If the Wi-Fi option is grayed out on your iPhone or iPad, here's how to fix it!

August 4, 2014

Many iPhone and iPad owners over the past several months have reported issues with the Wi-Fi toggle in the Settings app being grayed out, or dim. In turn, this leaves them unable to turn on Wi-Fi at all. This can also cause Control Center to produce a "Wi-Fi Not Available" error message. If this sounds like something you're experiencing, we can help you quickly troubleshoot the issue and regain Wi-Fi functionality again.

1. Make sure you're on the latest version of iOS

One of the first things you should do before trying any other troubleshooting steps is to make sure you're running the most current version of iOS. Every time Apple issues an update, it contains bug fixes and improvements, which may very well solve the issue on its own. You can do it right from your iPhone or iPad, no computer required.

How to update iOS over-the-air using Software Update

If you're on the most current version already or updating didn't seem to fix the issue, continue on.

2. Reboot your iPhone or iPad

Hard rebooting your iPhone or iPad can sometimes resolve issues as well. It's also a quick and easy troubleshooting step that should be tried before most others for any issue. Just hold down the Power button and Home button on your iPhone or iPad and don't let go until you see the Apple logo.

After your iPhone or iPad reboots, check the Wi-Fi option in Settings again. If it's still grayed out, move on to the next step.

3. Reset network settings

Resetting the network settings on your iPhone or iPad is another way to make sure some kind of setting isn't what is causing the problem. While it should fix any corrupt settings, you will have to re-enter all your Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, and anything else you have configured network wise. For most folks that's a small price to pay to have working Wi-Fi again.

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap on General.
Tap on Reset — it's all the way at the bottom.
Tap on Reset Network Settings.
Let your iPhone or iPad reboot.

4. Restore your iPhone or iPad

If none of the above steps have worked for you and your Wi-Fi toggle is still grayed out, it's probably time to try a restore. Simply plug your iPhone or iPad into iTunes and restore it brand new. Be sure to make a backup first though, whether that's to iCloud or to iTunes. If you aren't sure how to restore your iPhone or iPad, you can follow our guide.

How to restore your iPhone or iPad with iTunes

5. Visit an Apple Store or repair shop

If nothing helped you, not even a restore, it's most likely a hardware issue. In rare cases, grayed out Wi-Fi can be caused by a hardware failure. In particular, it's an issue with the actual Wi-Fi chip on the logic board. This seemed to happen more often with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s than other iPhone models. The only way to fix the issue permanently is to either swap your iPhone or iPad out at an Apple Store, or find a repair shop that is experienced with soldering that can reflow the chip. Be sure they are familiar with the issue and actually know how to fix it before going this route. If you're going the Apple route, you may have to pay for a replacement if you're out of warranty, but it's always worth a try since it is a known issue.

How did you fix grayed out Wi-Fi on your iPhone or iPad?

If you had this issue, what ended up working for you? Did you end up having to get a new iPhone or iPad or did one of the above steps seem to resolve the issue? Be sure to let us know in the comments along with what model iPhone and what version of iOS you had the problem on.