Wifi networks say "turned off" ever since update to android 4.3

[AC Question]

I have a Galaxy S4. My wifi was working fine before and I upgraded to 4.3 software over wifi. I want to do the next software upgrade but my phone won't let me do this without wifi, and ever since the upgrade to 4.3, my wifi won't work. When I turn on the wifi, it shows the list of networks available, and the ones I know are working (my personal one, the one at work) show they have a signal but they say "turned off" underneath the network name. I know they are not turned off. The phone still gives me the option to connect to these networks that say "turned off" and it does say connected, but it never really connects. I am still on 4G. Any suggestions?

 

[Nikki Schlenvogt]

Here is a picture to show how it says it's connected but its' not

 

[Nikki Schlenvogt]

Here is a pic to show how it says turned off under the network

 

[Nikki Schlenvogt]

I did get wifi to work now... by going under settings > more networks > mobile networks and unchecking "mobile data." I now have the next software upgrade downloading... but why should I have to do this to use wifi?

 

[lbfjrmd]

same here crazy! anyone fugured this one out

 

[Rukbat]

but why should I have to do this to use wifi?

Your provider probably prefers that you use mobile data - they don't make any money if you "go over" on wifi (if there were such a thing), so they default the phone to mobile data even if wifi is on. Nasty, but not nice.

Then again, the 4.3 update has been known to cause problems with some Samsung phones. (A lot of S3s just stopped working altogether.)

Rule of thumb - if you get an over the air update, and something goes wrong with the phone, it's legally the responsibility of the company that sent the update to fix the problem. The actual wording differs in different jurisdictions, but the law is basically, "you broke it, you own it". They broke it. (My carrier had to replace a phone of mine they couldn't reflash after a bad OTA update.)

 

[SunnieDaze]

THANK YOU!!!! I have been having this problem for a while now. I am so thankful I found this post! I was considering backing up my data and restoring it to factory and I'm SO glad I don't have to do that!!!!
I have had the same exact issue with the update trying to happen but not being able to connect to wifi, turned off, all of it! Your solution, I can verify, worked exactly as you said (for anyone reading this who may wonder).. Oh, I have a Galaxy S3.

Thank you, again!!

 

[bryanwalther]

I have the same problem with my Galaxy Alpha. I am able to connect to Wifi only if I have Mobile Data turned off, otherwise my wifi network says "Turned Off". When calling Samsung tech support, they told me to either restart my phone every time I leave a wifi connection, or to back up my phone and reset it to the factory default. They say they designed the phone to automatically connect to the stronger single, which just seems like a scam to get me to use up my mobile data so they can charge me when I go over. The way it ought to work is to connect to Wifi if Wifi is available, and then go to mobile data if wifi is turned off or out of range. Not sure if this will cause me to rethink buying any Samsung products after this...

 

[RonMDavis]

Samsung Note Pro 12.2 owner here ...this device is just a WiFi device with with 4.4 android ... There is no option for mobile networks..... I experience the exact Same problem when connecting to my MotoX phone as a mobile hotspot... Which I use successfully with my PC and other mobile devices. Samsung said once to reset to factory... I did and the problem went away for a couple weeks. Now its back.... I even set for my hotspot unchecked in the area where I could tell the samsung device that the MotoX was a mobile network... No change. What is weird is that it will work fine after a hard reset but will never recover on its own...there has to be something under the covers triggering it...I have repeated this 3 times before..... Anyone else with this device having similar issues?

 

[beamo300]

Hi I've got the note pro 12 and im having the same problem. I only had it 3 hours I'd jus finished downloading 4.3 update and the wifi was gone. I spent the next 8 hours trying everything to get it to work NOTHING so I reset to factory settings and it started working. But then 1 hour later it did it again so I reset again . This time it stayed on now I don't won't to put music and pics and apps if I've got to reboot every 10 minutes. ....HELP...!!!!!.PLEASE...!!!

 

[jovena sanders]

Thank you . That fixed it.

 

[Everydayimhustling]

Thank you!

I did get wifi to work now... by going under settings > more networks > mobile networks and unchecking "mobile data." I now have the next software upgrade downloading... but why should I have to do this to use wifi?

I know I'm late to this party, but thank you so much for this thread. It was extremely helpful.

 

[Dani Bradfield]

Awsome thank u for figuring that out I have been tripping for a few days now after he thing a upgrade

 

[katherine leonard]

I need to turn on wifi networks

 

[celticdiamondz]

I did get wifi to work now... by going under settings > more networks > mobile networks and unchecking "mobile data." I now have the next software upgrade downloading... but why should I have to do this to use wifi?

I know this post was from years ago but it was a lifesaver!!! I tried EVERYTHING to get my mom's Samsung Galaxy S3 to connect to our WiFi and absolutely nothing worked. I've been researching and trying every fix for so long it's insane! What I'm curious about is if several of us who this worked for are using AT&T because my S4 didn't have this issue and several of us have different devices. Also, her S3 is running 4.4.2 which is another difference from others. I'm just curious with all the differences you'd think we'd have some common denominator....

Seriously though, THANK YOU!!!!

 

[PlayThatMusic]

I had the same issue with the WiFi Network changing from Connected to "Turned off". This thread helped to guide me to the area of the option that needed changing, but was a different option than what anyone else mentioned, so I wanted to post it, in case someone else has the same issue.

In my case, I had to go to Settings > Connection tab > More networks > Mobile networks > Connection optimizer. Then uncheck the box at the top-right.

Since unchecking that box, the WiFi Network has not shown "Turned off" below it.

My Phone:
Samsung Galaxy S4 - Sprint (SPH-L720T)
With what I believe to be a stock ROM (Android 5.0.1) installed.