HT202639: Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Learn about Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
GStrecker
Level 1 (8 points)
iPad

Q: Is anyone else having problems connecting an iPad mini to a 2.4Ghz wifi since updating to iOS 9.3.1 or 9.3.2?

Since the last two upgrades, My original version iPad mini will no longer connect to any 2.4Ghz based wifi routers.  If it is a dual band router with a 5Ghz signal, I can still connect to those, but they are not as widespread.  This has also broken my ability to link to my Karma MiFi hotspot that I used for work.  To say that I am ****** off with Apple for disabling part of my iPad is an understatement at this point.

iPad Mini, iOS 9.3.2

Posted on May 27, 2016 3:48 PM

by elcpu,Solvedanswer
elcpu elcpu
Level 6 (15,946 points)
Photos for Mac
A:

Try #1, 2, and 3 above.... see if they help. If not you may have to do a restore.

 

First backup your device using iTunes. Also import your photos to your computer and copy all important data. Try restoring from backup first and testing it. If it does not help, you may have to restore as New and reconfigure from scratch as the backup could be corrupted. For this reason it is important to have your photos and data saved separately from the backup. Here are the steps for a Restore:

 

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

Posted on Jun 19, 2016 11:45 AM

Close
GStrecker

Q: Is anyone else having problems connecting an iPad mini to a 2.4Ghz wifi since updating to iOS 9.3.1 or 9.3.2?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 May 27, 2016 3:49 PM in response to GStrecker
    Level 9 (50,277 points)
    Desktops
    May 27, 2016 3:49 PM in response to GStrecker

    Not I

  • by elcpu,Apple recommended

    elcpu elcpu May 27, 2016 4:06 PM in response to GStrecker
    Level 6 (15,946 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 27, 2016 4:06 PM in response to GStrecker

    Below is a User Tip about Wi-Fi issues. Suggest starting from the top and working down. 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) Reboot Router/Modem:  Unplug from power for 2 minutes and plug again. Update Router Firmware (check manufacturer’s support website for a newer FW). Also try different bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and different bandwidths (20 MHz recommended for the 2.4 band).

    4) 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

    5) Disable device prioritization on the router if this feature is available. Also disable any VPN apps and test Wi-Fi again.

    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) Backup and Restore the Device using iTunes (ask for additional for details if desired).

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

    9) Go to an Apple Store for hardware evaluation.

     

    User Tip:  https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-9892

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black May 27, 2016 4:12 PM in response to GStrecker
    Level 7 (24,153 points)
    May 27, 2016 4:12 PM in response to GStrecker

    My iPad Pro and iPhone 6 readily can be switched between my 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz networks (my router is set up so each frequency is a separate SSID), so iOS 9.3.2 seems alright to me.

     

    I would try re-setting the network settings and re-connect. It could be as simply as that to fix it.

  • by GStrecker,

    GStrecker GStrecker May 30, 2016 4:44 PM in response to GStrecker
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    May 30, 2016 4:44 PM in response to GStrecker

    Understand that the iPad can still see both the 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz system SSIDs.  However, when I try to connect to a 2.4Ghz wifi, even though I am using the proper password, I get an "Incorrect Password" error.  On an open 2.4 Ghz wifi with no password to connect, it says "Unable to Connect to..."  This has got to be a software induced issue.

  • by elcpu,Solvedanswer

    elcpu elcpu Jun 19, 2016 11:45 AM in response to GStrecker
    Level 6 (15,946 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 19, 2016 11:45 AM in response to GStrecker

    Try #1, 2, and 3 above.... see if they help. If not you may have to do a restore.

     

    First backup your device using iTunes. Also import your photos to your computer and copy all important data. Try restoring from backup first and testing it. If it does not help, you may have to restore as New and reconfigure from scratch as the backup could be corrupted. For this reason it is important to have your photos and data saved separately from the backup. Here are the steps for a Restore:

     

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

  • by GStrecker,

    GStrecker GStrecker Jun 19, 2016 12:02 PM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    Jun 19, 2016 12:02 PM in response to elcpu

    Still no fix.  I brought the unit to the local Apple store.  They ran tests, did a full restore to factory settings and I did another full restore at home.  Still does the same thing.  The mini can see all of the wifi networks and their SSID's but will not connect to any 2.4Ghz systems or hotspots.  It lets me connect at home and at my office to 5 Ghz wifi signals but I work in the field and use the mini on the go a lot.  Not being able to connect to my myfi hotspot or our laboratory system is a royal pain, because those are the places where I need to gain access to information on the spot.  The Apple store's only suggestion is that my wifi must have just stopped working for no reason (it was just a coincidence that it happened after an update).  They claimed to have never seen the problem before, although I understand that the same update also disabled brand new iPad Pro 9.7 tablets and had to be withdrawn.  Since my mini is out of the warranty period, they would give me another one just like it for $200 and do a swap or a $60 credit on an upgrade.  Money I did not have at the time.  I would like to upgrade in the near future, but not until I see if these problems resolve themselves on the next upcoming update, which I hope is not too far down the line.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jun 19, 2016 12:12 PM in response to GStrecker
    Level 6 (15,946 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 19, 2016 12:12 PM in response to GStrecker

    Just to be sure, have you done a restore as New, not from backup? Backups can contain corruption as they include whatever there is on your mini. Try a restore as New and test it if you have not done so already.

  • by SAHBfan,

    SAHBfan SAHBfan Jul 11, 2016 1:51 PM in response to GStrecker
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iCloud
    Jul 11, 2016 1:51 PM in response to GStrecker

    I Travel around in my job. I'm staying in a hotel tonight - I'll be in a different hotel tomorrow.

    I have with me my iPad mini, my iPhone 4, a company iPhone 5s and a company iPad air.

    THe iPad mini will not connect - in fact it can't even find the wifi connection. All of the other devices connect and work fine. I am actually typing this on the iPad air, which is working great via wifi, whilst the iPad mini is still searching and failing to find any signal. I frequently stay in hotels or connect from coffee shops and customers premisses. It is the same everywhere I go, all the devices work fine - except the iPad mini. The mini works at home ok as I have an airport with a 5MHz connection. The iPad mini has always had a connection issue with 2.4GHz. Never acknowledged by Apple as far as I know, certainly never resolved... But very well documented in very many posts on here and elsewhere. Amazing you were told they'd never seen it before. It is very well known as far as I can see. The iPad mini is just a flawed product. Sorry.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jul 11, 2016 1:58 PM in response to SAHBfan
    Level 9 (57,294 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 11, 2016 1:58 PM in response to SAHBfan

    My iPad mini works just fine, both connecting to my home wi-fi on 2.4, and my work wi-fi. I've connected it to Starbuck, and also to a hotel. Many of those require you open a web browser to complete connections, and depending on how you were using the iPad before this, may require you to open a new browser tab. I find that typing 1.1.1.1 into the browser address bar will force it to the hotel's passcode site.

     

    If you are not seeing any of the wi-fi networks listed then there is something else going on. You can try by resetting network settings, and if necessary, try a restore to factory to see if you can narrow down a hardware issue. I've used 2 different iPad minis, an original and now an iPad Mini 4 on iOS 9.3.2 and have not had an issue with them listing available networks. You may also want to make a Genius Bar appointment to have the hardware examined to eliminate a problem with the wi-fi antenna. While you may be experiencing an issue, I would not use the blanket statement that the iPad Mini is a flawed product.