Some apps can't connect

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Some apps can't connect

I'm an experienced computer geek, but this iPod Touch 4g is my first Apple product in over 15 years.

It connects flawlessly on my work network. All apps function as advertised. But on my home wireless router, it's a different story.

It seems to do just fine establishing a connection to my home wireless network. But some apps work while others do not. And some websites are reachable in Safari while others are not.

Things that work (kinda):

Mail (works about 60% of the time)
MyRadar (again, usually works, but seems inconsistent).
Safari can reach google.com, but that's about it.

Things that don't work (or work only rarely):

Weather
App Store
Safari cannot consistently reach any website other than Google. Cannot connect to Apple.com. My other wireless computers at home connect to these websites easily, so it appears to be a problem with the iTouch or how it's connecting to the router.

A possibly relevant clue:

My in-laws brought their MacBooks a few months ago, and I was unable to get them a consistent connection. This was my first attempt at connecting Apple products to my network. One MacBook wouldn't connect at all. The other forever to connect, and then seemed very slow.

I was using a Belkin N router. Thinking that may be the probem, I bought a Cisco dual band. This has made little-to-no difference. (Glad I went with the discounted factory refurbished version, because now I've got two routers with roughly the same capabilities.)

I tried moving the router further away from our wireless phone base unit. This made no difference.

I've reached the end of my knowledge and have stepped off into superstition and guessing. Any help from knowledgable folk would be greatly appreciated.

iPod touch, iOS 5.1

Posted on May 13, 2012 8:19 AM

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Answer 1

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Flyfar Author

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May 14, 2012 6:21 PM in response to Flyfar

After much searching, I found the solution. It was a problem with the MTU. Once the required change was made in the WiFi router's settings, the problem was fixed.

Another discussion in these Apple forums said this:

Geneally, at least here in the US, the MTU setting for a cable broadband system is 1500 and for a DSL broadband system 1492. I would try manually setting the MTU on your home router to match what your broadband ISP specifies to see if that fixes your issues.

And a discussion on dslreports.com said this:

If you are using DHCP - 1500. If you're using PPPoE - 1492. If you really are on DHCP, then use the manual setting to put it at 1500.

I'm using DSL, so I changed the WiFi router's MTU from "Auto" to "Manual" at 1492. Problem solved.

I wish Apple's tech support had been equipped to give me this info over the phone the first time I contacted them. It would have saved me a lot of time.

I'll setup my Belkin WiFi router again to see if the problem can be solved there as well. I'll report back with the results.

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Answer 2

Flyfar Author

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May 14, 2012 7:53 PM in response to Flyfar

I was able to get the iTouch to work with the Belkin router as well, but it took some more effort.

The only way to access/change the MTU setting was to put the WiFi router into PPPoE mode. This required the DSL username/password to be plugged into the router, rather than the modem. And this meant the modem had to be put into bridging mode. With these changes, I was finally able to change the MTU in the router.

The Belkin router actually said in the notes what the MTU should be. It specified 1432 (rather than the 1492 that worked in the Cisco router). I tried 1492 in the Belkin, but it didn't work.

Well, it's been real. I've really enjoyed talking to myself. Maybe this will help someone.

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