Wi-Fi issues in mobile devices can be attributed to many different factors. This therefore denotes that more time is required to troubleshoot unless the underlying cause is predetermined. Here in this post, I have mapped out standard procedures that can potentially fix wireless connectivity issues transpiring on a Samsung Galaxy J3 smartphone. Feel free to refer to this walkthrough whenever you need help in dealing with pertinent problems on the same device.
For owners who are looking for a solution to a different problem, drop by our Galaxy J3 troubleshooting guide for we have already addressed many of the problems reported by our readers. Find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work or if you still need further assistance, then fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.
What prevents your Galaxy J3 from having access to Wi-Fi internet?
Before troubleshooting the problem, it is but important for you to at least try to figure out what went wrong and how your Galaxy J3 ended up being unable to connect to Wi-Fi. This will help increase your chances of obtaining a quick resolution. To give you some inputs, I’ve outlined the most common factors that can be regarded as culprits and how each of them can affect your phone’s Wi-Fi functions.
- Account problems – Internet access might be temporarily barred if you have unsettled issues on your accounts. Contact your carrier to make sure that your account is in good standing and all your services are active.
- Base tower issues – scheduled maintenance or unexpected technical issues on your network’s base towers are likewise the main reason why Internet is not available in your location. Network outages can occur at any time thus network problems are inevitable.
- Network equipment error – router or modem firmware is not perfect and therefore it can crash at any time. When this happens, your network equipment won’t be able to receive and transmit wireless signals to all your devices.
- Incorrect network settings – you can consider incorrect network settings as the trigger if the problem only occurs on your Galaxy J3 after making changes to the network settings. If you could remember exactly what has changed, then go ahead and revert them back to the prior settings when your device was still able to connect to Wi-Fi. Otherwise, consider a network settings reset instead.
- Bad apps – there have been a lot of wireless connectivity issues in mobile devices, in which rogue apps are to blame. This happens when any pertinent app like your browser perhaps, gets corrupted and crashed. As a result, you cannot browse the Internet using the browser app on your device.
- Faulty updates – it’s usual for firmware updates to inflict issues on the receiving device when implemented . In fact, major Android updates have had caused various issues or post-update problems on many devices.
- System glitches – when the phone system is glitching, other functions of your phone including Wi-Fi are likely affected. Often times, minor system glitches are triggered by rogue apps, bugs, or malicious software installed on the phone.
- Hardware damage – physical or liquid damage is likely to blame if nothing was altered on any of your phone settings and that there were previous instances of dropping or liquid exposure on the device. The Wi-Fi antenna might have acquired some damage and therefore no longer able to serve its purpose.
For hardware-related Wi-Fi issues, service is usually the ultimate fix. But you still may opt to try to troubleshoot the problem on your end. If nothing works, that’s the time when you set a date for a service center visit and have your phone diagnosed by a technician then.
Potential solutions to Wi-Fi issues on your Galaxy J3
Highlighted below are generic solutions and helpful workarounds you can try to troubleshoot and fix Wi-Fi functions on your Galaxy J3. These methods will likely get the problem fixed given there is no damage to any of your phone’s hardware components. After performing each method, don’t forget to test Wi-Fi Internet on your device and see if you already have access. If not, then move on to the next method.
First solution: Power cycle your router/modem.
Turning the router or modem off for a few seconds often corrects the issue especially if it’s the router or modem firmware is crashing. This process is referred to as router/modem power cycle and here’s how it’s done:
- Power off your wireless router or modem.
- Unplug the AC adapter of your router or modem from the power source.
- Wait for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Then plug your router or modem back in to power.
- Press the power button to turn on.
- Wait until all the LED indicators are stable.
When the router or modem is back up and running, try to see if you can now connect to the Internet wirelessly.
Second solution: Reboot your phone (soft reset).
A simple restart on the phone can be the key to fixing minor software errors and glitches that have hindered your device from accessing the Internet through Wi-Fi. If it suddenly occurs on your phone to lose internet connection, give it a reboot to refresh Wi-Fi functions.
To do so, press and hold the Power button for a few seconds. Select Power off from the menu and then tap OK. Your phone powers down. After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button again until the device power cycles.
See if you can now connect to Wi-Fi Internet on your phone.
Third solution: Toggle Wi-Fi off and then on again.
Toggling the Wi-Fi switch off and on can also help refresh the Wi-Fi connection on your device. Give it a try and see what happens.
To do so, go to Apps-> Settings-> Wi-Fi, then tap the Wi-Fi switch to turn Wi-Fi off for a few seconds and then tap to enable Wi-Fi again.
Restart your phone then try to see if you can access the Internet wirelessly again.
Fourth solution: Toggle Airplane mode on and off.
This simple old trick has already done wonders to a lot of people who have encountered different connectivity issues in mobile devices. While there is no definite explanation as to why and how toggling Airplane mode fixes the problem, doing so yields to a positive outcome. So you might as well consider giving it a shot and see what happens then.
