iPad Air connects to Wi-Fi but shows "No Internet Connection" only on 4 specific wifi networks, which my other apple devices connect to.

iPad Air connects to wifi, but has "No Internet Connection" pop up.


I have an iPhone and Macbook which both connect to my school's wifi network. I can connect to the wifi networks at my school, but I am met 10 seconds later with orange text that states that I have no internet connection. The network works perfectly fine, as I use it on my Mac and phone every day.There are no special settings that should prevent my iPad from connecting. This issue has started since January 2026, when I first tried to connect my iPad to the school wifi, just weeks after setting the iPad up for the first time. I have tried restarting, forgetting the wifi network, and every solution I have found online other completely wiping the iPad.

iPad Air, iPadOS 26

Posted on Feb 3, 2026 5:58 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 4, 2026 3:37 PM

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 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


A further potential problem may be Apple Private Relay - a privacy service available to those that subscribe to iCloud+ services. Private Relay can, on occasion, cause issues with network connections. If applicable, try disabling this feature:

Settings > [Your Name / Apple Account] > iCloud > [iCloud+ Features] Private Relay > Private Relay - set to OFF


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2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 4, 2026 3:37 PM in response to Matthew_24

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 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


A further potential problem may be Apple Private Relay - a privacy service available to those that subscribe to iCloud+ services. Private Relay can, on occasion, cause issues with network connections. If applicable, try disabling this feature:

Settings > [Your Name / Apple Account] > iCloud > [iCloud+ Features] Private Relay > Private Relay - set to OFF


Feb 10, 2026 1:25 PM in response to LotusPilot

The network initially says "Privacy Warning" prior to the No Internet Connection orange text appearing. I have uninstalled my VPN, Deleted all VPN profiles, turned off private address, don't use private relay, and entirely reset the device, all to no avail. I do not have the IP adress beginning with 169.254. either. This issue happens specifically with this network at my school, which connects to all of the rest of my devices, as well as the devices of my peers, including devices with the same model as mine.


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iPad Air connects to Wi-Fi but shows "No Internet Connection" only on 4 specific wifi networks, which my other apple devices connect to.

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