Q: Intermittent Wifi issues with iPad 2 and WiFi

As an update.  I took my iPad 2 in to the Apple Store and for a while I was getting the run around but then, luckily, it lost sight of the Apple Store wifi network.  They didn't have a new unit in stock so they have ordered me one which should be here the middle of next week.  I'll let you know if the new unit is any better.

BTW, I'm not buying any configuration changes on the router.  That's unacceptable as when I'm moving about away from home I don't have that sort of access so *we* have to expect Apple to get this fixed.

Hope this helps someone - I've tried lots of things and the fix for me was locking my router to a single channel (9 in my case, though I doubt it matters.) By default, routers will change to the channel with least interferance with other nearby routers - I guess the iPad2 (and probably iPad1) switch off WiFi after a few seconds of inactivity to save power, and probably miss the channel changes. When they try to communicate after waking up again, they're on the wrong channel.

So, try this if you're still having problems. I've gone from dropping connections every few minutes to zero dropped connections in 2 days!

I tried several things including static ip and 2 diff routers. What finally worked for me was setting the router to G only. I am using a static ip for this network. Only because I tried that previously and this setup is working. Nearly 24 hours and hasn't dropped once.

I already had the wireless channel locked to 11 although I don't know if that's relevant with 802.11G.

This leads me to believe it is a driver/software issue that they can fix. I updated this ipad2 as soon as I got it so I don't know if it had the problem with 4.2.1 which was loaded when I got it.

This whole situation obviously presents a problem as you move around but at least it's stable at home now.

Hope this helps someone.

TroyG70, you may be right about the G-only part.

We connected the iPad at my father-in-laws house without any problems.  They had an AT&T U-Verse supplied WIFI router that had G as the fastest speed. 

A speedtest app showed the slower rate as expected compared to the N setup we have at home.

This ties in with others here who suspect the flaw is that a portion of the iPad's hardware is a bit outdated.

This is still not acceptable, of course, to regress to a slower pipeline for the sake of newer member of the family to connect reliably. 

The fact that all of my problems were solved by buying a new router (Airport Extreme in my case, although i reccomend the D-Link DIR-655 if you are on a budget), pretty much proves that this is most likely a hardware-level issue that would require Apple to re-work their firmware for the network stack.

Not impossible, but don't hold your breath.  For the less patient, a new router, or simply waiting for the iPad 3 are realistically your only options.

Sorry guys, i hate it too, so don't kill the messenger.  I'm just trying to save you some frustration.  I know this is not how it should be, but it is.

Go get a new router.

Add another. iPad 2 32gb wifi. Bought on launch day. Rubbish wifi stability. virginmedia super hub 802.11n. Tried all channels, tried 802.11g, Tried using new airport express for wifi. All same issue - poor network signal where a 3 x 5 year old windows laptops, iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, iPod touch 4g, 802.11n desktop all connect with no issues.

Use wpa2-aes if that matters. Come on Apple. Sort it now

As a follow up, I went and replaced my DLink DI-624 G Router (was at least 4 or 5 years old) with a DLink DIR-615 N Router ($39.99 at Office Depot) and the IPad 2 now maintains WIFI connection flawlessly. 

People on this thread may also find more relevant information on these other threads related to the same issue:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2388324?start=60&tstart=0

https://discussions.apple.com/message/13360943#13360943

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2471972?start=30&tstart=0

There are now also a heap of threads on other forums about the same issue that may also offer some useful tips.

(Wifi only 64GB running iOS 4.3.2)  To further pile on this issue:  I am presently sitting at my desk in my home office with my iPad2 to my left and my iPhone4 to my right.  As such they are both about 2 feet equidistant from my Airport Extreme The iPhone4 sees the three networks in the house and even a neighbor's SSID. The iPad2 on the other hand only sees the office network and not always at full strength.  My wife's iPad2 does NOT exhbit these issues (32GB wifi/3G Verizon)

The other network in the house is off a Linksys WRT54G.  When we initially got the iPads the signal connection was robust and strong, but now my iPad2 struggles to keep connected.  I even changed the broadcast channel of the Linksys to no avail.

