Q: Intermittent Wifi issues with iPad 2 and WiFi

It's great that you have your router working. I hope it continues to work.

The thread that you pointed out made some rather bold global assertions about IEEE 802.11n not working which aren't true but if it gave you an idea that's great.

By the way, if you ever decide to give up on that "outdated" old router you have you can get a new IEEE 802.11b/g router for not much money. For example, a Netgear WGR614v10 802.11b/g router can be had for $35 if you look around. That router has a good reputation and works well with the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Macs without any tweaking.

Don't count on much router support here, this thread seems to have only router pseudo-experts.

Well, I have asked Mc Donald's and Starbuck to upgrade their routers firmware but guess what, they are still laughing...

Then I have tried with the Sheraton people. Same answer. I hope to have better fortune with the Waldorf...

To be honest, anyway, I must say that when they saw my MacBook Pro and other devices working flawlessly with their wifi network the cleaning guy told me: "it seems to be an iPad2 problem...".

I can survive with this problem, my disconnections last few seconds and, depending on the router, they range from rare to frequent. BUT in the same environment other iPod, iPhone, iPad1, Mac or PCs stay rock solid connected.

I own four different (and updated) routers and the difference consists only in the frequencies of the iPad2 disconnections, independently from the many attempts/upgrades that I have done.

MAYBE the iPad2 wifi is the only one that discloses routers' faults/inadequacies. GREAT, then I prefer to be the "vision impaired" one in the blind country than the eagle sighted one...

Hey Mario, loved your comments how any one on this site can say that the I pad problem is a router problem is talking codswallop(English term sorry) I had the same problem dropouts after about 10 mins normally, on a number of different routers. I even took my iPad to a friends house who also had an I pad 2 (he was having no problems with wi fi) guess what mine dropped out after 12 mins his was still running fine explain that please please. Apple if you read this forum then own up say you are working on the problem and we will all feel better. Just this silence is p?,.,ssing us all off like you won't admit to having a problem with this fantastic bit of hardware.

Dear all experts,

I have just bought a new ipad2. To be honestly, I have just transited from Andriod to Apple's ios. I am not very familiar with the interface with ipad2, but I think I can survive.....

When I just used the new ipad 2, I found there was a problem, which is exactly same with the one this forum is talking about. I thought it was my AP's problem initially, but seems it was the bug of the ipad2.....

Yesterday, I updated my ios to the latest version.... Everythings seemed ok in my office, however, when I used it at home. It was the worst..... I can join the SSID network, and the signal is ok(I just sit beside the AP), but can't connect to internet.

I have tried everythings I learn from artical from every forums suggested that change AP mix mode, reset the network in ipad2.....not work....

How can I do next? Wait for new ios released?

p.s. I bought the ipad is because i need it checking mail and contact with my clients when I am at home. No network, for me, ipad is no useful.....

Look forward experts help me..

With warm regards,

Roy

I am no experts, but i did used to have the same problem with my ipad2 16g what i noticed was my router address was the same as my dns address which was when i was having issues with my wifi connections, but now the my router add and my dns add are different after i changed it manually by typing  all the ip subnet router dns in the static bit in network settings where you have dhcp boot and then static and theni switch off the i pad and restarted it... And ever since mine worked fine.. Hope it helps you.. Thats if you understands what i am going on about.... Saves me returning my ipad to apple... Good luck

I have had the same issue since yesterday .Until finally the Wifi is completely grayed out .So all those who are facing a drop in signals get your IPad diagnosed before the Wifi stops working completely.Hopefully I am expecting a replacement soon

If your iPad doesn't work properly at all those locations then it may have a hardware problem. The only way this is going to be fixed is by contacting Apple directly.

Some WiFi problems can be traced to a router problem but, if your iPad has problems on many networks, then the conclusion should be that it has a problem.

However, to reach the conclusion that, since your iPad 2 has WiFi problems, that they all must be like that is strange.

I will contact them...

But let me tell you an interesting experience: a week ago I went to my cousin's for dinner. He has a newly bought iPad2. We started browsing the same sites and doing the same things. Guess what: his was still connected (and never dropped the connection) while mine started experiencing a few hiccups...

From what I can figure out, being not a technician, from reading here and elsewhere there are different batches of iPad2 out there, with different combinations of wifi chipsets/firmware/whoknowswhats and some of those are inconsistent with the most of "normal" wifi routers.

Apple must be aware of this but they wil never admit it until a customer asks for a replacement. Then, magically, they don't move any objection and replace it.

I would prefer a simple recall (from lot xxxzy to xxxzz, for example) but I understand that would mean to admit a flaw. And, as Apple did before, they admit a flaw only under enormous pressure. As I would do if i were in their shoes...

I like Apple products and I will survive the hassle of going to a shop for an exchange.

But still it's a pity...

All the iPads (1 and 2) and the iPhone 4 use the same WiFi chip the Broadcom BCM4329 (1HKUBC). See iPad 2 WiFi teardown. See here for a description of this chip and its functionality: Broadcom BCM4329

It's quite possible that some of these chips might pass initial tests but develop problems later in real use. Unfortunately, what you have read about different batches of iPads, etc. is just pure speculation. No one outside of Apple would have any information about this. The various theories (based on serial number) I have seen put forward lead nowhere. Certainly, Apple store personnel would know nothing about it.

I don't think that it's amazing that Apple will immediately replace a defective iPad when you bring it to their attention. That's just good customer service.

From the frequency of this problem (certainly a small fraction of one percent - remember there are over 30 million iPads out there) I don't see any recall happening.

