iPhones are a great invention but not without their share of trouble. Much like computers, iPhones offer the best that technology has to offer but not without a certain share of headaches once in a while. Most would still agree that this high tech device is well worth the small issues that arise once in awhile.
Wi-Fi networks are the lifeblood of the iPhone and sometimes Wi-Fi networks fail, have issues or are clogged up preventing the iPhone user from connecting as they normally would. The error message “Unable to Join Network Failure” (error-3) is an example of one of those small headaches that will require some troubleshooting. Just as a PC fails to connect the iPhone uses the same type of connections and requires the same method of connection.
If your iPhone suddenly displays the “Unable to Join a Network” or Error 3 there are a few simple steps you can take to quickly get your trusty device back up and running to keep you connected. If you are connecting to your iPHone through a router or Wi-Fi setting, it is always important to know your SSID in the event that you have trouble connecting.
The first step you will want to take is to renew the hotspot’s DHCP lease. You can do this by taking the following steps:
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Wi-Fi Networks.
- Pick the network you are trying to connect to (i.e. Starbucks, Borders).
- Go to the DHCP panel.
- Click Renew Lease.
If this does not help you reconnect you should take the next steps:
Check the network name or (SSID) setting. SSID stands for Service Set Identifier which is the name of the network. The network and the device you are using must have the same SSID to allow the network and the device to properly communicate with each other. The SSID can be set manually or will be automatically entered if you leave the SSID blank. Make sure that it matches the network of the Wi-Fi or hotspot access point that you are using.
Check your iPhone security configuration to make sure that your WEP or WPA parameters match the access point. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy and WAP stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access both of which are part of the security settings.
To check your settings you can do the following:
- Go to Settings
- Wi-Fi Networks
- Other
- Under the Choose a Network tab
- Enter or select the Wi-Fi Network Name (SSID)
- Select your security setting
- Enter your password
If all else fails you can try a different location or if you are connecting via a router you can contact the iPhone support for assistance with more troubleshooting options.