Are you having Wi-Fi connection problems with your iPad?
Dieter mentioned this in the hardware section of our iPad review, but we've seen enough reports (and gotten enough email about it!) that we wanted to break it out and see how widespread a problem this may be for our readers:
Speaking of that aluminum casing, it blocks WiFi signals pretty effectively. To get around that, Apple placed the WiFi antenna behind the plastic Apple logo. While all reports indicate it’s a good antenna, I do find that I’m getting slightly worse reception on the iPad than I do on other devices.
I haven't had a problem either at home on an dual-band Airport Extreme in 802.11n mode or at work on an ancient Linksys in 802.11g, however I'm going try it out in more places on more routers and compare it to both laptops and iPhone/iPod touch to try and get a better idea.
More importantly, however, we want to see what your experience with iPad on Wi-Fi has been. Is the signal strong and steady or sparse and subject to frequent drops? How does the connectivity compare to your iPhone and/or iPod touch?
Update: Reader Fassy points out that CNN has picked up the story.
Editor-in-Chief of iMore, Executive Producer at Mobile Nations, co-host of Iterate and ZEN and TECH, cook, grappler, photon wrangler.
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Typo on WEP code above btw. But in this instance for many people it is a weep code!
My iPad constantly drops the connection. I thought it was my router so updated that but it didn't solve the problem. I also tried setting the screen brighter but that didn't help either. The weird thing is that the settings page shows the WiFi connected but the applications give me not connected errors. Going to the settings page and opening the wifi list seems to reactivate the connection but what a pain! Other options to get reconnected are turning the iPad off and on again. This is really getting annoying!!!
I am having the same problem. Turning it off then back on when you are trying to do stuff on it is really irritating! This IPad was way too expensive for this kinda troubles. Really frustrated with this outragousely priced problem!
I am having the same issue Laura is. I've had my iPad since early June and it has been fantastic until yesterday. According to my settings, my WiFi is connected but can't open anything that uses the Web. I have tried to update and even restore through itunes, but it tells me the server stopped responding. I know it's not my router because I am on my laptop and it's working fine.
Same deal as Liz. What a pain.
I am having the same problem as Lisa and Liz. Exact problem.
My ipad had been working great with wifi for the past month and suddenly last week i noticed it's dropping the signal as well.In all the locations i use it in it starts up full bars and then a minute later drops down to barely one bar.I had been using speed test to test the signal speeds i was also getting at different locations...now the speed is half to a third what it was a week ago.I don't get it.I haven't updated any software(besides installing apps) in a while. M
Same as everyone else I'm afraid, only haven't been able to keep connection now for over 24hours. Just drops out as soon as it reconnects. Extremely frustrating, not to mention disappointing.
Same here as well, fine until one day it just stopped working. Can't be my router as i just watched a 3 hour f1 repeat streamed from the internet via iplayer on my pc absolutely fine! I now find my iPad connection is faster using 3G than it is on wifi, in fact I'm using 3G to type this!
Anyone know how to resolve it? If not I'm taking it back and swapping it!
I am having the same issue. It seems to have just happened in the last couple of weeks.
Sometimes going to settings doesn't work for me. I have to re-boot it.
This appears to be an OS bug. This webpage explained what is happening.
http://www.net.princeton.edu/announcements/ipad-iphoneos32-stops-renewing-lease-keeps-using-IP-address.html
I turned push off for my email and set it to manual. I can now lock my screen, unlock it and my wifi is staying connected.
I Am very happy that i am not the only one that lives this problem.
Well, I thought that fixed the problem, turning off push. It worked for a few days. Now today, it started up again.
Wow. It's not just me then. Have my iPad since end of May and this just happened today. I am really annoyed about it.
My ipad had been working great since April when I got it and suddenly this week i noticed it’s dropping the signal every minute. What's going on?
Yep, same issue here. Slightly different behavior depending on whether I'm using WPA, or WPA2. With WPA, I sometimes drop the connection while I'm using the device, 10-20 minutes, have to turn wifi off then on to continue. With WPA2, it never drops the connection while using it. However, after waking up, It wont connect without asking for passwords, and sometime I have to power down the ipad, or forget the network and reconfigure it to reconnect. A giant PITA.
