escrge1843

Q: iPad Air 2 WiFi Connectivity Issues:  RESOLVED

In a previous post, I told the tale of how my brand new iPad Air 2 would not stay connected to WiFi (typically losing connection after a certain amount of idle time.)  I would have to turn off WiFi and back on again to make a connection.  In the same house, I had 2 iPhone 5's (not 5s), an iPad 3rd-gen and iPad 4th Gen all running iOS 8.1 with no connectivity issues.  Only the iPad Air 2 would drop its connection.

 

I tried the following:

  • Restarting WiFi router
  • Turning off WiFi Networking support on the iPad
  • Resetting network settings on the iPad
  • Restoring the iPad (using backup)
  • Restoring the iPad to factory settings (using backup and setting up as new iPad)

 

Nothing seemed to help.  I went to an Apple store and a Genius replaced the unit for me.  When I got home, I connected to my WiFi and set it up as a new iPad without restoring from backup and then I let it sit for an hour to see if it maintained a connection.  IT LOST CONNECTION AGAIN. 

 

Then I went into my router settings (Linksys Smart WiFi) and made the following changes under "Wireless Settings":

  • Changed the 2.4 GHz Network Mode from "Mixed" to "802.11b/g Only"
  • Changed the 5 GHz Network Mode from "Mixed" to "802.11a Only"

 

That seemed to do the trick.  If it hadn't, my next step was to try to set an IP reservation (under DHCP) for the iPad which, after thinking about it, I had to do for my 2 Nest Thermostats a couple of years ago after they kept dropping their connections.

 

I hope others who are having this issue with their iPad Air 2's have similar success with this resolution.

iPad Air, iOS 8.1, (Air 2)

Posted on Oct 29, 2014 8:10 AM

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Q: iPad Air 2 WiFi Connectivity Issues:  RESOLVED

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  • by JerryWest_44,

    JerryWest_44 JerryWest_44 Oct 29, 2014 10:09 PM in response to escrge1843
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    Oct 29, 2014 10:09 PM in response to escrge1843

    For those who have resolved this wifi issue escrge1843 method -- try downloading a memory intensive app like Angry Bird Rio and play it for a couple of minutes and see if the wifi speeds maintain a high speed or do they drop?

  • by as41,

    as41 as41 Oct 30, 2014 4:10 AM in response to escrge1843
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 30, 2014 4:10 AM in response to escrge1843

    All,

     

    I tried the escrge 1843 method last night and it definitely made things a lot more stable but speed was affected. My usual Speedtest app gives me 50 Mbs Down but after setting the networks to 5ghz - A only and 2.4ghz to B/G the maximum I was able to achieve was 25 Down.

     

    Even after sleep and wake for several hours it remained connected for my IPad Air 2 and 5S but unfortunately my iPhone 6 Plus which was behaving better on the previous 5ghz setting lost connection and this morning I had to toggle Wi-Fi on/ off.

     

    So in summary this method is a good temporary fix albeit not perfect for all IOS devices in the same household. I'm definitely going to buy a new ASUS AC68 router which I think will solve the problem!

  • by as41,

    as41 as41 Nov 3, 2014 4:52 AM in response to escrge1843
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    Nov 3, 2014 4:52 AM in response to escrge1843

    I got rid of my Linksys EA4500 and got the ASUS RT-AC68U - AC1900. I was due an upgrade to get on the AC standard anyway so wasn't overly annoyed!

     

    Since testing it over the weekend it seems that my Wi-Fi issues have been resolved. I haven’t had a single drop or had to toggle the Wi-Fi switch on/off to get it the connection live again. Speeds have been consistent and this is across all my devices including :

     

    iPhone 6 Plus

    iPad Air 2

    iPhone 5S

    Macbook Pro Retina – 2012 non AC version

     

    I hope this lasts but so far so good although I appreciate this is a deep routed iOS 8 problem that only occurs with certain router brands / chipsets. 

     

    Either way apple need to resolve this in the next update for the vast majority of us and  this certainly shouldn’t force us to upgrade our existing equipment!

     

    Good luck to all and I’ll post back if things start to get sour again!!

  • by UncleBenny,

    UncleBenny UncleBenny Nov 4, 2014 2:44 PM in response to escrge1843
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    Nov 4, 2014 2:44 PM in response to escrge1843

    This fix seems to have worked for me. My iPad Air 2 has stayed connected for a few hours now, whereas before it would drop WiFi repeatedly. Thanks, escrge1843!

  • by charlesfromdurango,

    charlesfromdurango charlesfromdurango Nov 4, 2014 3:10 PM in response to UncleBenny
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    Nov 4, 2014 3:10 PM in response to UncleBenny

    As reported on Oct 29 the changes made to the router have kept me connected without a drop all this time.  Maybe when apple issues an up date I can go back to the default setting.

