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Level 1

60 points

iOS 4.3 cannot connect to 802.11n at 5.0 GHz

I just updated to iOS 4.3 (from 4.2.1) on my first generation iPad. I have a Time Capsule running a 2.4 GHz network and a Linksys E2000 setup as a network bridge (DHCP and NAT disabled) running a 5.0 GHz network. I live near a college and need the 5.0 GHz network because there are at least ten 2.4-based networks in the area.

Before the update to iOS 4.3 my iPad was able to connect and use the 5.0 GHz network without issue. Immediately after the update it reports it cannot connect to the network. My wife's iPad, still running 4.2.1, can connect to the 5.0 GHz network without issue. I have removed the WPA2 key and ran the network unsecure for a couple of minutes but that didn't resolve the issue. When I re-enabled WPA2 I also changed the Linksys to use 2.4 GHz instead of 5.0 GHz; the iPad connected immediately. When I changed it back to 5.0 GHz the iPad immediately would no longer connect.

I am quite familiar with networks and, despite having two routers on the same network, they are configured properly and this setup has worked for months. Indeed, it still does work with my iMac and wife's iPad (running 4.2.1).

Is anyone else having difficulty using the 5.0 GHz spectrum after this OS update?

Thanks!

iMac (Late 2009), Core i5 2.66 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.6), 16 GB iPhone 4, 16 GB iPad (1st Gen.), Apple TV (1st Gen.)

Posted on Mar 9, 2011 11:41 AM

56 replies

tgibbs

Level 1

70 points

Mar 13, 2011 6:05 AM in response to JKtheMac

JKtheMac wrote:
And surprise surprise, now my network connection intermittently drops out, just as it did before I gave up on WMM with 4.2. I am not convinced that Apple's WMM implementation is very stable. Certainly this makes it difficult to stream video, which is after all what it is supposed to make possible.

It's more likely the problem is with your router. I'm seeing no stability issues with my D-Link

tempbond

Level 1

18 points

Mar 13, 2011 7:23 AM in response to tgibbs

WMM WORKED !

I went into advanced wireless config on my D-link DIR-655 and WMM wasn't enabled, so I enabled it.
After that, my iPhone 4 couldn't even find my home network

I had to go in other network and enter the name, security protocol and password and miracle, it works

Thank you Apple for making this SO easy ...

What about the people who aren't even a little computer savvy, what are THEY going to do ?

Mar 13, 2011 7:35 AM in response to Dave Z

Changing your WMM setting and connecting to your router is not the complete solution. My WMM setting was already enabled and I was able to connect to my Wi-Fi all the time. The problem after updating to 4.3 version was that some of my APPs didn't work correctly. Apps like HeyTell will not work unless I turn off my Wi-Fi and use the 3G network. Apple still doesn't have this working correctly so PLEASE stop posting that you have it solved because you are now connecting to your routers. You are allowing Apple to post a SOLVED star to these posts.

tgibbs

Level 1

70 points

Mar 13, 2011 11:54 AM in response to bobtat0497

bobtat0497 wrote:
Changing your WMM setting and connecting to your router is not the complete solution. My WMM setting was already enabled and I was able to connect to my Wi-Fi all the time. The problem after updating to 4.3 version was that some of my APPs didn't work correctly. Apps like HeyTell will not work unless I turn off my Wi-Fi and use the 3G network. Apple still doesn't have this working correctly so PLEASE stop posting that you have it solved because you are now connecting to your routers. You are allowing Apple to post a SOLVED star to these posts.

Sounds more like an app problem than an Apple problem. It is not uncommon for OS updates to unmask bugs, particularly in 3rd party apps.

Mar 13, 2011 10:30 PM in response to bobtat0497

bobtat0497 wrote:
Changing your WMM setting and connecting to your router is not the complete solution. My WMM setting was already enabled and I was able to connect to my Wi-Fi all the time. The problem after updating to 4.3 version was that some of my APPs didn't work correctly. Apps like HeyTell will not work unless I turn off my Wi-Fi and use the 3G network. Apple still doesn't have this working correctly so PLEASE stop posting that you have it solved because you are now connecting to your routers. You are allowing Apple to post a SOLVED star to these posts.

Why don't you TRY TO READ the problems and solutions b4 you post

These threads were for ppl who's Idevices just refused to even connect to a N network (with an "unable to connect" error).. These threads had nothing to do with app compatibility/issues with 4.3.

