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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

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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...

122 replies

Jul 21, 2014 12:57 PM in response to im_greg

So glad I found this thread...EXACT same problem with my ipad mini.


Problem is, I purchased on ipad mini release day, Oct 2012, so I'm almost 1 year out of warranty. :-(


The wifi issues started happening early this year (whenever I upgraded to 7.0.4) and I've been troubleshooting ever since with ZERO luck and I have tried just about everything whenever I tried to connect at work, or a public hot spots...but at home, I have dual band router and I was always able to connect, but could not figure out why.


Until last week, when I was surfing with a mobile phone hotspot, and it allows me to check a box for 2.4 or 5 GHz...and as usual, my ipad would not connect unless I help it several inches from my phone...then I clicked on a "Advanced" button on my hotspot and noticed the frequency selctions...I unchecked the 2.4 Ghz and checked the 5Ghz option....and VOILA...my ipad mini was connected...I was so thrilled.


So I searched and found this thread...anyone have experience/suggestions with getting Apple to replace a product almost 1 year after warranty for a documented bug/hardware issue?

Jul 23, 2014 1:51 PM in response to gloede99

Gloede99, I've searched all over the internet to try and figure out what could be causing the issue I have encountered now with my iPad 2 and I think you nailed it. I suspected a firmware issue as these issues all started following recent OS upgrades. Can you tell me what you did to get them to actually replace your iPad? I don't see any fixes outside of this unless there is another firmware that will be released that plans to solve, but who knows when that might happen.


Thank you.

Jul 31, 2014 9:09 AM in response to gloede99

I tried a bunch of fixes, but your steps 3 and 4 above (Changed to WPA with AES & switched my router from Channel 11 to Autoselect) followed by forgetting the network and then basically selected my WiFi network again and retyping the password fixed it. HUGE pain in the butt (thanks Apple) but it was a relatively painless fix using your instructions. Thank you for your post!!

Sep 10, 2014 12:10 AM in response to gloede99

Hi,


I'm just adding another one to this pile. Just happened a few days ago. After investigation, can only connect to 2.4GHz if ipad sitting on top of router. No issue connecting to 5GHz. I end up relegating the device permanently to my AV room which fortunately have a 5GHz signal.


Device - iPad mini 16G WiFi bought June 2013

Router - Asus RT-N56U dual band


Product is 3 months out of warranty.


Regards.

Sep 11, 2014 1:45 PM in response to frigate-dev

Hi all,


Just to warn you. I just updated the iPad mini to the iOS8 GM as I was hoping it would possibly fix the connection issue.


On iOS8 the iPad mini's WiFi does not work at all anymore! I can still connect to 5GHz WiFi but it won't load ANY data and it disconnects all the time only to hopelessly try to reconnect.


I will try another restore, settings reset, etc. But at this moment the mini is no more 😟


If it persists I will take it to Apple again and hopefully get better support this time despite being out of warranty. That only 5GHz worked was acceptable, but without any WiFi the mini becomes pretty much useless.


So beware, it may be unrelated to this issue and be another issue altogether, but know that it can happen..! Any others that have tried iOS8 betas or the GM and have seen different results?

Sep 26, 2014 4:53 AM in response to mcfly8000

I have just come across this problem (I think) with my daughter's IPAD2. The only difference is that it seems to work OK when within 3-4 feet of the router (not right on top of it as stated earlier).


The IPAD is well out of warranty, and as I live in the West of Ireland a visit to the Genius Bar isn't really an option either. I have scanned this thread and think I am right in concluding there is no known fix - I did try the IOS8 upgrade, and that hasn't fixed it (or made it worse 🙂)


So maybe my only option is to get a 5GHz router in the house (I currently have two wireless routers, but both at 2.4GHz). Is there a WiFi extender maybe that can be configured to receive at 2.4GHz and transmit at 5Gz?


Any suggestions welcome

Oct 1, 2014 3:27 PM in response to tommyb65

Hi all,


I found a solution to my problem but let me first explain what my problem was.


