You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple ID, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

The new iPad constantly losing cellular data connnection

My new iPad (3rd gen), 4G (AT&T) cannot seem to maintain a cellular data connection. The AT&T signal meter is still there (and shows 3 bars), but the "4G" disappears, and I get a "could not activate the cellular data network" error. I know it's not my location because it happens both at work and at home, and because my iPhone 4S and 1st gen iPad don't have the problem. I have already toggled cellular data on and off, restarted the iPad, reset network settings, and restarted again. No luck. Each time I restart, the connection works for about 30 seconds, and I can check my email, but then it immediately goes out again. Has anyone else had this problem?

iPad, iOS 5.1

Posted on Mar 19, 2012 1:50 PM

Reply
606 replies

May 10, 2012 12:40 PM in response to Tubalcain7358

I replaced my iPad3 two days before the new iOS came out (to which I updated).


In Switzerland (Swisscom carrier) I had not any issues since, neither before the iOs update nor after.


Problem: I don't know if the new HW (DLXH) or the SW solved it. I recommend giving the HW replacement a try. Apple's communication on this issue is so super bad and unprofessional (it's simply a joke) that I would try any path. What can you lose?


Regards,


Chris from Switzerland

May 10, 2012 12:40 PM in response to scholarwilliams

I replaced my iPad3 two days before the new iOS came out (to which I updated).


In Switzerland (Swisscom carrier) I had not any issues since, neither before the iOs update nor after.


Problem: I don't know if the new HW (DLXH) or the SW solved it. I recommend giving the HW replacement a try. Apple's communication on this issue is so super bad and unprofessional (it's simply a joke) that I would try any path. What can you lose?


Regards,


Chris from Switzerland

May 10, 2012 10:14 PM in response to ultrakyo

Hi guys,


It's been the third day after I updated OS to 5.1.1 and it's been the longest time that I my iPad 3G connectivity survived without the need of resetting. It used to be just slightly longer than a day.


My device serial number also starts with DLXH.


I can even see the movement between 2G and 3G networks. It used to be that the device always indicated 3G connectivity was there, but in actual fact, I wasn't able to connect to the web. Now, it can recover by itself without any problem. I guess, it could be also service provider related?


Anyway, I'll continue monitoring this. Keep my fingers crossed...

May 11, 2012 1:39 AM in response to scholarwilliams

Hello,


Same probleme in France (with Orange), with ios 5.1 I had 2 o 3 issue for a week.


Since I updated my iPad to 5.1.1 I have 8 or 10 problems for a day, it's going wrong for me.

On 3G it's Ok, but when it come to 'E' or 'o' the iPad refuse going back to 3G and I have only the operator name or the device always indicated 3G connectivity but I can't connect to the web.


My device serial number also starts with DLXH.

May 11, 2012 4:46 AM in response to Tubalcain7358

Here's a thought, when I did the restore to 5.1.1 I had a Vodafone sim in the device, didn't have any problems but as the Vodafone sim is an expensive way to do it, I swapped in the GiffGaff (O2) and then got a recurrence of the problem. I have since done a factory restore with the GiffGaff sim in place and again since then have had no issue. This is doing my head in! I have a Three sim with me today so will swap that in, run for a while and then swap the GiffGaff back in. If my "it only works with the same sim in as was in place at the time of restore/update" theory is anywhere near then I should encounter probs with the GG sim again, if I do I will try a network settings restore.


Otherwise it's a device replacement on Sunday

May 14, 2012 12:54 AM in response to scholarwilliams

First of all, I must say that when 3G signal gets lost and turn into 2G (the "o" icon) IT REFUSES TO GET BACK INTO 3G, NO MATTER WHERE I AM, EVEN IN A STRONG 3G AREA!


Experimenting with turning off and back on several device settings (yes, unfortunately, we resort to that, since all else, including the last 5.1.1 firmware, has failed, just to use our device), I found out that in order to have (at least for a while) a 3G signal, I must do as follows:


1) turn off automatic search of the carrier (mine is Vodafone, Greece)... I must select it manually, otherwise any other action is futile, and


2) regularly (when the 3G signal gets lost) turn off the cellular data and watch the carrier icon when all the bars completely disappear THEN TURN BACK ON the "cellular data" setting.


ONLY THIS WAY, finding 3G signal is feasible.


I request that APPLE engineers read this post.. it might be proved useful in order to FIX this bug.


THANK YOU.

The new iPad constantly losing cellular data connnection

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.