Q: iPad Air 2 WiFi Issues

Agree with DezM that the preponderance if iPad users would likely be unaware of the bug because they don't have 802.11n routers at home. Some will have newer AC routers because they're new to iPad/wireless world and wanted latest and greatest. But I'd guess instead most have whatever router they (or their cable/dsl installer) put in years ago. Because as Thatchcote likes to point out, most of these users aren't very technical they're not going to be concerned with newer 802.11 versions and instead will use what they have as long as it works. So I'd guess the majority are likely still using 802.11b/g.

Anyway, I did also receive a note from my Senior Support Advisor at Apple to let her know if 8.1.1 resolved my issue or not. The note didn't imply though that she thought this was actually fixed in 8.1.1 or not. I've got it installed now, and finally put the iPad down so it could 'sleep' for a while. Will test later if it recovers from sleep and connects properly to my network or not.

Installed 8.1.1 as a complete clean setup, no backup or restore so totally out of the box.  I haven't installed anything at all that Apple doesn't install as default and I have to say that it is much better.  Speed tests are good over wifi, cut and paste is fixed, no lookups as yet, keyboard is responsive, no double letters when you start typing on this forum, just need to check some websites that were causing a problem.  Router is an Apple Extreme latest firmware.

I have not disabled anything apart from turning off keyboard clicks

i was having all the usual problems.

It's just a shame it happened in the first place and that it took so long to fix it.  Acknowledgement would have been appreciated.

will report back

not necessarily. you logic is wrong.

I installed iOS 8.1.1 today on my iPad Air 2 and have not had any disconnections to WiFi or lost Internet activity for the past 3 hours, even after the iPad goes on standby. And this is while connected to "N" mode of my router. The new update seems to have fixed this.

I am disturbed by all the people that are buying and installing new routers. I just went through a major amount of work getting my new router installed before I bought the iPad Air 2. All of my many pieces of equipment on the router work just fine. My iPad 2, iPhone 5, Apple 100, Sony Vaio Laptop, HP Photosmart Printer, Samsung Smart TV and Denon Receiver.

Apple needs to fix the problem. Apple support suggested that I turn in the new iPad Air 2 for another iPad Air 2. Are they kidding? It is a lot of work to get an iPad setup. Why would I want to do that again when others have had the same WiFi drop problem when they exchanged their iPad Air 2 for a new one.

Why are you disturbed with MY purchase? You shouldn't as it's my $. I was due for a new access point in my home anyway and wanted something stronger that would cover a room that I am in the most with my WIFi devices and had poor signal reception.

This was a good time to upgrade and I reported to the forum that the new 801.11ac router at the 5GHz mode worked flawlessly. The Apple devices running iOS 8+ are having issues with 801.11n routers.

So there's two choices. Stay with the old router and suck it up and use the slower 801.11a/b/g spec or move to an AC router. The other alternative was to wait and wait and wait until Apple fixes this with an iOS update. Meanwhile that room in my apartment is now covered 100% with that new AC router that's in the other side of my home. Reasons enough, in my case.

Just loaded 8.1.1 and the Angry Birds memory leak seems to have gone away .... Yeahhh.

Alright folks, I believe I can state with relative certainty that the 8.1.1 update has corrected the most significant of issues that folks (including myself) have been experiencing with the iPad Air 2.

I was one of the individuals Apple worked with and, despite my insisting that I didn't think it was a hardware issue, took the time to go to a local Apple store and replace my 64Gig iPad Air 2 with a new one.  Of course, the same issues persisted.

1. Loss of WiFi signal.

2. Lack of consistent download speeds - normally 1/2 to a 1/3rd of optimal.

3. Frequent stalls/lock-ups.

Though I only installed the 8.1.1 update about 4-5 hours ago, since then:

1. My WiFi signal has been rock solid (as it should be) on my Linksys/Cisco E4200v2 router at 5GHz, mixed mode settings.

2. I am now consistently getting over 55 Mbps down and 11+Mbps up. Sweet.

3. No stalls or lockups with what I perceive to be a "noticeable" increase in overall App performance.

Now obviously I'd like to go a few more days to ensure these improvement are consistent, but previous to this update i couldn't hold on to a Wifi signal for more than 30 minutes....so confidence is high!

Interested to hear from others.....

Cheers - MrTechie A.K.A CanadianTechie A.K.A Pedro Cardoso

So far, so good for me as well with 8.1.1. It seems more solid at least and so far I haven't had a stalled/dropped wifi incident. I haven't though been able to give my iPad too many opportunities to sleep and not for very long when it has. I'm optimistic though and hoping further testing tomorrow will convince me the issue is in fact fixed.

Installed 8.1.1...so far,so good...no need for the "WiFi toggle". Only nit..speedtest results are not consistent. Earlier I was getting 8 Mbps (should be getting 20 mbps) but now getting 19 mbps...web pages don't seem to load as fast.

Hi Just put IPAD on Aeroplane mode when speed drops just for a few seconds. Cheers Brian

Thanks for the tip - will try it.

Woke up this morning to a normally functioning iPad Air 2....no need to toggle the Wi-Fi. Looks like 8.1.1 fixed the issue. If so, thanks to all who called Apple and spent hours on the phone with them to figure out the problem (hopefully someone will get the scoop on the cause and share it with us). Have a great day!

Saw this and had to laugh: http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/11/18/ios-8-1-1-released/

Why would a national publication like Forbes waste their time highlighting the petty problems of “about a hundred people on this forum”? And why would 98,000 people view this article over the past 7 hrs? Anyway, Forbes shot their technical credibility because they didn’t recommend we do the right thing and go out a buy a new router. Nice quote, DezM!

Just reporting that so far I've no issues after installing yesterday.

It was certainly nice of Apple to release a software update to fix all those routers.

I like the sarcasm Ken and thanks for pointing out the link to Forbes.com I'm surprised of all of the responses in this thread, that they quoted me.

I haven't had any issues after this new update. To those that do have issues, do a Network Reset in Settings of your iOS device. Your device will reboot and try to log onto your router again. If you're still having issues, avoid using the 801.11n mode of your router and use the slower a/b/g modes until a fix. Consult your router manual or manufacturer website.

Other punitive option is is to upgrade to one of the new 801.11ac routers.