Today at a breakfast meeting my iPhone and my Blackberry had no touble seeing the estblishment's free wifi service, but the iPad never connected.  Later at my office my iPhone4 easily saw a slew of wifi networks while the iPad never saw a single one.

A network reset does not seem to help.  I am SORELY tempted to do a serious full back to defaults reset via iTunes, or is that too precarious a proposition?

This sounds to me like a bum unit......?

I got the device yesterday.

I would like to sharemy experience getting WiFi  iPad 2 workingwith SISCO  Linksys WRT54GS :

• Upgrade the firmware http://homesupport.cisco.com/en-us/wireless/lbc/WRT54GS/download
• After the upgrade is completed push the resetbutton on the back of the router holding it for 30 seconds
• Log in to http://192.168.1.1 do not enter user name, for passcodeenter admin
• Set Wireless Network Mode: G-only
• WirelessChannel: 11 – 2.462GHz
• Ihave the security disabled for now.
• Hereis PDF for more details: http://homedownloads.cisco.com/downloads/others/upgrade_instructions_routers,0.p df

Good Luck!

So I purchased my iPad 2 32GB Wifi Only model on launch day and slightly noticed the WiFi would drop, but the problem went away within a day or so.  Now, over a month later and after upgrading to iOS 4.3.2 a week ago, I can't even see any WiFi netoworks at my home. What is odd is the fact that my iPad 2 worked fine for a week after upgradig to iOS 4.3.2.  WiFi had no problems.  Now a week later......nothing.  My iPhone 4 which I just upgraded to iOS 4.3.2 last night works fine after upgrading last night.  Brought my iPad into work this morning and it sees our wireless N network occassionally.  Network detection is hit or miss.  I try and connect to the network and it just says unable to join.  Again, my iPhone 4 works just fine.  Both locations are broadcasting b/g/n to my knowledge and both are dual band routers.  I am starting to think this is a hardware issue, because my iPad 2 worked fine for a week with iOS 4.3.2.

Thank you so far it's been 3 hrs and no lost signal. I went to my router settings and under wireless, basic, auto channel: this box was checked I unchecked it, the router reset it self and so far this is the longest it's been connecting with no lost signal! My router is a trend net TEW-651BR verson above 1.1 if that helps anyone but thank you! I'm so much happier now! As long as this stays the same!                           

Sincerely,

                Koolaid

Same issue here. New iPad 2 at launch. No issues for a while but the last few weeks it's been dropping wifi sporadically.  Both at home and at work. No issues with my iPhone on the same networks.

smakus - thanks for the research and recommendation on the router. I took your advice and replaced my SMC Networks Barricade SMCWBR14S-N4 (provided by Comcast) with the D-Link DIR-655 you suggested and that solved my issue with the dropped wifi connection with the iPad 2. I'm sure many other routers would have cured the problem as well -- thus far I have only experienced the issue with that SMC router and not on any other public or private networks.

It is annoying that some routers work fine with the iPad and others seem to have problems maintaining a reliable connection. I'm convinced there is some deficiency with the iPad wifi hardware/software (at least relative to other devices that are able to access these "problemmatic routers" without an issue), but there is also obviously some variability in routers that contributes to the issue. I'm amazed that a 3rd party has not published any research on this topic given the seemingly large number of people with the same issue and ease with which it can be reproduced (I've had two iPad units both with the exact same issue), especially given that any potential crack in the Apple armour seems to be seized upon by the media and tech sites with a passion.

Ultimately, after wasting a ton of time on this, I decided spending $65 for a new router was better than spending many more days/hours of my time searching for some mythical router setting that would get the iPad to work with my existing router.

have you upgraded to iOS 4.3.2 or 4.3.1?  I went from 4.3 to 4.3.2.  I have used my iPad in coffee shops too and have had no problems until a week ago.  It literally will not recognize any signal now.  I will be taking it into an Apply Store.  I purchased it at Best Buy, and seeing I am a former employee from there, I know they can't do anything under manufacturer warranty.