How to fix Samsung Galaxy S8 that can’t connect to Wi-Fi [Troubleshooting Guide]

Being able to connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi is very important to smartphones. So, when we received messages from our readers who own the Samsung Galaxy S8 complaining that their new phone cannot connect to Wi-Fi networks, we made it one of our priorities. So, in this post, I will tackle three issues that have something to do with Wi-Fi connectivity and of course, the subject of our troubleshooting is the new Galaxy S8.

The first problem is about a unit that reportedly won’t connect to a Wi-Fi network. It might be an issue with the device or it could be a problem with the network. The second one is among the issues that seldom happen wherein the Wi-Fi switch is greyed out or disable. Depending on whether you were connected to a network when this problem happened, you may be left without a connection if this occurs. Lastly, there’s an issue wherein the Internet drops when the phone goes idle. It may seem like a problem but most of the time it isn’t. Continue reading below to know more about these issues and learn how to troubleshoot your device if they occur.

But before anything else, if you’re currently experiencing different issues with your phone, then I suggest you visit our Samsung Galaxy S8 troubleshooting page for we’ve already started providing support to our readers who own this device. We understand your phone is still brand new and it should work perfectly without a hitch but not even Samsung can guarantee there won’t be any problems. What we do here is provide help to our readers the best we can so if we haven’t published posts about your concern, feel free to contact us by filling up our Android issues questionnaire.

Step-by-step guide to troubleshooting Galaxy S8 that won’t connect to Wi-Fi network

Problem: For some reason, my new Galaxy S8 can no longer connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot. I already tried rebooting it a hundred times but it still won’t connect to my home wi-fi or even to the public hotspots I used to connect before. I badly need your help to fix this problem with my phone as I cannot use it unless I use data. Thanks in advance.

Troubleshooting: We have to troubleshoot your phone just to know if this problem is limited to glitch with the Wi-Fi service or the firmware and not with the hardware that handles Wi-Fi. It’s necessary we troubleshoot it as soon as possible so we would know if we could fix this problem without any help from a tech because if not, then you have to get your unit replaced. That said, here’s what you should do:

Step 1: Run your phone in safe mode to know if third-party apps caused the problem

We have to rule out the possibility that this problem is caused by one of the apps you installed. Since we don’t know which one it is, we just have to start the phone in its diagnostic state wherein only built-in apps will be kept running while all third-party elements will be temporarily disabled. Just restart your phone in safe mode and then try to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot to see if it’s successful. Here’s how you boot your Galaxy S8 in safe mode:

1. Turn the device off.
2. Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen.
3. When “SAMSUNG” appears on the screen, release the Power key.
4. Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
5. Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
6. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
7. Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.
8. Uninstall apps that are causing a problem.

Now try to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot and if successful, it’s confirmed that there’s one app that’s interfering with your phone’s normal operation. You have to find that app and then uninstall. Begin your search from apps you installed prior to the problem. Then follow these steps to uninstall them:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Apps.
3. Tap the desired application in the default list or tap 3 dots icon > Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
4. Tap the desired application.
5. Tap Uninstall.
6. Tap Uninstall again to confirm.

If your phone could not successfully connect to a Wi-Fi network even in safe mode, then move on to the next step.

Step 2: Reboot in recovery mode and wipe cache partition

We will now try to rule out the possibility that this problem is caused by some corrupt caches. These temporary files have a tendency to get corrupted for no apparent reason and they will also become obsolete when a new firmware is installed. There’s no guarantee that the problem will be fixed by doing this but we have to rule it out. Here’s how you do it:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
4. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight “wipe cache partition.”
5. Press the Power key to select.
6. Press the Volume down key to highlight “yes” and press the Power key to select.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
8. Press the Power key to restart the device.

It will take a little longer for the phone to reboot after this procedure but once it becomes active, try to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot and if the problem remained, then move on to the next step.

Step 3: Backup your files and data and reset your phone

If the first two procedures didn’t work, then this is gonna be your last resort. You have to do this to know if the problem can  be fixed by bringing the phone back to its factory default settings. If not, then it’s about time you brought it back to the store and have it replaced. If the problem is fixed, however, then you have to be more observant about your settings and apps your install.