I don't think its the ipad, because this is the 2nd one I've tried. I'm hesitant to replace the router because everything else is working fine.
I will try the suggestions from the princeton papers when I get home.
I also have this same problem. I have a 64GB WiFi only iPad and it constantly loses connection. I tried reseting network settings, but it still doesn't work. I'm running iOS 4.2 GM.
Same here. The iPad never loses the network but the Internet connection cuts out every 20 minutes or so. I always go into settings and renew lease, which fixes it. It's very frustrating but mine has done it for much longer than a couple weeks. Tried the Princeton paper suggestion but no luck...
Same as everyone else. Keeps losing wifi and have to reboot. Wireless laptop is fine.
Same problem as everyone here. I had this iPad since day 1 and never had a problem until today. Now my iPad won't hold the wifi connection.
Same here. I don't lose the network. I still have bars, but it drops the connection and I have to do what everyone else does. I know it us not router because everything else works.
At my work we have multiple wifi and my iPad will drop a connection and go to another one without me doing anything.
"Same here. The iPad never loses the network but the Internet connection cuts out every 20 minutes or so. I always go into settings and renew lease, which fixes it"
Snap! Mine's exactly the same....
Bought my iPad two days ago.
I am having the same issue as everyone else.
Are there any fixes? or software updates?
my i-pad dose the same and I called apple and a tech told me I needed to update i-tunes and i have not seen how to do that yet I am going to keep trying has any one tried this?
Just got my ipad yesterday and it is doing exactly what people are describing. Should I return it?
I do not losse network ,keep the bars but wi fi And 3 G connection cut And I have to reboot ,never happen before And now happens frecuently I check it on wi fi also because happen first on connection 3 G. What we schould do ? Return it back to the store?
Anybody else still having this issue with 4.2 update? I am on static IP and still lose signal when switching apps. Frustrating. This is 3G 16GB version.
I am having the exact same problem as everyone else. I have a buddy that works for apple and he told me to upgrade to 4.2. I did this last night and problem NOT solved. Manually disconnecting and reconnecting is getting old real fast.
The 4.2 update seems to have made it worse for my ipad. I lose the signal all the time now.
My ipad is basically useless. It won't stay connected beyond downloading one webpage.
I've had no issues with my connection till I upgraded to 4.2. This is a serious issue as 90% of my usage is online. If I renew the IP it will reconnect but only lasts a few minutes. Apple really needs to fix this! If I find a fix I post here. Good luck all.....
Same, same, same... me too!!! have my ipad just 2 days ago Did all the troubleshooting I could but still not successful in connecting the net, although I have a strong wifi signal. The message "server stopped reponding" always pops out... =(
I've had the connection problem as I received my iPad in June (I live in Switzerland). But it was my wireless router that was around 5 years old. After replacing it with a Cisco router the problem was gone -> until I updated to 4.2.1! Now the iPad constantly drops the connection after not using it (but indicates that it has a connection) and I have to reset the WiFi connection in the settings. I changed some things after updating: Added my wifes Exchange 2007 account and changed my exchange account from Exchange 2003 to 2010, both Exchange accounts are set to Push. I also configured MobileMe for locating. As what I read in the Princeton documents it has to do with DHCP (I'm aware of they're writing it's fixed since 3.2.1 and 4.2). I'm going to use a static IP on my iPad and see if it works. If a static IP won't fix the problem I'm going to disable all the Push and notification stuff. I'll write here if any of my attempts are successful.
Did you see discussion on Apple forum? http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2657404&start=0&tstart=0 And this one: http://www.macstories.net/ipad/wifi-connection-issues-still-affecting-ios-4-2-1-for-ipad/ I don't think, that we need to play with our routers - they work fine with other devices. This just another bug from Apple. Mine was downgrade to 3.2.2.
I have had my ipad since May! Constanly drops connection and have very slow downloads even when the signal indicator shows 3bars. We have 2 blackberrys, 2 ipod touch, 1 mac notebook, 2 thinkpads, 1 iphone, 1 nintendo wii and other gear. None of these products have any issues! What else proof do we need? Ipad wifi is a rubish product unless youre sitting next to the router!
