Poor wifi reception on new iPad

There is a chance that this is a software problem, because to have a connection you need two things, iPad and router 🙂

If iPad doesn't handle something properly (as one user mentioned changing security type in router fixed for him) then you never know, maybe a firmware update to internal WiFi chip can fix stuff.

Just throwing my two cents in so maybe they'll fix it so I don't have to replace it: new iPad has no reception in living room but 3 iPhones and a Mac book do. Landscape and button to the left seems to be the main issue as well...

This is incorrect. Security type on routers will prevent you from connecting a lot of the time. Specifically, if it's not flexible enough. There are two versions of WPA2 AES and TKIP. While AES is technically considered strongest I think, TKIP+AES is necessary for iOS devices to connect. This was true with both iPod Touches, some Mac OS versions, and iPad 2s.

Ultimately, some routers are finicky enough and old enough that they have to be replaced.

Changing the security type is a normal thing to do.

I would highly recommend looking at mode, security type, and dual-band settings. At least security type.

You may also want to call or chat your router manufacturer's support. Linksys (Cisco) tends to be really good, but sometimes the chat disconnects. Netgear has both a standard and a premium support service, but I've never needed to use either, as I tend to replace when things get bad. (Refurbished routers are inexpensive.)

I help run a network.

Mine never had the "death grip" issue, only weak signal. The Apple store told me that weak signal can cause many different senarios when paired with different routers and networks. I don't have the tech knowlege to know if this is software or hardware, which seems to be the argument going on now. I just know the Apple folks believe the problem will be fixed soon.

I did exactly what @ipadisawesome recommended.

ipadisawesome wrote:

I had the same issue but after some tweaking I have fixed my problems.

I went into my router and changed the security settings to WPA2-PSK[AES] and now my new iPad is running like a tiger. My previous settings were WPA-PSK[TKIP]+WPA2-PSK[AES].

Try that it may solve your problems.

And now my new iPad is working very well. Before changing my settings I had the weak Wi-Fi signal and the death grip problem showed in the Youtube video, now that seems to be gone.

After changing my router configuration and testing the iPad I went back to my old config "WPA-PSK[TKIP]+WPA2-PSK[AES]" and even with my old settings the iPad is now doing well, at least at home.

When I get the time I will try to go to Starbucks and test it there.

Now I'm doubting that this is a HW problem, it doesn't make sense that I "fixed" it changing my config and also it doesn't make sense that the death grip is at the bottom of the device when the antenna is at the top.

Daniel, I am glad that it worked for you. I am a geeky and I knew that problem was not the new iPad but the security settings in the router as my new iPad workd perfectly fine at the libraries and coffee shop, just did not work at my place. So I am happy the trick worked. Spread the word and save the Applites lol

Since you deal a lot in this. I had the Ipad 2 and sold it. I know my Ipad2 had weak wifi signal pickup when my phone could pick up any signal this was no big deal for me at home and around town this was a problem when I went to nashville and stopped somewhere there was not a good wifi(at a krystals the they had no clue how to get to the childrens hospital real idiots) available my phone picked it up but an ok signal at best. I was about to buy a new Ipad 2 with a bigger hard drive in it when the new Ipad came out. How long would you wait to get the new Ipad so apple can work out it's kinks? I am in now rush to get one bc my dad is getting it on his newegg account. Also, I was lookig at the 32gb ipad and I know I can get the 64 gb for 100.00 more would you do this? I have 2 kids both special needs but, my oldest loves playing on it more my youngest would tear it up. Also, on my ipad2 when I upgraded the OS on it I lost all the apps I paid for and had to rebuy several.

This may infectact fix some of your problems but if you have weak wifi on the device it's the device. I turned security completely off on 2 netgear and 3 Apple Airport Extremes and it made no difference. The iP3 had half the wifi connection distance of the iP2. Out past 25 ft or so the iP3was mostly unusable but the iP2 blazed away at 75 to 90 ft. Mine was a hardware issue and the 4 I tested were sent to Apple Eng for evaluation. They offered me another unit but I took the refund and am waiting about 30 days to let things settle out a bit to try again. Just to clarify I have 2 windows laptops (Dell latitudes e4300 and 2120), iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, MacBook Air 11" i7, iPad2 and they all got great range and great signal, the iP3's did not. I know a lot of the posters here swapped out and they got good ones, I wasn't as lucky. I am sure Apple will get it worked out but I can not see how this can be software as all my IOS devices are at 5.1 and none of them have or had problems. Only the iP3's I tried. I'll get a good one before long. Good luck to everyone in getting you problems fixed.

