Help "Disabled" WiFi keeps reactivating!

[mlwinnig]

I KNOW this is a known issue with Android- it likes to "offer up" WiFi where available, but it has gotten to be SUPER ANNOYING. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

When I make a point of going into a setting and disable a feature, I EXPECT it to stay disabled! Driving on the highway using Waze, I try to submit an update (accident, hazard, backup, etc.) and find it won't go. Why? Because it is trying to use WiFi to send the update, because I just passed a bunch of hotels and stores with WiFi! And G-D forbid one is an open network to which I often connect (SBUX, Mikey D's, Panera, etc.) it may actually connect (for the brief period of time during which it is range) and then FOR SURE it will be an issue!

Is there any way to fix this? Do Google/Samsung realize how big a problem/nuisance this is?

Is it just me? PLEASE weigh in here! Perhaps someone knows how to fix this, or if it can't be done, perhaps if we make a big enough noise, they will take this issue seriously. (It also affects battery life, though I now use wireless charging almost everywhere I spend any amount of time (multiple rooms @ home, car, office), so it is LESS of an issue, but STILL! WTF!?!

 

[dustwun77]

Hey there, mlwinnig! Welcome to AF!

I am rooted and on a custom rom so I don't have the same options in Settings as you do, but 2 thoughts:

One is the Connection Optimizer. If you have it turned on, it is going to try to hook you up to wifi every chance it gets. It isn't in this rom at all so I can't get to it to tell you how to turn it off.

It was in the Wifi settings though.

Another thought: From member Deaj, solution he posted to phones booting twice, maybe this pertains here, as well. Please let us know how it turns out for you. And again, Welcome!

Try this:

Go to:

Settings > Connections > WiFi > (menu soft button) Advanced

Uncheck 'Always Allow Scanning' (5th item down on Advanced settings page).

Go back to Home screen, long-hold power button, and select 'Restart' from the dialog box that appears.

Hopefully this will resolve the problem for you. The 'Always Allow Scanning' advanced setting under WiFi isn't really necessary and can cause boot loop issues. My Note 3 began doing this and removing the external SD card would stop the boot loop from occurring, thus leading me to assume the problem was related to the SD card is some way. This turned out to not be the case.

 

[xaelith]

In the Advanced settings of Wifi, there's also an "Auto-switch networks" option that automatically switches from Wifi to data and back depending on what's available. If you're wanting the phone to connect to Wifi ONLY when you want it to, you may wanna try turning that option off as well.

 

[iwoloschin]

I just leave wifi on all of the time. I use it at home, work, and various other places. I've noticed a mild annoyance if my phone has just left range of a wifi network, it sometimes takes 15-30 seconds to connect to the cell network, during which time internet things stop working (like looking up the next bus). Of course, this is kind of an expected behavior, so I can't really complain about it too much.

 

[mlwinnig]

Stopped @ BB and Samsung Rep. said I needed to eliminate "Location Setting" "use WiFi" as it overrode everything, including turning off WiFi. That lasted about a day, as it made it impossible for Galaxy Gear to update weather, etc.. Stumbled on an AT&T installed app which "optimized" WiFi and deleted it! It may have been the culprit! I have re-enabled "use WiFi" in location services, and defined home and work locations (networks). Work has map info as well. This seems to have resolved the issue. At least for now.

Thanks for the other suggestions!