Huawei P9 WiFi Not Working: Quick Fixes

If your Huawei P9’s WiFi is not working, the fix is usually a simple settings reset or a reboot of the phone and router. Start by toggling Airplane Mode on and off, then forget the network and reconnect; if that fails, reset the network settings or check for a system update.

Why the Huawei P9 Loses WiFi

The Huawei P9, released in 2016, runs Android 6.0 (upgradable to 7.0) with EMUI 4.1 or 5.0. Its WiFi module supports 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Over time, several common issues cause WiFi to drop, fail to connect, or show “Saved” without connecting:

• Software glitches after an update or app installation.
• Corrupted network settings stored in the phone’s cache.
• Router compatibility problems, especially with newer routers using WPA3 (the P9 only supports WPA/WPA2).
• Battery saver mode that disconnects WiFi in the background.
• Static IP or DNS conflicts from a previous connection.

Unlike hardware failure (which is rare but possible), most WiFi problems on the P9 are software-related and reversible with the steps below.

Step-by-Step Fixes to Try First

Work through these in order. Each step takes under a minute, and you can stop once WiFi works again.

1. Toggle Airplane Mode – Swipe down from the top, tap the airplane icon, wait 10 seconds, then tap it off. This refreshes all radio connections.
2. Restart the phone – Press and hold the power button, tap Restart. This clears temporary memory glitches.
3. Restart the router – Unplug the router’s power, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in. Wait 2 minutes for it to fully boot.
4. Forget and reconnect – Go to Settings > WiFi, long-press the network name, tap “Forget network,” then tap the network again and re-enter the password.
5. Check the password – Ensure you’re typing the correct password, including uppercase/lowercase and special characters. The P9 does not show a “show password” option by default, so double-check carefully.

If none of these work, proceed to the deeper resets below.

Reset Network Settings (No Data Loss)

This clears all saved WiFi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and cellular data settings, but does not delete your photos, contacts, or apps. It is the most effective fix for persistent WiFi issues.

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll to Advanced settings (or “System” on EMUI 5).
3. Tap Backup & reset.
4. Tap Network settings reset.
5. Confirm with Reset settings.

After the reset, the phone will reboot automatically. You’ll need to re-enter your WiFi password and re-pair any Bluetooth devices. This step resolves roughly 80% of software-related WiFi failures on the P9.

Check Date, Time, and Battery Optimizer

Two less obvious causes are worth checking before more drastic measures:

• Wrong date/time – If the phone’s clock is off by more than a few minutes, secure connections (HTTPS) and some routers reject the handshake. Go to Settings > Date & time and enable “Automatic date & time.”
• Battery optimization – EMUI aggressively kills background apps. Go to Settings > Battery > “Close apps after screen lock” and set it to “Never” for your browser or any app that needs WiFi. Also check Settings > Battery > “Launch” and ensure your apps are not set to “Manage manually” with WiFi disabled.

If you use a VPN or a static IP, temporarily disable them to rule out configuration conflicts.

When It’s a Router or Band Issue

The P9 supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, but some routers broadcast them under the same SSID. If the phone keeps connecting to a weak 5 GHz signal, it may drop. To test:

1. Log into your router’s admin page (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Separate the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz SSIDs (e.g., “MyNetwork” and “MyNetwork_5G”).
3. Connect the P9 only to the 2.4 GHz network and test stability.

Also, the P9 does not support WPA3 encryption. If your router uses WPA3/WPA2 mixed mode, change it to WPA2-PSK (AES) only. The phone will not even show the network if the router is set to WPA3-only.

If you have many devices on the same channel, try changing the router’s channel to 1, 6, or 11 (2.4 GHz) in the router settings.

Factory Reset as a Last Resort

If network settings reset and router changes fail, a full factory reset will restore the phone to its original state. This erases all data, so back up first (Settings > Backup & reset > Backup, or use HiSuite on a PC).

1. Go to Settings > Advanced settings > Backup & reset.
2. Tap Factory data reset.
3. Read the warning, then tap Reset phone.
4. Enter your PIN/pattern if prompted, then confirm.

After reboot, set up the phone as new and test WiFi before restoring apps. If WiFi still fails after a factory reset, the issue is likely hardware – the WiFi antenna or chip may be damaged. In that case, contact a repair center; do not attempt to open the phone yourself, as the antenna flex cable is delicate and easily torn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my P9 show “Saved” but won’t connect?
This usually means the password is correct but the router is rejecting the handshake. Forget the network, restart the router, and reconnect. If it persists, reset network settings as described above.

Will a factory reset delete my photos?
Yes, unless you back them up first. Use HiSuite, Google Photos, or copy them to a microSD card (the P9 has a hybrid SIM/microSD slot). The reset wipes internal storage completely.

Can I upgrade the P9 to fix WiFi?
The P9 officially supports Android 7.0 (EMUI 5.0). Check Settings > About phone > System updates for any available patch. Unofficial ROMs are not recommended – they can break WiFi drivers and security.

Does the P9 support 5 GHz WiFi?
Yes, it supports 802.11ac on 5 GHz. If you don’t see the 5 GHz network, check that the router broadcasts it under a separate SSID and that the channel is set to a standard one (36-48 or 149-165).

Why does WiFi work on other devices but not my P9?
This points to a phone-specific setting or a saved network conflict. Try the network settings reset first. If other devices work and the P9 still fails, test on a different router (like a mobile hotspot) – if it connects there, the issue is with your home router’s settings, not the phone.

Is there a way to fix WiFi without losing apps?
Yes – the network settings reset (Settings > Advanced settings > Backup & reset > Network settings reset) clears only WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular settings. Your apps, photos, and files remain untouched.

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