Chosen Solution
Couple days ago I dropped my iPhone 4 on the floor. As a result it’s display was cracked. But the phone kept their functionality: GSM, WI-FI, GPS worked fine. I decided to change display, so I asked my friend to help me. He disassembled my iPhone, and replaced old cracked display with new one. I was very glad, my iphone seemed like new….but unfortunately I noticed that after dissasembling the iphone’s WI-FI became to work worth than before dissasembling. My iphone doesn’t see my office’s wifi network any more. In my home I have to be in a room with wi-fi router to use wi-fi. :-(( It seems like the iphone wi-fi module is not connected to it’s antenna…but me and my friend do not know where it should be connected. If anybody know where it should be connected, or what is wrong please answer :-)) Thanks!!!
Losing the metal clips marked in green is top reason for abnormal Wi-Fi operation after reassembly. Here are two images, which I shot, that better depict the cause of the issue. Once you lose that piece, you have no option but to order a replacement cover.
In case they don’t work here, here’s an external link. I’ve also lost my 1.4mm “hole” (or nut as I would call it). I still have it but I don’t think there’s a way to fix that back onto the logic board. Anyway, I keep a loose dummy screw there to make the needed contact and so far I’ve had no issues. As regards the EMI fingers on the antenna cable hat runs by the loudspeaker enclosure, they are really overrated. I had them all snapped off and there were no issues with Wi-Fi, 3G or 2G signal. Then I replaced them just to be sure - same thing, no difference.
DO THIS IF YOU LOST YOUR “RINGY THING” Hi there, Great success, Wifi is fixed and works perfectly again :) Fixed mine missing “ring thingy” with few strips of thin copper wire (by connecting that big screw and connection point on MBO that ring does naturaly)… Hopefully it helps someone! Have fun using your fixed phone! Here’s the pic of repair: http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/8941/im… 73 de 9A6NGK
Guys hello! thx a lot - this really work i made this small piece from tinfoil WIFI works perfectly :)
@ Flo Having a similar problem, but mine seems to be related to the golden circle on the mobo missing. So even with copper wire or a new EMI shield, there is no contact. Check to see if your’s is in place, if so, then it’s just a matter of creating contact between the shield, the big screw and the gold circle grounding. Update @ Flo Hi mate, no worries bout English (not my native lang either :) Anyways, the only other thing I ran into that may be connected to this is the gold connector on the top of the mainboard (on some forums they suggest to check if it touches the metal frame). Otherwise, it might be that the Wifi chip on the mainboard might be flawed in some way. Sorry I can’t be of more help to you. Cheers.
It all has to do with the top IEM connector cover plate (the one above all the connections). Either that was not put back on right or there is something wrong with that. Clean the connections and make sure its assembled right. That is the location of the WiFi antenna. Hope that helps. Let me know
something fell out of my logic board when I removed the 1.4mm screw from the coverplate. It was the “hole” that the 1.4mm screw goes into. Is it possible to buy a new logic board somewhere ?
Gorane, jel mozes da mi das neki kontakt email, skype ili sta vec? Da mi objasnis kako da sredim WIFI.
Having this issue now, but saw no “plate” over the top of the upper shield.. the shield is pristine… I cannot see a “ring thingy” on the two shield pics posted by chavdar, (other than a lil wear around the screw holes). As for the remark about “clem 1 and 2” I have no idea what those are, and found nothing in the tear down instructions referencing that. I have wifi but its about 50% or less powerful than it used to be. Can someone, perhaps, elaborate on this in detail.. and explain what part is what (from motherboard out) for the wifi antenna path? The pic from goran is beyond too blurry to see anything… Can someone also explain what the little gold springy thing is on the top of the mainboard.. is it just a ground, or some kind of antenna…
http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy360… Ovdje se vidi dio lima koji fali kod vijka.
I just changed my screen too , i have the ring thingy but I cannot get the screws in , the screw socket appear to be loose or something , and I don’t want to change the middle frame someone has any idea what I can do , they solve this issue
Hello again people, If you are having trouble finding replacement “wifi shield” there are few being sold on ebay… Got mine for 3$ and it did include the lost ring. Bought it from this seller http://www.ebay.com/itm/120811176741?ssP… Have fun!
thank u guys the ring was missing from my phone so i fixed it thank u
hi guys, i bought a used iphone that didnt have the “ringy thing” of the metal plate, i used copper wire to act as the connector and it worked like a charm! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Fantastic work Pavel! Thank you very much I got the ring attached to the plate after a very long time very small item to attach but can be done with patience Wi-fi works great
Thank you very much!!!
Hey thanks guys. I used the tin foil idea and it worked like a charm. :) I’ll spread this good news around.
the ring-thing-copper-solution doesn´t work for me :( any ideas? got very low wifi, very low bluetooth and noe gps signal since I changed the display. (sorry for my english)
@ Azazelo thx for your answer! the golden circle on my mobo is not missing, but i´m sure i fixed the connection between the big screw and the circle! i tried lots of things…no signal. any other ideas? are there any parts below the mobo that i may put together in a wrong way? (again…sorry for my english)
first, a massive thank you to you guys! i had a 50% wifi range drop for months and it was driving me crazy. got the idea that is was close to ios update 5.1.1 but i was this wifi antenna piece problem. in my case, the piece looked perfectly fine: no ringy thingy missing, broken or strange. but i guess it was a bit loose as taking of the screw and putting it back (a little bit stronger not to be loose again but not strong enough to break anything) fixed the problem in a second!!! back to full wifi range like it used to be (and like other wifi equipment in the house). problem solved.. and for free ;-)
I DIIDDDDD IT!!!!!! after a lots of missing trys i did it guys.. let me expalin something!!! i did it with aluminium foil ! YES. you have to attacth the little gold ring that is on top left en the other side put it in the little gold circle that is in the plate. Screw tight and there you should have it! THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH!!!
Brilliant guys, it looks like i have fashioned a successful replacement of the ring thingy out of tin foil. Here’s another picture of the real part from another angle - gives a better impression of how the contact goes between the gold dot to the right of the screw on the phone, to around the long screw. picture of replacement on amazon
how did you make it work using tin foil ?
Wow. That’s a lot.of answers and a lot of issues with one thing as the same for so many. Here’s my two cents. There are multiple antennas in the phones these days. When you tear one down you should see them. WiFi. Gps. Cell service types. There are usually two to three points of contact for each of these antennas. Obviously your gonna have to tear it down again or your stuck with what it is. Look at the contact points of all antennas. You’ll know where the contact points touch If you actually look at it. If your a repairer and are diy then you need to take the time to understand what your working with. Tinfoil is good. But copper is better. F you put to much tinfoil or copper in a connection area of an antenna your risking burning up things that make the antennas work. And you can mess up the frequencies of the receiver. So your phone will adapt and try keep connected and then your phone just dies. All over an antenna. Just say take care to be mindful of what your fixing and gain as much knowledge of it as possible. Antennas are so simple. Yet theyre not. That said. Awesome fix with the tinfoil. Lol. Keep it simple and stupid. Lol.
