• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

AppleToolBox

Tools and Fixes for Mac, iPad, iPhone & iWatch

Search posts

  • About
  • Contact

CONNECT WITH US

CATEGORIES

  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • iPod
  • Apple Watch
  • Mac/MacBook
  • AirPods
  • Apple TV
  • News
  • Apple Services
  • HomePod
  • Reviews

SITE

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Search posts

You are here: Home / iPad / WiFi Button Greyed Out on the iPad or iPhone

WiFi Button Greyed Out on the iPad or iPhone

By SK 5 comments Last updated January 2, 2023

Getting our iPhones, iPads, and iPods to connect to the internet using WiFi is a fundamental part of our mobile experience. So, when WiFi isn’t working or is grayed out, it makes our devices almost useless!

If you just discovered that your iPad’s or iPhone’s WiFi is grayed out and you can’t get it to toggle on, we’ve got you covered with our top tips on how to fix WiFi problems on your devices!

Try these quick tips when you discover your iPhone’s or iPad’s WiFi is grayed out

  • Check that Airplane mode is off
  • Reset your device’s network settings
  • Check for any liquid damage

Related articles

  • WiFi Dropping Out or Not Available After iOS Update, How-To Fix
  • Wi-Fi not working? How to fix your Wi-Fi problems

Contents

    • What do you do when your iPhone WiFi button is greyed out? Potential Fixes!
  • Check for liquid damage
    • Restart your device
    • Reset All Settings
  • My WiFi is still grayed out! Now what?

What do you do when your iPhone WiFi button is greyed out? Potential Fixes!

  • Update your iOS, if available
  • Reset network settings (General>Reset>Reset Network Settings) iPhone reset the network settings
  • Toggle Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb on/off by going to Settings > Airplane Mode ON and Do Not Disturb ON > Turn Off Phone > Leave for 15min-20min > Turn Phone Back On > Turn Off Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb > Turn WIFI ON. 
  • Turn off Cellular Data (Settings > General > Cellular) then try to connect to your WiFi turn off cellular data on iPhone and iPad
  • Reset your WiFi router–usually be unplugging, waiting a few minutes, and plugging it back in. Check with your router’s manufacturer or internet provider for exact model directions on how to reset your specific router

Check for liquid damage

If your iDevice recently took the plunge and got wet or soaked, it’s possible that there was some internal damage done to your hardware and your buttons.

So, check for water damage and take a look at your device’s Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI)

Most iPhones have the LCI in or around the SIM card port. Liquid Contact Indicators on iPhone or iPad

The LCI activates when it contacts water or a liquid. The indicator’s color is ordinarily white or silver, but turns red when it touches any liquid.

If you discover liquid damage, contact Apple or your carrier to see what your options are.

Restart your device

  • On an iPad with no Home Button and iPhones X or later: press and hold the Side/Top/Power button and either volume button until the slider appears how to restart an iPad with no home button
  • On an iPad or iPhone with a Home Button and iPod Touch: press and hold the Side/Top/Power button until the slider appears
  • Drag the slider to turn the device off and after the device turns off, press and hold that Side/Top/Power button again until you see the Apple Logo

    Photo of an iPhone highlighting the power button saying 'Slide to power off"
    Restart your phone to fix many software issues

With iOS 11 and above, restart using Settings > General > Shut Down iOS 11 Setting to Shut Down iPhone

Reset All Settings

Screenshot of the Reset All Settings option in iOS Settings.
Choosing to Reset All Settings shouldn’t delete any content from your device.

This is usually the last resort since it resets all your personalized features back to factory defaults.

  • Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All

This resets to default everything in Settings, including notifications, alerts, brightness, and clock settings like wake up alarms. Resetting all settings also reverts all your personalized and customized features like wallpapers and accessibility settings back to factory defaults. Performing this action does not impact any of your personal device data, including photos, texts, documents, and other files. You will need to reconfigure these settings once your iPhone or iDevice restarts.

My WiFi is still grayed out! Now what?

If you tried all the tips above and your WiFi is still grayed out, it’s time to look at your device’s hardware for a problem. It’s likely a hardware issue at this point and that means you need to contact Apple or an authorized Apple Service Center.

