How to Fix Apps Not Working on Wi-Fi on a Samsung Galaxy S20

Some Android apps (online games, social apps, video streaming services, etc) require an active internet connection to work. One method to access the internet is using a Wi-Fi connection. However, there are instances where the apps may not work when connected to a Wi-Fi router.

If you’re experiencing issues with your Samsung Galaxy S20 where the apps not working when connected to Wi-Fi, there are a few possible reasons behind it:

• The issue could be related to the specific apps you’re using, 
• The network settings on your phone or the Wi-Fi router itself are either misconfigured or glitching, causing the apps to not work.

By properly configuring your Samsung Galaxy S20 and addressing potential problems with your Wi-Fi router, you can make the apps on your Samsung Galaxy S20 work on Wi-Fi again. 

In this guide, we have included 08 different fixes to fix the apps not working on Wi-Fi issues, each addressing potential causes: system configurations, router settings, and app-related issues.

Note: Solutions in this guide will work on any Samsung Galaxy S20 model (S20, S20 Plus, S20 Fe, and S20 Ultra models.)

Editor’s note: We created these instructions using a Samsung Galaxy S20 running Android 13. Depending on your device’s software version, some steps and menu positions may look slightly different.

Fix 01: Restart the Router and Your Samsung Galaxy S20

You can resolve temporary glitches that could cause the apps to not work on Wi-Fi by doing a forced restart on your Samsung Galaxy S20 and the router. The process of restarting both devices is quite straightforward.

Here is how to restart your Samsung Galaxy S20:

1. Press and hold the “Power button and volume down button” on your device until you see the Samsung logo appear on the screen.

2. Then release the buttons.

Here is how to restart your Wi-Fi router:

1. Locate the Power button on your router. It is usually found at the back of the device.
2. Press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds.
3. Wait for the router to restart and broadcast the Wi-Fi signal again fully.

After your Samsung Galaxy S20 and Wi-Fi router have restarted, try using the problematic apps again to see if they work on Wi-Fi.

Fix 02: Disable Power Saving Mode and Wi-Fi Power Saving Mode

The Power Saving Mode and Wi-Fi power saving mode on your Samsung Galaxy S20 helps to extend battery life and data usage by limiting the activities (restricting background data usage) of apps installed on your device. 

If these modes are enabled, it is the reason why your apps aren’t working on Wi-Fi.

Follow these steps to disable Power Saving Mode:

1. Open the “Settings” app on your Samsung Galaxy S20.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Battery and Device care”.

3. Tap on “Battery”.

3. Here, you’ll see Power mode. Tap on it.

4. Select Optimized and then tap on Apply.

Now, let’s disable Wi-Fi power saving mode:

1. Open the “Settings” app again.
2. Tap on “Connections”, and then “Wi-Fi”
3. Tap on the toggle at the top left side and select “Intelligent Wi-Fi”.

4. Toggle off “WiFi power saving mode”.

After disabling these modes, try using your apps on Wi-Fi again. If they’re still not working, move on to the next fix.

Fix 03: Check Wi-Fi Connection

Some online apps, such as online games or streaming services like Netflix or Spotify, require a strong Wi-Fi connection to work correctly. Even if your Wi-Fi is connected, a weak or unstable connection can lead these apps to malfunction or not work.

To ensure your Wi-Fi connection is not the issue, test your internet connection speed and ping. Ping is a measure of the delay (or latency) you experience with your internet connection and is especially important for real-time online gaming.

Here are the steps to test your Wi-Fi connection using the Ookla Speed Test website:

1. Open a web browser on your Samsung Galaxy S20.
2. Go to the Ookla speed test website.
3. On the Ookla Speed Test website, tap on “Go”.
4. Wait for the test to complete. It will provide you with three numbers: “Ping”, “Download speed”, and “Upload speed”.

If the Ping is too high (over 100ms), or the Download speed is too low (below 10Mbps for HD streaming), it is why your apps are not working correctly on Wi-Fi. In this case, you must move your phone closer to your router or contact your Internet Service Provider for further assistance.

Fix 04: Forget and Reconnect to Wi-Fi Network

The issue of apps not working on Wi-Fi on your Samsung Galaxy S20 could be due to a minor glitch in the network connection. 

You can rule out this possibility by simply “forgetting” the network on your phone and then reconnecting to it. This refreshes the network connection and eliminates any connection issues that may be causing the problem.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Go to “Settings”.
2. Tap on “Connections”.
3. Tap on “Wi-Fi”.
4. Find the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to and tap on it.

5. Tap on “Forget” at the bottom of the screen.

6. After forgetting the network, go back to the list of available Wi-Fi networks.
7. Find your network in the list and tap on it.
8. Enter your Wi-Fi password and tap on “Connect”.

Fix 05: Check App Updates

Even if the Wi-Fi router, Wi-Fi connection, and your Samsung Galaxy S20 are working correctly, some apps may not work due to the bugs and glitches present in their current version. 

It’s important to note that app glitches can occur anytime, even if the app worked perfectly fine previously. Hence, update the problematic apps to the latest version.

Follow these steps to update your apps:

1. Open the “Google Play Store” app.
2. Tap on the “profile icon” located at the top-left corner of the screen.

2. From the menu, select “Manage apps and device”.

3. Tap on “Manage” and select the “Updates available” button.

4. Here, you will see a list of all the apps that have updates available. Tap on the app that is not working on Wi-Fi. If you want to update all apps at once, tap on “Update All” button.

Fix 06: Check for System Updates

The performance of your Samsung Galaxy S20, including its network performance and stability, can be improved by system updates. 

Therefore, update your Samsung Galaxy S20 software to the latest version if you still cannot use apps on Wi-Fi

Here’s how to check for system updates on your Samsung Galaxy S20:

1. Go to “Settings”.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Battery and device care”.

3. Then tap on “Software update”.

4. Tap on “Download and install”.

5. Your device will now check for updates. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

Note: the update process may take some time and your device may need to restart. Make sure your device is sufficiently charged or connected to a power source before you start the update process.

After the system update, check if your apps are working on Wi-Fi. If not, proceed to the next fix.

Fix 07: Reset Router Settings

If none of the above solutions have worked, the issue lies with either your Wi-Fi router or the network settings on your Samsung Galaxy S20. let’s address the first possible issue

Router settings can become misconfigured, or altered via an update and cause devices to be unable to connect properly. To resolve this issue, you can reset your router. 

Note: This will erase all current settings and restore your router to its factory defaults. 

Here’s how to reset most routers:

1. Locate the reset button on your router. This is usually a small hole on the back or bottom of the router. The location can vary depending on the model, but most routers have one.
2. Use a paperclip or toothpick to press and hold the reset button for about 10 seconds.
3. Your router will now restart automatically.
4. Once your router has restarted, set it up again as if it were new. But do not change other settings such as advanced settings, WPS settings, etc.

After resetting your router, connect your Samsung Galaxy S20 to the Wi-Fi network again and see if your apps work correctly. If they are still not working, proceed to the last fix below.

Fix 08: Reset Network Settings

It’s important to note that resetting network settings will not affect your personal data. However, you will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password since all network settings, including saved networks and passwords, will be deleted.

Here are the steps to reset network settings on your Samsung Galaxy S20:

1. Go to “Settings”.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General management”.
3. Tap on “Reset”.

4. Now, tap on “Reset network settings”.

5. Confirm the reset by tapping on the Reset button.

Once the reset is completed, your device will restart. After it turns on, connect your Samsung Galaxy S20 to your Wi-Fi network and check if the apps are working properly.