iPhone Disconnects from WiFi When Locked [iOS 18]

Q:"My iPhone keeps disconnecting from WiFi when I lock screen. Right after I unlock it then it'll connect back automatically. Why is that? It is kinda annoying since I am on a plan with limited data" － u/9m88 from Reddit

Many iPhone users might encounter the exasperating situation where the iPhone disconnects from WiFi when locked, especially after the iOS 18 update. This problem occurs frequently, making it impossible for you to access the online world. Specifically, it hinders you from listening to online music, downloading movies in the background, receiving notifications from iMessages, and enjoying any other services that require a WiFi network connection when device is locked. What a disaster it is! To guarantee WiFi connection on a locked iPhone and avoid missing important push notifications or messages, it is essential to solve this issue as soon as possible. This is why we are here to share some optimal approaches with you.

• Part 1. Why Does iPhone Disconnect from WiFi When Locked?
• Part 2. Fixes to iPhone Disconnects from WiFi When Locked
  • Method 1. Check WiFi Router
  • Method 2. Force Restart iPhone
  • Method 3. Forget WiFi Network and Reconnect
  • Method 4. Disable Networking & Wireless Service
  • Method 5. Turn Off Wi-Fi Assist
  • Method 6. Renew Lease
  • Method 7. Turn On Auto-Join
  • Method 8. Disable VPN
  • Method 9. Reset Network Settings
  • Method 10. Update iOS System
  • Method 11. Use Joyoshare iOS System Repair [Highest Success Rate]
  • Method 12. Factory Reset iPhone
• Part 3. Final Words

Part 1. Why Does My iPhone Keep Disconnecting from WiFi When Locked?

There are several reasons accounting for WiFi disconnection issue on iPhone when it’s locked. Find out why first so that you can make a better choice of a solution.

• 1. Misconfigured Settings
• Some improper settings are configured on your iPhone, giving priority to cellular data over WiFi, which leads to WiFi disconnection when your device is locked.
• 2. Software Glitches
• Unexpected software glitches or temporary bugs may exist in your device, resulting in WiFi disconnection on a locked iPhone.
• 3. Malfunction of the Router
• Something is wrong with your WiFi router so iPhones drops connectivity when locked.
• 4. Activated VPN
• The performance of WiFi network might be interfered with if a VPN is enabled on your iPhone.

Part 2. Fixes to iPhone Disconnects from WiFi When Locked

There are 12 methods for you to fix iPhone disconnecting from WiFi when locked. Each of them is easy to operate and reflected helpful. Let's have a look.

Method 1. Check WiFi Router

We all know that we couldn't use WiFi without a router. Sometimes, the faulty WiFi router will leave the iPhone connection in an unstable state. So, you can restart the router to fix the problem first. If the problem remains unsolved, you can replace the router or connect with another router to further test the issue. These ways could be helpful to rule out the router issue.

Method 2. Force Restart iPhone

Then you could force restart your iPhone to fix iPhone disconnecting randomly. Rebooting your device could end all running programs on iPhone and let it reopen with a fresh start, which might help to remove some small glitches. Here is the process to force restart your iPhone.

• For iPhone 8 or iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later: Tap the Volume Up button and release it quickly, then tap the Volume Down button and release it quickly. Last, hold the Side button and release it until the Apple logo occurs on the screen.
• For iPhone 7: Hold the Volume Down button and the Sleep or Wake button at the same time and keep holding until the Apple logo comes out.
• For iPhone 6s or iPhone SE (1st generation): Hold the Home button and the Sleep or Wake button at the same time, and wait for the appearance of Apple logo.

Method 3. Forget WiFi Network and Reconnect

Any issues associated with WiFi network could be possibly resolved by trying to forget and reconnect the network. Just make sure you remember the security key for the following reconnection.

• Step 1: Go to Settings on your home screen and tap the WLAN.
• Step 2: Then find the WiFi you are using and tap the information mark i with a circle.
• Step 3: Choose Forget This Network on the following screen and confirm it by taping Forget. After that, you can reconnect the network by entering the security key.

Method 4. Disable Networking & Wireless Service

WiFi networking service can collect information about nearby WiFi networks according to the current location of your iPhone. It could be beneficial when we want to connect to the Internet anywhere, yet it could also cause the issue iPhone disconnecting from WiFi when in sleep mode.

