iPhone Says Unable to Join the Network? How to Fix It
Short answer: go to Settings > Wi-Fi > (i) and tap Forget This Network, restart your router and your iPhone, then rejoin and enter the password again. If that fails, check the router's security setting and try Reset Network Settings. Most cases are fixed by one of these.
What the message means
Your iPhone found the Wi-Fi network but could not complete the connection. You may see Unable to Join the Network, Incorrect Password, Weak Security under the network name, or No Internet Connection. The cause is usually a wrong password, a glitch in the saved network, or a router setting.
If your iPhone does connect but nothing loads, or the IP address begins with 169.254, that is a different problem. See how to fix a Wi-Fi connection with no IP address.
Step 1: find out whether it is your iPhone or the network
Try joining the same network with another phone or laptop, and try joining a different network with your iPhone (or use cellular).
- Other devices fail too: the router or your internet service is the problem. Go to the router fixes.
- Only your iPhone fails on this network: follow the iPhone fixes below.
- Your iPhone fails on every network: try the last two iPhone fixes, then contact Apple Support.
Fixes on your iPhone, in order
1. Re-enter the password carefully
Passwords are case-sensitive, and it is easy to mistype one you cannot see. Type it into the Notes app first so you can read it, copy it, and paste it into the Wi-Fi password box.
2. Toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode
Turn Wi-Fi off and on in Control Center, then turn Airplane Mode on for ten seconds and off again.
3. Restart your iPhone
A normal restart clears many temporary network glitches.
4. Forget the network and rejoin
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > (i) next to the network, tap Forget This Network, then pick it from the list again and enter the password. Make sure you have the password before you do this.
5. Check for a VPN or profile
Turn off any VPN and look at Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. A work or school profile, or a VPN app, can block or change Wi-Fi connections. Only remove a profile if you know it is safe to.
6. Turn off Private Wi-Fi Address for this network
Some routers and managed networks only accept devices they recognise. In Settings > Wi-Fi > (i), switch off Private Wi-Fi Address and rejoin. See what Private Wi-Fi Address does.
7. Update iOS
Open Settings > General > Software Update. If you cannot download it on this Wi-Fi, use cellular or another network.
8. Reset Network Settings (last resort)
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This erases saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings and cellular settings, so use it only after the steps above.
Fixes on the router
You will need your router's admin page. See how to find your router's IP address.
- Restart the router and modem. Unplug both for about 30 seconds, plug the modem in first, wait for its lights to settle, then plug in the router.
- Check the security mode. A Weak Security label under the network name means it uses an older method such as WEP or WPA with TKIP. Switch to WPA2 (AES) or WPA3. If you have older devices, a mixed WPA2/WPA3 mode usually works for all of them.
- Look for a MAC address allow list. If it is on, your iPhone has to be on the list. This is the most common reason a new phone cannot join an old router. See the Private Wi-Fi Address note above.
- Check the device limit. Some routers cap the number of connected devices. Remove ones you no longer use.
- Separate the bands. If 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz share one name, try giving them different names and join each one.
- Update the firmware. Check the manufacturer's site or the router's app.
Hidden networks
If the network does not show in the list, go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Other… and enter the exact name, security type and password. Spelling and capital letters must match exactly.
Work, school, hotel and public Wi-Fi
- Sign-in pages. Open Safari and go to
http://captive.apple.comif no sign-in page appears. - Username and password networks. Work and school networks often ask for a username and to trust a certificate. Ask the network's administrator for the right details.
- Device registration. Some networks must register your iPhone first, which a random Wi-Fi address can interfere with. Turn off Private Wi-Fi Address for that network.
After it works
Check your IP address to confirm you are online, and run an iPhone speed test to make sure the connection is healthy.
When to contact Apple or your provider
If your iPhone cannot join any Wi-Fi network even after resetting network settings, contact Apple Support, since it may be a hardware fault. If every device fails on your network and the modem shows a fault, contact your internet provider.