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Level 1

2 points

iPad2 not connecting to 2.4Ghz Wireless Networks

My issue is that without any updates from Apple, my iPad2 stopped connecting to my home wireless. I have a MediaLink 2.4 Ghz Wireless N router. I have done everything from "Forget this Network" to Rest Network Settings" to wipe the whole iPad and nothing has resoved the situation. I am running IOS 7.0.4 (the latest). I have even called MediaLink and they had me try a few things, but still nothing works. The iPad will connect to SSID's that run on the 5Ghz frequency or any dual band wireless routers (ie those that broadcast SSID's at the 2.4 and 5 Ghz frequencies). I have an open ticket with Apple and now dealing with the product engineers for about 3 weeks. They have finally recognized this as a code issue with 7.0.4 IOS. I am awaiting a fix. Apple also acknowledged that this is a software problem and that mulitiple people are affected. Stay tuned for an update to IOS for the fix......

iPad 2, iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Jan 14, 2014 6:45 AM

Best reply

Lasse_Moell

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Mar 13, 2014 2:46 AM

Sigh, I have tried to help a friend with exactly the same problem! At first I thought it was a simple user error, and expected beeing able to fix this in a few minutes. After spending 4 hours trying to diagnose the problem, I found that the transmitted power from the iPad is extremely low on 2.4 GHz, and it WILL connect if one hold the iPad extremely close to the router! This is verified on 3 different 2.4GHz routers/nets. Now just to be dead sure, I even tried at a different location, where 2.4 and 5 GHz were available, no problem connecting at 5 GHz but no luck with 2.4GHz. I even used my Agilent spectrum analyzer and could not see any signals at 2,4 from the iPad but strong signals using my iPhone4s connecting to the same net.

It would be very interesting if you could try connect to your 2.4 GHz net by placing the iPad ontop of your router just to confirm my findings...

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122 replies

Jzung

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 3:14 PM in response to gloede99

I have a Verizon Action Tech Router., using Verizon Fios

Have 2 Iphone 4's, 1 iPhone 5s, Ipad Air, iPad mini and Ipad 2. Line them all up next to each other at about 20 feet from router and all but one still show a strong wireless signal and worked great!

The ipad 2 Wifi is the one suffering from disconnects and not able to connect to wireless unlesss right near it.

I reset iPad, I restored ipad..I rebooted router. You name it I tried it.

Apple - please help, this is beyond frustrating when its your 10 year old daughter who cant connect for her games and to her friends. Not sure I can take another night of I cant connect to Internet, Daddy.

iPad 2 is out of warranty, no Applecare so replacing is not a great options...

Help.

gloede99 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 17, 2014 3:17 PM in response to Jzung

Even though you do not have Apple Care, please call using the case number in my original thread. I have no Apple Care presented a good case as to why this was their problem and not mine. They accepted the case. Good luck.

lizdance40

Level 4

2,424 points

Mar 17, 2014 3:26 PM in response to gloede99

This has been a HUGE problem with the iPhone 4S, reports of the wifi being "greyed out" in settings.

Solutions were crazy, but in some cases, effective.

Since none can be detected by apple care, are they worth the try?

The winners seemed to be heating with hair dryer, or bagging and placing in freezer for a few minutes.

gloede99 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 17, 2014 3:44 PM in response to lizdance40

Yeah not a real solution. Let me just say that the only thing that fixes it permanently is a new unit. The problem is down in the hardware or nvram. All things the consumer can't fix.

Jzung

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 4:43 PM in response to gloede99

Went thru Apple Support. They want me to bring unit into Apple store to run a wireless diagnostic. Person feels hardware related failure.. I mentioned only failed once upgraded to iOS 7.1 and she replied likely has been a hardware problem prior but the upgrade has cause the issue to be more prominent.

