iOS 17 bug: Wi-Fi not connecting after iOS 17.6.1 update & iPhone 12 restart

Has anyone found a fix to the Wi-Fi problems that’s happening with iPhones and iPads when they upgrade to iOS 17.1.6? I was just recently forced to update to 17.1.6 iOS and now this phone doesn’t want to connect to their Wi-Fi router, or any other Wi-Fi most of the time. And most of the apps aren’t working right and will say that there is no Internet connection even when I have all full bars of 5G plus and in the Wi-Fi center in Settings says it’s connected, yet there is no Wi-Fi symbol on the top right corner and most of my apps say there’s no service or network available. Additionally, the VPN function keeps wigging out too and constantly connecting and not connecting at the same time. I just upgraded my iPhone 12 and tried the same troubleshooting everybody else has in this thread to no avail. Does anyone have any fixes?

Posted on Aug 18, 2024 08:29 PM

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Posted on Aug 19, 2024 10:24 AM

Why does everyone assume that if their phone isn’t working as they think it should it must be a bug? How about a problem with YOUR PHONE, not the 500 million other iPhones that were updated, which would also be affected if it was a bug?


The problem is your VPN. delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile.


VPN frequently creates more problems than it solves. The biggest problem is many VPN users do not understand the technology they are using. For example, a key "feature" that few people realize is that any VPN by its nature slows your internet connection to about 1/4 of the speed of your "raw" internet connection. For visiting websites this probably doesn't matter, but it will certainly affect downloads.


VPN also changes your apparent location. But think about this for a moment. Your bank knows where you should be. If you try to log in to their site or use their app with VPN enabled they may block the connection as a hacking attempt. And some financial institutions will simply block all VPN access. As will many social networking apps such as Facebook, Insta, Snapchat, etc.


Another important fact is that when you install VPN it configures itself to the specific hardware, iOS version and network that the phone uses. If any of those change it can break the VPN. So any time you change any of these you may need to delete the VPN app and profile, restart your phone then add them back (if you still want to use VPN) so it can configure itself to the new environment.


Here's Apple's advice on VPN→

Check VPN (Virtual Private Network) and third-party software to help resolve network connectivity issues - Apple Support

Something to think about→Don't use VPN - GITHUB

Here's Brian Krebs on VPN security (or lack thereof)→Why your VPN may not be as secure as it claims


There are two legitimate purposes for using VPN:

  • To allow access to a private network such as a school or business when you are not on site. 
  • To allow access outside of a country with a repressive government that has restricted Internet access. (This has suddenly become more important)


Any other use is risky, and can lead to problems like the one discussed in this thread. VPN disguises your location by making you appear to be somewhere else in the world. But you usually can’t control that “somewhere else”, and if it is in a location that an app isn’t approved for the app won’t work. Plus the fact that the provider of the VPN knows everything about you and your location, as well as what sites you access through the VPN. So you are totally dependent on the VPN provider’s honesty. As a start, if the VPN is free, DON’T USE IT. The provider has to make money somehow, and if you aren’t paying them then they are selling your private data to make money. And it was recently discovered that a major wholesaler of "free" VPN that is provided by many "free" VPN deliverers also makes your computer a node in a worldwide botnet used to hack other users.


But even those that charge can’t necessarily be trusted. For example, a few years ago Avast was caught selling user browsing data. They claim they have stopped doing so, however, they lied 🤥→ FTC Order Will Ban Avast from Selling Browsing Data for Advertising Purposes


You don’t really need VPN when using public Wi-Fi, because all communications between your device and the servers it accesses are end-to-end encrypted.


If you want VPN for privacy about the sites you visit, that’s not a good choice as discussed; instead you should download and use the TOR browser.


The other use for VPN is to “steal” content that is not available in your area. I leave this question to your personal ethics.


With iOS 15.2 and later for iOS/iPadOS and MacOS Monterey 12.2 and later Apple now has iCloud+ Private Relay, which is not VPN, but provides a safer browsing environment than VPN, and it doesn't spy on you→About iCloud Private Relay - Apple Support

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 19, 2024 10:24 AM in response to Trinity2in

Why does everyone assume that if their phone isn’t working as they think it should it must be a bug? How about a problem with YOUR PHONE, not the 500 million other iPhones that were updated, which would also be affected if it was a bug?


The problem is your VPN. delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile.


VPN frequently creates more problems than it solves. The biggest problem is many VPN users do not understand the technology they are using. For example, a key "feature" that few people realize is that any VPN by its nature slows your internet connection to about 1/4 of the speed of your "raw" internet connection. For visiting websites this probably doesn't matter, but it will certainly affect downloads.


