How to fix Wi-Fi problems on your Galaxy S7

By Mick Symons, Jerry Hildenbrand
last updated

The Samsung Galaxy S7 might be one of the best phones of the year, but it sometimes it suffers from Wi-Fi problems that mess with your experience.

If your Galaxy S7 is suffering from some Wi-Fi woes, here are a few things you can try to get reconnected.

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Yup, it sounds like I'm joking, but I'm not. Try turning off Wi-Fi, then turn off the phone. Turn your phone back on and then turn on Wi-Fi again.

Sometimes it just needs a quick kick in the but to get going again and turning it off and on might be the hoof it needs.

Reset your router

Sometimes your router may get a bit sluggish and it just needs a refresh. Unplug it or power it down for at least 30 seconds, then fire it back up again.

Forget and re-learn

Sometimes your Wi-Fi problem could be to do with how your Galaxy S7 connects to your network. Try forgetting the network, then reconnect to it.

Here's how:

  1. Launch Settings from your home screen, the Notification Shade, or the app drawer.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap the network you're connected to.
  4. Tap Forget.

  1. Tap the network again to reconnect to it.
  2. Enter the password if there is one.
  3. Tap Connect.

Is your software up to date?

Sometimes, if you haven't updated to the latest software version on both your Galaxy S7 and your router, you may have problems connecting.

Here's how to make sure you're up-to-date on your Galaxy S7:

  1. Launch Settings from your home screen, the Notification Shade, or the app drawer.
  2. Tap About device.
  3. Tap Download updates manually. Your phone will then check for and download any updates.
  4. Tap Later, Install overnight, or Install now to choose when you want the update installed.

Try another network

It could just be that the network you're trying to connect to has rather poor coverage. Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network and see if that makes a difference.

The best way to test this would be to try a network outside your home, just in case your router is the real problem.

Get closer

This is another obvious one, but here it is: get closer to the physical router. If you are experiencing connectivity issues, try moving closer to the router itself. This is especially true if you are connected on the 5Ghz frequency, since it travels shorter distances than the more ubiquitous (and more prone to interference) 2.4Ghz frequency.

Check your router settings

Sometimes it's just a matter of switching to the other band on your dual band router. Try switching to 2.4GHz in your router's software settings. It has a wider range and may connect better to your Galaxy S7.

Make sure Wi-Fi is always on

In the Wi-Fi settings on your Galaxy S7, you have three options that control when Wi-Fi is on. If your connection is spotty, you'll want to make sure that Wi-Fi is always connected, even when your phone is asleep (i.e. the screen is off). Here's how!

  1. Launch Settings from your home screen, the Notification Shade, or the app drawer.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap More in the top right corner of your screen.

  1. Tap Advanced.
  2. Tap Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep.
  3. Tap Always.

This will stop your Galaxy S7 from disconnecting from your Wi-Fi network every time the screen turns off.

Turn off Power Saving Mode

Power Saving Mode slows your Galaxy S7's performance in order to conserve battery, which may be hindering your Wi-Fi connectivity.

Turn it off in the Notification Shade. If you have it on for a reason, then charge your phone and worry about Wi-Fi later!

Change the encryption settings on your router

We're getting into more technical territory now and this should be one of the last things you try. Remove the encryption from your router (refer to your router's instruction manual, since every brand will be different).

This will create an "open" network, which means you won't need a password to connect. If this clears up your Wi-Fi issues, there may be a problem with your router's software. While we always recommend maintaining strong encryption between your phone and your router, look into enabling a different protocol when you re-enable encryption. If you were using AES, try changing it to TKIP (though we strongly encourage you to stick with WPA2-PSK (AES) once the problems have been resolved).

Get a new router!

If you're having no luck at all and you know your Galaxy S7 isn't the problem, then you likely need to upgrade your router.

Go for something dual band that uses 802.11 ac. We recommend the ASUS-built Google OnHub (opens in new tab).

If all else fails

If you have a new router and you know your Galaxy S7 isn't the problem and everything's tested properly with your internet service provider, then maybe your home just isn't Wi-Fi friendly. It's OK, many aren't.

