iPhone 17 Pro WiFi shows full bars but won't connect

Question

iPhone 17 Pro WiFi shows full bars but won't connect

Hi,

I have just purchased an iphone pro17, and it is having trouble with WiFi.

iPhone 17Pro behaviour is to usually shows full Wifi Bars, but not connect - in my router settings the iPHone is not seen at all: IP/MAC is not there. All other devices are seen; older iPhones and Macs connected via 5Ghz. When it shows full bars, there is not connection to internet or other devices on the network;

Sometimes iPhone 17Pro 'drops' to show 2/3 bars of Wifi, and then DOES connect to the internet/WiFi. This 'drop' seems pretty random; I cannot force it w distance, I cannot check if its' 2.4 v 5Ghz as it doens't last that long to look in the router (for my skills). After a brief moment of working it's back to 3 bars and not working.

Any thoughts on how to diagnose or fix? yes, I reset router. yes I forgot network. Yes I reset Pro17, a lot.Yes iOS is up to date.

Semi update: I made a guest network and pro17 can find it and use it @ 2 or 3 bars of Wifi, and I can see it's IP/MAC in the router.... will see if it 'sticks'

Posted on Dec 5, 2025 3:28 AM

Reply

Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

99,469 points

Dec 5, 2025 3:40 AM in response to Luke Heemsbergen

Guest network? Sounds like a classic new phone + out of date wifi network.

First uninstall any VPN.

Then test it on someone else's modern router.

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Answer 2

Dec 5, 2025 4:00 AM in response to LD150

Thank you for the reply and thoughts; doesn't seem to be a VPN issue.

The router is Wifi 7, this year modern. Hmmm, new phone is the only WiFi 7 device on it?

So far creating a guest network (the router allows a secondary 'guest' SSID) has actually kept a stable connection... Will see if it holds up and or recreate the main network.

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Answer 3

Dec 5, 2025 5:43 AM in response to Luke Heemsbergen

Check your WiFi Router / Modem for --> Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points ...

Connecting to Wifi is the first part and then getting connected to the Internet is the second

If you connect to Wifi, doesn't necessarily mean you are connected to the internet. If you are not connected to wifi could be a problem with iPhone settings or Router/Modem Settings
If you are not connected to the internet is the sole issue of Router / Modem Settings. Contact your ISP immediately

For your Internet connection.

Over Cellular: contact your Carrier (Cellular Service Provider). The agency that issued the SIM to you
Over WiFI: Contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider), the agency that provided the Internet Service on your Modem/Router to you

However --> Connect iPhone to the Internet - Apple Support

If you connect to Wifi, it doesn't necessarily mean you are connected to the internet. --> Internet not available, WiFi and Cellular … - Apple Community

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