Q: Intermittent Wifi issues with iPad 2 and WiFi

Same issue in Spain with a 16 Gb WiFi iPad2. Low signal and connectivity issues. Even networks that show signals higher than an 80% in other devices vanish.

Anyway, which is the best way to make Apple know about our problem?

javierfrommadrid wrote:

 

Same issue in Spain with a 16 Gb WiFi iPad2. Low signal and connectivity issues. Even networks that show signals higher than an 80% in other devices vanish.

 

Anyway, which is the best way to make Apple know about our problem?

Ask for a refund. They already are well aware of the problem and I believe that only asking for a refund will get any priority on this issue.

And, where should I ask for a refund? In the store where I bought it or maybe exists an electronic way?

javierfrommadrid wrote:

 

And, where should I ask for a refund? In the store where I bought it or maybe exists an electronic way?

I rang Apple and got a service number. I then rang the store where I bought it Dick Smiths in Auckland and they rang Apple and quoted them the service number. They then called me back and asked me to return the iPAD '1' and gave me the refund. I had to be a little insistent but in the end I was really impressed with the service I got and the refund! If you read back through this thread you will see several of us have got refunds due to this issue. At no stage did Apple deny the problem existed. I ended up having a chat with one of the senior engineers who appeared to be very familiar with the issue. (Many years ago I was a certified WiFi engineer). He confirmed I wasn't telling him anything he didn't know.

Message was edited by: FastBikeGear

no, this didn't work for me.

Like Theo Gluck my iPad2 USED to see wifi just fine.  Suddenly it just stopped recognizing  any wifi signal - but will recognised 3G signal.

This seems to be a common issue with iPhones 3 or 4, iPad, iPad2 and otherdevices when it comes to WiFi. Someone mentioned IOS 4.3.3 being worse or broken again, but from my experiences, the IOS version does not seem to makeany difference with WiFi.

I think Apple's solution is to refund your money if you are not happy withthe device because of issues is a nice jesture, but a poor way to deal with some sort of design issue in the devices. With the iPhone 4 being given a free case to mask the real problem is a joke.

The WiFi issue all seems to come down "power save mode" and thedevices ability to reconnect after entering into that state. Unless the WiFi router supports this capability, and most don't, then the issue is wide spread.

Reception issues are connected to multiple causes, device design, router signal reach, the environment, and so forth. I've seen reception differences with various laptops as well in the same location which leans toward design ofthe hardware. Reception issues are difficult to isolate without a lot of troubleshooting.

At least for the WiFi aspect, there needs to be an option to turn on or off the power save mode ability and I think that can solve a number of WiFi issues users are running into. Power save mode is not an issue with continuous use ofthe device WiFi, it's only after a period of inactivity that the issue starts to cause problems.

This feature is designed to minimise battery drain, but if most routers and those used in hotspots don't support power save mode for devices, then the battle is lost trying to solve it. Until Apple gives you the ability to turn this power save mode feature on or off for WiFi, nothing will change.

At least for home WiFi, the Cisco WRVS4400N Router does support power save mode devices and I'm at least OK at home. Note that this option in the WRVS4400N is not enabled by default.

Just to update this thread:  the new replacement iPad2 is still working just fine.  I have been to 5 different business locations (all video production/film studios) in and around Hollywood, CA and the device has been flawless.  It sees the wifi networks just fine even when it wakes up and recognizes previous/"known" networks.  In one instance I needed to install a security certificate from IT (for my Disney Studio lot office) for the secure LAN and that too went smoothly.  Obviously I have had no way to do any tweaks to any of those network settings.

NOW...I have yet to whip it out at a Starbucks or other more public setting so I am not sure if this is just some extreme happy coincidence in dealing with facilities and networks that might have a different router settings than the average Joe Public Access Point (although as I type this that theory does seem a tad far fetched).

I read in a previous posting that one person pointed to the magnetic hinge as being the likely culprit but I routinely work with mine wrapped around the back of the unit with no problems detected.

Again - I wish I could impart some magic bullet nugget of ah HA! information that would help my fellow frustrated users resolve their issues, but everything just points to my having a defective unit before this replacement. Not sure if this means there was a significant manufacturing flaw on the production line during a given span of time, or a huge number of defective chipsets.  Hopefully Apple is taking note of this since this particular thread has now had over 100,000 "reads" - so this sure as **** means something!

I have also resisted the urge to update to 4.3.3 as I am very reticent to fix anything that is most assuredly not broken....but my other concern is that IF Apple does release a fix  - or even a 4.4 with some significant improvements, will I be SOL because I did not go through all of the previous incremental iOS updates and leaped frog from over 4.3.3

Dilemas abound - and I sure hope I have not thumbed my nose at the gods so they now put a hex on my current iPad.