As a last-ditch effort, you might want to try a Wi-Fi range extender/repeater. These usually just plug into a power outlet somewhere in your home in a Barrel of Monkeys fashion in that they pick up the Wi-Fi signal and then broadcast it, adding more range to your signal.

If you find that Wi-Fi works great near the router but sucks elsewhere in your home, strategically place an extender and your problems may be solved. Some extenders even help you pinpoint dead spots.

There are many to choose from, so check out Window Central's roundup to make sure you get what you need.

What's your fix?

Have you run into Wi-Fi issues with your Galaxy S7 and fixed them in a way not mentioned here? Share in the comments below!

Mick Symons
Mick Symons
Mick is a writer and duty editor for Android Central. When he's not on the job, he can usually be found vacuuming up pet hair or trying to convince his wife that he needs more guitars.
74 Comments
  • S7 Edge owner here. No WiFi problem to talk about here. Interesting Posted via the Android Central App
  • This is the first time i have heard of the GS7 having wifi issues. I have not experience a problem, but I do have very strong wifi networks at home and work.
  • I have to just Forget Network on wifi each time i turn on phone. Then retype password to connect each time. If i dont its extremely Slow! Especially google play store updates and web pages. Never had this problem before with S5 or Note 4. Only with Note 5 i must retype password every time!
  • My girlfriend's S7 creates a network storm with my home router. I just discovered that a few days ago. Rebooting the router and forgetting the connection did nothing when we tried them, but if she turns off WiFi, suddenly my network speed picks up, the router stops going crazy, and I can stream stuff to my Chromecast with no stuttering. It would be nice if she could use her phone on WiFi when she's at my place. We'll try a few of these other options.
  • Sounds like you need a new girlfriend. Posted via the Android Central App
  • LOL. Not even, dude. She's more than worth the slight hassle of turning WiFi off on her phone. :-)
  • Fair nuff keep her lol, but maybe a new router isn't out of the question. I have experienced not a single issue with my network/GS7, and I have prolly 8 wired devices, and around 10 wireless connected to my network at all times, with two of those devices being nVidia Shield TVs that are running a Plex home network, or streaming web content. If your GS7 is wreaking havoc on your router, there has to be some issue with the router. Also - You could login to the router interface, and set a limit on the amount of bandwidth the GS7 is allocated. That way it doesn't choke the rest of the network for no reason
  • Unfortunately, I'm limited in my choice of routers thanks to CenturyLink, and they lock them down pretty hard. I can't even use the USB port that's built into it for my NAS drive. They might have bandwidth throttling in there, though. I'll check it out. Another option is that I can look into flashing it with DD-WRT; I bought the device, rather than renting it, so I can do what I want with it.
  • I wonder what apps are causing all that background network activity. It may be that she just needs to uninstall a badly behaving app. -- Posted via my Titanium Silver Galaxy S7 edge --
  • Good suggestion. I'll try to figure it out when she comes over next time. You wouldn't happen to know if there are any special tricks to getting the headphone out jack to work with the audio in on a car stereo using Pandora, would you? That's also not working. In my HTC, I can specify a path, whether to headphone jack, external speakers, or Bluetooth, but I can't find that on her phone. When she tries to plug her S7 into my stereo, all we get is the phone's speakers. I haven't had a chance to check for a case obstruction yet, but that's my next step.
  • May be she has some backup syncing apps set to only wi-fi, 3 days ago I almost destroyed my router with anger : we when on holidays in a village without internet ( wi-fi, 3g) and comeback 3 days ago with almost 4 GB of pictures and videos plus all of other apps which needs to sync to download and upload, my wifi speed goes from 38mbps to 0.78 mbps, everything was slow....
    I rebooted the router, phones etc but none of that solve it, so I go through my s7 edge to disable back up and sync from system settings, Google Photos, dropbox etc and my router when back to normal speed Posted via the Android Central App
  • What is your Internet service provider and your speed. If you are on a minimal plan like 1-3 Meg dsl or similar than that is your problem. The phone or its software should not effect your router. I know many times some Internet routers and speed only allows for one device at a time. If you aren't sure you can do the speed test of your service. Google Internet speed test. If you are more than fast enough then perhaps a new router.