  • by ClaireLeia,

    ClaireLeia ClaireLeia Nov 6, 2014 6:39 AM in response to Star Traveler
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    Nov 6, 2014 6:39 AM in response to Star Traveler

    All the things i read, it is fine, and i solve my problem with the escrge1843 solution: router setting, and it works.

     

    BUT: now if we want Apple to solve the problem, we have to report the problem at this link:

     

    http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

  • by Vasam,

    Vasam Vasam Nov 13, 2014 6:22 PM in response to escrge1843
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    Nov 13, 2014 6:22 PM in response to escrge1843

    I too have this problem with my iPad Air 2. I am currently trying your solution. I hope Apple is working on this because I am seriously considering returning my two new iPad Air 2 until this is resolved.

  • by UncleBenny,

    UncleBenny UncleBenny Nov 13, 2014 7:40 PM in response to UncleBenny
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    Nov 13, 2014 7:40 PM in response to UncleBenny

    The escrge1843 fix worked for an extended period of time, no drops at all. About a week later, I purchased a refurbished Airport Extreme, installed it with all the defaults, and I have had flawless connectivity ever since.

  • by Shewnus,

    Shewnus Shewnus Dec 7, 2014 6:57 AM in response to escrge1843
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    Dec 7, 2014 6:57 AM in response to escrge1843

    I got an air 2 wifi (with iOS version 8.1) a couple days ago and it would drop the internet connection every time I put it to sleep. I upgraded to iOS version 8.1.1 and the problem appears to be resolved now. Thanks.

  • by DLong2001,

    DLong2001 DLong2001 Dec 27, 2014 11:26 AM in response to escrge1843
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    Dec 27, 2014 11:26 AM in response to escrge1843

    New ipad air 2 causing the router to drop on some apps and some websites.  The Apple ipad support page says, in reference to wi-fi issues, make sure that the  WMM (wi-fi multimedia) button is enabled.  After going into the dlink DIR-655 and enabling WMM the new ipad air 2 works great no wi-fi issues whatsoever.  Hope this helps.

  • by hpwong,

    hpwong hpwong Jan 1, 2015 3:07 AM in response to DLong2001
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 3:07 AM in response to DLong2001

    Totally unfamiliar with resetting of router, so problem here.

     

    My story.

     

    My new iPad Air 2 (2 weeks old) wifi connection kept dropping.

     

    Older iPad 3, iPad 4, iPhone 5, iMac - no problems with wifi.

     

    Tried all the trouble shooting steps, including resetting to factory default, reinstalling etc.  Did not work.

     

    Got new iPad Air 2 exchanged yesterday.

     

    Still having same problem. Sometimes connection stays on steadily for some time.

    Then start to drop signal connection intermittently.

     

    Meanwhile, all the other above Apple devices are still working well, at the same time, using the same router and wifi connection.

     

    My conclusion is that my router is not at fault.

     

    It has something to do with the iPad Air 2 itself.

     

    I'm at my wits end !

  • by tom_eastcoast,

    tom_eastcoast tom_eastcoast Jan 1, 2015 5:43 AM in response to hpwong
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    Jan 1, 2015 5:43 AM in response to hpwong

    My conclusion is that my router is not at fault.

     

    It has something to do with the iPad Air 2 itself.

     

    ok let's think this thru logically shall we.

     

    Does apple manufacture all of the iPad Air 2's the same?   Answer is YES

    Does my wife have an iPad Air 2 same as your Air 2?     Answer is YES

    Does her Air 2 work great with no wifi drops whatsoever?     Answer is YES

    Did I upgrade our old cheapo DLink router to a new AC Asus router  for her new iPad Air 2?    Answer is YES

    So does logic and reason tell us that the problem is in the router type you have?   Answer is YES

     

    We have a new Asus RT-AC68U 5GHz AC router and the Air2 has no problems whatsoever on it.  None

    It works beautifully and she loves it and can serf the internet all day with no drops or disconnects..

    I suggest you dump that cheapo Linksys router of yours and get an Asus AC router that will fix your problem.

  • by hpwong,

    hpwong hpwong Jan 1, 2015 6:34 AM in response to tom_eastcoast
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 6:34 AM in response to tom_eastcoast

    Thanks for your reply.

    DId try to think logically really.

    But it still does not not explain why the rest of the Apple devices are working well, under the same conditions.

    Logically, if the router is at fault, I should also have problems with the rest.

    That is why I'm perplexed !

     

    The last resort is to change the router and hope everything works !

  • by Shewnus,

    Shewnus Shewnus Jan 1, 2015 7:07 AM in response to hpwong
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 7:07 AM in response to hpwong

    Just make sure you upgrade your new iPad Air 2 to the latest iOS version 8.1.2.  Mine came with version 8.1.0 and upgrading resolved my wifi issue.  Thanks.

  • by hpwong,

    hpwong hpwong Jan 1, 2015 7:31 AM in response to Shewnus
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 7:31 AM in response to Shewnus

    Am using iOS 8.1.2

    Noted on Internet forum pages that some are having problems with this latest version of the iOS too.

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