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iPad Air 128Gb WiFi Only - Dropping WiFi Connection

Hi,


I have just gone from an iPad3 64Gb WiFi Only to an iPad Air 128Gb WiFi Only.


I am connecting to the Internet at home via BT Infinity using the BT Home Hub 3.0.


I am in the same room and it regularily drops the WiFi connection!


This was happening with both of my iPads, but never with my PC or Laptop!


This also happens when I am away from home using the BTWiFi Hotspots that most BT Home Hubs automatically generate.


This behaviour has also been noted on another friends iPad2 that was using VirginMedia WiFi.


I am an IBM Mainframe Systems Programmer by trade and therefore maybe a little experienced with computers?


Any pointers would be greatfully received or does this look like Apple have a problem with WiFi?


Regards,


Charlie.

iPad, iOS 7.0.3, WiFi

Posted on Nov 6, 2013 3:29 AM

Reply
54 replies

Nov 6, 2013 9:06 AM in response to dlh1970

I do not think your iPad is defective as I have personally seen the same behaviour across several different iPads and releases of iOS. It is more likely to be a software or firmware problem. I only really notice the problem when I am using the iPlayer app from the BBC to watch streamed TV. The WiFi connection is dropped and does not automatically reconnect. It does try to pick a hotspot from the same WiFi router that the ISP automatically generates, but that requires a separate app to be up to handle the security of that connection. This was becomming a real pain on my old iPad and I had hoped the new one would resolve it, but that has not been the case. Not sure how to proceed on this as I am new to raising problems with Apple. Hope someone from their techies picks up on this?

Nov 6, 2013 9:48 AM in response to AmishCake

First thing I tried. No problems with laptop VPN connection. Regular reboot done, but problem still persists. Has been happening since about iOS 5. My guess would be something to do with the WiFi software under iOS? Been living with it for far too long. Got used to downloading content in advance. Almost as if WiFi is going to sleep even though the iPlayer app is overriding the screen lock?

Nov 7, 2013 10:44 AM in response to Charlie Foord

Hey Charlie Foord, I am having exactly the same problem as you with the same router with BT Infinity :-(


My iPhone 4, late MAC mini 2009 and my Ipad 4 never has had any problems connecting to wifi, they have never dropped and having the same issue with IPAD Air


I sold my Ipad 4 to get the Ipad Air and hope that reading this forum and a few others will sort out my problem. It just disconnecting every day 4 or 5 times. I can't watch I player and I tunes Match is doing exactly the same thing.


I have done exactly what you have don't and I have also changed my 802.11 to the 40Mhz just now to see if that works.


I also read on another forum to change the Wireless channel selection to Channel 6 ( so I am hoping this might resolve my issues, else I will be ringing up Apple help line. I don't get it though because all my other Apple products work perfectly fine. Will update either way the outcome is :-)


Someone on another forum said to also do this on your ipad


Renew IP Address: (especially if you are droping internet connection)

• Launch Settings app

• Tap on Wi-Fi

• Tap on the blue arrow of the Wi-Fi network that you connect to from the list

• In the window that opens, tap on the Renew Lease button

Nov 7, 2013 2:06 PM in response to Charlie Foord

Some things to try first:


1. Turn Off your iPad. Then turn Off (disconnect power cord for 30 seconds or longer) the wireless router & then back On. Now boot your iPad. Hopefully it will see the WiFi.


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


3. Change the channel on your wireless router (Auto or Channel 6 is best). Instructions at http://macintoshhowto.com/advanced/how-to-get-a-good-range-on-your-wireless-netw ork.html


4. Go into your router security settings and change from WEP to WPA with AES.


5. Renew IP Address: (especially if you are droping internet connection)

• Launch Settings app

• Tap on Wi-Fi

• Tap on the blue arrow of the Wi-Fi network that you connect to from the list

• In the window that opens, tap on the Renew Lease button


6. Potential Quick Fixes When Your iPad Won’t Connect to Your Wifi Network

http://ipadinsight.com/ipad-tips-tricks/potential-quick-fixes-when-your-ipad-won t-connect-to-your-wifi-network/


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some things to try first:


1. Turn Off your iPad. Then turn Off (disconnect power cord for 30 seconds or longer) the wireless router & then back On. Now boot your iPad. Hopefully it will see the WiFi.


