Q: Poor wifi reception on new iPad

Again these all all great solutions if you're always home.  Apple needs to fix the actual wifi receiver and they need to do it "yesterday".  Don't know how they're going to do that.  Good luck to everyone!

I just came back from a business trip with my new Ipad 4G. The wifi download speeds and quality of the connection I recieved using hotel wifi were basically the same as my laptop. I did comparisons in each hotel I was in, and I stayed at a few differnt ones last week. If your Ipad wont work in hotels then my suggestion is to return it as it probably has a hardware defect.

Thanks Kirk1, but I believe this problem is strictly related to the wifi only Ipad.  Definitely returning it. 

Well you'd be wrong about assuming only WiFi units... I went through 6 separate 4G units from different factories and both Verizon and ATT with problems before finding a "perfect" one... Happy camper now...

I read an article that said that apple is aware of the problem and taking back any with wifi problems and testing them. In light of this memo, you should take them back one last time or call applecare.

I just bought the new Ipad, when I got home I got no or a very weak wifi signal from my airport router unless I am in the room where the router is located.  I have had my macbook for a while and get a great signal through out the house.  This is not going to work.  Will apple take back the ipad (and accessories).  Very disappointed.

Apple will accept a return. but what I really meant was they will take it back, replace it, and figure out what's wrong or repair it and return it to you. It is now a known issue with wifi-only ipads. It should never be happening with airport routers.. that's silly.

Is your airport router wireless N? You may need to upgrade the firmware. The ipad is very specific about the firmware version on your router. btw, your airport router is also covered by applecare for the duration of the computer's applecare which it is associated. (if you bought it with the computer, it definitely qualifies.)

--Sam

I had my wi-fi, 64gb, only since launch and it just only started having wi-fi problems in the past 10 days.  On my 3rd trip to the Apple store they gave me a new one (it came out of a brown box, and was a production week 5 where mine was a 10), brought it home and still the same issues.  Went back and they did a dfu without a backup, went home ad still the same problems.  Wanted my old or back but they said they had already shipped mine out.  

Apple has taken the fun out of owning my first iPad.  After reading threads that were two years old on the subject, it kind of sounds like they are pretty slow on there response time to correct issues.  Wish I could get a refund.

I returned it for a refund after getting a replacement that was just as worthless for weak wifi signal, it drops the power bar to 2 after just 10 to 15 feet and is virtually worthless unless you live in a one room apartment.

A call to applecare will resolve your issues. Connecting to wifi networks is explicitly covered in the applecare agreement. Apple may attempt a repair on your ipad, and so you may have to send it in, but they will resolve your issue.

Apple cannot support people in these forums due to wide variety of causes and the lack of appropriate mechanisms for handling inquires, volume etc. and a policy that they do not.

However, they will help you if you call, and if you want a third-party opinion and repair, one of the many third party apple service providers will be happy to assist you.

One person in this forum had the defect fixed in the firmware when he sent it back, and reports no issues now.

Now that this is a known issue in applecare documentation with wifi only ipads, you should get especially good service if that's the type of ipad you have.

Well I don't think it is my time capsule.  I brought it to my office at the college today and very weak signal, and they have a strong wi-fi system, and tonight I brought it over to my neigbor's house and used his lynsis connection,  and same deal,  very weak signal after going in another room.  I guess I will have to bite the bullet and get on the phone with these people  (I hate the whole phoning deal.. ugh)

Ok, so I made the apple care call, suggested just a restore of iPad 3 . Two hours later same connective problem.  About the result I expected.  Next suggestion from apple,  on back to the store....I am not too hopeful...

There are some good ones out there.. It took me 2 months and 7 different New iPads to find one without death grip/WiFi issues... Good luck.

Is it possible the DHCP lease and renew on your ipad/router is 2 hours rather than a week like it is supposed to be and this is the problem? You don't happen to have AT&T DSL or uverse, do you? there are known issues esp. with uverse of those types of problems.

Most routers have a dhcp lease time of at least 7 days. Yours may be shorter. the longer you can make it the better, but at least 7 days.

--Sam

P.S I would consider posting your router manufacturer and model so that we could help you further, posting on their forum, and also possibly calling your router manufacturer and say "my ipad loses its connection every 2 hours."

When I use my new iPad3 next to my iPad1 on my second floor, the iPad1 connects fine, the iPad3 doesn’t. Downstairs (same level as the router), both work fine. This is true for both “G” and “N” on my dual-band router, holding them or them sitting on a flat surface. Just adding my 2 cents, I’ll call apple support.