If your device is under Apple Care+ warranty, Apple will likely replace your phone or device.

If your device is no longer under Apple Care+, then it’s still worth it to contact Apple Support. They may offer you replacement options at prices lower than retail.

When you suspect hardware is the problem, set-up an appointment with your nearby Apple Store or visit the Apple Support site and start the repair process online.

sudz - apple
SK

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.

Related Posts:

  • iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them - Troubleshooting Guide
    iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them -…
  • Should I sign up for Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program?
    Should I sign up for Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program?
  • AirPods Pro---The Complete Guide
    AirPods Pro---The Complete Guide
  • Taking Photo But iPhone Says Storage is Full?
    Taking Photo But iPhone Says Storage is Full?
  • How To Reset the Screen Time Passcode on iOS, iPadOS, or macOS
    How To Reset the Screen Time Passcode on iOS, iPadOS, or…
  • iOS 16 Tips and Tricks: The Definitive List
    iOS 16 Tips and Tricks: The Definitive List
  • Sidecar not working in iPadOS and macOS? How to fix Sidecar problems
    Sidecar not working in iPadOS and macOS? How to fix Sidecar…
  • iMessage Not Working iOS 12? Fix Message App Problems
    iMessage Not Working iOS 12? Fix Message App Problems
  • iMessage not working iOS 13 or iPadOS? Fix it today
    iMessage not working iOS 13 or iPadOS? Fix it today

Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Show 5 Comments

  1. Ian says

    May 22, 2022 at 3:13 PM

    Yes, this may be the new way with Apple devices. Eventually we give up, and just buy more…

    …. CLever marketing! The iStore staff seemed utterly clueless when I visited last time as well, just sugeested sending it away… I could have done that from home… Useless!!

    Reply
  2. Ian Simpson says

    May 22, 2022 at 3:11 PM

    Have tried all of the above, including a six-hour software update to IOS 15.5 , and the WiFi button is still grayed out.

    Why is this happening to what used to be such a reliable device…?

    Reply
  3. CharMei says

    May 15, 2022 at 9:58 PM

    I think this information is excellent and helpful. I’ve had this problem before, and I’ve reset my iPhone, but it still doesn’t work. And it makes me frustrated! I tried acethinker Fone keeper after a recommendation from a buddy. I was on the verge of visiting an Apple Store, but thanks to this tool, I was able to resolve the issue.

    Reply
    • Lynda B. says

      May 18, 2022 at 6:02 PM

      My Wifi button is grayed out and all the resets and at home fixes do not fix the problem for more than a few minutes. Was this your issue as well?? I want to exhaust ALL options before an Apple store visit. We bought this phone used in 2/22 and it worked perfectly in all regards for 3 months when this Wifi issue popped up without notice. We paid $400 and need a fix that won’t be equal to or more than what we paid. A local diagnostic could not pinpoint the exact issue to fix and were baffled by the problem, I am sooooo frustrated!!

      Reply
      • Josie says

        June 1, 2022 at 10:36 PM

        Same thing happened to me! Luckily I just bought the phone lat week. It has 30 warranty. I’m sending it back. Apple said I could mail it to them, the approximate cost would be $433! No thanks. I said I buy anything but another iPhone. I love my iPad, but I won’t buy another iPhone

        Reply

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • iPad Screen Missing Some Touches: How to Fix
  • How to Reset HomePod or HomePod Mini
  • Icons Showing Above Keyboard When Texting on iPhone: How to Close Them
  • How to Use Face ID With Incognito Tabs in Chrome on iPhone
  • Best Mastodon Apps for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
  • How to Remove or Reschedule an Event in Apple Calendar

Connect with us

Footer

ABOUT

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

GUIDES

  • iOS 13 & iPadOS
  • Apple ID
  • iCloud
  • App Store
  • iTunes
  • FaceTime
  • iMessage
  • Siri
  • Books and iBooks
  • Game Center
  • AirPlay

CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • FeedBurner
  • YouTube

© Copyright 2010-2023 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved

This site and its content are in no way affiliated or endorsed by Apple, Inc. · Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited