3giphone-hacks.net

Yesterday we reported
on an issue in which the iPhone 3G fails to find and or connect to
otherwise valid WiFi networks. The response from iPhone Atlas readers
was overwhelming, with dozens of users (of both original and 3G
iPhones) reporting the issue.

Among the reports:

• “Thought I was losing my mind. Although I don’t have a 3G. I have
  the first generation 8 gig. I have a wifi network in my house that
  ensures connectivity with my laptop from the road in front of my house.
  I live on over an acre of property but I can’t sit in a room 10 feet
  from a repeater and get a signal. I literally have to hold the phone
  next to my linksys, start, stop, and start the service again to get a
  connection.”
• “I all of a sudden have had exact same problem as your article
  states. I have Apple PowerBook, original iPhone (used as Touch now) and
  iPhone 3G. PowerBook and 3G wifi is working perfectly normal. All of a
  sudden wifi on original iPhone stopped working. Does not find any
  networks at all when always would show a few to choose from including
  my home network.”
• “My iPhone 3G intermittently loses Wifi connectivity. Sometimes it
  comes back on its own, other times, power cycling the wireless router
  and sometimes additionally the cable modem will re-establish
  connection. Often, if other wireless networks are present they will
  show up, sometimes not.”

Meanwhile, we’re now receiving reports from users indicating that Apple
is replacing iPhones with WiFi problems at the Genius Bar, noting
“hardware issues.”

One reader writes:

“I had the same problem with my first generation iPhone after about
6 months of use. I couldn’t connect to a wi-fi network and/or keep a
wi-fi signal for more than a few seconds. I tried everything to fix it
(full restore, changed router settings, etc.) Eventually made an
appointment at the Genius Bar and was told that it was a hardware
issue. They gave me a new phone since it was still under warranty and I
haven’t had the problem return.”

Another adds:

“I had the same issue with my iPhone 3G. Took it to an apple store
and they looked at for for thirty seconds and then replaced it.”

Among the fixes to try before taking your iPhone in for service:

• Turn WiFi off then on in Settings.
• “Forget” the currently configured connection and allow it to reconfigure
• Switch the router to WPA2
• Remove all spaces from the WPA pass phrase
• Remove all security from the router until a stable connection is attained then reconfigure the security