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 25, 2012 5:28 AM in response to aka_srp

The photo a few posts back showing an ipad 3 with 1 bar signal next to a mac book with three bars and an airport extreme in the backround 6 feet away does say it all. I previously reported the week signal issues. I can sit 20 feet away from my router and start out with 3 bars, but as you download a video it cuts in and out with no bars and then back to 3. I have the latest docsis 3 cable modem and roadrunner lightning 40 service from Brighthouse. My HP laptop tests out at 40mbps right next to my ipad 3 that usually can't complete the test. I spent 1 hour with a Brighthouse tech in my home who advised I have a great signal every where in my home. Made appt with Apple Store on Monday.

Mar 25, 2012 6:37 AM in response to stlsteve

Same problem here. 2 iPhones (a 4 and a 4S), an iPad 2 and a 11" MacBook Air work just fine with reception. 2-3 bars and holds the connection perfectly. I've got the new iPad 3 16gig with Verizon LTE. It constantly drops the wifi and switches back to LTE while all other Apple devices hold signal without problem. I'm within 20 feet of the router. I am blowing thru my 2gig of LTE in a hurry when I don't realize I've dropped my wifi and have been running on LTE for the last 10 minutes!!!! Any suggestions? I'm a veteran Apple User but am frustrated on this one!

Mar 25, 2012 7:09 AM in response to stlsteve

My suggestion about checking the router was just that - problemsolving. I've been a member of this community for many, many years. When I first joined, people would post a problem they were having and ask for suggestions on how to fix the problem. It was NOT a "***** list"!!! People truly were trying to solve their problem and not trash Apple.


Over the years, that has changed, and not for the better. ALL electronics, especially computer-related ones can have problems!!! Every single person's home or use-environment is slightly different than anothers. Apple has no possible way of knowing how each one of us uses our computers/iPads/iPhones - they do the best they can to make a product that is as close to universally useable as is possible.


When one has a problem, the logical way to approach it is to describe the problem and then what steps one has made to remedy it. They ask the community for help/suggestions. Just returning and buying multiple ones and returning them does not solve the problem! One must sometimes be a detective and when the answer is found, it usually becomes so obvious that one thinks "duh!". Then we share this information with others.


Trashing a product is not going to solve ones problem. Going through the entire problem-solving process MAY solve it. It's always worth a try before returning a product as faulty. This is especially true when the majority of people have NOT had a problem. Those who have not, are not posting as they are too busy enjoying their new iPads!


We learn by sharing, not by having a group-***** session.

Mar 25, 2012 8:20 AM in response to stlsteve

I'm having the same problem here in Spain.


I sold my first gen iPad to get the "new" one and now I can't get it to work. I'm having trouble connecting and keeping the Wi-Fi connection in areas where the old iPad 1 did just great. I tested side by side the new iPad vs the iPad 1st gen and the results were 1mb/s vs 10mb/s on the first iPad, so I decided to return my iPad and get a new one. That didn't solve the problem, my new unit has the same Wi-Fi problem.


I'm really dissapointed right now, if Apple doesn't say something in two or three days I'm returning the iPad and getting my money back.

Mar 25, 2012 10:40 AM in response to stlsteve

Just bought an iPad 3 in The Netherlands. Same issue. Very poor wifi performance, won't work or hardly at all in our living room. All other devices (MacBook Pro, iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, hp laptop, all showing strong signal strength, no problems. With these other devices we have excellent wifi performance in all rooms and in our garden.)

I think I will return it.

Mar 25, 2012 10:49 AM in response to stlsteve

I have found that since I got the new iPad I have had to reset my wifi password and reattach to my home wifi continuously. I previously had a 1st generation iPad without wifi issues to date (wife now has original iPad without issues.


I have had the new iPad drop the wifi all together or just have half the reception it had before. I am also a Service Manager for a government ministryand have found the same issue while trying to use the new iPad on my work wifi.


If Apple doesn't resolve this or at lease acknowledge it very soon I will be returning my iPad as "faulty"


Maaweb

Mar 25, 2012 11:09 AM in response to Thatchcote

I am from New York City. I agree with you. I have weak signal wifi issues with my new 64gig Ipad. Before returning it I am doing all the things to make sure that it is the Ipad. For example I called my Cisco router e2500 support. They made sure I have the latest firmware for my N router. Also gave me some tips on how to try different channels and etc. After all this research my Ipad's wi fi reception got better not perfect yet. I will keep trying more things before I decide to return it. That is the way to go about this, otherwise Apple is going to have thousands of returned Ipad's to just re-sell again. Not a great situation...

Mar 25, 2012 11:12 AM in response to jules54

It surprises me, as I've said in other posts, that the staff at Apple stores aren't aware yet of the wifi situation. Yesterday, when I went to the Apple store at The Grove, which is one of the most trafficked stores, they had never heard of it. I bought my fourth iPad 3, and finally it works at home, in my bedroom, properly. I didn't change any of the router settings, did nothing but just activate the new iPad. So, my personal take is that it's not the router, but the iPad.

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Poor wifi reception on new iPad

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