Prior to the reset, however, make sure you make a backup of your files and data as they will all be deleted, then disable the Factory Reset Protection by following these steps:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Cloud and accounts.
3. Tap Accounts.
4. Tap Google.
5. Tap on your Google ID email address if multiple accounts are setup. If you have multiple accounts setup, you will need to repeat these steps for each account.
6. Tap 3 dot icon.
7. Tap Remove account.
8. Tap REMOVE ACCOUNT.

And then reboot your phone in recovery mode and then do the maste reset:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
4. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight “wipe data / factory reset.
5. Press Power button to select.
6. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
7. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
8. When the master reset is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

If the problem still occurs after this, then you should bring the phone back to the store and have it replaced as something is really wrong with it.

How to troubleshoot your Galaxy S8 with a Wi-Fi switch that’s greyed out

Problem: Hi. The Wi-Fi switch on my new Galaxy S8 cannot be turned on. I mean it appears to be disabled or greyed out for some reason I don’t have a clue why it’s like this. The phone is barely a week with me so it’s very frustrating and worrisome on my part considering the its price. Can you guys help me out, please? Thanks.

Troubleshooting: This kind of problem has already been happening since the Galaxy S3 so we’ve actually seen it a lot of times before. It might be due to a glitch, a firmware issue or a problem caused by third-party apps. Now, here’s what you should do about it:

Step 1: Try turning on Wi-Fi while in Safe mode

Again, it’s possible that the problem is due to an app problem so we need to have to boot your phone in safe mode. And by the way, this method always worked before so we want you to try it:

1. Turn the device off.
2. Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen.
3. When “SAMSUNG” appears on the screen, release the Power key.
4. Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
5. Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
6. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
7. Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.
8. Uninstall apps that are causing a problem.

If the Wi-Fi switch is enabled while in this mode, turn it on and leave it at that and then reboot your phone in normal mode. This should fix the problem, however, if it remains, then you have no other option but to reset your phone.

Step 2: Perform the factory reset as it might be a problem with the firmware

You really need to reset your phone if the Wi-Fi switch is still disabled  in Safe mode or it remains disabled even after rebooting your phone normally. Of course, backup your files and data first and then follow these steps to reset your phone via the Settings Menu:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Cloud and accounts.
3. Tap Backup and restore.
4. If desired, tap Back up my data to move the slider to ON or OFF.
5. If desired, tap Restore to move the slider to ON or OFF.
6. Tap the back button to the Settings menu and tap General Management > Reset > Factory data reset.
7. Tap Reset.
8. If you have screen lock turned on, enter your credentials.
9. Tap Continue.
10. Tap Delete all.

If it fails, then bring the phone back to the store and have it replaced.

Galaxy S8 Wi-Fi connection drops when screen turns off

Problem: I hope you guys know about this problem. My phone is a Galaxy S8 and ever since I got it almost 3 weeks ago, its Wi-Fi has always been working. As of late, however, my emails doesn’t go through when the phone is not in used. However, when the screen turns on, all the messages I missed will rush in that sometimes I can received more than 20 messages as soon as the screen turns on. Is my phone defective or is there something I can do about it? I opt not to use mobile data as I have really good Wi-Fi connection at home and at the office. I just want my phone to work like it did before. Thanks.

Solution

There’s no problem with your phone. There might be just a setting that was changed. You just have to go to your phone’s Wi-Fi settings, choose Advanced and then tap Keep Wi‑Fi on during sleep and then choose Always. This will prevent the Wi-Fi from turning off when the phone goes idle.

However, if the if the Wi-Fi is already set the way it should and this problem keeps happening, then you just have to wipe the cache partition to get all the system caches replaced:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
4. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight “wipe cache partition.”
5. Press the Power key to select.
6. Press the Volume down key to highlight “yes” and press the Power key to select.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
8. Press the Power key to restart the device.

I hope this helps.

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