To do so, go to Apps-> Settings-> Airplane mode, then tap the Airplane mode switch to turn enable it. After 30 seconds or 1 minute, toggle the switch to turn Airplane mode off again.
Restart your Galaxy J3 then connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi and see if it already working.
Fifth solution: Forget your wireless network.
Corrupt wireless networks saved on your including the one you’re currently using can also be the underlying cause. In this case, removing or forgetting saved wireless networks from your device will likely fix the problem.
To forget wireless network on your Galaxy J3, go to Apps-> Settings-> Wi-Fi. Tap to show all saved wireless networks and then tap on the wireless network that you want to forget or remove. Tap Forget to confirm action.
You can also remove all wireless networks from your device to make sure nothing is causing anymore conflict.
After removing wireless networks, reboot your phone then add your Wi-Fi network to connect to it. Just go back to Apps-> Settings-> Wi-Fi menu then tap the Wi-Fi switch to enable Wi-Fi. Select your wireless network then tap Connect.
If you don’t see your wireless network in the list, then you need to add it manually. Here’s how:
- Tap the Menu icon (three dots) located on the upper right side of the Wi-Fi screen.
- Then tap Add network.
- Enter the network name, password and other required information and settings.
- When you’re finished setting up your wireless network, tap Save.
Restart your device then connect to your recently added wireless network. Browse the Internet and see if it goes through now.
Sixth solution: Reset network settings on your Galaxy J3.
A network settings reset might be necessary if your phone lost Wi-Fi internet connection after altering some settings on your device and you cannot get to recall which settings or options have changed and triggered the problem. This however will delete your wireless network information including server details and passwords. That said, take note of this information before you begin the reset.
To reset network settings on your phone, navigate to Apps-> Settings-> Backup and reset-> select Reset network settings, and then tap Reset Settings twice to confirm. Enter your device passcode if prompted.
When the reset is finished, reboot your phone then connect to your wireless network.
Last option: Perform a factory reset on your Galaxy J3.
A factory reset or master reset can be considered the last resort if the problem persists after performing all prior methods. It might be an intricate issue with the phone system that requires a full system reset as fix. Please note though that all your data and personal information stored on your phone will be erased in the process. Should you wish to try your luck and proceed with a master reset, backup your data and follow these steps:
- Power off your device.
- Press and hold the Volume Up and Home buttons simultaneously for a few seconds or until the Samsung logo appears.
- Use the Volume Up/Down button to select Wipe data/Factory reset option from the menu.
- Then press the Power button to confirm selection.
- Press the Volume Up/Down button again to highlight Yes and then press the Power button to confirm.
- Wait until your phone resets and when it’s done you should see Reboot system now option is highlighted.
- Press the Power button to reboot your phone and proceed with the initial activation setup.
Add and set up your wireless network then test to see if you are now able to connect to the Internet wirelessly.
Other Suggestions
- Update your device. Check for the available software updates on your phone and if there is, backup your data then proceed with update download and installation. A software update might be the key to fixing the problem especially if it’s due to a system conflict or outdated firmware on your device. Updates also contain bug fixes hence can likewise resolve Wi-Fi errors triggered by some bugs dwelling in your phone system.
- Contact your router manufacturer. If you suspect that the problem is with your wireless router or modem, then you should consider reaching out to the equipment manufacturer for more help. Just like other electronic devices, wireless routers and modems are also susceptible to firmware crashes especially when outdated. A key indication that the problem is with the network equipment is any red light on it. Also if all your other devices don’t have Internet access on the same wireless network.
- Call Samsung Support. If the problem instigate after installing a new firmware (Android) update on your Galaxy J3 and that it persisted, then escalating the problem to Samsung Support would be your next option. They may be able to give you some other options.
- Service/repair. The aforementioned workarounds should be able to address the problem with your Wi-Fi Internet if the underlying cause is related to the software. But if you’ve reached this point with the same problem on hand, it’s a hint for you to seek a technician’s aid. A faulty hardware may be at fault.
Connect with us
We are always open to your problems, questions and suggestions, so feel free to contact us by filling up this form. This is a free service we offer and we won’t charge you a penny for it. But please note that we receive hundreds of emails every day and it’s impossible for us to respond to every single one of them. But rest assured we read every message we receive. For those whom we’ve helped, please spread the word by sharing our posts to your friends or by simply liking our Facebook and Google+ page or follow us on Twitter.
Posts you may also like to read:
- How to fix Samsung Galaxy J3 that won’t bootup or turn on after a firmware update [Troubleshooting Guide & Potential Solutions]
- What to do about your Samsung Galaxy J3 that got stuck on the logo
- Samsung Galaxy J3 Boots To Samsung Logo Then Turns Off Issue & Other Related Problems
- How to fix your Samsung Galaxy J3 (2017) that keeps showing “Unfortunately, Google App has stopped” error [Troubleshooting Guide]
- Things you need to do if your Samsung Galaxy J3 fell in water and won’t turn on after that [Troubleshooting Guide]