How to fix iPhone XS Max that cannot connect to WiFi

This post highlights a few simple solutions to a problem on the Apple iPhone XS Max device that cannot connect to WiFi network. Read on to find out why this happens and what must be done to rectify the error.

If your iPhone XS Max is experiencing WiFi problems, many factors can be considered among the underlying causes. If it occurs for no evident reason, it could be due to a temporary outage or network glitch on your service provider’s end. But if it occurs after making some changes to your device settings or installing a software update, then software-related factors are likely the main trigger and therefore must be eliminated. This is when performing system resets or iOS restores are needed. You can refer to the given solutions below if ever you need more inputs in resolving the same issue on the same iOS device.

Before we move on to our troubleshooting, if you happen to find this post while looking for a solution to a different problem, then visit our iPhone XS Max 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 to yours and feel free to use our solutions.

Troubleshooting iPhone XS Max that can’t connect to WiFi

Before troubleshooting, check your wireless router/modem and make sure it’s turned on, having a stable WiFi signal, and near your iPhone. If you’ve got all that checked and yet your iPhone still could not connect to WiFi, try performing the following procedures to eliminate software-related factors.

First Solution: Force Restart your iPhone XS Max.

If you have been using the same WiFi network for quite some time now, the issue may be just temporary. And should this be a minor problem, it can be easily resolved by a simple rebooting on the iPhone. Your iPhone might have been stuck when trying to connect to the WiFi network and so performing a forced restart is needed. Just follow these steps to force restart your iPhone XS Max: 

  1. Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
  2. Press and release the Volume Down button quickly.
  3. Lastly, press and hold the Side Button for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo on your screen.

After the phone reboots, try connecting to your WiFi network to check if the issue has been fixed.

ALSO READ: How to fix an iPhone XS Max that has poor Wi-Fi reception, weak signal

Second Solution: Restart your wireless router/modem.

Getting a fix right from the heart of your Internet connection might also resolve the problem. A defective firmware on the wireless router/modem in use, greatly affects the quality and stability of the WiFi connection among all connected devices. When the modem or router is experiencing random firmware crashes, various Internet symptoms could instigate. To fix the problem, power cycle the network equipment using these standard procedures:

  1. Press the Power button or ON/OFF switch on the wireless router/modem until it shuts off.
  2. While it’s turned off, unplug the AC adapter from the power source and leave it that way up to a minute.
  3. After a minute or so, plug the AC adapter back to its power source then turn on again.

After rebooting the wireless router/modem, reboot or soft reset your iPhone XS Max to clear and refresh its memory and operating system. You can also try other devices like tablets or laptop to see if they can connect to the same WiFi network before trying to connect your iPhone XS Max. 

Third Solution: Turn WiFi Off/On to fix iPhone that won’t connect to WiFi.

This is a simple trick that’s considered a potential fix to random software issues including symptoms affecting wireless functions of your iPhone. Turning the WiFi off and on will refresh the internet connection and likewise obliterates minor network connection errors. Refreshing your iPhone’s WiFi functions can be done in various ways, as demonstrated below.

Refreshing WiFi connection through the WiFi toggle:

  • Go to Settings > WiFi menu, then toggle the WiFi switch to Off. Wait for a few seconds then switch it back on.

Refreshing WiFi connection through the Airplane Mode toggle:

  1. Access Settings > Airplane Mode menu.
  2. Toggle the switch to turn Airplane Mode On. This will disable all your wireless connections including WiFi.
  3. Restart or soft reset your iPhone XS Max max while Airplane mode is turned on.
  4. After rebooting the phone, go back to Settings > Airplane Mode and turn it Off.

After doing these procedures, reconnect your phone to your WiFi network and perform a test if it fixed the issue. 

ALSO READ: How to fix an iPhone XS Max that keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi network

Fourth Solution: Forget WiFi network and add it back.

WiFi network glitches like when the network gets corrupted can also be the main reason why your iPhone is getting an unstable connection or unable to connect to WiFi at all. To fix WiFi problems attributed to a corrupted WiFi network, removing and setting up the WiFi network from scratch is recommended. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Go to Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Select WiFi then tap to Enable it.
  3. Look for your WiFi network on the list then select it.
  4. Tap the Information Icon next to the name of the network (SSID).
  5. Select the option to Forget this Network.
  6. Once prompted, select Forget network to confirm.

Deleting your other saved WiFi network may also help in fixing the issue by avoiding conflict with the selected WiFi Network.

Fifth Solution: Reset network settings.

A more intense solution may be needed if your iPhone is still not able to connect to the WiFi network after the above procedures. This step will basically delete all cellular and WiFi settings and restore your network settings back to defaults. If the problem is tied to or triggered by a network error, performing a reset to network settings may do the trick. Just follow these steps:

  1. Select Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Go to General.
  3. Scroll down and then select Reset.
  4. Select Reset network settings and enter your passcode once asked, then follow the onscreen instructions to proceed reset network settings.

Once done, your iPhone will reboot automatically and will revert to its default configurations. You’ll also need to re-set up the WiFi networks like getting a new iPhone. 

ALSO READ: How to fix Facebook app that won’t open, cannot load on iPhone XS Max

Sixth Solution: Restore iPhone in iTunes.

If the issue still occurs, the problem might be caused by complex network errors that often require more advanced solutions. At this point, your remaining options would be a factory reset and iOS restore. If you wish to jump straight to an iOS restore, then you may try it. Performing an iOS restore will permanently delete all data saved on your phone. Thus creating a backup on your important files is recommended.

Whenever you’re ready, follow these steps to begin restoring your iPhone XS Max via recovery mode through iTunes. You will need to use a Mac or Windows computer with the latest iTunes app installed to proceed to these steps:

  1. Using the Apple-supplied syncing cable/Lightning cable, connect your iPhone XS Max Max to your computer.
  2. Once it’s connected, press and quickly release the Volume Up Button.
  3. Then quickly press and release the Volume Down Button.
  4. When the Apple logo appears, press and hold the Side/Power Button as you need to put the device on recovery mode.
  5. Release the Side/Power Button once you see the Connect to iTunes logo on the screen.
  6. Go to iTunes and make sure you are seeing a message saying your connected iOS device is in recovery mode and prompts options to update or restore.
  7. Choose the Restore option to wipe everything from the phone system and then restore iOS through iTunes.

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the restore process. Once everything is finished, you can disconnect the iPhone from the computer and reboot it to apply the recent system changes. Be sure to set up all the important features of your iPhone including your WiFi network. Then try to see if you can now connect to WiFi.

Still cannot connect to WiFi?  

If the procedures listed above did not fix the problem, you should contact your local Internet service provider already. There might be some temporary outages or unexpected technical difficulties affecting wireless network services at the moment. You can ask them to further check their real-time system to see if there are any reported local service outages. If necessary, you can ask your Internet service provider to remotely provision your network equipment or else, reset the wireless router or modem from their end. Provisioning or resetting the equipment is often needed to fix major firmware errors that caused the router/modem system to crash. 

If the problem instigated from an iOS update and it persisted after performing all the possible solutions, then you better escalate the problem to Apple Support for official recommendations.

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