Wifi connect problems did not exist prior to os4.21 update. Connection on to two iPads no longer stable as they had been for months. Distance appears to be a big factor. However there does seem to be a big increase in download speed on itunes tv shows.
I had no problems until the last update. Now it shows as connected but can't find server. I constantly have to power off and on.
Ok, I tested my two attemps:
Static IP does NOT work. My iPad still kept dropping the connection. I'm now back on DHCP.
Disabling every Push setting DID WORK! I set both Exchange accounts to refresh every hour and disabled the notifications for all apps.
After doing point 2, my iPad didn't drop the connection over the whole weekend!
I'm having the same problem! I'm going to try turning off push ... But that really sucks because I like the notifications. The problem started with the 4.2.1 update... Apple needs to get on the ball and fix this!!! It's making me REALLY hate using my iPad....
I am ready to throw my ipad against the wall. It will not stay connected for more than 10-20mins and I am constantly having to "reset" everything. I am ready to sell my Ipad 3G if you know of anyone who may want to purchase it. It's worthless for my home setting.
Same problem here. After wake, No connection possible although 3 bars Show connection. Let me try disabling the push notifications.
Stefan, did you disable push in mail settings?
Disabling push in mail and notifications worked just fine. Thanks Stefan, you The man
I've a 32gig iPad, had it for 6 months and it ALWAYS looses wifi after going into sleep or power down. I've tried everything that can be found in a lot of user groups including resetting router, adjusting brightness, passing a ripe banana over the screen at 1.2 inches and even swearing at it but to no avail.
Why will Apple not just bloody admit it and tell us "there is a problem" and they are looking into it instead of leaving us all floundering around trying everything conceivable including which-craft.
Come on Apple - own up!
My mom's and my ipad, that we just got, is not working. Apperently we are not connected to our wi-fi, so we can't get anywhere with the ipad. It's kinda strange considering the fact that I'm connected to my laptop. Since my laptop and my ipad are using the same modom, it doesn't make sense to me that I can't get connected to my ipad. i just need help finding the password to get me connected, but i can't seem to find it. please help me.
My password to connect my ipad was on my router, mine was a 10 digit number within ( ) for example (1234561890) I added a $sign before it and entered my numbers, for example, $1234561890 and it accepted it and also showed up on my pc network. Placing the $ sign before the password did the trick as far as getting DHCP connection.
Got the ipad from Christmas and was over the moon...UNTIL it went to sleep mode and it lost the wireless. This happens every time it sleeps and is really getting on my nerves!! This ipad will be going back for a refund.
Same here, got the ipad for Christmas and since it is not staying connected, is going back for a refund today.
I am having this issue with my iPad and now my Apple TV. Problem seems worse on the Apple TV than the iPad. REALLY annoying! Hopefully Apple realizes that this is a real issue and does something to fix it!
With all of these problems, why hasn't Apple done anything about this -- I am headed back to the Apple Store - 30 minutes away - to get my connection back again -- think they could tell ME how to do it?
I just managed to 'fix' my problem.
The problem: My wifi was dropping approximately every 20 minutes. I had to go to settings and turn the wifi off and then back on for it to work again. I was using a D-Link DI-624 router with WPA encryption.
The 'fix': Once I changed the router settings from WPA to WPA2 my problem went away.
I recommend changing encryption types on your router if you are having the same problem as I was. It's still dumb though -- none of my other stuff had a problem with my router and some of them are Apple products.
Good luck.
I spoke too soon in my last comment. I'm experiencing what Anthony mentioned in an earlier comment. WPA drops connection every 20 minutes (but connects easily upon iPad wake-up). WPA2 keeps connection once I manage to make one -- after waking the iPad up it takes me several minutes of playing around to get it to make a solid connection. Awful.
