iPad Air WiFi ultra slow speed issues

Question

iPad Air WiFi ultra slow speed issues

Having very bad WiFi streaming and general web page loading with new iPad Air, far slower than iPad Gen 1 (iOS 5) and iPhone (iOS 7).

Speed test results using same speed test app all devices pointed to same Clifton NJ server.

Download speeds:

iPad Air: .26 Mbps

iPhone 5: 12 Mbps

iPad 1: 11 Mbps

Mac Pro: 33 Mbps (Ethernet Cat 6 wired) yes I know WiFi is slower, not .26 vs 33 slower

My network:

Motorola SB 6141 Cable modem

All Ethernet wires are Cat 6

D-LINK DIR-655 gigabit router, WiFi should be minimum 100 or 150 Mbps (2.4 only)

Obstructions: very open modern apartment with good physical open shot to router. Bedroom wall vs router. Router is on 45 degree angle 30 feet from devices. Keep in mind that regardless of wall interference, all tests above were done with iDevices in exact same spot from bedroom to test wall interaction.

Result: iPad Air is usually not able to stream anything continuously or in HD ever. Some vid signals are amazingly pixelated to where movie credits are unreadable. So I use my iPad 1 instead for perfect viewing. Something's very wrong.

I assume the router can't differentiate between, however, AppleCare today surmised since I have 2 WiFi devices way out performing the iPad Air, it "may" be it's newer firmware being incompatible with my router, which logically would make sense to account for diff between it and a legacy iPad and modern iPhone.

Some of you online are true network geniuses so I wanted to hear your input for me and others with new iPad Air HD high speed expectations and what configurations to make in Settings and should a new Router be considered 1) because they are faster anyway and 2) if there is an iPad firmware issue with older even still working well routers like the DIR 655.

PS: in comparing configurations between devices, I see the iPad Air under Settings > WiFi > HTTP Proxy > (off, manual or auto)

Is HTTP Proxy an important setting to get max performance. I need to search and read up on it. Setting to Auto did increase dwnld speed from .26 to 9 Mbps.

Thanks.

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5), 4-Core Mid 2012

Posted on Dec 23, 2013 6:37 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Texas Mac Man

Level 8

46,839 points

Dec 23, 2013 9:01 AM in response to Steven Shmerler

Fix WiFi Issue for iOS 7

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

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/

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/

10 Ways to Boost Your Wireless Signal

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372811,00.asp

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

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.

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

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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Answer 2

Apr 3, 2014 8:56 AM in response to Texas Mac Man

I just got my new iPad Air to replace my old and trusty 3rd generation iPad (I'm giving it to a good friend). The setup last night from my old iPad backup went flawlessly. However, when I went to Downcast to update my podcasts I couldn't believe the drop in speed! My old iPad did the same downloads in 1/4 of the time of the iPad Air. I have a D-Link DIR-655 router and have no speed problems with my two iPhone 5's and my AppleTV. Is Apple listening and coming up with a solution to this serious problem? I'm hestiant to give my old iPad away to my friend until this problem is resolved.

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Answer 3

Apr 4, 2014 7:31 AM in response to SpeedRacer24

@speed.

I solved my problem 110%!

It was my WiFi router having ruled out all else in troubleshooting.

I had a 7 year old DLINK DIR 655 single channel router. It's great and DLINK still sell and support it fully today! But as it was said to me, routers heat up and over time deteriorate. Mine's on 24/7, over 7 years and it took its toll.

Many reviews I read rated the ASUS AC68U 1900 at the top. It's a tad overkill for me, but I went for it.

The results: I've always been told to expect some loss with WiFi over an Ethernet connection. And the most I ever got WiFi was 20 to 21 Mbps down. ANd then I had the iPad Air throttle issue down to .67 Mbps, which I could fix with a WiFi reset, until the next time it happened.

WIth my new ASSUS, I'm stunned to tell you, I get the same speeds WiFi and Ethernet. I actually get 33 Mbps on my iPad Air and iPhone 5!

I would have bought the Airport Extreme, but couldn't rectify having an 'ac' router with a USB 2.0 only port. I'm sorry Apple didn't make it 3.0. If they did. I would have bought one.

So.. I can't speak for other routers, but I can attest for the ASUS. Not cheap. But FAST and plenty of features including 2 USB ports: 2.0 and 3.0, so you can run a printer and Time Machine drive. Yes their UI supports TM!

Their hold time is a bit long, but I would assume that's cuz they've gotten so much positive press and are probably selling a bunch. I couldn't be happier and all my problems are more than solved.

Check your router. Get a new better, dual channel ac for the upcoming hardware that will be ac and see if it fixes your issues. If not, you have 30 days return at Amazon 😀

Hope that helps.

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