Q: Spinning wheel by WiFi on iPad2

Try holding down the Home and Wake/Sleep buttons at the same time for about 15 seconds until the Apple logo appears. You will not lose anything. If that does not work try resetting your network settings:  Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Rejoin the Network again.

This may be caused by a DNS problem. Do you know what DNS you are using? Are your devices set up to use DHCP, so the get both IP address and name server from the router? You can tell by looking at the WiFi settings on one of them. Then, does the router get the DNS directly from the internet service provider, or have you configured some specific name server? You can check this by logging in to your router and looking at the internet, or WAN, settings.

SCRAPPYMA1948 wrote:

 

...if I turn off my WiFi and use my cellular data my iPad works fine.  It can't be my router because my cell works great.

Two totally different processes there with no relation, sorry to say.

Below is a User Tip about Wi-Fi issues. Suggest starting from the top and working down.

1) Restart you device. If a normal restart does not help try holding down the Home and Sleep buttons at the same time for about 15 seconds until the Apple logo appears.

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). Channels 1, 6 or 11 are 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. Try restoring as New first and testing it. If ok try restoring the backup (the backup could be corrupted).

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

9) Go to an Apple store for hardware evaluation. The Wi-Fi chip or the antenna could be defective.

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

You say it can't be your router because your cell (phone) works great (when connected to WiFi). Is my interpolation correct? You might still take a look at the router settings, just to be sure. Your iPad settings are what they should be. It uses the router as its DNS server, while the router connects to a real DNS on the internet. You should also review elcpu's list of WiFi problems. In particular, you may be experiencing WiFi interference from other networks or other equipment.

Hi

Go to website for your make of router check for firmware update .

Are you on fiber ? How old is your router sometimes the router your isp gives you

Is only a cheap one if you can think about buying a better router it worked for me .

Cheers

Brian

Sure thing....  good luck.

Just one thought here. WiFi networks can use the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz band. Interference is usually worse on the older 2.4 GHz band. Depending on how your router is configured, you phone may be connecting on one frequency band and the other devices on another. I prefer to configure two different networks (different names) for the two bands, so I can explicitly select one or the other when connecting.

SCRAPPYMA1948 wrote:

 

I have a spinning wheel by my WiFi at top left hand of screen on my iPad3, and my husbands iPad2.

Isn't that synchronization icon? Could your iPad be syncing wirelessly with iTunes or iCloud? I may be completely wrong because I don't have my iPad with me.

I think the one right next to WiFi in the upper left is the internet download indicator. The discussion seems to be that internet access is slow.