Connected to Wifi but no internet on iPad 10th generation

WiFi/Internet connection difficulties are often 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 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.

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

Perhaps something is being selectively filtered or blocked by your DNS provider.

1) Are you using Apple's Private Relay service? If enabled, try turning this feature OFF.

Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > iCloud > Private Relay > Private Relay - set to OFF

2) Your iPad's DNS settings may be configured as Automatic. If so, your iPad may be resolving DNS queries from a source that may not be immediately obvious.

Try changing your local DNS Settings from Automatic to Manual - and replace the automatically selected DNS servers with those of Quad9 - this being a recommended security-focussed DNS provider:

Settings > WiFi > [Your WiFi SSID] - tap the “i” icon - then Configure DNS > Manual - replace the listed DNS servers (if any) with the following IPv4 and IPv6 DNS server addresses.

9.9.9.9

149.112.112.112

2620:fe::9

2620:fe::fe

Enter all four addresses exactly as listed, one per line. Note that DNS settings are independently set for each WiFi network.

The aim of this exercise is to eliminate the network and/or DNS as a potential cause of the problem - determination of root cause, if necessary, may be made later.

So, this may sound oversimplified, but sometimes the simplest solutions are the correct ones. So don't get upset with me, but:

1. did you pay your internet bill? swear to god its happened to me before because I forgot
2. is your ISP experiencing any outages? The recent string of storms had me down for 3 days AFTER the storms were gone here in Texas, and when internet is down, you devices will still "connect" to the network you have set up, though they will not have internet connection - it will still show you as connected.

I forgot to add, that iPhones and I know my MacBook, and iPads, some are equipped with cellular data as well, and can appear to be working on wifi, but have cellular assist turned on, so that you wouldn't really notice a break in the connection on them.

Again, im sorry if this is oversimplifying things, Just weighing in on some easy to overlook possibilities.

You're very welcome.

I'm delighted that knowledge and systematic troubleshooting both identified the cause - and resolved the issue. 🙂