STILL cannot scan for wireless networks

Question

I'm having the same problem that everybody else who posted with this thread has. I've tried everything I can think of, but the most popular response to these threads seems to be return it under warranty. I'm out of warranty and cannot afford a new phone, anymore than I can afford the data overages that result from not having wifi. My last iPhone did exactly the same thing, except, back then, I could afford to buy a new one; now, after reading so many posts, I'm coming to the conclusion that apple hasn't figured out how to make a durable antenna yet. This seems to be a common problem with iPhones, which totally defeats the whole purpose of my buying one in the first place...reliability. This is my last attempt before I swear off this company as unreliable (the kiss of death for me) and see what the dark side has to offer (I dare not speak their name on an apple forum, but you all know who I'm talking about:). So PLEASE, somebody help. I really have loved my phone, but I have to be realistic about where I drop another $300+.
PS: I've upgraded iOS's twice, and this all started before the update, so I really don't think it's what some other people think is an iOS issue.

Answer 1

Dude, I am SO sorry. I neglected to take into account that some people are emotionally attached to their inanimate objects and lose the ability to think rationally, as if someone had insulted their child. While I love what my phone can do for me, it never occurred to me to love the phone itself, given that it's an object, incapable of reciprocating that love. Also, since I don't own apple stock (or even know if it's publicly traded) I have no vested interest in their future. They are a cash cow though, I ought to diversify my portfolio...my bad:/
Apologies out of the way, I have answers to your comments, and a solution to my query, that having spent so much time researching, I know can be hard to find. I'll address your comments in the order they were received; I'm assuming you'd want to know, cuz really, what kind of a loser would waste their time with those kinds of comments if they weren't sincere, and how sad would someone have to be to say such things in response to someone's plea for help? Surely, not you :)
-It has everything to do with the "antenna". In quotes, b/c 4th gen technically doesn't have a traditional antenna (I know how important technical issues are to you now).
-Antenna issues on the 4th gen have a very well documented history of failing. You may recall that the original would lose wifi if you touched the borders. Apple confirmed this problem, advised people to use a case, and set to rectify it with the release if the 4s. Common, in this context, refers to every single iPhone 4 sent out on release date... So if they sold >100million, then that's how many times it happened.
-While I still prefer the iOS to android, I'm a free thinking individual, not slave to any phone manufacturer, and I have a life I'm already ignoring way too much doing this, to waste my time documenting research; especially since I never said it wasn't a problem elsewhere, just that it clearly is a problem here.
-Yes I tried everything. Being of at least average intelligence, I found your advice on my very first google search. So I appreciate the advice, but I only came on here as a last ditch effort (as originally stated) after having exhausted other avenues. I'm unsure as to why you doubt whether someone would try the troubleshooting steps, given that they're the only ones apple offers, but I'm guessing it has to do with your sunny disposition, so I won't ask.
-I don't know what you mean by "flame", but given the context, I see you've mistaken me for someone that cares to "bash" a piece of equipment that is, by any standard, a miracle of modern innovation. Of course this is true of all smartphones, but it seems you only have eyes for one company so I'll stick to that.
...again, I apologize for not being more conscious of your sensitivity.