iPhone Not Connecting To Wi-Fi After iOS 16 - iOS 26 Update? Read This.

Part I: Ways To Fix Wi-Fi Not Working Issue After Upgrading To iOS 16 - iOS 26

Is your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi but there's no internet access, or is Wi-Fi not connecting at all after the iOS 16 - iOS 26 update? If you’re experiencing this for the first time, it can definitely be concerning. But the good news is—thanks to Apple’s high-quality hardware—these problems are usually related to software glitches, not hardware failure.

Fix 1: Toggle Wi-Fi Off And On

In case of iPhone Wi-Fi not working, one of the first fixes is to toggle Wi-Fi off and back on. Here's how:

Step 1: Swipe down from the top right corner to launch Control Center

Step 2: Toggle the Wi-Fi symbol to disconnect from Wi-Fi.

Step 3: After a few seconds, toggle it back ON.

Fix 2: Re-connect To Wi-Fi Network

The next fix is to forget the network and reconnect. Here's how to do that:

Step 1: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi

Step 2: Tap the info icon across the network name

Step 3: Tap Forget This Network.

Step 4: Tap Forget again.

Step 5: The network will reflect in the list of networks again. Tap it and enter your password again to connect.

Fix 3: Toggle Airplane Mode

You can turn Airplane Mode on to disconnect the iPhone from all network connections. That way, when you re-enable the connectivity, all connections are established afresh, often times resolving the underlying issues. Here's how:

Step 1: Launch Control Center by swiping down from the top right of the iPhone

Step 2: Tap the greyed-out Airplane symbol to activate Airplane Mode. When activated, it will look like this:

Step 3: Now, wait a few seconds and tap the Airplane to disable Airplane Mode and reconnect to cellular and Wi-Fi networks.

Fix 4: Restart Handset

The good old handset restart fix is recommended in this situation as well. Here's how to restart the iPhone:

Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Shut Down

Step 2: Slide to turn the iPhone off

Step 3: Wait for a few seconds, then press the Side Button to restart.

Fix 5: Force Restart

While at it, you might want to force restart the iPhone. This is a harder restart and is known to resolve the occasional stubborn issues. iOS 16 - iOS 26 is available for iPhone 8 and above, so that is what we are going to talk about here. Here's how to force restart the iPhone:

Step 1: Press the volume Up key, then volume Down key, then press and hold the Side button until the iPhone restarts.

Fix 6: Check Internet Connectivity On Wi-Fi Router

Before trying multiple fixes, ensure your Wi-Fi router has active internet connectivity. If not, your iPhone may connect to Wi-Fi but disconnect shortly after, automatically switching to mobile data to maintain a stable connection. This behavior is intentional. To rule this out, test your Wi-Fi connection using another device like a computer.

Your iPhone will show you if it finds there is no internet connection on Wi-Fi.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi

If you see a 'No Internet Connection' message, it means your iPhone has detected that your Wi-Fi router is probably not getting internet service in the moment.

Fix 7: Restart Wi-Fi Router

It is possible that something is stuck in the Wi-Fi router causing it to not accept your iPhone Wi-Fi connection. A quick restart of the router should resolve those issues, if any.

Fix 8: Reset Network Settings

When you upgrade from iOS 15 to iOS 16 - iOS 26, your iPhone may receive modem firmware updates that affect network connectivity. If your iPhone is not connecting to Wi-Fi, resetting network settings can help it adapt to these changes and establish a fresh, stable connection.

Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone

Step 2: Tap Reset

Step 3: Tap Reset Network Settings and confirm.

Fix 9: Repair iOS with Dr.Fone - System Repair

If you're dealing with iPhone not connecting to Wi-F, Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS) offers a quick and effective solution. This dedicated module is designed to fix various iOS system issues—like Wi-Fi connectivity problems, freezing screens, update failures, and more—without causing data loss. With support for the latest iOS versions and an intuitive interface, it's the ideal tool to restore normal Wi-Fi functionality on your iPhone in just a few clicks.

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Step 1: Get Dr.Fone

Step 2: Launch the app after installation

Step 3: Click System Repair. There are two modes: Standard and Advanced. Standard Mode fixes iOS issues without data loss whereas Advanced Mode wipes user data and performs a more thorough repair. Select Standard Mode to begin.

Step 4: At the version screen, choose your version and download:

Step 5: Now, the firmware will start downloading and after verification with Apple. Click Repair Now

Step 6: Once the repair is finished, you’ll see a completion message. Click "Done" to end the process and start using your iPhone or iPad again.

The iPhone will restart when the repair is complete.

The Best Solution for iOS 26 Issues

Tips: Dr.Fone - System Repair now enables zero-data-loss solutions for iOS 26 crashes (boot loops/black screen/failed updates) and one-click downgrades to signed versions (e.g. iOS 18.5), completing in 10 minutes. Supports all iPhone models, bypassing iTunes factory reset risks. Downgrades require open Apple signing windows (real-time tool verification). Pre-export critical data when reverting from iOS 26.

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Conclusion

Facing iPhone not connecting to Wi-Fi after the iOS 16 - iOS 26 update? You're not alone—and fortunately, you're not without solutions. Try the proven fixes to restore internet access. If nothing works, use a professional iOS repair tool like Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS). It offers step-by-step guidance and fixes iOS issues—including Wi-Fi problems—without data loss, helping you get back online fast.

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