Many iPhone users have noticed an issue all of a sudden on their iPhones. The issue is the Wi-Fi gets disconnected on their iPhones when either it is locked or in sleep mode.
This became problematic to those iPhone users who use to make calls over the internet through Wi-Fi. They are not sure why the Wi-Fi gets disconnected as soon as it goes into sleep mode or when locked.
We made some research on this matter and found out that this could probably be happening after users have updated their iOS. Also, there is a possibility of network issues with the internet network provider.
In this article, you can find many amazing fixes to resolve this issue. Please continue reading to learn more if you are also having the same problem.
Fix 1 – Disable the Wi-Fi Assist feature
Wi-Fi Assist is an option available on any iPhone to provide continuous internet connectivity through mobile data when Wi-Fi gets disconnected. This can be troublesome for some users so try disabling this feature on the iPhone and check if this helps.
Step 1: To do so, you need to first open the Settings page on the iPhone.
Step 2: Then tap on the Mobile Data option as shown in the below screenshot.
Step 3: Next scroll down the Mobile Data page to its bottom.
Step 4: At the bottom of the page, you will find an option called Wi-Fi Assist.
Step 5: You have to disable it by tapping on its toggle button as shown.
Fix 2 – Forget the Wi-Fi network and Join again
If there is a problem connecting a particular Wi-Fi network on the iPhone, this can arise this kind of problems. So try forgetting the Wi-Fi network and then re-join it using the steps mentioned below.
Step 1: Open the Settings page on the iPhone.
Step 2: Select the Wi-Fi option on the Settings page as shown.
Step 3: Now tap on the Wi-Fi network from the list of networks on the Wi-Fi page.
Step 4: Tap the Forget This Network option on the top of the Wi-Fi network page as shown in the below screenshot.
Step 5: Now this will pop up a confirm window and you need to tap on the Forget option as shown.
Step 6: After this network password is erased from the iPhone, you can rejoin it again.
Step 7: For that, you need to again tap on the Wi-Fi network from the list of networks on the Wi-Fi page as shown.
Step 8: Enter the password and tap on Join on the top right side as shown.
Fix 3 – Enable the Auto-Join option for the network
When the Auto-Join option is disabled for the Wi-Fi network and there is a fluctuation in the network signal, it will never join after it disconnects. To enable the Auto-join feature, use the steps explained below.
Step 1: First, you need to go to the Settings page on the iPhone.
Step 2: Then tap on the Wi-Fi network connected to the iPhone.
Step 3: On the Wi-Fi network page, enable the Auto-Join option by tapping on its toggle button.
Fix 4 – Renew Lease for the Wi-Fi network
When some iPhone users renewed lease for their Wi-Fi network, it worked for them and was able to resolve this issue. So let us try doing that and see if this works or not using the steps below.
Step 1: Go to the Settings page on your iPhone first.
Step 2: Then tap on the Wi-Fi option as shown.
Step 3: Now select the Wi-Fi network from the list of networks by tapping on it.
Step 4: Scroll down and tap on Renew Lease.
Step 5: After it renews, close the Settings page and the problem should get fixed.
Fix 5 – Turn Off the VPN on the iPhone
If the iPhone is connected to a VPN, the Wi-Fi network probably does not work properly. So try disabling the VPN on the iPhone and see if this works since it has worked for many.
Step 1: Open the Settings page on your iPhone.
Step 2: Then tap on the General option as shown.
Step 3: Next, scroll down the General page and select the VPN & Device Management option as shown in the below screenshot.
Step 4: Choose the VPN option by tapping on it.
Step 5: If there are any VPN connections already connected, please disable them.
Step 6: After disabling it, you will not get this type of issue anymore.
Fix 6 – Reset Network Settings
If any of the settings in the iPhone is changed, then this problem might tend to occur. When detecting which setting is causing this issue is impossible, resetting all settings is the only way to resolve it.
Here are the steps on how to do it.
Step 1: Open the Settings page first and tap on the General option.
Step 2: Then select the Transfer or Reset iPhone option at the bottom of the General page as shown below.
Step 3: Now tap on the Reset option as shown.
Step 4: Then select Reset Network Settings from the popped-up list by tapping on it once.
Step 5: This will prompt you to enter the passcode to continue.
Step 6: You need to confirm it by tapping on Reset Network Settings again as shown in the below screenshot.
Step 7: After resetting the network settings, you probably have to enter the network password again to connect.
Fix 7 – Use Google DNS on your iPhone
If there is any problem with the DNS server addresses on your iPhone, you can use Google’s public DNS addresses for accessing the internet.
Follow the steps below on how to use Google DNS on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open the Settings page on your iPhone.
Step 2: Then tap on the Wi-Fi option as shown in the below screenshot.
Step 3: Now choose the Wi-Fi network you want by tapping on it.
Step 4: Once the Wi-Fi network page opens, scroll down and tap on the Configure DNS option at the bottom as shown below.
Step 5: Tap on the Manual option and then tap on the Add Server option for manually adding an address.
Step 6: There appears a textbox and you need to enter 8.8.8.8 in it.
Step 7: Now tap Add Server again and enter 8.8.4.4 into the textbox and finally tap on Save.
NOTE – Once you have added the server addresses, delete any existing server addresses by tapping on the red minus circle and tapping on the Delete option as shown below.
Step 8: After changing the DNS address to Google’s DNS, you can easily start using internet calls without disconnecting.
Fix 8 – Factory Reset your iPhone
When none of the methods mentioned above helped you in resolving the issue, what you can do as a last resort is the factory reset your iPhone and check if this helps.
NOTE – Please back up all your necessary personal data from the iPhone to your PC or iCloud because the factory reset will erase all contents and data from your iPhone.
Step 1: First of all, you have to go to the Settings page on your iPhone.
Step 2: Then go to the General page by tapping on the General option.
Step 3: Tap on the Transfer or Reset iPhone option.
Step 4: Now tap on Erase All Content and Settings at the bottom of the page.
Step 5: Tap on the Continue option and follow all the onscreen instructions on your iPhone.
Step 6: Once your iPhone is factory reset, the problem should be resolved.
Additional Fixes
Restart the Modem/Router
If you find that this problem occurs only with a particular Wi-Fi network, it means it could be due to the router problem. So try disconnecting the Wi-Fi network from the iPhone and restarting the router by turning off the power button and then turning it on.
After the router is restarted, check whether the problem is resolved.
Update the iPhone’s iOS
Some iPhone users who have not updated their iPhone software, also are facing this issue. So they need to update their iPhones once and see if this works. For updating the iPhone, go to the Settings page first and tap on the General option. Then select Software Update and if there are any updates available, please download and install them on your iPhone.