VPN also changes your apparent location. But think about this for a moment. Your bank knows where you should be. If you try to log in to their site or use their app with VPN enabled they may block the connection as a hacking attempt. And some financial institutions will simply block all VPN access. As will many social networking apps such as Facebook, Insta, Snapchat, etc.


Another important fact is that when you install VPN it configures itself to the specific hardware, iOS version and network that the phone uses. If any of those change it can break the VPN. So any time you change any of these you may need to delete the VPN app and profile, restart your phone then add them back (if you still want to use VPN) so it can configure itself to the new environment.


Here's Apple's advice on VPN→

Check VPN (Virtual Private Network) and third-party software to help resolve network connectivity issues - Apple Support

Something to think about→Don't use VPN - GITHUB

Here's Brian Krebs on VPN security (or lack thereof)→Why your VPN may not be as secure as it claims


There are two legitimate purposes for using VPN:

  • To allow access to a private network such as a school or business when you are not on site. 
  • To allow access outside of a country with a repressive government that has restricted Internet access. (This has suddenly become more important)


Any other use is risky, and can lead to problems like the one discussed in this thread. VPN disguises your location by making you appear to be somewhere else in the world. But you usually can’t control that “somewhere else”, and if it is in a location that an app isn’t approved for the app won’t work. Plus the fact that the provider of the VPN knows everything about you and your location, as well as what sites you access through the VPN. So you are totally dependent on the VPN provider’s honesty. As a start, if the VPN is free, DON’T USE IT. The provider has to make money somehow, and if you aren’t paying them then they are selling your private data to make money. And it was recently discovered that a major wholesaler of "free" VPN that is provided by many "free" VPN deliverers also makes your computer a node in a worldwide botnet used to hack other users.


But even those that charge can’t necessarily be trusted. For example, a few years ago Avast was caught selling user browsing data. They claim they have stopped doing so, however, they lied 🤥→ FTC Order Will Ban Avast from Selling Browsing Data for Advertising Purposes


You don’t really need VPN when using public Wi-Fi, because all communications between your device and the servers it accesses are end-to-end encrypted.


If you want VPN for privacy about the sites you visit, that’s not a good choice as discussed; instead you should download and use the TOR browser.


The other use for VPN is to “steal” content that is not available in your area. I leave this question to your personal ethics.


With iOS 15.2 and later for iOS/iPadOS and MacOS Monterey 12.2 and later Apple now has iCloud+ Private Relay, which is not VPN, but provides a safer browsing environment than VPN, and it doesn't spy on you→About iCloud Private Relay - Apple Support

Aug 24, 2024 12:08 PM in response to Trinity2in

I’m encountering the same problem after installing 17.6.1., no Wi-Fi for certain apps including iMessage. They all work fine on my iPhone and I have Wi-Fi for everything else on my iPad. It’s a newer iPad too. I’ve called support and we restarted and reinstalled many things for a couple of hours, even removed VPN. Nothing worked. I have to call again. If it gets resolved I’ll certainly tell you how. Good luck! 🌼

Aug 19, 2024 10:20 AM in response to Trinity2in

I updated my 15 Pro to 17.6.1 about a week ago. I started to notice some things. It started with videos on Facebook, X, and Instagram being glitchy and buffering. I originally thought it was my connection. Turns out it was not my Wi-Fi or connections at all. I could replicate the issues at various locations.


My issues are:

• any video (downloaded, photos, or social media) does not play.

• music does not play

• videos online also do not play. We tried the YouTube and Apple webpages; nothing worked.

• I can make and connect a phone call. That call does not have any audio. Facetime calls also do not have audio or video.

• My battery was hot while charging in my car on Saturday.


After several hours on Saturday with Apple support (first text chat, then phone support), I was left with a phone that didn't work well. Apple phone support tried to reset to factory settings from a computer on Saturday (connected via cable). That reset failed. I then scheduled in-person support though the Apple Support app at a local Best Buy. Best Buy ran all the same diagnostics that the Phone Support did the day before; found nothing. Best Buy hard reset my phone to factory new; same issues (no video or calls). Later on Sunday afternoon, I reopened my case and spoke to a Apple Support Manager for 2.5 hours. She ran diagnostics, attempted to reset the phone again, and tried everything possible. The phone was still quirky with the same issues. She did say that "maybe it's Verizon" and I should speak to the also. The Apple Support Manager ended the call with sending report logs to Apple Engineering to review. The Engineering review could take 3-5 days. Grrr.


I did call Verizon and review all the settings. My Verizon settings were all perfectly fine.


Now I wait for several days until Apple Support gets the Engineering review of my phone's issues.

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iOS 17 bug: Wi-Fi not connecting after iOS 17.6.1 update & iPhone 12 restart

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