Wi-Fi internet issues in mobile devices are inevitable in the sense that the underlying causes aren’t all on your end. As a matter of fact, most network problems affecting smartphones are due to random network outages as well as scheduled maintenance in network bases. But pertinent issues that are tied to software-related issues on the affected devices are likely remedied at home. And the key to resolving these problems is to apply some troubleshooting procedures. Read on to learn what to do if your iPhone XR suddenly keeps disconnecting from your Wi-Fi network.
Before we move on to our solutions, if you happen to find this post while looking for a solution to a different problem, then visit our iPhone XR Help Guides page for we have already addressed some of the most common issues with this device. We may have already published articles that could help you fix your problem. Find issues that are similar with yours and feel free to use our solutions.
What triggers Wi-Fi drop on your iPhone XR?
If it’s not a network outage or scheduled maintenance, then software-related factors must be the culprits. Among the usual triggers would include but not limited to software glitches, incorrect or invalid settings, corrupt network in use, and bad updates. In worst cases, hardware damage on the phone’s Wi-Fi components or a damaged router/modem are to blame. But before blaming the physical components, ruling out software-related factors must be considered. Outlined below are potential solutions you can try on whenever you’re facing the same issues on your iPhone XR.
Before you carry out any of these subsequent troubleshooting methods, reboot your wireless router or modem in use. Working on the very source of the Internet connection is by far, deemed the best way to start resolving internet connectivity issues in computers and wireless mobile devices. If your Internet connection is based on a wireless setup, then reboot the wireless router. If your connection is based on an Ethernet/LAN setup, reboot your modem then. Wireless routers and modems also encounter random firmware crashes. When this happens, various Internet symptoms will occur. And the simplest yet very effective solution to such problems is a modem/router reboot, otherwise known as power cycle. If your iPhone XR continues to disconnect from Wi-Fi even after restarting the network equipment, the next factors you have to rule out are software-related issues on the iPhone. And here are your options.
First solution: Reboot your iPhone XR (soft reset).
Minor symptoms affecting the phone’s network functions are usually remedied by a device restart or soft reset. The phone’s network system might have encountered some random errors that caused frequent connection timeouts. So here’s the first potential solution you can try on your end to correct minor software flaws like this:
- Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
- Release the buttons when the Slide to Power Off command appears and then drag the power off slider to the right.
- After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power/Side button again until the iPhone reboots.
A soft reset is also a way of clearing caches from the phone’s internal memory and system folders including corrupt temporary network files and data. This doesn’t cause permanent data loss since none of your saved data gets affected in the process. After doing this, try to see if your iPhone XR still keeps disconnecting from the network and if it does, move on to the next procedure.
Second solution: Toggle Wi-Fi off and on again.
Another simple solution to similar symptoms inflicted by minor Wi-Fi errors is a restart and refresh the phone’s wireless functions. This is done by turning Wi-Fi off for a few seconds and then turning it back on. Here’s how:
- From the Home screen, tap on Settings.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Toggle the switch to turn Wi-Fi OFF.
- After a few seconds tap the switch again to turn Wi-Fi back ON.
Allow your phone to re-establish Wi-Fi internet connection. Once it’s connected again, try loading websites and see if your Wi-Fi internet connection is already stable. If it still keeps disconnecting, try the next procedure.
Third solution: Toggle Airplane Mode on and off.
Problems affecting the phone’s wireless functions can also be remedied by performing the Airplane Mode tweak. It works by abruptly turning the phone’s wireless radios off and then back on. Here’s how it works:
- Tap Settings from your Home screen.
- Select Airplane Mode.
- Toggle the switch to turn Airplane Mode on. Doing so enables wireless radios of your phone.
- While it’s enabled, reboot your iPhone XR.
- As soon as it boots up, head back to Settings-> Airplane Mode menu.
- Then tap the switch to turn Airplane Mode off again.
- Enable and reconnect your iPhone XR to Wi-Fi.
Allow it to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network. Once it’s connected, load up your browser app then try navigating through various websites to test the Internet connection.
Fourth solution: Forget your Wi-Fi network then add it back.
