Q: Intermittent WiFi

I have a similar issue. I find this most often when trying to watch TED talks. The video freezes up and i can't restart it. I don't have this problem on my iMac which uses the same wireless connection.

There are a couple of other threads describing wifi issues, but like this one they are also lacking specific information, beyond a simple "I am not able to connect to wifi" statement. Some of the information needed to help is things like what model of router, what version of firmware, etc. Also be as specific as you can about exactly what is or is not working, what you have already done to troubleshoot/resolve and how you set up the wifi network and joined the network with your iPad.

I'm having the same problem and it's not the network it's the iPad. The two iMacs, two iPhones, Apple TV are all running just fine while the iPad drops off the network and refuses to reconnect. I have to "forget the network" and rediscover to get it to work again. Waiting on that firmware update!

I have been experiencing the same issue. It seems that the iPad wi-fi goes into a standby mode but when it comes out, it doesn't connect again properly.

When I bring it out of standby, it times out using any application that tries to hit the net (mail, app store, whatever). The wi-fi strength indicator indicated full strength.

I have had this happen at two locations (home and office) with two different brands of routers. I run multiple other devices at both locations and they do not seem to have the same troubles.

I suppose it could be something strange like an IP address conflict, but at the office location there were only two other devices on the router at the time.

Regardless, it's easily fixed with powering it off and powering it on, but should I have to do that with a device that costs this much and has so much hype about changing the way we use the net?

I would point your suspicions at your router. Start first by rebooting your router (just unplug the power). If the problem continues, you can reset the network settings on the iPad (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Also, instead of restarting your iPad, you can just hit Settings > WiFi > and tap on the network it says it is connected to. Then tap on Renew Lease.

Here's what I've learned and the temporary compromise I've made to keep my sanity. Like everyone here, I have experienced the WiFi connection loss on my iPad.
I have a Sprint Overdrive 4G/3G WiFi. My iPhone gets along with it just fine in every security mode. But My iPad only likes it without any security turned on. Now that it's all turned off, the iPad's WiFi connection holds on for a good long while. I was experiencing a similar issue with my ActionTech router from Verizon at home.

Here is the specific troubleshooting storyline. The initial symptom I experienced was that I would be surfing, watching a video, or downloading an app when the fan symbol would disappear and what I was doing would freeze.
When I would go into the settings menu, the network would not be connected and if I searched for it, it would appear right away. My WiFi router's front panel showed that it's signal was stable with Sprint's network. I was connected to it via a WEP password, which I have used for sometime with my iPhone.
When I attempted to rejoin the network, I would be rejected. The only way to reconnect was to "forget" my WiFI and renter the password. Then i would go back to way surfing, viewing, etc. and the connection would be dropped again in a few minutes.
Suspecting the security mode settings, I tried without any security. After much to-ing and froe-ing, I was able to get everything reconfigured. My iPad works perfectly in this mode and has not dropped a connection since early this morning.
Because I don't want to run my wireless networks without security, I tried both WPA and WPA2. They each exhibited identical behavior to WEP mode.


Until Apple gets this security issue resolved, I have to compromise my home and road WiFi security. That's not acceptable for me.

Sigh. What a great device we it works though!!!

Same problem here. Does not stay connected to wifi, have to turn off and on again and it will work for a while, but will loose it after awhile. Seems to get stuck when opening video.

I tried reseting the router, per your suggestion. It didn't help, unfortunately. I experience the same symptoms at two different locations with two different brands of routers. I've tried turning network security off on my home router and that didn't fix it either.

I haven't been keeping track of how long the iPad has to be idle before it refuses to connect when I wake it up.

Not very happy with this issue though.

Using airport extreme. Intermittent signal on iPad as well. The iMac and iPhone and MacBook have never had a problem. YouTube on the iPad is where I noticed it first. YouTube was not loading videos. I am like 2 feet from my router. Hopefully software related.

Potentially helpful new kbase article. Might be applicable in some situations.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3304

I have airport extreme, live in rural area, and don't have security set up on my airport. I have experienced no fan or low fan symbol on my iPad. In most instances I just end the app and start it over again and fan is there. I still can't get consistent YouTube quality--don't know if this is related to the no/low fan/wifi issue. I haven't tried YouTube on my iPhone to see if it has same problem--but I don't think issue involves my iPhone.

My Xp laptop has a connection to the NETGEAR wifi and does not freeze or the network dependant app crash. The iPad also completely disconnects from the wifi when I'm 20 feet away.

In an effort to help narrow down these problems I ask that you kindly fill out these questions even if you do not have Wifi problems

Brand of Router: Netgear WNDR3300
Does it transmit a Wireless G or N signal or both? Both simultaneous
Does your iPod Touch/iPhone/Macbook/PC etc connect fine to your router? Yes, laptop connects using 802.11N at 270Mb
Do you have a password on your Wifi connection? No, Mac filtering
If so, what type of encryption do you use? (WPA/WEP etc): None Mac filtering
If you disable the password does it fix the issue? No password used N/A
If so, do you still lose the wifi (in the top left) but then it reconnects? N/a

Thank you all, I am hoping strongly this is a software issue and not a hardware one!