I have an iPad 2 and never had a problem before but after upgrade to iOS 8.0 I started to experience slowdowns and decided to downgrade to 7.1.2 using iTunes. Since then I cannot connect to my 2.4 GHz router if I'm not in the same room.


I tried everything I found on internet but no success until I performed the following steps:


- Upgraded to iOS 8.0.2

- Turned off iPad's wifi

- Changed iPad's name

- Switched the router to WPA2 with AES

- Switched the router to channel 6

- Switched the router to 20 MHz

- Set the router's wifi access control to allow only the MACs I added (and I added my iPad's MAC)

- Set the router's DHCP server so my iPad gets a fixed ip address

- Restored iPad's network settings to default

- Restarted my router

- Reconnected my iPad to my home network


I wish this can help someone else.


Rergards

Oct 13, 2014 12:03 PM in response to mcfly8000

mcfly8000,

After a lot of pressure and 3 months of pestering, they finally realized that it was not me. Being a network and IT professional I presented the facts and they finally listened. Since this is very tricky with Apple, I suggest that you bring in your wireless router in to an Apple store...show them that it connect at 2.4 ghz on their wireless but not yours. I have heard that worked with one person.

Jan 20, 2015 8:00 AM in response to gloede99

It's never to late to give up 😠


So I decided to let this issue RIP! We had the Ipad2 brought to the store where it was bought, and they said they would send it to Apple.... not sure what happend after this, but fast forward 4-6 moths and the IPad was returned, without any further comment, still just as wonky as before! Not sure it it ever left the store or not. Never mind... I find the way Apple handles this issue somewhat strange, offering a refurbished IPad for almost the same as a brand new unit on sale... this for an item that only slipped out of the 12 months warranty by a few months and still with-in the 24-months "grace" period.


Still beeing an engineer myself, I really would love to know the root cause, as I am curious. I'll try to remember to check the net and see if there is any new information popping up, but the faith in Apple products are, well not just there! The way that noone here in Sweden seems to have the knowledge or the possiblity to get it, regarding this issue is stunning. I honestly beleive that those I have spoken to do not know a squat, and are kept out of the loop.


So good luck to you all, and I sincerely hope we will see a happy ending for those who keep on pushing, trying to get this issue resolved.

I simply roll over and give up.... Sigh

Feb 11, 2015 11:17 AM in response to Lasse_Moell

I am having the same problem. I have the iPad 3. Two days ago I took it to the official Apple reseller and they offered a new iPad 3 for 406 eurov (mine is already out of warranty). I just laughed, but they were nice and gave me an address for an unofficial service. So I went there today and the guy was trying to connect to different routers. All of a sudden it connected and he said that that was his 5 Ghz router and that something is probably wrong with the chip but he cant replace that.


I dont have a 5 Ghz router at home, so I have pretty big coster lying on the table. I tried everything, from resets (of everything) to reboots, changing channels, passwords, security type.


The problem is, I still don't know for sure if this is a hardware malfunction or really just an annoying software bug. Is it possible to check somehow for sure?

Feb 12, 2015 12:12 AM in response to igl85

@igl85, sorry to hear about your trouble... It seems noone outside Apple do know for sure what is going on, if it is hardware or software malfunction.


Given all the facts collected in this thread, it looks as if it is software related, but it could also be a faulty wi-fi chip, but if I had to bet money on the issue, I'd go for s/w or rather firmware related.


It seems a normal factory reset will not cure, it needs to go way deeper. The problem is that the 2.4 GHz transmitter part has lost most of it's power and we do not know why. Part of the chip do work, you still can connect to a 2.4 GHz network but only in extreme proximity of a router. 5 GHz seems unaffected. Now, the chip could have its internal registry wrongly programmed and thus have the power shut down/reduced OR it could be a hardware problem.


After going over the information I have collected, and beeing an engineer myself, everything points towards the wi-fi chip or something closly related. And without any assistance from Apple it seems impossible to solve. The iPad is really not intended for repair, beeing glued but it would be interesting to hear if someone managed to swap out the chip/wi-fi ciruits.


Getting a dual band router for home is a lot cheaper than a new iPad... but then you still have problems when away from home.

iPad2 not connecting to 2.4Ghz Wireless Networks

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