I must say, I do not believe this but will be at the genius bar tomorrow to see what they say.

gloede99 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 19, 2014 3:01 PM in response to Jzung

I can tell you exactly what is going to happen. At the Apple store they use their wireless WAPs which has dual bands (2.4 and 5 Ghz radios) so your iPad will for sure work. However check your wireless router...is it only a single band at 2.4 Ghz? If so, then you have to insist to them that you can indeed get it to work on dual band WAP's. When I got my replacement, mine too worked int he Apple store but not at home. Maybe you can show them screen captures from your wireless routers and the iPad showing that it will not connect.

Jzung

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 5:37 PM in response to gloede99

Yes the verizon fios router is indeed single band 2.4 ghz

gloede99 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 17, 2014 5:41 PM in response to Jzung

At the apple store ask them if they have different SSID's for the frequencies. If so, ask them which SSID is for 2.4 vs 5 Ghz. Netgear N600 have two Netgear and Netgear-5g. Make it very obvious what works and what does not.

Jzung

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 5:43 PM in response to gloede99

Thanks so much for your suggestion to test on each frequency!!

Jzung

Level 1

0 points

Mar 18, 2014 7:36 AM in response to gloede99

Am back from the genius bar. Let me start by saying how friendy and helpful they are. But, the problem continues. And we reconfirmed it in the store using the Apple wireless network so its clearly not a Verizon problem/issue.

By the way, the Apple Store SSID is 2.4 GHz. The Apple Demo is 5.0 Ghz. iPad 2 works great on Apple Demo but not on Apple Store. So Apple techs - please recreate using Apple Store 2.4 Ghz frequency.

Apple folks at the Genious Bar (had 2 helping) confirmed the issue being talked about here on the forums seems real. iPad2 running on 2.4 Ghz band is struggling to keep a Wifi connection even when right next to access point.

They have no solutions, other than hope for a patch as their ran some diagntostics on the Wifi and said Wifi chip s fine.

Speculated that something in the iOS update is likely prevent some of the antenna for 2.4 ghz from working properly.,

They did suggest purchasing an Apple Express Wifi and connect to Verizon Fios Router, and disable wireless on the Verizon router or I could upgrade to a newer iPad.

So for now, sounds like my 10 year old daughter will continue to hate me for upgrading her iPad 2 to ios7.1

Roamma

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2014 12:54 AM in response to gloede99

I'm having this issue too. Planning to address with Apple but cannot seem to find the case numbers you suggested referencing. Do you mind reposting? I'm sure it's user error on my part. ☺️

gloede99 Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 20, 2014 6:35 AM in response to Roamma

So this morning I thought I was going crazy cause I could not longer find those case numbers in my previous posts. Looking a little closer at those posts they all have "Edited by Host". Hmm could Apple be that sneaky and remove the necessary data for people to report the issue properly..... You make your own assumption there.

Jzung

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2014 6:41 AM in response to gloede99

Saw on multiple non Apple sites that Apple has stepped up the removal of content on these boards.

Not cool..Apple. Not cool.

Mar 20, 2014 5:33 PM in response to Jzung

I'm having the same issue as well with my Mini. Had zero problems since I pre-ordered it to replace my 1st-gen iPad, but after upgrading to 7.0.6 it will not connect to my older model Airport Express or the ATT Uverse built-in wi-fi.

Made an appointment, took it into the Genius bar, and it connected in the store just fine. Tech upgraded the OS to 7.1, still connected fine in the store. Took it home, no connect on 7.1 either. Same problem as 7.0.6.

Reading the above confirms my suspicion that the issue is with the dual-band routers. The Genius Bar tech was quick to tell me, at the end of my appointment, that my Mini is out of warranty and, if it's a 'hardware issue', then I will be on the hook for the $200 and change replacement fee (which made me think he knew more than he was letting on, knee-jerking to a 'hardware issue' when it's obvious there's an issue post-7.0.6 update.).

Going to call Apple again tomorrow and see what they say. Fingers crossed, but not impressed with how they are handling the issue so far.

Mar 20, 2014 6:29 PM in response to gloede99

Any chance you could post those case numbers again?

iPad2 not connecting to 2.4Ghz Wireless Networks