It’s frustrating when I can’t connect to Wi-Fi, especially in areas with poor mobile data signals or when I’m roaming. Even though people around me are connected, my mobile device won’t connect. There are several reasons why this might be happening, some of which I can fix myself and others that are beyond my control. Let’s explore some possible solutions.
Make Sure Your Wi-Fi is Turned On On Your Phone
I understand. Although it may seem obvious, some people still overlook it. It’s possible to accidentally turn off Wi-Fi while handling the device or holding it unlocked in your hand. First, swipe down to the quick settings and make sure that Wi-Fi is turned on. If Wi-Fi is turned on and you can scan and find available networks, but can’t connect, let’s move on to the next possible cause.
In some cases, all you have to do to resolve the issue is forget the network and connect to it again. To forget the network, swipe down from the home screen of your phone and tap on (or just below) the Wi-Fi icon to see the complete list of available networks.
Select the network that is causing the issue and find the “Forget network” option. On some phones, you may need to go to “more settings” to do it, while on others, you can press and hold on to the network’s name for a few seconds. It depends on the make, model, and software version.
Once you’ve done this, scan for available networks again. Choose the network you just forgot and enter the password. Did it work? If yes, great! If not, let’s move on to the next step to fix the Wi-Fi issue.
Make Sure Your Router Works Properly
Similar to smartphones, both the modem and router can experience sudden malfunctions without any apparent reason. Fortunately, turning off the router for about 15 seconds and then turning it back on can restore it to its original state.
If the problematic router does not belong to you, your only option is to request someone to create a hotspot using their phone. Moreover, it is essential to note that most Wi-Fi routers can only support a maximum of 250 connections simultaneously. So, if you are trying to connect to Wi-Fi in a congested location such as a club or a packed cafe, good luck with that.
Another issue that may arise with some router models is that they may become overwhelmed after a while, particularly if multiple devices connect and disconnect from them over time. Consequently, they may stop allowing new devices to join the network.
If you suspect this issue, go to the admin panel by using the router’s default IP address printed on the back of the router, along with the admin username and password. Once you access the admin panel, modify the network’s name (SSID), password, and save/reboot the router.
Summary
At some point, we have all experienced the frustration of not being able to connect our mobile phones to a Wi-Fi network. The solution can be simple, but in some cases, it requires some troubleshooting. The problem could be that your phone’s Wi-Fi module has been turned off accidentally, so ensure that it is turned on first.
If that’s not the issue, try forgetting the network and reconnecting to it.
If you still can’t connect, try rebooting your phone as it may have lost some features if it’s been running for a long time.
If you still can’t connect to the network, check if your phone can connect to any other network or device to rule out any issues with your phone’s Wi-Fi module. If your phone is working fine, then it’s the router that’s causing the problem.
Sometimes, routers can become buggy and won’t connect to a specific device for no apparent reason. If you have access to the router, turn it off, wait for 15 seconds, and turn it back on. If that doesn’t work, try accessing the admin panel using the default IP address and admin username and password. Change the name of the wireless network (SSID) and the password, save the changes, and reboot the device.
It’s also worth noting that most Wi-Fi routers can handle up to 250 simultaneous connections. This may not be enough if you are in a crowded environment such as a club, hotel, or cafe with many guests.
See more: What is dual band wifi: The two types of dual-band routers
