Q: iPad Air 2 WiFi Issues

It's not a router problem.  I have the current generation Apple Time Capsule with latest firmware installed, and my 128gb wifi iPad Air 2 drops the wifi.  My iPhone 6 plus is fine and so is my new Retina iMac and both of those device use AC just like the iPad Air 2 and the Time Capsule is AC.

I discovered a problem with an old Apple Time Capsule from perhaps 8 years ago.  I decided it was time to get a new machine because the range wasn't very good anyway.  So I did what you suggest - a brand new R7000 and documented my experience above with a brand new iPad Air2 and an brand new R7000.  The router had a firmware update available for me when I installed it and that didn't affect things.  My wife's iPad2 on iOS7 has had zero problems.  This 17-page thread is enough to indicate that there are a significant number of people experiencing problems.  People have given enough examples with system data for someone at Apple to check out and comment on.  We're waiting.

I'm loving my new iPad and will work around it - easy enough but a bit of a hassle I can put up with for a while.  There's no indication that a replacement would fix the problem

Latest router list:

Note: Linksys = Cisco here

Routers reported to be dropping connections

Linksys EA4500 N900

Linksys EA3500 N750

Linksys E4200 N900

DLink DIR-355 N300

NetGear WNDR3700 N600 (one user reports problem goes away if memory intensive app is shut down)

NetGear R7000 AC1900

NetGear R7500 AC2350

DLink DIR-655 N300

Apple Time Machine (8-year old version)

Routers reported to keep connection

Asus RT-AC68U AC1900

Asus RT-AC66U AC1750

DLink DIR-855L N900

DLink DIR-510L AC750

Actionec Ver F 802.11g (older version of router provided by Verizon for FIOS)

Netgear R6300 ver 2 AC1750

Netgear R8000 AC3200

Mixed results - Some OK, some not

Apple AirPort Extreme 802.11ac (unspecified versions)

We acctually seem to be a group with fairly up to date equipment!  A ton of AC routers, with almost all of the N900 ones being something that is <2.5 years old.  Only an older Time Machine and the Actiontec are more than several years old (and the Actiontec actually works well with Air2).

The odd thing is we all appear to stay connected, but with issues getting that connection to translate to actual internet traffic, and the diversity of the routers listed above (for example, the Netgear results above oscillate between the R6300 and R8000 working, while the R7000 and R7500 do not.  Coupled with (at least in my experience) the connection being active up until I wake up the device, and there has got to be some non-user accessible security or firewall setting in these routers that the Air 2 does not like (or vice versa).

Just to note that my R7000 does not completely drop - it goes down to 0.3 - 3 Mbps when it had been 56 Mbps a moment before

I have the same WiFi issues as all of you. I lose Internet connection (but still connected to WiFi) after my iPad Air 2 running iOS 8.1 goes to sleep/standby. I've tried all of the suggestions and temporary fixes and none of it works. I took the iPad Air 2 (only a week old) to an Apple Store and explained the problem. they stated that nobody else has complained of these issues. I mentioned that the Apple.com Discussion pages are filled with complaints.

Either way, they swapped my iPad for a new one. Took it home, restored from backup and I am STILL having the same WiFi issues. This is definitely iOS 8.1 software related. An update is needed.

By the way, I am using a Linksys EA4500 wireless router that never had an issue with previous iPads or current wireless devices in my home network.

Briansyddall wrote:

 

Go to Settings on ipad Reset Network settings After Reset you need to enter your Router wireless key Also turn your router off for 30 seconds Also an option for later on Webb site for your Router make check for Firmware update. Cheers Brian

yea and  I'm sure the host at the Hilton or wherever you are staying when out of town on business or leisure will gladly reset the hotel's router so your ipad can connect to their wifi.

Nice try at getting your points for a fix but this band aid or placebo won't cut it for me.

Possible temporary fix.

Most of our newer wireless routers have dual channel mode. Well, you can tell each network mode to use a different SSID. Before in my Linksys EA4500 wireless router, I had the same wireless router name or SSID and the iPad would connect to the 5GHz or 2.4GHz channel. I am now using strictly 5 GHz with the iPad and that seems to be working with the WiFi issue. Keep both channels enabled but tell the iPad to forget the slower channel's SSID and only use the faster 5GHz SSID.

My iPad Air 2 continues to be connected to the Internet even after being on standby (or asleep). Works.

Here is something you can try for those having Air 2 wifi issues with your router.

If your router is a dual band router (2.4GHz & 5 GHz). give each band name (called SSID) different names.

What I did on my dual band router is make each of the 2 SSID names my last name + band,

for example the 2.4GHz band I named the SSID TSmith 2.4G and for the 5GHz band I named the SSID TSmith 5G

Now on your Air 2, select only the SSID Network name with the 2.4GHz band that you named it on your router

I think it's the 5GHz band use on the Air 2 that is causing the problem. Try using your Air 2 only using the 2.4GHz band name

Tom, your reply contradicts my temporary fix. The 5GHz channel seems to work best for me. See my reply above yours.

I mean my suggestion is for those with Air 2 having wifi connection issues with their older existing router.

I think you bought a new AC router that works with your Air 2

Tom, I have a "N" router. I listed it above as the Linksys EA4500. Not new but not old either and certainly not AC compatible.

Oh Wait, I might have that backwards.

So you are using the 5GHz band on your router and it works?

Yes. Seems to be working and speeds have increased in the weakest room in my apartment. See attached.

So Apple, are you going to fix this wi-fi problem. There are 19 pages of messages in this thread only, with the same complaints that the wifi disconnects on the iOAd Air 2... and still no correction?? I am not pleased!

I had the same EA4500 router as tom_eastcoast and DezM, and it does not work well on either the 5GHz or 2.4GHz.  My particular issue was sporadic, it would disconnect from internet (but remain connected to wifi) on wakeup, with the probability of disconnect increasing as sleep time increased.