Your iPad hasn’t been connecting to Wi-Fi networks that it used to connect to automatically.You opened Settings -> Wi-Fi to see what’s happening, and discovered that that the Wi-Fi button is grayed out and you can’t turn it back on.
If the Bluetooth on your iPad is showing the spinning wheel in Settings -> Bluetooth and won’t detect any devices, the suggestions in this article might fix that problem as well. In this article, I’ll explain why your iPad’s Wi-Fi is grayed out and the steps you can take to fix the Wi-Fi on your iPad.
Why Is The Wi-Fi Grayed Out On My iPad?
In my experience, a grayed-out Wi-Fi button usually indicates a hardware problem with the Wi-Fi antenna on your iPad.
A grayed-out Wi-Fi button can affect any model of iPad, even M4 iPad.
How to fix grayed out Wi-Fi on iPad
1. Restart
The first step is to restart your iPad. Restarting means turning off your iPad and then turning it on again. Here is how you can do this:
Turn off: The easiest way to turn off your device that works on all iPad models is to go to Settings -> General -> Shut Down. The Power Off slider will appear. Drag the slider to the right and wait a few seconds for your device to power off.
Turn on: After your iPad has shut down, press and hold the power button on the top of your iPad until the Apple logo appears.
Now go to Settings -> Wi-Fi. Can you enable Wi-Fi now?
2. Update
You may be having this Wi-Fi problem because of a software bug. It is important to keep your device up to date. If you have a cellular iPad model, you can update your device wirelessly. Go to Settings -> General -> Software Update. Your iPad will check for an update. If your device says, iPadOS is up to date, move to the next step. If there is an update, follow the onscreen instructions to update your device. Please note that you may not be able to update your iPad over a cellular network if it is a major update. You can also update your iPad using your computer. Check out our guide for step-by-step instructions.
3. Reset Network Settings
Before we rule out a software issue, try resetting the Network Settings on your iPad by going to Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPad -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings. Resetting the network settings restores your iPad’s Wi-Fi, Virtual Private Network, and other network settings to factory defaults.
Before you do that, however, make sure you know your Wi-Fi passwords, because “Reset Network Settings” will erase them from your iPad. After your iPad reboots, you’ll have to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network by heading to Settings -> Wi-Fi.
4. Reset all settings
The last step is to reset all settings. As the name indicates, this will erase all of your settings, including:
- Network settings
- Privacy settings
- Location settings
These settings will be reset to factory defaults. Do not worry; your data will not be deleted, but you will need to re-enter some settings and preferences. Your photos and other files will remain on your iPad. To reset all of your settings, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings. Then follow the onscreen instructions.
What If ‘Reset All Settings’ Doesn’t Fix My iPad’s Wi-Fi Antenna?
My experience and gut tells me that after your iPad reboots, your Wi-Fi antenna will still be grayed out, and we’ve got a hardware issue on our hands. Apple won’t repair just a Wi-Fi antenna on an iPad, so a grayed-out Wi-Fi antenna means you’ll have to replace your entire iPad — if you go through Apple. (If you’re under warranty, by all means, go through Apple!)
If you’re not under warranty, replacing an iPad through the Genius Bar or AppleCare is _much_cheaper than purchasing a new phone at retail cost, but it’s still not cheap. To start the repair process, call your local Apple Store and set up an appointment with the Genius Bar or visit the Apple Support website to begin the repair process online.
Your Experiences With Fixing The Grayed-Out Wi-Fi On iPad
As this article wraps up, I’d love to hear your experiences with fixing the greyed-out Wi-Fi on your personal iPad in the comments section below. I’m confident that we can work together to fix the grayed-out Wi-Fi problem on your iPad, and I’ll be around to answer your questions as they arise.