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Ipad is connected to wi fi but some do not

In Settings I can see wi fi is on and connected but on one of my iPads the little attenna symbol does not appear in the apps. The other iPads are OK. ANy siggestions???

iPad

Posted on Jul 31, 2023 8:17 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 1, 2023 4:11 AM

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 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 model iPad (e.g., iPad4 and earlier) 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 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.


DHCP is frequently used to automatically obtain an IP Address. Until your iPad has a valid IP Address to connect to your network, you will not have an internet connection. Disabling or removing VPN and/or the offending security App should allow DHCP to operate normally - allowing connection to your network and the internet.


If this resolves your issue, the VPN and/or security App can be reinstated after the connectivity problem has been resolved.


If some Apps are working as expected, while others are not - or other devices can connect to your WiFi network - you may find that a restart of your WiFi Router, followed by a restart of your iPad will clear the problem….


To restart your router, disconnect power from the router for at least 30 seconds - then reconnect power to restart. After your router reboots (which may take several minutes), force restart your iPad:


Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

  1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
  3. Press and hold the top button.
  4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.




Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.





6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 1, 2023 4:11 AM in response to Bill Mohr

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 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 model iPad (e.g., iPad4 and earlier) 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 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.


DHCP is frequently used to automatically obtain an IP Address. Until your iPad has a valid IP Address to connect to your network, you will not have an internet connection. Disabling or removing VPN and/or the offending security App should allow DHCP to operate normally - allowing connection to your network and the internet.


If this resolves your issue, the VPN and/or security App can be reinstated after the connectivity problem has been resolved.


If some Apps are working as expected, while others are not - or other devices can connect to your WiFi network - you may find that a restart of your WiFi Router, followed by a restart of your iPad will clear the problem….


To restart your router, disconnect power from the router for at least 30 seconds - then reconnect power to restart. After your router reboots (which may take several minutes), force restart your iPad:


Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

  1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
  3. Press and hold the top button.
  4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.




Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.





Jul 31, 2023 8:44 PM in response to Bill Mohr

Re: "In Settings I can see wi fi is on and connected

but on one of my iPads the little attenna symbol does not appear in the apps".


If that iPad is too far from your Wi-Fi router, you can't get a signal, so make sure that you're within range.


If you can not connect to the Internet, even though wi-fi is connected:

You can try restarting your iPad: restart your iPad. (ie: deletes temporary files / re-establishes the connection.)


If the apps are not apps from Apple (ie: "third-party" apps) you may need to ensure that privacy & security settings are allowing them access to the internet / camera / microphone or to access specific websites.


Aug 2, 2023 3:24 PM in response to Bill Mohr

Wondering which iPad model you are using, and which iPadOS version is installed: ie: if you haven't already done so, updating to the newest iOS version may help:

About iPadOS 16 Updates - Apple Support says iPadOS 16.6 is the latest.

Else:

Apple support's articles (links below) may help troubleshoot those three apps:

If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


If an app on your iPhone or iPad stops responding, closes unexpectedly, or won’t open - Apple Support

Aug 1, 2023 11:10 AM in response to Bill Mohr

I use an Eero mesh system. The eero device is very close to the iPad. I own another iPad of the same vintage that is not having the problem. My Internet connection (i.e. Safari browser) is working OK even though the antenna symbol for WiFi strength does not appear. At this point my Message App, Pinterest app and Xifinity Streaming app all are not working on this one iPad only. The second iPad works fine in the same locations.

Ipad is connected to wi fi but some do not

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