I lose connection in less than 1 min. I have done everything suggested in this forum, still does not work
( I guess Apple is getting the big company attitude... if we don't admit to a problem then it doesn't exist
Been a loyal Apple customer for years and got a 32G for xmas. I am having same problems. Went to "Genius Bar" at local Apple store where genius said she had seen this problem only once before (hmmm) and reset my wifi. Worked fine until I got home and started again. Apple offered a replacement but after reading all of this, forget it. This puppy is going back for cash. Will wait for 2nd or 3rd gen. Maybe by then Apple will have fixed the problem that doesn't exist. REALLY DISAPPOINTED.
what connection? I have yet to find anywhere that my new ipad will connect!
yes I have problems with WPA2 and Ipad/phone going into sleep modus. It looses the connection, and I've to turn wi-fi off and back on again to fix it
There is a lot more detailed information and some fixes on this thread:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2780293?start=360&tstart=0
Really disappointed with this 900.00 iPad 2 .wifi connection problem requires constant forgetting network and re-installing all the time to keep a connection. Why are they being sold with this problem I can't believe it has not been fixed yet.
iPad2 wifi scenario today. Turned on Wifi in coffee shop with WPA/WPA2 security Locates and connects for a few seconds or less then disconnects but still sees signal then starts searching. Opportunity to enter Password never appears and then 'will not join' shows up.
Other secure wifi signals ask for Password.
Next step is to turn On 3G. After 3G is established, Wifi asks to join either signal, but my desired signal still says 'will not join'. On the second appearance of the secure signals, after desired signal is selected, it asks for Password and everything seems to work appropriately.
This particular location thus far is my only problem area for Wifi.
bought ipad2 on 12 May 2011. Worked fine on public network for about 7 days. no longer connecting with wifi.
Have HP laptop which is still working fine on the available network (I'm currently away from my home router).
looks like I will be taking it back, pity, loved it when it was working.
My iPad always loses my wifi connection. I've had an iPod touch for 3 years and it's always worked with my home wifi. I have the iPad 2 3G 64gb. Seems to be a big problem apple needs to fix.
Further to my moan dated 24 May 2011
Found out that wi-fi is working, by connecting to a site at a local marina.
Got my original wi-fi contact back by physically entering the iPad identity on the network. So everything is working again.
However the iPad Wi-Fi set up does not seem that good at picking up on weak signals. My iPad2 is 64 Gb Wi-Fi only.
Just received an Ipad 2, soooo excited.. UNTIL... I drop connections almost every 2-3 minutes. It will show full signal but says it's lost connection. I'm on a work wi-fi and when I go home i have wi-fi. Can't seem to find my location (for certain apps) from my home network. Can't stay connected to send an email with a photo in it either. Why Lord.... Why!!!! (shakes fists above head). I just want it to connect as it says it does, send photos in email and work smoothly with gmail. I have had the IPad 2 for 1 week and due to these issues has been a great 'angry birds' and 'words with friends' console.. though expensive for that lol.
I am extemely irritated that the wifi works off and on when using the ipad and not at all on the itouch!!! My hp laptop works fine with the present wifi. HELP. The router and modem are a combined unit from Comcast. Any suggesttions or help will be apprecitated.
I just got my iPad2 wifi+3g a couple of weeks ago and ran into this same issue. I tried 3 separate wifi routers (Linksys, D-Link and Cisco) all resulting in connection drops. It appears that the iPad/iTouch is not very tolerant with adjustable wifi speeds. After a bit of testing and troubleshooting I changed my wifi speed from auto or auto 20MB/40MB to static 20MB. This resolved the issue on all 3 wireless routers. This setting should be in your wireless parameters on your wireless router. If you change it to a static speed it should fix the issue.
Is there a physical switch on the wireless router?
I've had my ipad for about 6 months with no problems. Yesterday it stopped connecting with my WiFi. Tried everything I know! What's up with this Apple????
mine too!! had it for 2 months .has not been working for a cpl days...HELP
Ive had an ipad 2 working fine on my home wi-fi. Then I downloaded the TED app and tried downloading a lot of content overnight, but the connection kept dropping. Ive added quite a few more apps this last few days but now seem to be getting atrocius Wifi connection issues. The device now seems unable to retain the connection for more than a minute. I uninstalled all the new apps in case they were causing and rebooted but the issue is gets worse not better. Would live to know if anyone has solved this as without Wifi the device is not really that useful.
i jut brought a ipad and it seems like it just cant connection to the ipad. only the songs can. download but nothing else
I place my ipad next to my laptop and the laptop picks up the signal while the ipad has no connectivity. This is really frustrating. Has anyone else used the fix that pcoats describes? I have a router/modem combo from TWC so I guess I'll try that suggestion although I have no idea how these things work.
i have an iPad 2 wi-fi only 16gb, it worked very well from the day i bought it until i updated its iOS to 4.3.5. it connects to a wi-fi network but i am having problems accessing the internet which is very vital to me. i hope apple will be able to fix this problem with a better firmware update.
