Q: Intermittent Wifi issues with iPad 2 and WiFi

I have the same problem

WOW    very dissapointed.

I began having this issue about 4 weeks ago.  I scoured the net trying to find solutions and ended up here.  After trying all of the proposed solutions I continued to have intermittent wifi issues.  Yesterday I made an appointment at the "Genius" Bar and today I had went there during my lunch hour.  The "Genuis" told me several things

1.  I was running too many applications, I should only be running one or two simultaneously

2.  If I want to multitask I should make sure only one app is using the internet at a time (kill others)

3.  Resetting my network settings should fix the problem (I've done this many times)

One final thing she said is that if I continue to have problems that I can return the unit for a replacement.

Ok, so, not very helpful.  What now?  To me, the odd thing is that is hasn't been doing this since day 1 which made me think it is a hardware issue but everything else seems fine with the unit.  I've tried...

1.  Turning off auto brightness and setting that manually

2.  Changing wifi security settings on my router

3.  Tried other wifi networks

The only thing that ever fixes it is either turning on/off airplane mode or turning off/on wifi.  Which I realize is just resetting the radios.  Going to "N" only is not really an option as I have several "G" devices still in my household.  I'm using a Time Warner UBEE router for my wifi.

Another other suggestions or should I just try a new unit?  I'm hesitant to do so as it sounds that others haven't had luck with swapping theirs out.

I went through the same scenario, including swapping my iPad for a new one, without success.  I then tried other routers. I solved the problem completely (no drops in four months) by using a Netgear WNDR3700 router.  It appears that the iPad has problems "hand shaking" with some router models when security modes are used.  To test if this is your problem, try temporarily turning security off completely on your router.  If this makes your connection stable, you probably have the "hand shaking" problem.

Some people believe that since changing the router brand or model solves the problem, then the fault must lie in the router.  I don't agree.  My experience, and that of many others, is that all other devices play nicely with the original router and only the iPad has problems. 

The other common problem is that the iPad seems very sensitive to outside signals on the same WiFi channel.  Changing channels may also help in some cases.

NCSchoon wrote:

 

I began having this issue about 4 weeks ago.  I scoured the net trying to find solutions and ended up here.  After trying all of the proposed solutions I continued to have intermittent wifi issues.  Yesterday I made an appointment at the "Genius" Bar and today I had went there during my lunch hour.  The "Genuis" told me several things

 

1.  I was running too many applications, I should only be running one or two simultaneously

2.  If I want to multitask I should make sure only one app is using the internet at a time (kill others)

3.  Resetting my network settings should fix the problem (I've done this many times)

 

One final thing she said is that if I continue to have problems that I can return the unit for a replacement.

 

Ok, so, not very helpful.  What now?  To me, the odd thing is that is hasn't been doing this since day 1 which made me think it is a hardware issue but everything else seems fine with the unit.  I've tried...

 

1.  Turning off auto brightness and setting that manually

2.  Changing wifi security settings on my router

3.  Tried other wifi networks

 

The only thing that ever fixes it is either turning on/off airplane mode or turning off/on wifi.  Which I realize is just resetting the radios.  Going to "N" only is not really an option as I have several "G" devices still in my household.  I'm using a Time Warner UBEE router for my wifi.

 

Another other suggestions or should I just try a new unit?  I'm hesitant to do so as it sounds that others haven't had luck with swapping theirs out.

Funny you say that. My router is a WNDR3700 and I've had the wifi problem for months. I took mine up to see a Genius and, after arguing for a bit, he replaced it with other iPad. When I got the new iPad home it had the same disconnection problem. Just to be certain, I hooked up a different router, a Linksys (the model number escapes me right now). I have the same problem with the Linksys router that I have with the Netgear.

I've tried different channels, settings, factory resets, firmware upgrades, and everything I can think of on both routers. I refuse to run security under WPA2 on my home network, so that's not an option. This weekend I'm going to test dropping the Netgear's security down to WPA or WEP in isolation mode just to see how the iPads react.

Both my iPad 2 and my wife's have had this problem ever since we updated to iOS 4.3.3. It's frustrating because it's rendered my $700 purchase almost useless.

When you say that (that you've tried 2 different routers) it makes me think it has to be a problem with the Ipad itself, right?  Anyway, I'm now upgrading to 4.3.5 , coincidentally when I got home today there is a new one available.  Maybe before the 4.3.3 it wasn't having problems and the 4.3.3 introduced them?  I'll let you know when the update is complete and I monkey around with it for a bit.

Here's some additional info on my stable system with the WNDR3700 router:

1) my router is version 2 ( "v2" after the model designation on the name tag.  I don't know if it makes a difference to your problem)

2) router firmware is the latest

3) I am running WPA2-PSK (AES) security mode with a six character password (someone mentioned that long passwords can cause problems)

4) I am running 2.4 GHZ mode  (5 GHZ band is off)

5) wireless mode is "up to 130 mbps"

jason105 wrote:

 

Funny you say that. My router is a WNDR3700 and I've had the wifi problem for months. I took mine up to see a Genius and, after arguing for a bit, he replaced it with other iPad. When I got the new iPad home it had the same disconnection problem. Just to be certain, I hooked up a different router, a Linksys (the model number escapes me right now). I have the same problem with the Linksys router that I have with the Netgear.

