Top 7 Ways to Fix Android Wi-Fi Not Turning On

It’s frustrating when your smartphone starts misbehaving when you need it most. And we were all there. This time I was trying to connect to the internet but my Android phone’s Wi-Fi was not turning on. That is, the Wi-Fi kicks in but turns off almost instantly. Interestingly (or unfortunately), I’ve discovered that many Android users struggle to turn on Wi-Fi on their phones as well.

A simple reboot can fix the problem. However, sometimes you may need to change your phone’s settings. Some malicious apps may also be responsible for this. In this guide, we will highlight 7 ways to fix Android Wi-Fi not turning on issue. Come on, let’s see.

1. Disable Airplane Mode

The first thing you want to do when your Android device doesn’t turn on Wi-Fi is to check if Airplane mode is enabled. I know it sounds weird, but it happens to the best of us. Some Android devices won’t turn on Wi-Fi if Airplane mode is enabled. To disable airplane mode, swipe down from the notification panel and tap on the airplane icon. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced and turn off Airplane mode.

If airplane mode is disabled, you can enable it and disable it again. You’d be surprised how many times this works.

2. Disable Ultra Power Saving Mode

Some Android smartphone models have special/advanced battery saving features that can disable connectivity features such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This type of battery saver is often called ‘Ultra Power Saving Mode’ and is available on some Samsung devices and models from other Android phone manufacturers.

When enabled, Ultra Power Saving Mode will only allow you to use some essential features/apps (phone calls, messages, etc.) on your phone. You may not be able to use the Wi-Fi or cellular connection. If your Android phone has Ultra Power Saving Mode, disable it and now check if you can turn on the Wi-Fi option.

You can find Ultra Power Saver Mode in the Battery section of Android settings menu (Settings > Battery > Ultra Power Saver Mode).

3. Reset Network Settings

If your smartphone does not have Ultra Power Saving Mode and turning Airplane mode on/off (in Method #1) does not fix Android Wi-Fi not turning on, you need to reset your device’s network settings.

Resetting network settings is one of the surefire ways to fix Wi-Fi/Bluetooth related issues on your Android smartphone. Returns the network configurations to the state they were in when you purchased the device. Follow the steps below to reset network settings on your Android phone.

Stage 1: Launch the Android Settings menu and select System.

Step 2: Next, select Advanced.

Stage 3: Tap Reset options.

Step 4: Select ‘Reset Wi-Fi, mobile and Bluetooth’.

Step 5: Tap on the Reset Settings button located at the bottom of the next page.

You will be asked to enter your device’s password, PIN or use biometric authentication (fingerprint, Face ID, etc.) to confirm the action.

4. Reboot Device

If Android Wi-Fi still won’t turn on after a network reset, try restarting your device. This can help eliminate any ongoing process(s) that could cause the device’s Wi-Fi to malfunction.

5. Check for Malware

Malicious apps can corrupt your device’s network configurations. If your Android device’s Wi-Fi is not turning on, check to see if any of the recently installed apps look weird or familiar. If you find any, remove them.

To see a list of all the apps installed on your device, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See All Apps. Scan the list and block or remove unfamiliar apps/malware. In particular, you should check the applications that you use very little, applications that you do not remember installed / not installed, or applications that you have downloaded from unknown sources / websites.

6. Restore Factory Settings

Resetting your device to factory settings can also help you fix the Wi-Fi not turning on issue. However, this should be used as a last resort if all other troubleshooting fixes mentioned above fail.

Factory resetting your device will delete all your settings and files in your phone’s internal storage. You should learn more about what happens to your device when you format it before proceeding with the steps below.

Stage 1: Launch the Settings menu and select System.

Step 2: Tap on the Advanced dropdown and select Reset options.

Stage 3: Next, select ‘Wipe all data (factory reset)’.

Step 4: Tap on the ‘Erase All Data’ button and enter your device’s password or PIN to continue.

7. Visit a Technician

If none of the troubleshooting tips mentioned above fixes your Android’s Wi-Fi not turning on fault, then you should bring your device to an experienced smartphone repair center – the problem may be hardware related.

The problem could be caused by a malfunctioning or damaged Wi-Fi chip. An experienced smartphone technician is in the best position to diagnose and repair hardware related issues.

If the phone is new and not more than a year old, it is most likely still under warranty. In this case, you should return the phone to the store where you bought it. They will either fix this problem for free or give you a new device.

connect

The internet is where everything happens these days. If you can’t connect to the internet, you’re missing out on a lot of stuff. If you have an Android smartphone that won’t turn on Wi-Fi, these troubleshooting tips solutions will definitely help you fix it.

Next: Can’t open any web page on your Android phone due to limited connectivity issues? Learn how to fix limited internet connection error on Android phones and tablets.