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iPhone is incomplete without Internet Connection, and when the Wi-Fi starts showing Unable to Join the Network error in iOS 16, I understand how frustrating it can get when our beloved ones want to FaceTime or urgently needs to reply to the client’s mail from the iPhone. Unfortunately, there is no root cause or specific reason why Wi-Fi on iPhone shows unable to join the network pop-up, though, considering all the possible grounds, we’ll address the network error on the iPhone and make sure it will never come up again.
We’ve encountered Resetting Network Settings greatly helped many victims of this error message, to get rid of it, as earliest as possible. Just because you don’t have to re-enter the saved Wi-Fi passwords, it’s not suggested directly going with the reset network settings, rather trying the basics.
Fix Unable to Join the Network Error in iOS/iPadOS
Not to mention, rebooting the phone is the first solution to eradicate minor problems, alongside, most of the problems go away by a simple restart. You should restart the iPhone before moving to the other solutions.
Solution 1: Forgot Wi-Fi Network
If the iPhone was working correctly until Unable to Join the Network popped up, you should forget and re-enter the Wi-Fi password and try joining the network.
- Navigate to the Settings app.
- Tap Wi-Fi
- Next, tap on the info button next to the Wi-Fi network to which you can’t connect right now.
- Select Forget This Network.
- Confirm, Forget.
Thereafter it’s recommended to restart the iPhone before rejoining the Wi-Fi network. To do so, press and hold the Power button and select Power Off. Let the device turns off, later press and hold the Power button to boot normally.
Solution 2: Reboot Your Network Router
Another worth diagnosing thing is your router, if the Wi-Fi modem isn’t performing well; problems like this are likely to occur. However, to verify, why not connect any other smartphone or laptop to the same network, or simply restart the router by unplugging the AC Adapter of the Router and plug it back after a few minutes.
Solution 3: Reset Network Settings
Till now, Reset Network Settings never failed to resolve the Wi-Fi issues, several times, I’ve done it myself, to fix the unable to join the Wi-Fi network. The downside is, you’ll lose all the saved Wi-Fi passwords, and other network settings, but won’t affect the personal data. Hence, there is no harm in resetting network settings.
Apply for iOS 15 & later version:-
1→ Open up “Settings.”
2→ Tap “General” and tap “Transfer or Reset iPhone.”
3→ Lastly, tap “Reset” > “Reset Network Settings” > Enter your iPhone Lock passcode and Try after Reboot once.
method for iOS 14 and earlier iOS:-
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down to the Reset.
- Then, select Reset Network Settings.
- Enter the iPhone Passcode and confirm Reset.
Now, Go Back to WiFi settings, Settings app > WiFi > Search and Find your WiFi Network and Tap on to Join. Enter your Correct WiFi Password and Join.
Solution 4: Manually Add Network
Manually Add Network means the SSID must be entered manually in the Wi-Fi network. Here’s the stepwise guide on manually adding the Wi-Fi network on the iPhone.
- Launch Settings App.
- Tap Wi-Fi.
- Look for the Other option under NETWORKS.
- Give the name to the Wi-Fi network.
- Select Security.
- Choose security (like WEP, WPA, WPA2, etc)
- Now, enter the password.
- Join the network.
Solution 5: Turn on iCloud Drive
In the Recent iOS Update, several users get to fix the issue after turning on the iCloud drive from iPhone settings.
- Open the settings app on iPhone > Click on Profile name.
- Tap on iCloud > Enable iCloud Drive toggle.
- That’s it. And Recheck the issue is fixed or not.
Or Take a Backup of your iPhone on Mac or PC, Then Erase your iPhone completely and Restore the Latest Backup to your iPhone.