Galaxy S8 Plus keeps disconnecting from wifi after Oreo update [troubleshooting guide]

This post will try to answer one curious issue following an Oreo update on a #GalaxyS8Plus. As stated below, one member of our community is reporting that his S8 Plus started disconnecting from wifi after installing Oreo update. We don’t know yet if this issue affects other devices, or if it’s an on-going issue with the S8 models only. We’ll monitor this issue and update this post accordingly if we find out anything relevant. For now, we suggest that you treat the issue as a regular intermittent connection problem on the S8. To fix it, follow our suggestions below.

Today’s problem: Galaxy S8 Plus keeps disconnecting from wifi after Oreo update

Immediately following and ever since the recent update (I believe it updated to Oreo) I have had issues with my S8+ maintaining a connection. I have small connection failures (orange wifi symbol blinking in the middle of the screen) of 2 minutes or less probably 20 to 30 times a day and large ones (completely dropping the current app connection) 2 to 5 times a day. This is not a location based issue as it’s in my shop where it has not had this issue since I got the device. It is also not internet/router based as 3 other Samsung devices in the same area are not experiencing this. A TabS, a S5 and a S7. The fact that none of these devices received the Oreo update is another reason I believe this issue is related to / caused by the update. I should also mention that where my shop is located has very little cellular service so I believe it’s mainly wifi that we are connected through. I hope I’ve included all the information you require to help me correct this issue if it’s indeed correctable on my end. Thank you. — Robb

Solution: Hi Robb. If this problem is indeed caused by the latest update you installed, many similar or identical cases should be reported to us and to other Android forums in the coming days. At this time, we can’t say with certainty if your suspicion that the latest update messed up the device is true or not. To know if this issue can be fixed on your end, you should try the possible solution option below.

Solution #1: Clear system cache

The first thing that you can do in this case is to ensure that you take care of the system cache. Sometimes, updates may corrupt the system cache, which, in turn, may lead to all sorts of problems. To ensure that your S8’s system cache is working, make sure to clear the cache partition. Here’s how:

Turn off the device.
Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
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).
Press the Volume down key to highlight “wipe cache partition.”
Press the Power key to select.
Press the Volume down key to highlight “yes” and press the Power key to select.
When the wipe cache partition is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
Press the Power key to restart the device.

Solution #2: Verify with another wifi network

If our connection problem won’t go away after wiping the cache partition, your next step would be to verify if it’s a wifi issue or not. Try to connect your S8 Plus to another wifi network for a few hours and check for the problem. If internet connection returns to normal and you’re not getting any disconnection prompts or notices, then you have a wifi issue. If the issue is still there, proceed to the third solution.

Solution #3: Run your phone to Safe Mode and observe

This only works if the cause of the problem is app-related. Safe mode blocks third party apps from running so make sure to allow your S8 to run in this mode (at least a few hours) so you’ll notice the difference. If the problem returns even when you’re on safe mode, restart your phone to return to normal mode. Then, proceed to the next solution.

However, if the problem does not occur after running your S8 to safe mode, that’s an indication that one of your apps is causing the problem.

To boot to safe mode:

Turn the device off.
Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen appearing on the screen.
When SAMSUNG appears on the screen, release the Power key.
Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
When Safe mode appears in the bottom left corner of the screen, release the Volume down key.
Let your phone run on this mode for at least 24 hours uninterrupted.
Check for the issues.

Solution #4: Reset network settings

Sometimes, resetting your device’s settings fixes network troubles so make sure that you don’t skip it. Here’s how to do it:

Open Settings app.
Tap General management.
Tap Reset.
Tap Reset network settings.
Tap RESET SETTINGS button.

After you reset network settings, you’ll have to enter your wifi password again. If you have Bluetooth devices connected, you’ll also need to re-pair them afterwards.

Solution #5: Factory reset

A more drastic solution that you can try is factory reset. Hopefully, you’ll never reach this point in your troubleshooting ladder but if you do, make sure to back your phone up first to avoid losing files. We recommend that you use Samsung Smart Switch to back up your messages, files, photos, videos, etc.

Once you’ve backed your files up, you can then proceed to wiping your device. Here’s how:

Back up data on the internal memory. If you have signed into a Google account on the device, you have activated Anti-theft and will need your Google credentials to finish the Master reset.
Turn off the device.
Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
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).
Press the Volume down key several times to highlight “wipe data / factory reset.
Press Power button to select.
Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
When the master reset is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
Press the Power key to restart the device.