geicogecko

Q: iPad 4 not connecting to 2.4 n network

My wife has an iPad 4 that is unable to connect to our router. It's set to 2.4GHz 802.11n only mode. It will connect if set in mixed mode. This model has n, so why is she having this problem? I have no other devices with this issue, so I'd rather not set it to mixed just for this one device.

iPad, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Mar 10, 2016 1:36 PM

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Q: iPad 4 not connecting to 2.4 n network

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  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Mar 10, 2016 1:39 PM in response to geicogecko
    Level 6 (16,260 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Mar 10, 2016 1:39 PM in response to geicogecko

    Try resetting your Network Settings. Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Then do a forced restart. Hold down the Home and Wake/Sleep buttons at the same time for about 15-20 seconds until the Apple logo appears. Ignore the "Slide to power off" text if it comes up. You will not lose anything. Then go back to Settings > Wi-Fi > and rejoin your network again.

  • by geicogecko,

    geicogecko geicogecko Mar 10, 2016 1:47 PM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 10, 2016 1:47 PM in response to elcpu

    Nope.

  • by ManSinha,

    ManSinha ManSinha Mar 10, 2016 2:12 PM in response to geicogecko
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 10, 2016 2:12 PM in response to geicogecko

    iPad 4 is an older device - is this a recent issue?

  • by geicogecko,

    geicogecko geicogecko Mar 10, 2016 4:35 PM in response to ManSinha
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    Mar 10, 2016 4:35 PM in response to ManSinha

    No. I don't believe it's ever been able to connect when the AP's in n only mode.

  • by ManSinha,

    ManSinha ManSinha Mar 10, 2016 4:39 PM in response to geicogecko
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 10, 2016 4:39 PM in response to geicogecko

    This is what is on their documentation page - you may have to leave your network in mixed mode

    Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support

    2.4 GHz Radio Mode

    This setting controls which versions of the 802.11a/b/g/n standard the network uses for wireless communication on the 2.4 GHz band. Newer standards (802.11n) support faster transfer rates, and older standards provide compatibility with older devices and additional range.

    Set to: 802.11b/g/n

    Details: Routers that support 802.11n should be configured for 802.11b/g/n for maximum speed and compatibility. Routers that only support 802.11g should be put in 802.11b/g mode, while those that support only 802.11b can be left in 802.11b mode. Different Wi-Fi routers support different radio modes, so the exact setting will vary depending on the Wi-Fi router in use. In general, enable support for all modes. Devices will then automatically select the fastest commonly supported mode to communicate. Note that choosing a subset of the available modes will prevent some devices from connecting (for example, 802.11b/g devices will be unable to connect to a Wi-Fi router in 802.11n-only mode). Also, choosing a subset of the available modes might cause interference with nearby legacy networks, and might cause nearby legacy devices to interfere with your network.

  • by geicogecko,

    geicogecko geicogecko Mar 10, 2016 4:52 PM in response to ManSinha
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 10, 2016 4:52 PM in response to ManSinha

    I read that, but I'm confused as to why. If it supports n, it shouldn't need any other amendment active. Since that applies to all iDevices, I would assume that FAQ makes sure all of them work.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Mar 10, 2016 6:45 PM in response to geicogecko
    Level 6 (16,260 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Mar 10, 2016 6:45 PM in response to geicogecko

    Geico, you are correct, if it supports n it should connect to n-only networks. My 4 iOS devices connect without issues even though I have my AP in n-only 2.4 mode (I have it on n/ac-only for the 5 GHz band, no issues there either). In fact all iPads, even the 1st generation, support n. Regardless, I have seen a lot of Wi-Fi related issues in this forum, many with no solution. Wi-Fi is one of the most discussed topics here and was particularly so during the iOS 8 days as Apple changed its networking routine but only to revert back to the previous version in iOS 9.

     

    No magic bullet for this...  Check your router for the latest firmware, if not up to date, update it. Do you have another AP by any chance? If so try it in n-only and test your iPad (a neighbor perhaps). If you are really determined, backup your iPad with iTunes, restore it as New and test the Wi-Fi. You can then restore the backup. This may not be worth it as leaving your router in mixed mode will not hurt, not much anyway (will degrade speeds and range a bit).

     

    Here is a list of fixes that I post for Wi-Fi issues, maybe one of them will help....

     

    1) Perform a Forced Restart:  Hold down the Home and Wake/Sleep buttons at the same time for about 15-20 seconds until the Apple logo appears. Allow device to restart.

    2) Reset Network Settings:  Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Rejoin the Network again.

    3) Change to Google's DNS:  Settings > Wi-Fi > Click on the Network, Delete all numbers under DNS and enter 8.8.8.8 or alternatively 8.8.4.4

    4) Disable the QoS service on the router if available.

    5) Reboot Router/Modem:  Unplug from power for 2 minutes and plug again. Update Router Firmware (check manufacturer’s support website). Verify your router is Wi-Fi certified.

    6) Determine if other Wi-Fi devices on network are working well (other iOS devices, Macs, PCs).

    7) Try device at another Network, i.e., neighbors’, public coffee house, etc.

    8) Restore the Device (ask for additional for details if desired).

          https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201252

    9) Go to an Apple Store for hardware evaluation.

  • by geicogecko,

    geicogecko geicogecko Mar 11, 2016 11:26 AM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 11:26 AM in response to elcpu

    Firmware is the latest. I may visit an apple store if I end up near one. Is there an app on the iPad to view the wifi association packet chain? That may allow me to troubleshoot.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Mar 11, 2016 11:32 AM in response to geicogecko
    Level 6 (16,260 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Mar 11, 2016 11:32 AM in response to geicogecko

    Not to my knowledge. I use Net Analyzer Lite which displays all the devices connected to my network but this is not what you are after.

  • by geicogecko,

    geicogecko geicogecko Mar 13, 2016 4:09 PM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 13, 2016 4:09 PM in response to elcpu

    No worries. I can boot up Wireshark on a laptop and see if that'll tell me what's up.