Menu
Check What Is Causing the Problem
When Wi-Fi stops working on a Samsung Galaxy device shortly after a system update, the first step is to determine whether the issue is limited to your phone or affects your entire network. Try connecting another device to the same Wi‑Fi network. If the other device works normally, the problem is almost certainly on your Galaxy phone. If no device can connect, the issue may be with your router or internet service, and you should check your modem and router first before modifying phone settings.
On your Galaxy phone, open the Settings app and go to Connections. Make sure the Wi‑Fi switch is turned on and that you are attempting to connect to the correct network. If your phone shows “Saved” but not “Connected,” or if it connects but has no internet access, proceed with the fixes below.
Fixes to Try in Order
The fixes below are arranged from the simplest and safest to more involved steps. Try each one in order and test Wi‑Fi after each attempt before moving to the next.
1. Restart Your Galaxy Phone
A simple restart clears temporary software glitches that can occur right after an update. Press and hold the Side key and the Volume down key simultaneously until the power menu appears, then tap Restart (or Power off and turn the phone back on). After the phone boots up, check whether Wi‑Fi works.
2. Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off
Turning Airplane mode on and off resets the wireless radios without losing any data. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings panel, tap the Airplane mode icon, wait about 10 seconds, then tap it again to turn it off. Reconnect to Wi‑Fi and test.
3. Forget and Reconnect to the Network
If your phone can see the network but fails to connect, the saved credentials may be corrupted. Go to Settings > Connections > Wi‑Fi, tap the gear icon next to your network name, and choose Forget (or Remove). Then tap the network again, enter the password, and try to connect.
4. Restart in Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts the phone with only the system apps and drivers that came with the update, disabling third‑party apps that might interfere with Wi‑Fi. To enter Safe Mode:
- Press and hold the Side key (or Power key) until the power menu appears.
- Tap and hold Power off until the Safe Mode prompt appears, then tap Safe mode.
- The phone will restart, and “Safe mode” will appear in the bottom‑left corner.
Once in Safe Mode, try to connect to Wi‑Fi. If it works, a downloaded app is likely causing the problem. Restart the phone normally to exit Safe Mode, then uninstall recently installed apps one by one, testing Wi‑Fi after each removal.
5. Clear the Cache Partition
System updates sometimes leave behind corrupted cache files that can affect Wi‑Fi connectivity. Clearing the cache partition does not delete personal data such as photos, contacts, or apps. The steps vary slightly by model, but the general method is:
- Turn off the phone.
- Connect the phone to a computer or charger (optional but recommended).
- Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Side key (or Bixby key, depending on model) simultaneously until the Samsung logo appears, then release both keys.
- When the Android Recovery menu appears, use the Volume Down key to highlight Wipe cache partition and press the Side key to select it.
- Confirm by selecting Yes.
- After the process finishes, select Reboot system now.
Wait for the phone to restart and test Wi‑Fi.
6. Reset Network Settings
This resets Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data settings to their defaults. Saved Wi‑Fi networks and passwords will be deleted, so be sure you have the password handy before proceeding. Go to Settings > General management > Reset > Reset network settings. Tap Reset settings and confirm. The phone will restart, and you will need to reconnect to your Wi‑Fi network.
7. Check Date and Time
An incorrect date or time can sometimes prevent secure Wi‑Fi connections or interfere with network authentication. Go to Settings > General management > Date and time and ensure Automatic date and time is turned on. You can also toggle it off and back on to force a refresh.
8. Check for Another Software Update
Occasionally, Samsung releases a small patch to address bugs introduced by a previous update. Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. If an update is available, install it and restart the phone.
9. Check Router and Network Settings
If none of the above steps worked, the issue might be on the router side. Reboot your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If you recently changed router settings (e.g., switched from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz, changed security type, or enabled MAC filtering), ensure the settings are compatible with your Galaxy phone. Temporarily disabling MAC filtering or setting the router to a mixed security mode (WPA2/WPA3) can help isolate the problem.
If the Problem Continues
If Wi‑Fi still does not work after trying the steps above, consider performing a factory reset as a last resort. A factory reset erases all data on the phone, returning it to the state it was in when first turned on. Back up your important data to your Samsung account, Google Drive, or a computer before proceeding. Go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset and follow the on‑screen instructions.
If the factory reset does not resolve the issue, the problem may be hardware‑related—such as a damaged Wi‑Fi antenna or chipset. In that case, contact Samsung Support or visit an authorized service center for diagnosis and repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing the cache partition delete my photos or apps?
No. Clearing the cache partition only removes temporary system files. Your personal data, apps, and settings remain intact.
Why did the Wi‑Fi stop working after the update?
Software updates can sometimes introduce compatibility issues with certain Wi‑Fi modules, router configurations, or third‑party apps. The fixes above address the most common causes, but an update may occasionally require a follow‑up patch from Samsung to fully resolve the problem.
Do I need to re-enter my Wi‑Fi password after a network settings reset?
Yes. Resetting network settings removes all saved Wi‑Fi networks, so you will need to reconnect and enter the password again.
Should I try a factory reset first?
No. A factory reset should be the final step after trying all other fixes, because it permanently deletes all data on the phone. Only proceed if you have a backup and the less invasive steps have failed.