I bought my Ipad in January and was working fine. The past three months it connects to my wi-fi only part of the time. My HP laptop, Dell desktop and HP notebook connects just fine. What's up with that?
Try resetting network connections. Seems apple has a bug with lease renewals for ip address. I did this & rebooted my modem & "so far" everything is back to normal. Princeton university has a complicated work around that may help. Good luck!
I am connected to the web, but I can't see the wifi logo
Someone have installed iphoneitipad on my ipad 2, after that I could not connect to internet with my sim card. Even I reset all setting or erase all setting data, but it still not working. So what shoudI do now?
My iPad touch with Verizon service and their data plan worked with 3G for a few months. It was so dependable I relied on it as a GPS when I rented a car without GPS while I was out of state.for a month. After I had it for 4 mos. my 3G stopped working completely and unless I was home or somewhere with public access or a hotel, I couldn't get internet service and I have plenty of space left on my data plan. It works on Wi-Fi but it didn't on 3G as Verizon wouldn't accept my password for data plan.
My iPad then completely froze and when I unfroze it, the 3G started working again. I can't see a relationship but after I held down the home and the sleep buttons at the same time for 10 seconds, it started working again. Apple problem? Verizon problem? Coincidence?
At first my iPad1 works fine with Wifi but after my last update it constantly lost his connection.
Same here. I'm more than frustrated now. I have had mine for almost a year, with no problems, until I did the last update, now I cannot stay connected for more than a few minutes.
I have an I Pad 1 and 2 and when working from the same location my I pad 2 drops constantly . I haven't found a single spot anywhere it will stay connected. I never lose a connection from these same locations with my I Pad 1.
I have no wifi and when I go under settings it won't let me turn the wifi on.
My new iPhone is not online 40% of the time. More maybe. Perhaps the Wireless option wasn't such a good idea. What's the return policy if I can't use it. It constantly drops off. Constantly.
I always have a strong wifi home signal however the Internet comes and goes on the iPad?
I have a strong wifi home signal however the internet will last a while then go off line. This happens frequenly?
You probably just need to change the broadcasting channel on you router. It is sorta like a remote control car. Sometimes another electronic device will interfere with the iPads reception of the signal that your router is broadcasting. Try going to your routers address and changing the channel. It may take a few tries, but it usually works.
Thanks for this idea. Although I did not change any channel (did not know how to do it, either), your post gave the idea to blame it on the router. So I unplugged from ethernet cable as well as electricity. When I plugged it back again, my Ipad start getting signal. I am happy now!
I used to be able to connect to the internet through my computer's dsl connection. Have no idea what happened. My niece set it all up so I have no clue what to do.
My wifi on my ipad2 doesnt remain on! Why not???
The signal is strong, but the wifi connection keeps dropping off even when aim sitting next to the router.
My Ipad stop conneting with the wi-fi. I tried everything possible: re-setting the ipad, went into Ipad web access, read a many many blogs with very complicated answers... I was really disappointed. Then, I went to my D-Link Air Plus Xtreme G router and pull the electricity and ethernet cable out of it.. while blaming it for all my troubles..... Guess what, after connecting the router again, my Ipad came back to life!!!! I am happy again!!!!
My Ipad stop conneting with the wi-fi. I tried everything possible: re-setting the ipad, went into Ipad web access, read a many many blogs with very complicated answers... I was really disappointed. Then, I went to my D-Link Air Plus Xtreme G router and pull the electricity and ethernet cable out of it.. while blaming it for all my troubles..... Guess what, after connecting the router again, my Ipad came back to life!!!! I am happy again!!!!
O mg showed this video to my guy friend and they started crying like baby's
I am also having the wifi connection problem. on my homewiress, it drops connection like once in 30 mins. my android phone has no problem with the connection.APPLE PLEASE FIX THIS!
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