  • Never had a wifi issue with my 7 did have a blue tooth issue with my n5 sent it to samsung and they put a whole new mother board in it had it back in a week ....now that's why I love there products . My buddies nexus 6p they wanted him to send it back to China for his issue he traded for a 7 edge the next day haha Posted via my gs7 edge are my note 5 the beast
  • Dude you're more full of **** than the g flex 2 guy. That's impressive Posted via the Android Central App
  • You are 110% correct.No conversation possible or worthwhile.Simply blind. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Well well it ain't Moe's and curly you two Samsung trolls really need to change your tactics . It's so sad that nether of you on a Samsung phone but you always got your 2 cents to add to the conversation . Why is that????? Posted using my note 5 are gs7 edge the beast
  • Goddammit dude your like dog **** you're on every forum on AC your like that little brother that wants to follow you everywhere. . And mostly samsung forums . How does topic fit in to that old nexus 6 you've been taping together for the last two years . Now how about you come out of your mom's basement put down the damn game controller and minded you business that guy 97 see just that easy Posted using my note 5 are gs7 edge the beast
  • I'm not even in the Samsung forums you just keep making **** up lol Posted via the Android Central App
  • Keep up the good work. Don't let him get to you. Posted from Nexus 6
  • I guess your his girlfriend that figures haha
    Another day a nother Sammy hating troll get over yourself it's not that serious
    Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • You are right , it is not that serious. Why do you keep responding? Go back to bed. Posted from Nexus 6
  • Why do you. trolls show up on Samsung forum stirring up stuff now mind your business. Are not I'll fact check your ass too Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • Before you fact check, learn how to use spell check. Baby steps. Posted from Nexus 6
  • Your on a Samsung forum right now ....fool . You see not everybody lives from pay check to pay check some of us have real jobs and there friends have real jobs so we can afford nice things ..and then there's you the guy in his mom's basement with that old ass nexus 6 from two years ago...don't get mad get a job fool don't hate the player hate the game!!!!!see just that easy Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • Standing by the freeway exit ramp holding a sign is not a real job. Posted from Nexus 6
  • Well it obviously pays better they what you guys are making bragging about your old ass note 4s I get a new Samsung every 6 months cause I can ...why you need a job ...cause Sammy trolling don't pay all that well Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • You can't even get what phone we are using correct. It's all good, just having a little fun. Have a good day sir. Posted from Nexus 6
  • Oh your using the same piece of **** phone your girlfriend is using two words for you upgrade please!!@ get a better job see just that easy . Now go troll some place else Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • Now, this is almost word by word like Richard. First I was joking, but now I'm convinced - if not the TrollMeister himself , he may very well be possesed by his spirit.
    GodS help us ! vzw Moto XPE/N7
  • Damn ...fool you still hear trolling ..my question to you1. do you own a Samsung gs7 ,2.with WiFi issues ,now that is the question ..and your answer..is?????. You do know the definition of( troll )don't you that would be you since you obviously can't afford anything in Samsung's Arsenal what's your point of being in this forum .you don't have a point of being here see now that what a troll is the ass hole with no real name that shows up just to stare the pot. Now you know, you can thank me later Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • He forgot to mention freebies that came along & how they were delivered by regional manager's hot "escort" team.Manager was gonna bring it himself,but wouldn't miss another (last) flight to visit his family.first one took off, while he was testing the phone. Richard's seed lives on :) vzw Moto XPE/N7
  • Noooo didn't get that but I think your girlfriend showed up just saying . lets see moe, curly and Larry damn three trolls in a roll , stay out of this little man . And next time you want to make a comment use your real name i like to keep all the butt hurting samsung hating troll in order Posted using my note 5 are gs7 edge the beast