 

I've tried different channels, settings, factory resets, firmware upgrades, and everything I can think of on both routers. I refuse to run security under WPA2 on my home network, so that's not an option. This weekend I'm going to test dropping the Netgear's security down to WPA or WEP in isolation mode just to see how the iPads react.

 

Both my iPad 2 and my wife's have had this problem ever since we updated to iOS 4.3.3. It's frustrating because it's rendered my $700 purchase almost useless.

I read  this thread (with horror) before purchasing my iPad, but decided to give it a go.

Fortunately, all is well for me (and all 10 out of the 10 other people I know who have iPads) . So this ISN'T a norm.

Anyway, since I HAVEN"T had any problems thus far, so I'll offer my specs: My router is a pretty common Linksys (WRT54GL), an older model (v1.1 FW: v4.30.7), security is set to WPA (not WPA2). I have an 8 digit password (no oddball characters).

Watching this thread move on to page 72  it appears that trying to find an answer in this thread or just venting isn't very effective. and in the end is just a huge waste of time. It's most likely the problem is related to a complex mixture of variables, or a solution would be apparent by page 13.

Nonetheless this is surely important enough that anyone having this issue really should CONTACT APPLE DIRECTLY Try phone support before their warranty is up (or even after) and if initial operator can't help, make sure they boot you up to a senior tech before giving up. 

ALSO don't forget to contact Apple Feedback:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Just my humble opinion.

I have a linksys WRT 54GC with WPA2   I have no problem at all.

Before I had a modem/router HUB gave to me by my ISP and I had all that problems.

What I did was to turn off the wifi of that router and connect linksys via ethernet and make linksys transmite WIFI and the problems were gone

MacOsxPT wrote:

 

I have a linksys WRT 54GC with WPA2   I have no problem at all.

 

Before I had a modem/router HUB gave to me by my ISP and I had all that problems.

 

What I did was to turn off the wifi of that router and connect linksys via ethernet and make linksys transmite WIFI and the problems were gone

Ditto: My ISPs modem (TimeWarner) goes to Linksys wireless router via Enet also And, like you, no probs with iPad.

My sense is this is preferred in many cases...  I have both Macs and PCs, and the folks at support for my PC laptop (a Lenovo) seemed almost surprised I had no connection problems - my sense was that many others with same model were.

I'm glad to here that you're using WPA2 - others on this thread suggested that was troublesome.

Yeehaaa, FIXED it!  Thank Gof, because I was about to return my iPad 2.  Simply went into Airport Utility on m iMac, created a separate network and setup a 5ghz N network.  Joined this network and no WiFi interruptions!  Hope this helps anyone.

I am having the same problem. My wifi drops even though it shows I have a strong signal. At first I thought it was because of the case I put on it. But I'm reading about tons of other people having the same issue. Anyway the only fix I've found so far is to go into turn on airplane mode for a second or two then turn it off and let the wifi reconnect. It works fine after that but then it goes off again in 15-20 mins. Kind of annoying, apple needs to issue a fix for this

I just think some statement from Apple would go a long way to at least recognizing the problem and they are working on a fix.   Or could it be that there is a hardware problem and as such it isn't fixable so they just ignore it rather than have everyone return their iPads for a refund?   A very slipery slope for Apple to be willing to release substandard items where they have been so robust in the past and hence why people were willing to pay extra for them - because they WORKED!   If they think brand name is enough to warrant expensive tags on sub-standard equipment then I think they need to get Steve Jobs back into the office and reasses their stance.   I for one pay top money for workign equipment with the least problems, and if Apple no longer want to deliver this then I will seek that elsewhere....and at this moment will end up saving money in doing so.

Very dissappointed.

Bought an iPad2 8 days ago whilst in the USA, worked fine here in the UK for about 4 days then Wifi strated getting dropouts...  I tried almost everything people here have suggested...Auto Brightness, Static IP, Resets  etc..

I have 2 Wireless AP's and every other device in the house can connect everywhere fine...  this includes my Wifes' iPhone 3GS, My HTC desire, 2 Dell Laptops, a Nintendo Wii and a HP laptop...

Aftre reading all this nonsense about routers, fireware etc I went out and bought a brand new Netgear WNDR3400.. I have set this up in all manner of configurations and all my devices are fine with it...except the iPad2  !!

Signal is fine provided I am within about 5 ft of the router and in the same room...Eveb then I only get 3 bars max when right up close... Once I get around 10-12 feet away the signal drops...just like it did with the Access Points and Routers I replaced. Meanwhile everything else around the house is carrying on connecting fine.

I think we can safely rule out it is a router/network problem..The iPad2's wireless seems weak or flaky either by Hardware Fault or Software/driver issue.

I logged a call with Apple who called me back...and, surprise surprise, he guy claimed no knowledge of any wireless issues with iPad 2's... When I ran through everything the guy admitted it sounded like it was faulty. He confirmed my Wireless network setup was correct and as recomended by Apple.. (WPA2- AES  etc)

This was my first ever Apple device and I'm so dissapointed. I now have a booked appointment at the Genius Bar on thursday at my local Apple store... Lets see what happens...

Andy,

When you take your iPad2 to the genius bar, it will likely work flawlessly due to the fact that their AP is probably just above you and it's an open AP. The Genius will likely say that they have never heard of this issue and you should open your browser to this page and show them the 72 pages of people experiencing issues...