Unable to connect to fiber optic network

aurelio293 wrote:

Old iPad unable to connect to fiber optic network

Interesting. I’ve not met a Lightning to Fiber Optic adapter, though stranger adapters probably also exist. 😉

But seriously…

If you’re trying to connect from an old iPad to a Wi-Fi network that happens to have a fiber optic link to the internet, the internet link is not relevant. It’s a Wi-Fi network, and for whatever reason the iPad does not want to connect to it.

Here is how to: Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

And here is what to do: If your iPhone or iPad won't connect to a Wi-Fi network - Apple Support

I’d expect that any ISP-provided Wi-Fi router will support 2.4 GHz and WPA2 AES connections, and which any iPad should connect with.

An old iPad can have other errors shown, when attempting to connect to some websites with newer certificates than the iPad recognizes.

What error messages or diagnostics are shown when this fails?

What have you already tried, so we don’t repeat the suggestions?

Start with basic WiFi troubleshooting - as detailed here:

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won’t connect to a Wi-Fi network - Apple Support

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

Consider that your WiFi (Fibre) Router, to which you are attempting to connect, may be configured to require support for security features that are not supported by older versions of iOS. If you have an older iPad and your router is configured for WPA3 or WPA3/WPA2 mixed authentication, you will need to change this to WPA2 PSK(AES). Newer models of iPad support WPA3.

Some Mesh WiFi Routers are known to be troublesome in some circumstances.

If your WiFi has been set-up according to Apple’s recommended settings, WiFi and Internet connection difficulties are usually an indication that your device does not have a routable IP Address - your IP Address usually being assigned by DHCP. When this occurs, your iPad may only have a self-assigned link-local IP address that begins 169.254.x.x.

You can verify your DHCP-assigned IP Address from settings:

Settings > WiFi > [Your WiFi Network / SSID] - tap the blue “i” icon - [IPv4 Address] IP Address

If you have a VPN App or profiles installed, or a security App such as Norton, these may be interfering with DHCP - and preventing your device from obtaining a valid IP Address for the WiFi network/hotspot to which you are attempting to connect. The resolution is usually simple; if installed, you may only need to temporarily disable or remove the Security App and/or VPN.

if the ipad is so old it does not support 5Ghz wifi and the fiber router only has 5Ghz enabled and not the older 2.4Ghz wifi then you need to enable 2.4Ghz wifi on the router if it supports it, though most would