in the middle of the night when you're asleep, this is Verizon communicating with your phone (data) and when your Verizon phone is on stand-by, you are automatically disconnected from your home WiFi, so they are making money from you and your phone while you, and your phone are sleeping.

I build computers, and have set up wireless networks 100s of times over the years and Verizon is the ONLY service that has this "problem" so Mr. Verizon Wireless Customer Support guy, don't switch to a "private message" to discuss this, DO IT HERE OPENLY WHERE WE CAN ALL SEE!!

Maybe it will take a class action lawsuit to get this "solved" just like it took the FCCs $1.25M double-whammy to get the hotspot dilemma solved when they were charging $20 per month when it should have been free.

STOP COMING UP WITH WAYS TO MAKE MONEY FOR NOTHING AND FIX THE PROBLEM VERIZON!!!!

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