It IS the solution to get most peoples devices connect at N rates. However, apple still has issues with Wwm on many routers which is why many people disabled it ages ago. I NEVER said this solved all 4.3 issues. Just that it would help most ppl get connect to their router using 802.11n vs just "unable to connect"

Since, YOU already could connect to N and have app and other issues, that's a completely new topic/thread, and NOT something I claim to have a solution for.

So yes, the star (question answered) is correct as it's gotten most ppl connected to N that could not after 4.3 update. Future issues after that are a whole other issues. And I agree with u there, apple really needs to get their wireless idevices in order

So make a thread with ur problems, and I'm sure me and others will try too see if this is a router issues, or more likely, Apple's poor use with WMM and other flaws in 4.3

Remember the iPad and ATV2 only have 1 radio, and can not channel bond, and only support N with a 20mhz channel width. If ur N is forced set to 40 or auto 40/20, iPads and atv2s may have issues. I found forcing my N bands to 20mhz greatly improved their performance.

Message was edited by: TallBearNC

kjk

Level 4

1,317 points

Mar 14, 2011 8:13 AM in response to bobtat0497

bobtat0497 wrote:
Apple still doesn't have this working correctly so PLEASE stop posting that you have it solved because you are now connecting to your routers. You are allowing Apple to post a SOLVED star to these posts.

You seem to have a misconception about how these forums work. Apple isn't being "allowed" to post a SOLVED star to these posts.

The person who posted the problem in the first place is the one who decides if the post was SOLVED. If someone responded with an answer that addressed their concern, the original poster marks it SOLVED.

These are user to user forums. If you have issues with Apple, please direct them directly to Apple, using their feedback form, or visit one of their stores.

Message was edited by: kjk

Dave Z Author

Level 1

60 points

Mar 15, 2011 9:38 AM in response to bobtat0497

As the original poster of this thread I marked it Solved because TallBearNC's post resolved the issue as originally described. That issue was that iOS 4.3 devices could not connect (at all) to 802.11n wireless access points using the 5.0 GHz spectrum. Enabling WMM resolved that issue and, actually, TallBearNC explained to everyone why--that WMM is required to be compliant with the 802.11n specification.

If you continue to have issues after enabling WMM, then that is a different issue and belongs in a new thread. Perhaps one entitled, "iOS 4.3 connections inconsistent after enabling WMM on 802.11n networks." Otherwise, as far as I'm concerned, my issue as originally posted, is solved and I am happy with it. I recognize that not everyone is getting the perfect wireless connection they want, but that isn't what this particular thread is discussing; those users are welcome to post a new thread and the user-based community here will work together to find a resolution.

Mar 23, 2011 1:49 PM in response to Dave Z

My ATV prompted me to update it an hr ago, I did, and when it came back up, 4.3 was gone and 4.2.1 was there.. I plugged it into itunes and it said it was up to date... I called apple support and they verified that JUST the ATV2 has been rolled back due to Wireless N and other wireless compatability issues.

Again, this doesn't apply to other idevices. Just the ATV2. All other devices, support said, have to wait for 4.3.1

Apr 13, 2011 12:40 PM in response to IMilos

This worked well for me

JJT2122

Level 1

23 points

Apr 13, 2011 12:49 PM in response to Dave Z

Mine works just fine I have a net gear router 3700 model and I have both 2.4 and 5.0 ghz running and I have my iPad on the 5ghz band and everything else on the 2.4 band

gschlact

Level 1

5 points

Oct 7, 2011 9:33 AM in response to Dave Z

Of course I found this thread AFTER I found the solution after 3 hours of thread reading and hunting/googling.

I am simply responding to enter some keywords for google to find if others like me have the problem.

Problem:

Wireless 802.11n or specifically N Only mode (key here is N only, otherwise device can connect in alternative mode either 2.4ghz or 5ghz - ipad / ipod / appletv / apple tv 2 - Unable to Connect to Network" ssid

APPLE Solution Link: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3727

In a nutshell, on router, must turn ON or ENABLE WMM to allow the apple devices to use the wireless N protocol and connect to the router.

Devices / firmware -

DD-WRT, Tomato, Cisco, Linksys e3000, 610 , Belkin

I hope some of this help others find the solution to this in this thread (i realize it is posted already, but I couldn't find it via google and the key words i was using).

Other items -

I had tried all the other solutions of WEP / WPA / WPA2 / AES / TKIP etc (TKIP doesn't work with N mode, only with Mixed at which point it won't choose N mode). Enableing WMM fixed it for me once I did the next step.

TIP -

always remember to FORGET the network AND then Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset Network settings in the Apple devices after you make the change to your router / network wireless device.

Good luck,

Guy

gschlact

iOS 4.3 cannot connect to 802.11n at 5.0 GHz