Symptoms
- Phone drops Wi-Fi and switches to cellular data repeatedly
- Other phones, laptops, and devices stay connected fine
- Wi-Fi icon shows connected but apps say no internet
- Problem happens more when the phone's screen is off or in a pocket
Likely causes
- CommonBattery optimization or Wi-Fi power-saving setting on the phoneMany phones aggressively disconnect Wi-Fi when the screen is off to save battery, which some users find disruptive.
- CommonPhone set to auto-switch to cellular data when Wi-Fi is weakA 'smart network switch' feature can jump to cellular even with a usable Wi-Fi signal.
- PossibleCorrupted saved network profile on the phoneA glitchy saved profile can cause repeated authentication issues specific to that phone.
- PossibleOutdated phone softwareWi-Fi bugs are commonly fixed in operating system updates.
What to do
- Check the phone's Wi-Fi settings for an option like 'Wi-Fi off during sleep' or 'keep Wi-Fi on' and set it to always stay on.
- Look for a 'smart network switch' or 'adaptive Wi-Fi' setting and turn it off if it's switching to cellular too aggressively.
- Forget the Wi-Fi network on the phone and rejoin it, entering the password fresh.
- Check for and install any pending software update on the phone.
- Restart the phone, since a stuck background process can affect Wi-Fi behavior.
- Test the phone's Wi-Fi in a different location (like a friend's house) to see if the issue follows the phone or stays with your network.
- If the phone drops Wi-Fi everywhere, not just at home, the phone's Wi-Fi hardware or software may need service.
When to call a pro
If the phone drops Wi-Fi on every network it tries, a phone repair shop or the manufacturer can check for a hardware Wi-Fi antenna issue.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.