4S: WiFi greyed out, but Bluetooth usable

[marcoszorzi]

4S: WiFi greyed out, but Bluetooth usable

Hello guys.
This is an old problem, that Apple doesn't really care about.
So sadly, we need to make some noise to be listened and have our problems solved. This is a petition, please read before sign it:
www.change.org/petitions/apple-to-get-apple-to-replace-all-units-affected-negatively-by-the-update-of-ios7-or-patch-an-update-that-will-remedy-the-issues-many-loyal-customers-are-experiencing?share_id=EWvbUpSNtW&utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
Yours sincerely.

 

[richwoodrocket]

Get a new phone from the Apple store. My friend got two new iPhone 4s's that had this problem and they gave him an iPhone 5c as a replacement when he was out of warranty.
Ps, nice way to resurrect a thread.

 

[JoeCitizen]

Apple not responding

I too have had the exact same issue. Ios update 7.1.1, resulted in lost wifi (grayed out), issues compounding from there. Phone is less than 18 months old (on a two year contract with Verizon). Apples reply: Out of warranty, hardware issue, many people post without knowing the specific facts, but sure is funny that there are so MANY having the same issues, with a specific model (4s) immediately after 7.1.1 update. Ultimately, I got the total run around from an Apple Supervisor, but they will replace it for $199. Not saying this happened, but it sure seems like a great way to take out an entire model and sell a lot more phones...

 

[swordfish5736]

I used a repair man on eBay to get this issue fixed on a phone. He did the repair the day he received it, kept it overnight for observation and then shipped it right back to me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301187298731

 

[jaw04005]

I too have had the exact same issue. Ios update 7.1.1, resulted in lost wifi (grayed out), issues compounding from there. Phone is less than 18 months old (on a two year contract with Verizon). Apples reply: Out of warranty, hardware issue, many people post without knowing the specific facts, but sure is funny that there are so MANY having the same issues, with a specific model (4s) immediately after 7.1.1 update. Ultimately, I got the total run around from an Apple Supervisor, but they will replace it for $199. Not saying this happened, but it sure seems like a great way to take out an entire model and sell a lot more phones...

This actually happened to my elderly grandfather with his iPhone 4S. I visited him on his birthday in April and noticed he was still on iOS 6. So, I upgraded his phone to iOS 7 and bam no wi-fi or bluetooth. The phone otherwise is in excellent condition (and has been in a life proof case since I bought it for him two years ago).

Of course, I called AppleCare who refused to help since it was out of warranty.

I even contacted Tim Cook. For the first time ever in my 21+ history with Apple, executive relations even refused to help. Since he is upgrade eligible, the rep suggested I spend the $199 on a new iPhone 5S instead of repairing his 4S (which up until iOS 7 worked just fine).

I told the rep this will be one of those issues like my Macbook charger and my iBook logic board failure before that in which Apple is forced to offer some type of recall/support program on the product 3 years down the road when no one owns or uses it anymore.

 

[rohitp]

A Solution!

I've had my iPhone 4S 64GB for over two years now and yesterday morning I got the dreaded iPhone 4S wifi greyed out screen. Never had this before and I updated to iOS 7.1.2 when it was released. So my phone has the latest software. Performed a network reset and even a complete restore (DFU mode) but it did not help. Next, I took it to an Apple store where the tech did the same resets with negative results and the only thing he could offer was to replace the phone ($199). The phone was working fine, except for the wi-fi.

From what I can find on the internet, this is some sort of thermal problem with the wifi chip.

There is a "solution" on the internet that worked for me. Apparently this has something to do with a thermal reset or re-seating of the wi-fi chip. The posted solution was to heat up the phone with a hair dryer until a "thermal warning" comes on your screen - at which point you power the phone off, put it in a ziplock bag, and put it in the freezer for 10-15 mins. Take it out and restart it after a little while! From what I've read, this might work since it softens the solder a bit and then resets it in the freezer, re-establishing contact. Others say it puts the chip through a thermal cycle, re-setting it. Who knows!!