Theo

Theo, keep in mind that Enterprise class WiFi routers support "power save mode" as you would likely have around the production studios.

I suspect if left idle for a period at Starbucks, you will see the same WiFi issues again. They don't splurge for top end equipment for free WiFi hotspots in these places.

That's my experience anyways with our WiFi enabled Starbucks locations.

Time will tell ... I really doubt this will go away totally everywhere.

Also, no worries if you miss an update, you can skip 4.3.3 and still load 4.4 when it comes out, without intermediate releases being there. I think this only matters on major version releases that you must be at a specific release in order to upgrade.

I hope this helps some of the ipad2 users with their wifi connectivity issues. It seems as though the wifi can be lost through a number of ways. I lost mine when using the Airplane mode whilst flying and for two days have not been able to get wifi again.

I sucessfully reset the wifi as follws:

1. connect to your laptop and back up

2. remain connected to laptop and go into SETTINGS and then GENERAL

3. Scroll down to RESET

4. Then go to RESET WIRELESS SETTINGS, follow the process

It should reset automatically and if not reset manually.

Both my mobile wifi and home router wifi are now fully functional and have not dropped out for the day.

All the best

No solution I'm afraid but I just wanted to add to the count so this gets noticed because of this disastrous WiFi issue.

I'm already on my second ipad2 and this is soon to be returned because of this major fault. I've updated my firmware on my router; I've followed the apple recommended steps; I've reset the network settings several times; done a full restore to original settings.

I am not surprised that Apple have not acknowledged this widespread general defect and rather shrugged it off as an exception.

If one iPad does not work then it's a defect.

Anyway. I have iPhone, iPod, that do work with wifi so I'm stuck for a solution to this major ipad2 defect.

Just in case you are interested:

I have an iPhone 4 on iOS 4.3.3 that works fine on wifi as does my laptop, netbook, iPod touch, xbox, and ps3.

So my only solution is to return the ipad2 and get my money back.

Please ensure you send your feedback and comments direct to Apple as this forum is for users and is not monitored by Apple.

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

renefromgrays wrote:

 

Please ensure you send your feedback and comments direct to Apple as this forum is for users and is not monitored by Apple.

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

Great idea here's the feed back I left on the the linke renerfromgrays suggested.

Just hope you guys are keeping and eye on this thread. (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2780293?start=510&tstart=0)

Over 100,000 viewers and while many of them have received refunds on their iPads due to this known fault many others who see this thread will simply wait for the iPad 3 to address these issues.

I am curious to know how Apple are going to address this issue?

I got a refund for my unit due to the issue. But I am wondering if Apple are going to do a general recall to fix this now widely publicised problem?

See the following thread to meet your unhappy customers. I may buy another iPAD when this issue is resolved or I may just buy one of the new 10" Samsung Galaxy's when the waiting list gets shorter for them here.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2780293?start=510&tstart=0

New behavior to report;

I'd moved my wireless access point and got the iPad2 to drop the connection less often, but it still exhibited the long searching behavior in attempting to regain the wifi connection whenever it did drop the signal, which it would eventually do.

Lat night, in the same juxtaposition of ipad and router, but with ipad plugged into AC power and the battery showing 100% charge, when it dropped the signal, right away the networks available window would pop-up with my network shown as available, which I would touch-select and get right back online.

This may back up the poster who was suspecting a power-saver related issue???

e

I got my new ipad2 in April.  Since the beginning it would drop the wifi connection usually when i turned the screen off or while using it connected to the Internet.  Apple support would not acknowledge that there are any known issues with this and claimed that I was the "first one" that they had heard of with thiis problem.  They did give me a new one.  I took it home and had the same problem. I tried it on three different wireless networks with no success.  I would constantly have to turn the wifi off then on again to get the connection to reset.  I then called support again and they told me I was the "first one" again.  They had me send it in to get it serviced.  They sent it back to me with a document that said they could not verify the problem.  When I tried it out again on three different networks it I still had the same problem.  I promptly scheduled an appointment with Genius Bar and they spent an hour with it at the store and claimed they could not verify the problem.  I spent some time in their store connected to their network and could not duplicate the problem either.  I began to think it was possible a problem with my router settings.  I had my router set at WPA2 and changed it to WEP (less secure).  It seems to have fixed the problem....at least at home. 

Apple,  I do not have control over public wifi router settings.  How do you expect me to use it in public settings.  Kind of defeats the portability of the device doesn't it?  I would not have bought an iPad to just use it at home.  Please come up with a fix for this (other than an iPad3)  or I will not be coming back to Apple for other products.