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


3. Change the channel on your wireless router (Auto or Channel 6 is best). Instructions at http://macintoshhowto.com/advanced/how-to-get-a-good-range-on-your-wireless-netw ork.html


4. Go into your router security settings and change from WEP to WPA with AES.


5. Renew IP Address: (especially if you are droping internet connection)

• Launch Settings app

• Tap on Wi-Fi

• Tap on the blue arrow of the Wi-Fi network that you connect to from the list

• In the window that opens, tap on the Renew Lease button


6. Potential Quick Fixes When Your iPad Won’t Connect to Your Wifi Network

http://ipadinsight.com/ipad-tips-tricks/potential-quick-fixes-when-your-ipad-won t-connect-to-your-wifi-network/


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fix WiFi Issue for iOS 7

http://ipadnerds.com/fix-wifi-issue-ios-7/


Fix WiFi Issue for iOS 7

http://ipadnerds.com/fix-wifi-issue-ios-7/


iOS 6 Wifi Problems/Fixes


Wi-Fi Fix for iOS 6

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4823738?tstart=240


How To: Workaround iPad Wi-Fi Issues

http://www.theipadfan.com/workaround-ipad-wifi-issues/


Another Fix For iOS 6 WiFi Problems

http://tabletcrunch.com/2012/10/27/fix-ios-6-wifi-problems-ssid/


Wifi Doesn't Connect After Waking From Sleep - Sometimes increasing screen brightness prevents the failure to reconnect after waking from sleep. According to Apple, “If brightness is at lowest level, increase it by moving the slider to the right and set auto brightness to off.”


Fix For iOS 6 WiFi Problems?

http://tabletcrunch.com/2012/09/27/fix-ios-6-wifi-problems/


Did iOS 6 Screw Your Wi-Fi? Here’s How to Fix It

http://gizmodo.com/5944761/does-ios-6-have-a-wi+fi-bug


How To Fix Wi-Fi Connectivity Issue After Upgrading To iOS 6

http://www.iphonehacks.com/2012/09/fix-wi-fi-connectivity-issue-after-upgrading- to-ios-6.html


iOS 6 iPad 3 wi-fi "connection fix" for netgear router

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsWS4ha-dn0


Apple's iOS 6 Wi-Fi problems

http://www.zdnet.com/apples-ios-6-wi-fi-problems-linger-on-7000004799/


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


How to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal

http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/a/How-To-Boost-Your-Wi-Fi-Signal.h tm


Troubleshooting a Weak Wi-Fi Signal

http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/a/Troubleshooting-A-Weak-Wi-Fi-Sig nal.htm


How to Fix a Poor Wi-Fi Signal on Your iPad

http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/a/How-To-Fix-A-Poor-Wi-Fi-Signal-O n-Your-iPad.htm


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


WiFi Connecting/Troubleshooting http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/wifi/


How to Fix: My iPad Won't Connect to WiFi

http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/ss/How-To-Fix-My-Ipad-Wont-Connect -To-Wi-Fi.htm


iOS: Connecting to the Internet http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1695


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


How to Quickly Fix iPad 3 Wi-Fi Reception Problems

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


iPad Wi-Fi Problems: Comprehensive List of Fixes

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


Connect iPad to Wi-Fi (with troubleshooting info)

http://thehowto.wikidot.com/wifi-connect-ipad


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


Fix Slow WiFi Issue https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2398063?start=60&tstart=0


How To Fix iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch Wi-Fi Connectivity Issue http://tinyurl.com/7nvxbmz


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

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4010130


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.

Some Wi-Fi losses may stem from a problematic interaction between Wi-Fi and cellular data connections. Numerous users have found that turning off Cellular Data in Settings gets their Wi-Fi working again.


You may have many apps open which can possibly cause the slowdown and possibly the loss of wifi. In iOS 4-6 double tap your Home button & at the bottom of the screen you will see the icons of all open apps. Close those you are not using by pressing on an icon until all icons wiggle - then tap the minus sign. For iOS 7 users, there’s an easy way to see which apps are open in order to close them. By double-tapping the home button on your iPhone or iPad, the new multitasking feature in iOS 7 shows full page previews of all your open apps. Simply scroll horizontally to see all your apps, and close the apps with a simple flick towards the top of the screen.


Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings grayed out or dim

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1559


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


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


 Cheers, Tom 😉

Nov 7, 2013 3:10 PM in response to Charleszha

Well since doing all of the above, touch wood my ipad has not dropped out of connection. Have watched a film, surfed the web and previous to what I did above my 16GB Ipad Air has not dropped out. Every half an hour it was doing it and since I changed what I said previously is all seems fine. Even had 2 FaceTime calls and previously yesterday and the day before it lost connection multiple times.


So charleszha don't be too quick to send back for a refund, have u tried everything that Texas Mac Man has said to do, because the Air is an amazing I pad and I have always had apple for 9 years, sometimes there can be teething problems but majority of the time once it's sorted then it's plain sailing.


Still will check back after a few days to see if my wifi is still ok but it all seems to be ok now

Nov 8, 2013 9:07 AM in response to Charlie Foord

Hi Tom,


Many thanks for all the info.


I am currently testing with my router set to the 40Mhz option, but have not had much time to use iPlayer with WiFi. When iPlayer reports a loss of WiFi, I can go to settings and immediately reconnect, but it does not do so automatically. Do you know why channel 6 is better than others? I do not see any other WiFi hotspots from my home. Some distance to the next house and thick brick walls, so I would be surprised if there was any external interference? This could be a problem with how iPlayer overrides the Auto-Lock function? I do not believe this is a hardware problem as it has been happening with several iPads and versions of iOS.


Regards,


Charlie.

iPad Air 128Gb WiFi Only - Dropping WiFi Connection

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