It's always a hassle and a lousy experience when you get a bad example of a product of any sort (why me!) but the proper thing to do is what you are doing, i.e., get it replaced.

Dear All experts,

Thanks for prompt reply!!

My ipad 2 has installed the other paid sofwares which also use wifi to download files or connect to the other computers for information sharing.

I have just tried some configurations such as adjust the AP setting and ipad, but unworkable.....however, I found the softwares mentioned can be connected to the other computer, except the ipad built-in software......disappointed.....I dont' know why....

For the AP configuration: I am using DHCP to assign ip and configuration to other devices, but they did work in connection...

I am now doing a very stupid test...."restore to the factory default" by itune....

if still have same result, I think I might be the first case asking APPLE recall......

With warm regards,

Roy

Roy Ko wrote:

 

When I just used the new ipad 2, I found there was a problem, which is exactly same with the one this forum is talking about. I thought it was my AP's problem initially, but seems it was the bug of the ipad2.....

 

Yesterday, I updated my ios to the latest version.... Everythings seemed ok in my office, however, when I used it at home. It was the worst..... I can join the SSID network, and the signal is ok (I just sit beside the AP), but can't connect to internet.

Your problem is not the same as the theme of this thread. You don't have an intermitent problem; you just can't access the internet on your home network.

This sometimes happens because your router does not give your iPad a LAN IP address via DHCP.

To verify this go to Settings > Wifi > your network name and touch the ">" to the right to see the network details. If the IP address shown starts with 169 or is blank then your router didn't provide an IP address and you won't be able to access the Internet. The 169.254.x.y is a link-local address and is intended only for local communication. The x and y are random numbers. The iPad assigns this address when it receives no IP address from the DHCP server (which is probably your router). This allows communication on a local network with no DHCP server. This is sometimes referred to as an "ad-hoc" network.

Your other network devices may continue to function with their existing IP address even if the DHCP daemon in your router is no longer issuing address. The fact that other devices on the network continue to work should not lead to the conclusion that your network router is faultless.

Sometimes the fix can be as simple as restarting your router (remove power for 30 seconds and restart). This works because the DHCP daemon in your router will be restarted upon a router restart. Next, reset network settings on your iPad (Settings > General > Reset > Reset network settings) and then attempt to connect. In other cases it might be necessary to update the router's firmware with the latest from the manufacturer's support web pages.

If you need more help please give more details on your network, i.e., your router make, model and version, the wifi security being used (WEP, WPA, WPA2), etc. I would also suggest starting a new thread about your problem. Your problem is different, solvable and just gets lost in this thread.

Hello,

I have done many times by the way you just mentioned, but can't work. it is not my AP's problem, for I have done many configuration and reboot many times, and even upgrade the firmware. The problem is: all the other devices, my mobile phone, my notebook work very well, except the ipad2.

I have done "renew ip", "reset network" and "reset all data...."(I don't know if the translation is right or wrong...because i am using chinese version ipad2), but no use.. now, as i said, the latest step, restore to the factory default....

I tried to descript the whole story from the begining that I have the same internet connection problem with the thread is discussing, and then upgrade ios, and then result is disaster....and then I am asking for help. but I think the correct forum so important?

Regards,

Roy

Did you actually read my post? If so, please read it again.

You have answered none of the questions I asked or provided any new information.

Does your IP address start with 169?

Please give the details about your network, i.e., your router make, model and version, firmware level, the wifi security being used (WEP, WPA, WPA2), etc.

I would also suggest again to start a new thread about your problem. Your problem is different, possibly solvable and just gets lost in this thread.

By the way, when you reply to a post please click the "Reply" link on the post you wish to reply to. You are replying to the original post in this thread.

Hi,

Thanks for prompt reply for help!!!

follows are my ipad2 addr:

ip addr: 192.168.2.100

sub mask: 255.255.255.0

gateway: 192.168.2.1 (my AP's ip, which works as bridge mode)

dns: 168.95.1.1

ios version: 4.3.5(8L1)

model: MC981TA

AP:

Model: SMCWBR14S-N3

network mode: 11b/g mix mode

security mode: WPA-PSA

WPA Algorithms: TKIPAES

fireware version: v.1.3.0.1

I also used a paid software named FileBrowser, the magical thing is I can use it connecting to my PC, while the "app store", "skype", "safari", "bbc news" etc can't wok.

I am sorry for the different thread, for my quesions is started from "Intermittent wifi connection" and become the difficult one after update new ios. How should I define a "true question" for exact thread? 

p.s: I have tried to "restore as factory default", but didn't work. Right now I am using another NB's wifi as same AP as ipad2, which ip address is 192.168.2.105, when i "ping" 192.168.2.100 the ipad2 address, it got:

Reply from 192.168.2.100: bytes=32 time=89ms TTL=64

seems reply by ip layer of the device ipad2.

Awaiting for reply. thanks!!

With warm regards,

Roy

Roy thanks for the excellent description of your problem. What you have described is extremely informative. It seems that you iPad is responding to ping requests but that some of the applications are unable to communicate to other devices.

Your approach to diagnosing the problem is the classic bottom up approach used by most network engineers http://www.petri.co.il/csc_how_to_use_the_osi_model_to_troubleshoot_networks.htm

It seems your iPad is functioning correctly at layers 1,2 & 3 of the OSI reference model.

you have a DNS address so I would presume that your iPAd can Ping the DNS server from you iPAD?. Are you able to test this to see what the response time is?