I'd wait 3 weeks or so and try again. As for you loosing you Apps did you make an iTunes backup before you upgraded the OS? If not any Apps you purchased should have still be available to you for re-downloading under the same Apple ID you purchased them the first time. I've never lost a single Appdue to an upgrade and I started with the iPhone 3G and the iPad 1. Any how good luck with you search. There are some nice used unit selling on eBay in the $500 range. My co-worker bought one last week and it works great and looked brand new.. Just a though if you still want a iP2. Have a great day.

Same problem here. Help first ipad experience

My New iPad also has intermittent and weak WiFi. Sitting with it next to my MacBook from 2008, my iPad gets 1-2 signal bars (on the wifi symbol) compared to my MacBook's full bars. However, the bigger problem is that the iPad every so often (every 15 minutes or so) drops the connection, sometimes taking several minutes of searching for the network to find it again. My router is an Airport Extreme and it has not had any other issues before, and no other equipment connected to it experiences such sudden drop outs of service. I've tried restarting the router, chaging its channels, etc. So, add my voice to the number of people that believe there is something wrong with the iPad itself.

Use the AirPort Utility and make sure software version is 7.6.1 is on your router.

i have the latest firmware on both my ASUS RT-N56U and my 1st gen 1TB time capsule and i still have reduced wifi reception, most noticeable in my 2F bedroom, 1 floor (and almost directly line-of-sight) above the TC. my opinion is that it doesn't necessarily mean it's a hardware issue just because EVERY new iPad isn't exhibiting the issue. it could be an edge case software scenario that's only revealed with the right (or wrong) combination of "x" hardware in "y" physical layout/configuration. if it is, it most certainly could be addressed by a firmware update if Apple is aware of the problem.

For those with windows machines try this for some info and insight.

Start a command prompt in admin mode - Start/programs/accessories - right click Command Prompt and Run as Administrator. give password if prompted.

When the command window opens, click on the icon in the top left corner and select properties. under layout tab set screen buffer size width to 100 and height to 800. Window size width to 100 and height 60. Leave tick in Let system position windows.

Under options tab, set cursor to medium Buffer size leave at 50 and number of buffers leave at 4.

Put tick in discard old duplicates and keep tick in insert mode box. Ok it.

At the Windows\system32> command prompt type the following

netsh wlan show all

This will give you information on every aspect of your wirless network that your PC is picking up, including signal strengths, modes ie n or g etc. transmit rates, SSID's, security info, group policy, and your USER PROFILES.

I also noticed in my registry that the dot3svc which looks after my Ethernet connection was also not running, which would explain why every time i connected with the ethernet it would default to the wireless.

The state of your lan can be checked with the command netsh lan show interfaces

If the dot3svc which looks after the autoconfiguration of lan connections is turned off or not set to auto, then ethernet connections will default to wireless.

My guess is that the iTunes program and possibly the QTime parent manifest files are reconfiguring machines to defaul to wireless configurations, to aid the hadshaking between apples products.

Bit naughty if this is the case.

Anyone with a Mac and xcode might like to run the set up and configration files of these products and have a look at what set up actually does.

Every time I run an update, something changes. What is going on please Apple.

It's all very weird. I have the 4G 64 gb version, bought on release day, and the wifi reception is identically good to my ipad1. I use them on two wifi routers at home (thick sandstone walls so I have to use two to reach the whole of the house) and I'm getting the full speed that the dodgy broadband here allows. Out and about it connects to cafe and university wifi fine, no trouble dropping out, making a connection or reduced speed at all. (I'm in Australia for what it's worth). So there are units around that are totally trouble free as far as wifi reception is concerned, which makes diagnosis difficult for those with issues.