Download speeds on WiFi Diminished by 90%?

Question

Download speeds on WiFi Diminished by 90%?

I've had the new iPad for about a month, and about 10 days ago I started noticing very slow download speeds. I was used to getting about 19up/19down (speedtest.net app), but now I'm only getting about 1.9up but still about 19 down. I'm not too sure what the problem is. I've tried rebooting the router and the iPad. I've reset my network settings. I can confirm that on my desktop I'm still getting about 15up/13down.

Any assistance would be appreciated. I'm very knowledgable about computers and networks, but cannot figure out why only my download speeds have so greatly diminished.

iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi, iOS 5.1

Posted on Apr 22, 2012 11:53 AM

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Answer 1

kostby

Level 4

2,940 points

Apr 22, 2012 2:10 PM in response to DigitalRapture

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

There are a number of threads about iPad WiFi, including this one with over 1500 posts...

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2780293?start=0&tstart=0

Without taking an hour or three to read the entire thread, some people report slow-downs when QoS and/or WMM (Quality of Service, Wireless MultiMedia extensions) is enabled on their wireless router. Try disabling it/them and see if your speeds change.

Also realize that Speedtest.net is a brief snapshot at one point in time. There are a number of reasons why your upload/download speeds might vary, including environment, interference from other wireless devices and wireless networks, if you have a Smart Cover attached, and how you are holding the iPad.

And normally the download speed (to your device through the WiFi router from the internet) is far more critical than the upload speed (from your devices to the WiFi router to internet). For example, my DSL carrier advertises 3.0Mbps downstream and 512Kbps (0.5Mbps) upstream.

Message was edited by: kostby

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Answer 2

Apr 22, 2012 3:31 PM in response to kostby

The post you pointed to is in regards to intermittent connection issues. I never experience a loss of connection, only a 90% reduction in the speed. On a side note, the search functions on this site are archaic at best, so attempting to locate a similar post is not going to happen.

I have not made any changes to my router settings, and as mentioned, I was attaining excellent speeds for the first three weeks. The speed tests I performed were in the exact same location with the exact same speed test application. I had one day in the past 10, when I checked, and the speeds were performing well, but before and after, the speeds are close to dial-up! I notice this lag when I play online games, and it forces me to close the application to try to figure out why my download speeds are so slow. Additionally, I have no smart cover. I have made no changes to anything, yet my desktop, which is about 5 feet away has no issues whatsoever with its WiFi download speeds.

The download speed IS more critical, and hence the reason for my posts.

Thanks again for your assistance, but unfortunately my issue has not been resolved.

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Answer 3

Apr 22, 2012 3:36 PM in response to DigitalRapture

Usually it's because you are not making internet connection via wifi.

Look at iOS Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398

iPad: Issues connecting to Wi-Fi networks
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3304

Additional things to try.

Try this first. Turn Off your iPad. Then turn Off (disconnect power cord) the wireless router & then back On. Now boot your iPad. Hopefully it will see the WiFi.

Change the channel on your wireless router. Instructions at http://macintoshhowto.com/advanced/how-to-get-a-good-range-on-your-wireless-netw ork.html

How to Quickly Fix iPad 3 Wi-Fi Reception Problems

http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/21/fix-new-ipad-3-wi-fi-reception-problems/

If none of the above suggestions work, look at this link.

iPad Wi-Fi Problems: Comprehensive List of Fixes

http://appletoolbox.com/2010/04/ipad-wi-fi-problems-comprehensive-list-of-fixes/

Fix iPad Wifi Connection and Signal Issues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwWtIG5jUxE

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 4

Apr 22, 2012 3:51 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

I tried every one of your suggestions but my download speeds are still 90% less than what they were for my first three weeks of ownership.

I feel as though some sort of application is stealing the bandwidth on my iPad, although this is not the case, as I've closed all applications and rebooted, with still the same issue.

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Answer 5

kostby

Level 4

2,940 points

Apr 22, 2012 5:51 PM in response to DigitalRapture

Here's the specific post about QoS to which I referred with screenshot reproduced below to spare you from an archaic search: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2780293?answerId=17679260022#17679260022

displayed on page 95 of the thread at 30 posts per page

This poster reported about a drastic ~2,000 times increase (0.8Mbit increased to 15-20Mbit) change in download performance when QoS was disabled. No change in measured upload performance.

Or your iPad is just 'broken' and needs to be replaced under warranty.

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Answer 6

Apr 22, 2012 6:30 PM in response to kostby

My router is the Actiontec MI424-WR. For some reason I do not have the ability to disable QoS/WMM. The manual shows it is possible, but my updated firmware does not seem to have that feature as it is listed.

I was, however, able to increase my download speeds and basically resolve the issue by changing from mixed b/g to only g, and then restarting the iPad. Although now my upload speeds are significantly less, but I can deal with that. I had read this the first time I searched for an answer, but didn't think it was possible with my router either. This feature was just a little harder to find, nestled inside the Advanced Security Settings screen of the router GUI.

Thank you kostby and Texas Mac Man for providing help and assistance! I'll keep you posted if for some reason this is just another fluke and my speeds drop back down to a snail's pace.

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Answer 7

Usmaak

Level 1

72 points

Apr 22, 2012 6:25 PM in response to DigitalRapture

I hope that Apple is able to come up with a good solution for this problem. For some people, using G instead of N just isn't an option. Wireless G is sort of old now. Wireless N is newer, and is supposed to offer much better range. Also, we can't control what types of WiFi public hotspots use.

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Answer 8

Apr 22, 2012 7:32 PM in response to DigitalRapture

Of course it was just a fluke. My download speeds are back to being unbearably slow again, with normal upload speeds. It seems as though when the battery life was above 60%, there was a dramatic difference. Will report back once I can confirm.

How do I unsolve this question? Once again, archaic features on this site...

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