Dropped iPad 2 and Wifi won't work from 5 feet

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Level 1

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Dropped iPad 2 and Wifi won't work from 5 feet

Hi, I'm interested in suggested trouble-shooting and ideas to possibly get this iPad back in working condition.

It is a school owned iPad 2 that my Mom recieved for her classroom, so there was no original warranty.

She dropped it (I'm assuming from about 5 feet) on a concrete floor, and obviously cracked the glass screen. The drop also scratched up the top left corner and a small dent in the right. She didn't want to pay the ridiculous apple price to get the screen fixed - so she went to a 3rd party screen repair. The screen is now working, although the bottom left corner screen is slightly raised (I think they just did a bad job - going back to request a re-do)

So we're not sure when it started happening, but the Wi-Fi on the iPad literally will not work unless the iPad 2 is directly next to the router, maybe 2-3 feet away from it.

I'm hoping that there is something cheap and simple I can do to improve the Wi-Fi reception without having to buy a new one.

Thanks so much to anybody who has suggestions.

-Brian

iPad 2, iOS 5.1

Posted on Jun 20, 2012 6:29 PM

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Answer 1

vazandrew

Level 8

40,348 points

Jun 20, 2012 6:34 PM in response to BSpeice

User damage wouldn't be covered by warranty anyway and the price they charge is not for repair but for a replacement device. Perhaps it is something the repair shop did that has caused this.

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Answer 2

Skydiver119

Level 9

53,399 points

Jun 20, 2012 6:35 PM in response to BSpeice

I would say while they're in there repairing the screen again have them take a look at the wifi antenna. It's possible that it's just unplugged (obviously never seen the inside but one time when I had my laptop repaired the tech forgot to reattach my wifi antenna and it'd not work unless I was in the same room with the router.

Was the wifi working before they repaired the screen? if so then they broke it, if not then maybe your mom broke it.

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Answer 3

BSpeice Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 20, 2012 6:37 PM in response to Skydiver119

I honestly can't tell you whether the Wi-Fi worked between the drop and the screen fix. I don't think she even used it between then.

Now that you say that - I really hope they just unplugged it or something, it would make all our lives a lot better. 🙂

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Answer 4

Jun 20, 2012 7:39 PM in response to BSpeice

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

iOS: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4199

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.

Go to Settings>Wi-Fi and turn Off. Then while at Settings>Wi-Fi, turn back On and chose a Network.

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

Another thing to try - Go into your router security settings and change from WEP to WPA with AES.

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

Unable to Connect After iOS Update - saw this solution on another post.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4010130?tstart=60

Note - When troubleshooting wifi connection problems, don't hold your iPad by hand. There have been a few reports that holding the iPad by hand, seems to attenuate the wifi signal.

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If any of the above solutions work, please post back what solved your problem. It will help others with the same problem.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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