  • You can't even spell and use grammer properly. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I'm sorry butt hurting( ass hole) troll did I spell that right how's that . You nexus fan boys are really over the top jealous . If you spent as much time at work as you do on AC trolling maybe you'd be able to upgrade yourself T..R..O.L.L . Your like a lost puppy without a home . I'm gonna fact check you trolls every time so be warned when ever you say something you obviously know nothing about which most of the time . Damn and I thought iPhone sheep where bad ..then you came alone problem is you everywhere hahaha Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • Lol Posted via the Android Central App
  • Agggggghhhhghg, type properly... Posted via the Android Central App
  • If you insist....
  • Lucky you to have a real Samsung company you can trust... In Switzerland Samsung doesn't care of final customers at all... Trust me no such companies are good here... As soon as you have an issue their contact companies say : your fault... You should not use a Samsung device at all so you will not break it Posted via the Android Central App
  • Samsung has a repair center in Switzerland and your one year warranty is the same as in the states so not sure why you couldn't just send your phone in . Here I. The states there repair center is excellent. Do they wanted your time dealing with the carrier go directly to samsung I do Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • Get closer, lol. I wonder if this is more prevalent on Snapdragon or Exynos (or no difference)? Posted via the Android Central App
  • That's a good question.
  • Or - Let Samsung deploy a fix. This is the only issue I have been having since day 1. Worked always at home but never at office. It downloads content but not fully. With recent patch (via ATT) issue seems to be addressed. Finger crossed.
  • @Mike, If there are widely documented problems with WiFi on the S7 it would be useful to link to them. If there aren't perhaps you should consider renaming the article to be a generic 'if there are WiFi problems on your device', since the solutions listed are useful for all Android devices (and Windows devices to boot).
  • It's an article ment to lead people googling s7 wifi problems here. Nothing else. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Wow...i guess I'm glad that I won't be an early adopter of the N7, I usually let the price drop and issues get found and corrected before I buy a newly released phone.
  • I'm actually losing all internet connectivity - wifi and LTE - and it seems like the only way to fix it is to restart. Not cool for an $800 phone! Posted via the Android Central App
  • I had troubles until I disabled IPv6 at the ISP modem/router.
    It was acting like an IP address conflict
    Pulled a couple old DD-WRT routers out of the closet until I finally read that tip somewhere.
    Fixed 'er good...
  • That applies to all phones. I had the same issue previously Posted via Techmology
  • Wifi problems? In 2016? Unacceptable Posted via Techmology
  • This ^^^^ we shouldn't be having any type of Wi-Fi issues in 2016. We've been using the same standards and security profiles for how many years now? *"powerful you have become, the dark side I sense in you"*
  • Is there a fix for the nexus 6 that I don't know about? Posted via the Android Central App
  • No kidding LoL to be honest my Nexus 6 is still running like the undisputed heavyweight champ. Once in a great while it will do some crazy stuff other than that it's good. Plain and simple the Nexus 6 revolutionized the industry. Posted via the Android Central App
  • You don't own one you can't say **** Posted via the Android Central App
  • Damn fool you own a piece of **** nexus 6 and your on here bragging...really I thought I told your broke ass to upgrade ^^^ AC is a technology enthusiast site try to stay current....rocking that old ass **** ...please !! Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • He is current with the software. He will be current in a few weeks. You will be current around March 2017. Posted from Nexus 6
  • This is what happens when you put crappy components in a phone. Their radios have always sucked.
  • Very poor and ridiculous article ! "Wifi problems" but no clear symptoms described . What is this, a meteo forecast ? It's like that lame error message "Contact the system administrator" displayed on poorly designed apps created by incompetent programmers. I have the Samsung Galaxy S7. No wifi problems whatsoever. "Reset the wifi router" - that's the gem ! What else, should I go and beat my noisy neighbour ? What's got to do the wifi router with my phone ?
  • Exactly WiFi issues are almost always you old router . The trick is to upgrade to 2 band unit fixed all my issues Posted using my note 5 are gs7 edge the beast
  • Of course it is, it's the router's fault that it works with every device except the new phone *rolleyes*
