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Poor wifi reception on new iPad

I am in a hotel with my laptop and new ipad3. The laptop wifi reception is as strong as it gets, but the iPad only registers a weak signal. Anyone else having similar problems? Any suggestions?

iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi, iOS 5.1

Posted on Mar 17, 2012 7:33 PM

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1,477 replies

Mar 23, 2012 3:17 PM in response to stlsteve

I'm also having the same problem as evryone else. I have wifi for a short while (approx 15 - 30mins) before the ipad loses connection. Then it takes a considerable amount of attempts and resets to try and establish connection again. I also have an ipad one which maintains a perfect strong singnal at the same time and in the exact same location as my new ipad. The new ipad i have is the 32GB wi-fi only model.


I have tried all the resets posted but none worked BUT i did discover this by chance posted by another forum member back in Oct 2011 relating to wifi issues for the iphone, i have tried it out on the new ipad and so far, after a couple of hours, i can report I now have perfect wifi connection, though i do not know if this is just coincedence. The info i found is as follows:


Go to Settings > General > Network > Wi-Fi In the settings for connection point the DNS servers to an opendns server such as 208.67.222.222 and save the settings.


hopefully the wifi should now connect and stay connected. As i mentioned before i can take no credit for this and i dont know how long it will work for, or if it will work for you, but so far its working for me and anything is worth a try.

Mar 23, 2012 3:38 PM in response to stlsteve

Did a search for Ipad 3 wifi problems. Unfortunatley I missed this discussion.

I am having the same problem Had an Ipad 2, which I sold to upgrade. Ipad 2 never had an issue with my home wifi network. Worked like a champ. Used the same settings for the new Ipad. This new Ipad is AWFUL. Keeps dropping connection, internet speed is awful, my Ipad 2 was a speed demon compared to this new Ipad. Sorry for the complaining, but I am very fustrated. Any Ideas?

Mar 23, 2012 3:39 PM in response to stlsteve

IPad 64GB Wireless only here...weak wifi signal unless within twenty feet of the router. I took the time to read all 23 pages of posts and have no doubt this is not isolated. I don't plan to return my unit because I'm confident Apple will rectify soon. I'm not going to list my router and info because I really don't think it should matter. The IPad is sold as a portable device and should connect just about everywhere that wifi is available. They certainly have the know how to make that happen. Early iPad models have had weak signal before and Apple fixed it with a software update. In the meantime I would like to ask that the "mine is working great" quit posting on here...you're not helping those of us that have a problem. If you took the time to read the entire thread like I did, you would know that people are reporting this problem all over the world and some of them have tried up to 4 more iPads and still have the problem.


So do us a favor if yours is working great...consider yourself lucky and keep this thread open for people to let Apple know we have an issue

Mar 23, 2012 3:45 PM in response to tbbaot

I saw a thread that said the poor connection was because of the "death grip.". I don't even have my new iPad yet but this guy showed a YouTube video about it. Tey to find it and see if it helps all of you having a connection problem. Where you hold your iPad makes the difference. Maybe you can find the post by searching "death grip."

Mar 23, 2012 4:31 PM in response to meetoobaa

Can and ask for an exchange or refund due do the known weak wifi issue. The death grip shows up on some and other the signal is just so weak you can only get a signal between 5 and 15 feet or so away. If software was the issue the everyone would have the problem not just some. It's only logical that it's a hardware issue. I opted for a refund after trying 4 devices that all failed where my iPad 2 blazed away. I pick up a new be in a month and see how it does. Some have exchanged and they say the new one worked fine. Some like me didn't have such good luck. It's up to you, you have options. All said Apple will get it worked eventually, we just have to wait a bit. Good luck what ever you decide. Also not that I and many others have already posted many ways to test these, just read back a bit.

Mar 23, 2012 4:37 PM in response to tbbaot

If it were a software issue everyone would be seeing. A software patch may mask the issue but I don't believe it will fix it. Logic says its a hardware issue and the resolution is a replacement. Many of which already done so and they are happy now. I was not as lucky so took a refund after 4 devices and will wait a month and try again. Goog luck regardless of what you do.

Mar 23, 2012 5:20 PM in response to stlsteve

I am in the UK with a wifi only 16gb black new iPad. I have wifi issues also. When I move to about 20 feet away from my router at home wifi drops out completely. My iPhone 4 alongside in the same position maintains a good connection with minimal impact to upload or download speeds according to speed test. I can also replicate issues with the "death grip" being reported, which is exacerbated the further I am from the router.


The biggest problem though is that often when the Internet connection drops, the iPad refuses to reconnect even when the wifi signal is showing full 3 bars. The status symbol spins and spins but nothing happens. I have to toggle wifi off and back on again to reconnect.


I have tried all of the suggestions in previous posts to no avail.

Mar 23, 2012 5:58 PM in response to stlsteve

I have a 64gb wifi only model. I am using a d link router through virgin media 100mb. I have an original iPad which always shows full signal and never drops connection, with my new iPad it keeps showing a weak signal and if I hold it in the bottom left hand corner then do a speed test I've had as low as 0.7 mb. I have tried resetting network settings even that leads to waiting ages for it to reconnect to d link. Already waiting to exchange it as I have 3 dead pixels, did not pay £500+ for something that is so poor when it comes to wifi as I use Netflix and love film to stream a lot.

Poor wifi reception on new iPad

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