Another possible reason as to why your phone doesn’t have stable Wi-Fi internet connection is because the Wi-Fi in use gets corrupted. Should this be the case, you will need to delete the corrupt network and then add it back, allowing your phone to connect to the Wi-Fi internet like the first time it does. Just follow these steps to implement this solution:
- From the Home screen, tap on Settings.
- Tap Wi-Fi. Make sure that the Wi-Fi switch is turned ON.
- Scroll down to the list of available Wi-Fi networks and select your Wi-Fi network.
- Tap the information “i” icon next to the name of your Wi-Fi network.
- Then select the option to Forget This Network.
- If prompted, tap Forget network to confirm.
The selected Wi-Fi network will then be deleted. If you see any other saved Wi-Fi network on your phone, forget them all using the same steps. This is important to ensure that none of these networks would interfere with or disrupt your phone’s active Wi-Fi connection.
After forgetting all saved Wi-Fi networks from your phone, perform a soft reset to refresh and to clear out cached network data including those that contain errors.
As soon as your phone boots up, head over to Settings-> Wi-Fi menu then toggle the switch to enable Wi-Fi and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network. You will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password if your network since your previous login information was deleted. After this test your phone to know if the it still keeps disconnecting from the Wifi network.
Fifth solution: Reset network settings on your iPhone XR.
Network connectivity issues that are tied to incorrect/invalid network settings are often remedied by performing a network settings reset on the phone. This reset clears all your current network configurations including Bluetooth connections, Wi-Fi networks, APNs, and other relevant information. Network errors are likewise deleted in the process, thus allowing your device to have a clean fresh network setup. If you wish to try this method, here’s how it’s done:
- From the Home screen, tap on Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap on Reset.
- Select the option to Reset network settings.
- If prompted, enter your four-digit passcode to proceed.
- Then tap Reset settings when asked to confirm.
Your phone should reboot automatically when the reset is complete. As soon as it reboots, you can start enabling Wi-Fi and relevant network options. Then set up and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
Sixth solution: Erase your iPhone XR and set it up as new (master reset).
A master reset can be considered as last resort if none of the prior methods is able to solve the problem and your iPhone XR still succumbs to Wi-Fi drops. There might be some complex errors affecting the phone Wi-Fi system and that a more advanced solution is needed. But also note that this process does erase everything from your phone including all saved information. Should you wish to continue, back up all your important files from your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes as you’d prefer. Once you’re done with the backup, you can factory reset your phone through settings with these steps:
- From your Home screen, tap on Settings.
- Select General.
- Scroll down to and then tap on Reset.
- Select the option to Erase all content and settings.
- Enter your device passcode when asked to proceed.
Follow the rest of the onscreen prompts to complete the system reset.
Once the reset is finished, your phone will restart and then loads up its factory default settings. To use your phone and iOS features, you have to set it up first. Just follow the instructions from the setup wizard to set up your iPhone XR as new.
Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network then test your Internet connection to determine whether or not the problem on Wi-Fi drops is gone.
Still having on and off Wi-Fi Internet connection on your iPhone XR?
If your iPhone continues to disconnect from Wi-Fi network and your Internet connection is still dropping, contact your Internet service provider or carrier to check the current network status. There’s a higher chance that the problem isn’t on your end but rather on the network base. Temporary network issues that aren’t from your end are usually attributed to random network outages as well as scheduled maintenance conducted by your network provider.
Also consider updating your iPhone XR to the latest iOS version available. New iOS updates usually bring in fix patches to get rid of existing and persistent issues including those affecting the phone’s network functions.
If the problem instigates after installing software update on your phone and it persisted, then that’s more likely a network bug or system flaws. In cases like this, escalating the problem to Apple Support is recommended.
If you suspect that your wireless router or modem is to blame, then you may contact the device manufacturer or your Internet service provider to troubleshoot and fix whatever there is that needs to be fixed on your network equipment. Otherwise, take your device to a service center for thorough hardware assessment and physical repair, if needed. Taking your iPhone to the nearest Apple-authorized service center is also another option to consider, especially when ruling out hardware-related issues on the iPhone.
I hope that we’ve been able to help you fix the problem with your device. We would appreciate it if you helped us spread the word so please share this post if you found it helpful. Thank you so much for reading!
