WiFi issues have been around for a long time on iOS. Whether it’s the hugely impressive iOS 7, the bug-laden iOS 11, or the feature-packed iOS 12, they’ve all run into WiFi issues at some point. And long-lived ghosts are already starting to haunt iOS 13. Recently, a large number of iOS users (including those running iOS 13) have encountered the “WiFi disconnection when iPhone is locked” issue. I faced the same issue on my iPhone XR during iOS 13 beta testing. Since the operating system is still a work in progress, I didn’t mind the problem at all, thinking Apple would fix it when the official version was released. But that (unfortunately) wasn’t going to happen. Now that it has become too common to ignore, I thought I should share some of the possible solutions that can fix this weird “WiFi disconnects when iPhone is asleep” issue.
How to Fix WiFi Disconnected When iPhone Locks or Sleeps Problem in iOS 13
Speaking of solutions, many iPhone users (including me) have clicked on to fix their Wi-Fi issues. Therefore, you can expect tried and tested hacks to support your luck as well. As for which trick you should try to get rid of the problem, start with the first one (mentioned below) and then check if it fixes the “Wi-Fi disconnected when iPhone is locked” issue. If you are lucky on the first try, rejoice. If not, move on to the next number. Now that you know the rule of thumb for this troubleshooting guide, let’s stop chasing for the better!
A Quick Tip Before Proceeding
A hard reboot has long been a (sort of) savior for iOS, especially when it fixes some common problems like crashes, freezes, and even Wi-Fi issues. So don’t miss this little tip as it can save you a lot of time and of course patience.
- With Force restart your iPhone X and later, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 PlusPress and release the volume up button, press and release the volume down button and then simultaneously hold the volume up button and the side button until the Apple logo appears.
- With Force restart iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 PlusPress and hold the volume down button and the sleep/wake button at the same time.
- With Force restart iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE or previous devicesPress and hold both the Home and sleep/wake buttons at the same time.
Once your iPhone restarts, check if the “WiFi disconnects when iPhone is asleep” issue is resolved. If there is, you are ready to go. If not, you don’t need to be disappointed as there are many other tricks to get around the problem.
Forget and Reconnect Wi-Fi Network
Whenever I run into Wi-Fi issues on my iOS devices, I’ve never failed to try this trusted hack. And I must say many times it fixed the problems. So, based on my experience, I suggest you try it too. simply open Settings app > Wi-Fi > Tap the info button right next to the Wi-Fi network. Next, select the “Forget This Network” option and confirm. Now go back and log into the Wi-Fi network again.
Renew the Rent
If the above step does not resolve your issue, you should try renewing your network’s lease. When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, you are given an IP address that identifies your device on the network. What renewing the lease does is it reassigns the IP address and renews the wireless connection to the network. For me, this process has a significant success rate in fixing “iPhone WiFi disconnection issues” issue. To renew the lease of your network, launch the Settings app and then go to WiFi and Tap the info button right next to the Wi-Fi network. Now scroll down to find the “Renew Rent” button and tap on it.
Turn Off VPN
Are you using a VPN on your iPhone? This could be the cause of Wi-Fi problems on your iOS device. So, if the above tricks didn’t fix this issue, try disabling the VPN to see if that fixes it. To do this, go to: Settings > General > VPN. And then turn it off toggle for active PVN.
Disable Wi-Fi Network Services
Some users encountering this issue have stated that disabling Wi-Fi Network Services helped in resolving the issue. Therefore, it is appropriate to go for this solution as well. To do this, go to: Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services. After that, turn off the switch Wi-Fi Network.
Network Settings Reset
There is a saying that “hard times require drastic measures”. So, if you still cannot prevent your iPhone from disconnecting from WiFi when locked or asleep, try resetting network settings. Note that this action will reset the network settings to factory default. So you will have to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords. To do this, go to: Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings and confirm.
Update Router Firmware
No solution yet? Now is the time to look beyond the ordinary. Outdated firmware of your WiFi router may be at the center of this problem. If you haven’t updated for a while, it’s wise to take care of it as it might fix the problem. The process for updating the Wi-Fi router may vary from one company to another. Therefore, you can check the user manual or contact the manufacturer for assistance.
Update Your iPhone
I know many of you will wonder why I am talking about this solution. Let me tell you, if you take a look at the large number of issues that have popped up in iOS over the past few years, you will find that software update is the only solution for them. Whether it’s the annoying autocorrect feature or a serious bug linked to the Telugu character that crashes apps and iOS devices via iMessage, Apple has had to roll out software updates to fix the issues.
Considering how common this “WiFi disconnects when iPhone is locked” issue is, Apple may have already gotten to work (as always) to find a suitable solution. So the answer to this question may lie within the software update. Go to: On your iOS 13 device, Settings app > General > Software Update. See if there is an iOS 13 software update waiting for you. If it is waiting in the wing, download and install it immediately.
SEE ALSO: 10 Tips to Improve Security and Privacy in iOS 13
Fix iOS 13 WiFi Issues for iPhone and iPad
Hopefully, the Wi-Fi issues are finally fixed on your iOS 13 devices. But before you test your internet speed, don’t forget to let us know which of the above tricks worked to fix this annoying problem on your device. Also, if you know of other suitable ways to solve this, be sure to share them in the comments below.
