iPhone WiFi Repair: Oven Fix (Reflowing the PCB) - also works on iPod Touch

How to repair iPhone WiFi in the Oven (or, How to Reflow the PCB).

I fixed my iPhone wifi problem by following these steps: http://www.iphonetiquicia.com/iphone-wifi-oven-trick/

The oven trick fixed my iPhone by reflowing the solder joints in my motherboard. *BUT* I was very careful and I did thorough trouble shooting first. I also have experience breaking down iPhones. Other guys with the same experience have tried this and it didn't work for them. So be cautious, read everything, comment, then once you're sure you can try the fix. I have recorded both successful and unsuccessful repairs at the bottom of this video text.

iPhone PCB Cooking Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 385F (196C)
2) Bake PCB (motherboard) for 7 minutes
3) Cool on the rack for 1 hour.

But before you try this fix confirm you actually have a hardware problem by starting with the Apple Trouble Shooting Guides http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1559 , and http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398?viewlocale=en_US

If after reading those guides Apple tells you to view their Service FAQ it means your prospects of a software fix have become very slim; most likely you are dealing with a hardware problem.

In my case my wifi was very intermittent. My iPhone would find the network then immediately drop it. I would enter the correct password for the network and my iPhone would keep asking me to re-enter. I followed the Apple Trouble Shooting guides and everything was pointing me toward taking my out-of-warranty iPhone 3G to the Apple Retail Store for service.

After performing the fix in this video my wifi became rock solid and even ran cooler. No doubt it runs cooler now because the fissures in the lead-free solder were fused and decreased the current resistance in my motherboard.

Repairing Printed Circuit Board through heat application is nothing new. Some techs fix boards with heat guns and some with reflow ovens. In fact, all printed circuit boards are passed through a reflow oven as part of their manufacturing process. Even here on YouTube you'll find videos demonstrating how to repair X-box PCBs either in the oven or with a heat gun.

The reason why the PCBs fail is due to a combination of manufacturing and material. Specifically, lead-free solder. The solder on the PCBs that use lead-free solder accumulate micro-fissures that degrade and eventually end the life of the board. For more information about the limited life of PCBs and lead-free solder please visit http://www.metallurgy.nist.gov/solder/clech/Introduction.htm

For detailed tutorials on how to disassemble your iPhone please view the following videos http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=disassemble+iphone&aq=f

To assemble your iPhone just reverse the process and remember to be very careful replacing the connectors.

For more information on reflow ovens and their usage in printed circuit board manufacturing please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflow_soldering

If you would like to ask others who have performed this fix you can go to the Apple Support forums at the following links

Successful Repairs:
KoobcamUser fixed his wifi!
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12071293#12071293

ttbbsolid fixed his wifi!
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12068404#12068404

paraglider fixed his and gave a detailed report. Thanks, paraglider
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12093440#12093440

Scott, reflowed 4 times! Killed then restored his PCB
http://www.iphonetiquicia.com/iphone-wifi-oven-trick/#comment-66

Sisarek repaired his at 200C for 8 miuntes
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12099656#12099656

Sparkie21 - used a very precise thermometer, check this out
http://www.m0ukd.com/iPhone/

And, of course, the brave soul I know of who first gave this a shot after reading the tutorial on iPhoneTiquica, Aoon Mohammed
http://www.iphonetiquicia.com/iphone-wifi-oven-trick/#comment-10

Failed Repairs:
The fix did NOT work for ndj noumea. But his PCB still worked when he assembled the phone again.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12075953#12075953

Alejandro said he followed the directions exactly but the oven damaged his motherboard
http://www.iphonetiquicia.com/iphone-wifi-oven-trick/#comment-17

And there are two YouTube members who damaged their motherboards attempting the repair using the oven.
srbinbwe & Nianaconda.

Be certain you want to attempt this before you try it. It has the potential to damage your PCB.

Oh, one final note. I know people are trying the "freezer trick" ("wifi chill fix", "ice trick", "fridge fix", etc.) to repair their wifi. I tried it too. Just be careful about putting a hot iPhone into the freezer. The rapid temperature change can exacerbate the fissures in the solder joints. Good luck!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• iphone
• wifi
• fix
• repair
• oven
• freezer
• trick
• reflow

[mryoussefsonic]

so you say that i have to cook my iphone

[HbuTech]

PHONE DOESNT START !

[antspec]

OMG! I just fixed my WiFi on my iPhone 3G! You are the man! I followed your instructions to the letter. Thank you very much! About 2 months ago, my WiFi signal fizzled out on me when I was downloading songs from iTunes. My Bluetooth still worked fine but WiFi was completely out. Thanks, great video!

[beepster100]

I was very skeptical of this whole oven reflow method but just tried it after a year without wifi and works like a charm...now I'm finding networks faster than before! Thanks for this fix and for sharing your knowledge.

[djibaxel]

im trying it right now if it works. thumbs up n subscribe

[RHCPmikeRHCP]

same for 3gs???

[junaid109]

AWESOME mine works, just left it to cook for 6 hours!

[Johnlpainter]

Worked like a charm on iPhone 4 iOS 5.0.1 and bb 04.11.08. I had previously reflowed a 3G at 350F with convection and it worked fine too, I agree completely that the problem is not in the chip but in the Chinese solder which I think has impurities which cause the solder to fracture with all the on and off (heat/cool) cycles we put iPhones through the fracturing just compounds over time. I hope that Apple will address this issue with quality control as more people report these issues.

[Fitswell31]

@M4LEO it worked for me i did it for 5 mins at 300

[Fitswell31]

@jorgejuancn i Did it and it does in fact work

[M4LEO]

is this video a joke or wtf ?