Slow WiFi on the new iPad Air

Question

C.H.f.S Author

Level 1

0 points

Slow WiFi on the new iPad Air

Just bought the new iPad Air yesterday and I must say I am really disappointed over poor WiFi reception.

Using Speedtest I am comparing my old iPad 2 (iOS 7.0.3) with my new iPad Air (7.0.3) side by side.

In my bedroom, speed dropped from 27 Mbps to 5 Mbps down speed and from 9 Mbps to 2 Mbps up speed.

I was under the impression that MIMO was going to increase both reception and speed.

I have reset all network settings on the Air but to no avail. The WiFi still behaves poorly.

Any ideas? Anyone with the same problem?

iPad, iOS 7.0.3, Air

Posted on Nov 2, 2013 12:36 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Diavonex

Level 9

67,235 points

Nov 2, 2013 12:42 AM in response to C.H.f.S

Do you have a MIMO router to compliment the iPad?

Reply

Answer 2

C.H.f.S Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2013 12:49 AM in response to Diavonex

I have a D-Link DIR-645 which is MIMO compliant.

Reply

Answer 3

Diavonex

Level 9

67,235 points

Nov 2, 2013 12:53 AM in response to C.H.f.S

You probably have to change some settings in your router to capitalize on this relatively new technology.

Reply

Answer 4

C.H.f.S Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2013 1:08 AM in response to Diavonex

This is weird. I repeated the test in the kitchen. Now the Air outperform iPad 2. (70/6 by 42/9 Mbps)

Back to the bedroom... Naa, same result. Seems that the air has a blind reception spot right in my bed.

But repositioning the router is not the answer since my iPad 2 performs well on that blind spot.

With dual antennas the Air should perform better than former iPads.

Reply

Answer 5

Sooner Al

Level 2

275 points

Nov 2, 2013 2:11 AM in response to C.H.f.S

You might look in the router config and check the Channel Bandwidth settings if available. I had issues with my iPad 4 before I changed my router from the default Auto to 20 MHz. Its worth a try. See the screen shot for an example from my ASUS router.

http://sdrv.ms/17yY5JZ

Reply

Answer 6

C.H.f.S Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2013 2:33 AM in response to Sooner Al

Holy cannoli! That did the trick. :-D

In D-Link: Advanced Wireless - HT 20/40 Coexistence -> Disabled

Now I'm up to 50/8 Mbps at my "blind spot"

Thank you, Sooner AI

That I would never have found out by myself.

Reply

Answer 7

tsanga

Level 1

8 points

Nov 14, 2013 7:05 PM in response to C.H.f.S

I use two AirPort Extreme base stations and I still have this wifi problem. I have to toggle the wifi on and off on the iPad air to reestablish good speed.

Reply

Answer 8

rkalip

Level 1

5 points

Dec 14, 2013 3:19 AM in response to C.H.f.S

I am having a similar problem with my iPad Air

The wifi connection seems slower, it was much faster

with my iPad 4

Reply