iPad is not connecting to WiFi

WiFi/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 problems occur, 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/AV/firewall 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 you continue to have difficulties, check to see if your iPad is using the WiFi Private Address feature. This feature is intended to provide additional privacy and security when using “public” (untrusted) WiFi networks.

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

The Private Address feature is largely unnecessary for your home WiFi network; if enabled, Private Addressing can cause issues if specific MAC addresses are expected by your WiFi Router. You may need to disable this feature - and can be enabled or disabled for each individual network.

Use private Wi-Fi addresses in iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 - Apple Support

In very basic terms...

Your iPad must have an IP Address that is unique on your network - and this address allows your device to communicate on your network and with the broader internet. Your iPad can use both IPv4 and IPv6 Addresses - and will automatically use the appropriate addresses.

IPv4 is the old addressing scheme. These are 32-bit addresses - and are very limited in quantity, in fact, so much so that the Internet Registries that issue blocks of addresses to commercial operators have run out!

This is issue was anticipated some years ago - and IPv6 128-bit addressing was ratified as the new IP standard for the Internet. We are currently going through a transition period when both addressing standards are in use.

IPv6 addresses are derived in a different way to IPv4 - and depending upon a number if factors (including your ISP and your home router configuration) it is not uncommon to see 2 or 4 IPv6 addresses for each device on your network - the reasons for which I’m not about to discuss in great depth here.

Suffice to say that, if you see multiple IPv6 addresses, you are likely to be using both Link Local and Global addresses - and your DHCPv6 DHCP server (on your WiFi Router) is operating in Stateless mode.

IPv4 is still widely used - in particular for domestic and small business networks. The broader internet is migrating to IPv6. IPv6 will, eventually, replace IPv4. In my (or your) lifetime?

If you want to know more, I suggest some strong coffee and some research into IPv4 and IPv6 standards; Wikipedia is a good place to start, but you’ll find some good guides if you go looking.

I hope this helps to answer some of your questions.