• Step 1: Open Settings on iPhone and scroll down to find the Privacy.
• Step 2: Tap Location Services, followed by System Services.
• Step 3: Then locate Networking & Wireless feature and toggle it off.

Method 5. Turn Off Wi-Fi Assist

With Wi-Fi Assist feature enabled, your iPhone network will automatically switch to cellular when connecting with a poor WiFi. This is quite useful when you are using fluctuating WiFi. However, it could also pause the WiFi connection when iPhone locked. You could turn off this feature to fix the problem. Just go to Settings - Cellular - Wi-Fi Assist and disable it.

Method 6. Renew Lease

Renewing Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or DHCP lease can also help fix WiFi disconnects when iPhone is locked. Normally, your iPhone would renew DHCP by itself, yet it would behave abnormally sometimes. So, you could manually renew DHCP release by doing this:

• Step 1: Go to the Settings app and choose WLAN option.
• Step 2: Tap the i icon on the WiFi network in connection.
• Step 3: Scroll down and you'll find Renew Lease, click on it.

Method 7. Turn On Auto-Join

Auto-join is a wonderful feature allowing you to join any WiFi network that has the credentials. And it can open WiFi networks without requiring you to do anything. It is a time saver and you can turn it on via the steps below.

• Step 1: Head to Settings and choose WLAN directly.
• Step 2: Go to the WiFi network you are connecting and click the information mark i.
• Step 3: Find the Auto-Join feature and turn it on.

Method 8. Disable VPN

VPN can easily cause an unstable Internet connection. When your WiFi keeps pausing from time to time, check whether the VPN feature is enabled. If so, close it and check whether the WiFi connection returns to normal.

• Step 1: Open Settings on Home screen and tap the General option.
• Step 2: Swipe down and select VPN & Device Management.
• Step 3: Then if the VPN is connected, click the VPN on the following screen and disable it.

Method 9. Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings could fix most iPhone Internet problems easily, yet it will erase all your previous connections and WiFi passwords memorized by default. Before trying this way to resolve connectivity issues, make note of the password.

• Step 1: Open Settings app up and click the General.
• Step 2: Scroll down to the bottom list and tap the Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Step 3: Then you need to click Reset and select Reset Network Settings from the emerging list. Last, enter your passcode to verify the command.

Method 10. Update iOS System

If your iOS version is out-of-date, your iPhone may get trapped into some small software glitches, including WiFi disconnection error. So, always remember to run the latest iOS version on your iPhone. To do so, you could open Settings, and choose General, then Software Update. If there is a new update, tap Download and Install.

Method 11. Use Joyoshare iOS System Repair [Highest Success Rate]

Step 1 Launch Joyoshare UltFix and Connect iPhone to Computer

Get an official version of Joyoshare UltFix and launch it on your PC. Then you are required to connect your iPhone with PC using a cable. Open the tool and click the iOS System Repair first.

Step 2 Enter Standard Repair Mode

Next you are going to select a mode to start repairing. Standard Repair is for all common iOS issues and you could click on it to fix the iPhone WiFi issue. Your iPhone would be detected by the tool without trouble. If it fails to detect your device, you could follow the detailed instruction on the interface and set your iPhone in DFU or Recovery mode.

Step 3 Confirm and Download Firmware Package

The basic information of your device would be presented before downloading the firmware package. Confirm it carefully and adjust manually if the information is wrong. Then click the Download button and wait until the firmware package has been downloaded successfully.

Step 4 Fix the WiFi Error While Locked

Click the Start Standard Repair button, the package will start to unzip and then fix the WiFi error automatically. When the interface shows Finish, you could check whether your WiFi state has returned to normal.

Method 12. Factory Reset iPhone

There is also a workaround to fix iPhone hotspot disconnecting when locked. That's to perform a factory reset iPhone on your iPhone. However, this way is less suggested as it would delete all your data.

• Step 1: Open Settings and head to General option first.
• Step 2: Move to choose Transfer or Reset iPhone then.
• Step 3: On the next screen, click on Erase All Contents and Settings. Then click on Continue to enter the password.

Part 3. Final Words

The post elaborates on the approaches to address an issue - iPhone disconnects from WiFi when locked. If the situation stems from the faulty router or incorrect Internet settings, you can follow these methods to solve the problem without obstacles. If the issue is related to glitches in the iOS system, Joyoshare UltFix can also handle it effortlessly. Hope your problem will be resolved shortly.