I did this, except that I did not heat it all the way to a thermal warning, but rather until the phone felt quite hot (I was concerned about damaging the phone). I just blew hot air up the connection port, the top, and the back. When the back surface of the phone felt quite hot, I powered it down and did the freezer thing. Took it out, let it rest for a few minutes, powered it up and wow, my wi-fi came right back on! it's been on for a few hours now. No idea how long this will last. From what I read, some have had permanent success and some just for a few days. So who knows but there it is.

Obviously I imagine this has the potential of damaging the phone if the heat is excessive so it might not be advisable… but it worked for me! There is a YouTube video you search for see that illustrates this technique.

 

[pilot1226]

I've had my iPhone 4S 64GB for over two years now and yesterday morning I got the dreaded iPhone 4S wifi greyed out screen. Never had this before and I updated to iOS 7.1.2 when it was released. So my phone has the latest software. Performed a network reset and even a complete restore (DFU mode) but it did not help. Next, I took it to an Apple store where the tech did the same resets with negative results and the only thing he could offer was to replace the phone ($199). The phone was working fine, except for the wi-fi.

From what I can find on the internet, this is some sort of thermal problem with the wifi chip.

There is a "solution" on the internet that worked for me. Apparently this has something to do with a thermal reset or re-seating of the wi-fi chip. The posted solution was to heat up the phone with a hair dryer until a "thermal warning" comes on your screen - at which point you power the phone off, put it in a ziplock bag, and put it in the freezer for 10-15 mins. Take it out and restart it after a little while! From what I've read, this might work since it softens the solder a bit and then resets it in the freezer, re-establishing contact. Others say it puts the chip through a thermal cycle, re-setting it. Who knows!!

I did this, except that I did not heat it all the way to a thermal warning, but rather until the phone felt quite hot (I was concerned about damaging the phone). I just blew hot air up the connection port, the top, and the back. When the back surface of the phone felt quite hot, I powered it down and did the freezer thing. Took it out, let it rest for a few minutes, powered it up and wow, my wi-fi came right back on! it's been on for a few hours now. No idea how long this will last. From what I read, some have had permanent success and some just for a few days. So who knows but there it is.

Obviously I imagine this has the potential of damaging the phone if the heat is excessive so it might not be advisable… but it worked for me! There is a YouTube video you search for see that illustrates this technique.

+1. When I had my 4S I had this same issue after I upgraded to the newest iOS. But, I noticed that whenever I placed my phone in the freezer for a few minutes I would get a few minutes of Wifi use out of it.

Eventually I had the phone replaced through warranty for another iPhone.

 

[terryblyth]

I can't speak about out of warranty issues, but when this happened to mine it was swapped straight away in store, and the Genius admitted it was a known issue.

 

[rohitp]

Didn't last too long, but...

I've had my iPhone 4S 64GB for over two years now and yesterday morning I got the dreaded iPhone 4S wifi greyed out screen. Never had this before and I updated to iOS 7.1.2 when it was released. So my phone has the latest software. Performed a network reset and even a complete restore (DFU mode) but it did not help. Next, I took it to an Apple store where the tech did the same resets with negative results and the only thing he could offer was to replace the phone ($199). The phone was working fine, except for the wi-fi.

From what I can find on the internet, this is some sort of thermal problem with the wifi chip...

So the "solution" lasted a few days and then the issue came right back.

The good news?? I was able to get Apple Customer Relations to replace it even though my phone was well out of warranty.

I called Apple Support and asked to be transferred to Customer Relations. The rep could see the case history as I had taken it in to the Apple Store. I explained to her that I was a long time Apple customer with multiple devices and had researched the issue extensively on the internet - including seeing that this failure was fairly widespread and there was at least one lawsuit that had been settled. I said I was looking for help since it obviously seems like a known hardware issue and I could not afford to pay for a replacement. My tone as very positive and not threatening which I am sure helped a lot! After consulting with the Apple Store, she eventually arranged for a replacement which too only one day to arrive. Go !!