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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

606 replies

Burkow

Level 1

14 points

Mar 31, 2012 4:53 PM in response to manoskap

@manoskap Yes, some people did swap out the device. The issue remains. See below. -- d4 columbia Re: My iPad doesn't connect to 4G when switching from WiFi. Mar 20, 2012 5:27 PM (in response to MLadd) Same issue for me, I went to the Apple Store and had my unit swapped out. Same issue remains. Hopefully they resolve it with the soccer update soon.

manoskap

Level 1

19 points

Mar 31, 2012 5:05 PM in response to Burkow

Really i can't figure out how this bug isn't yet public like the antennagate. Something makes me think it might be hardware.... Ejecting and reinserting the sim does work for anyone else?

Burkow

Level 1

14 points

Mar 31, 2012 5:16 PM in response to manoskap

I am testing right now possible solution. I found the information on some polish forum that turning on cellular data roaming helped solved this issue. At least for one guy. I have just turned this on and will see if this helps. So far so good.

Burkow

Level 1

14 points

Mar 31, 2012 5:25 PM in response to Burkow

Edit: Nope. Sorry guys. This solution did not work.

jdenmead

Level 1

4 points

Apr 1, 2012 1:02 AM in response to Burkow

Hi Burkow,

You can inform Apple of the problem by raising a case in store, by phone or online at http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/contact/ just telling them what you have done and what the problem is will get it raised and hopefully noticed.

Burkow

Level 1

14 points

Apr 1, 2012 1:29 AM in response to jdenmead

Thanks jdenmead! Will do this.

FazerWiz

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2012 3:26 AM in response to manoskap

For me, after the cellular data stopped working, nothing would make it work again except a power cycle, including removing the sim. It's as if the cellular data chip becomes locked up. However the workaround I posted earlier has been working perfectly now for 3 days. When I leave a wifi area, I disable the wifi before enabling cellular data (and vice versa) and it's worked flawlessly. It's a bit of a pain, but it does indicate that a software fix might be possible.

manoskap

Level 1

19 points

Apr 1, 2012 3:31 AM in response to FazerWiz

As I stated above this definitely doesn't work for me. Only sim eject or reset works and it WILL stop working after a while no matter the wifi is open or not.

sir_kw

Level 1

4 points

Apr 2, 2012 7:33 PM in response to scholarwilliams

Yep same cellular connectivity issues for me. Very annoying! Quite frustrated Apple did not detect this issue before release. Every time I am on cellular like 3G/4G and put the iPad to standby (smart cover or pressing power button) it will not connect again upon awake unless I toggle the cellular ON/OFF in settings. This is very bothersome. This issue also happens when going from cellular to wifi and then back to cellular. It seems like the cellular radios are in some sort of deep sleep mode and doesn't wake unless we do a force wake like restart or toggle cellular on/off. Wifi works fine but this cellular issue is very frustrating. I bought the LTE version for a reason!! I'm with Rogers on LTE up in Canada. I was so frustrated I call in to Apple tech support to also voice this issue. Hopefully everyone can make more noise about this issue so their tech team can resolve this ASAP!! If anyone has a good workaround temporary fix please POST!!

Apr 2, 2012 10:07 PM in response to manoskap

I would like to explain my problem with 3g in short.

Ipad 2 att version umts freq 850 900 1900 2100

Ipad 3 att vesrion umts freq 850 900 1900 2100

I'm outside the usa now. The local carrier has 3g hpsa+/umts is using freq 850.

The sim card with proper apn setting in the ipad 2 i have 3g without a problem. When i put the same simcard in the in the ipad 3 i dont get 3g at all i only get edge. Both ipad in general about show carrier 12.0.

Called apple support they couldn't help me at all please see your local carrier.

I know bought ipad have the same freq for umts i know i have the correct apn setting.

No clue why it wouldn't work with 3g on the new ipad. I hope somebody can help me.

Thanks in advance

NewForce

Level 1

0 points

Apr 3, 2012 2:08 AM in response to jdenmead

Now I am really puzzling. Wasn't all of us are looking for helps to solve our headache in,

"Apple Support Communities" ?

What is happened then? There no Apple host or moderators looking into our problem? How come till today, with many thread in this problem regard has no Apple personnel responding to us? Are those Apple getting TOO BIG that are blocking their way to look around? Am still puzzling..

daniregg

Level 1

0 points

Apr 4, 2012 12:00 AM in response to scholarwilliams

I got similar problem, i'm from italy...

Apr 4, 2012 2:01 AM in response to scholarwilliams

UPDATE: Obviously tons of people are having this problem. I think the various posts make clear that the issue happens across carriers, and affects the cellular data connection but not wifi. Most people seem to have the identical problem - cellular data drops out and won't reconnect until they actively re-set it by one of several methods. However, different workarounds work for different people, which is strange. When I simply toggled LTE off and left it off, all of my problems went away. I have had no issues at all since then (ten days). I don't live in an LTE area (I do get HSPA+), so toggling off LTE has not hurt me. The question is, is this a hardware or a software issue? On the one hand, the fact that toggling alone can reset the connection for most people (not everyone, I know), would suggest that a software fix is possible. On the other hand, obviously not every iPad has this problem, or I would think there would be a lot more people posting here and lined up at the Apple Store. That would suggest that at least part of this is a hardware issue with certain iPads. The fact that many of us have swapped out our iPads for new ones and still have the same problem adds to the mystery - that suggests either a widespread hardware problem (why aren't peole screaming in the streets?), or a software problem (then why isn't everyone having the problem?). With all of the returns because of this problem, someone at Apple must have sorted this out by now. I would expect a software update that addresses the issue soon, but it may be more of a workaround than a fix, and I doubt that Apple will tell us about any hardware problem, they will just quietly fix it and swap out defective units when people complain. Because I am no longer having problems, I am going to wait until this gets sorted out (or until LTE comes to my area) before I head back to the Apple Store. I am interested to know how many other people stopped having problems when they tried turning LTE off.

Burkow

Level 1

14 points

Apr 4, 2012 2:10 AM in response to scholarwilliams

European (at least Polish) version of iPads do not have LTE (LTE in Europe uses different frequencies than in US). So we cannont toggle off LTE - we do not have such option in Settings. We can only toggle on/off "Celular network data" - that's all.

http://www.fiercewireless.com/europe/story/apples-new-ipad-fails-support-europea n-lte-frequencies/2012-03-14

daniregg

Level 1

0 points

Apr 4, 2012 2:23 AM in response to Burkow

Yep, i confirm what the Polish guy says...

My ipad works with cellular connection only after a reboot, if i turn off-on the data connection i have no results!!!

The new iPad constantly losing cellular data connnection