  • Noooo but that's where you start problem is most people are trying to run a whole lot more stuff then be before on the those old one band routers Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • Why the new Samsung phone don't let you forget networks you aren't near at the time is crazy?! I want to be able to control all of my settings!
  • Just enable WiFi while you out I do it all the time that way your not picking up a bunch of random signals Posted via my note 5 are gs7 edge
  • I don't have the S7, but on another phone with wifi trouble I used the app wifi fixer. Worked well. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Lol hahahahaha all that glass on glass hahhahahahaha Posted via the Android Central App
  • I have S7 EDGE just upgraded from s6. The s6 battery life sucked and while my S is way better I am having intermittent WiFi drops. I did everything mentioned and the only thing I can think of besides a faulty phone is faulty isp. I have a router from a year or 2 thsts a dual band.
  • Power saving mode really does mess up more stuff than you think. For example Google Now and maps. It really decreases effectiveness of everything. I keep forgetting to turn it off until Google messes up and I realize that power saving is still on. Can services in power saving be tweaked to WiFi and Google services aren't effected?
  • Maybe you're holding it wrong /s. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I've been having an issue since the last update on my AT&T Galaxy S7 Edge where my WiFi would be on but my LTE would pop up and connect every 5-10 seconds or so. I reset the Network Settings and it's been so much better since. However I had to reinstall any certificates for secure APs as well as bluetooth connections to my watch but it fixed it.
  • This article is another example of the crap going on here. This isn't unique to a GS7 or particular wifi issues it has. It's just a catch all article about random wifi issues any Android user 'might' have. This must play well in your weekly meetings about click metrics or something. Meanwhile your readers are treated to another article of lame content. It's time you explained yourselves! Posted via the Android Central App
  • HELLO! i just made an account to say that i am almost ready to go back to iphone. and i have been anti iphone since 2012.
    My galaxy s7 edge, runs like a pro. It is beautiful, its user friendly. But i am now using 60 % of my data in a 5 person plan. It is not "my routers", my "encryption settings" i dont "need a new router" i need a new phone. This thing will not connect to any wifi in my school, in my home, in other peoples homes. Apps are shutting down. there are icons popping up often and repetively saying "no internet connection" i have 3 wifi routers in my home, will not connect to any of them strongly. Apps dont work, and as i said before the phone only works on 4G and im done paying extra for having a galaxy with 4 other iphone users on the plan. can someone please maybe back me up? or give me hope of going into a god for saken ATT store with the possibility of the person giving me a new phone, telling mine is faulty? I want to keep this phone but it is messed up! no water damage nothing. But i know when it gets in the hands of a ATT worker, it is gonna work PERFECTLY and they are gonna look at me like im crazy, and needy. HELPPPP
  • I have a brand new Verizon Galaxy S7 . It's been disconnecting from my home wifi (whereas no other device in the house disconnects) and rarely can reconnect itself. It reports "internet not available" but connects and works fine when I connect manually. But you know what fixed it? TURNING OFF DATA USAGE. No dropped connections or failure to reconnect as long as data is off. I suspect shenanigans to get people to up their data usage with their carrier and then pay more for a higher data plan.
  • I have a brand new Verizon Galaxy S7 . It's been disconnecting from my home wifi (whereas no other device in the house disconnects) and rarely can reconnect itself. It reports "internet not available" but connects and works fine when I connect manually. But you know what fixed it? TURNING OFF DATA USAGE. No dropped connections or failure to reconnect as long as data is off. I suspect shenanigans to get people to up their data usage with their carrier and then pay more for a higher data plan.
  • I take it back. It did seem to help for most of yesterday, but it's not a complete fix, Grrr.
  • I've had an S7 since August of last year, and an S7 Edge since this January. My S7 was relatively fine, but it did tend to lose speeds (it would constantly drop to 200 ping, <1 mbps down and around 0.1 mbps up.) My Edge is 10x worse. Constantly losing connection to wifi, and 80% of the time that I'm connected, the wifi doesn't actually work. I've decided that I'm done with Samsung. I'm probably gonna get a new phone over the summer and get rid of this thing.