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Curious Wi-Fi issue

Jsimonnola

Jsimonnola

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 22, 2018
13
3
I have a year old iPad Pro M4. Software is up to date. A month or so ago, intermittently the Wi-Fi will stop, then reload. That sequence is repeated about once every two or three seconds, until I sleep or restart the iPad. Went to the Apple Store and they ran a diagnostic program which came back with no problem. She said because of that there is nothing they can do, and suggested I erase the iPad and reinstall. I reset the network settings (no joy) and then erased the iPad and reinstalled from backup. The problem went away, for a couple of weeks. It has reappeared. I can’t identify what causes the issue (very random) and other devices in my Wi-Fi don’t have the same issue. Ideas?

 
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Can you describe your network setup in some detail? WiFi 5/6/7? Mesh network? Repeaters? 2.4Ghz + 5Ghz using same SSID? Initial guess is your iPad is hopping between access points.
 
I ran into this issue with my M4 iPad a little while ago, I think changing the "Private Wi-Fi Address" setting under WiFi solved it for me.
 
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Bigwaff said:
Can you describe your network setup in some detail? WiFi 5/6/7? Mesh network? Repeaters? 2.4Ghz + 5Ghz using same SSID? Initial guess is your iPad is hopping between access points.
Click to expand...
I have an AT&T BGW 320-500, 1 GB. Between it and my iPad I have a 4971 Extender. I assume they both transmit on 2.4 and 5 GHz. Also, not sure WiFi 5,6 or 7. Typically my iPad (and other WiFi devices) clock at about 500 MBs. I also have a MB Air M3 which doesn't exhibit the same issue.
 
Bigwaff said:
Can you describe your network setup in some detail? WiFi 5/6/7? Mesh network? Repeaters? 2.4Ghz + 5Ghz using same SSID? Initial guess is your iPad is hopping between access points.
Click to expand...
I should add - I’ve had this AT&T setup for a couple of years, and used an iPad Pro M1 with no issues. Also, this iPad worked fine for its first 12 months.
 
Artemiz said:
Private Relay doesn’t cause the WiFi to disconnect.
Click to expand...
Maybe I misunderstood the problem. He said stop, as in no internet access. Is it disconnected or just not providing any data? A lack of data could be DNS-related, which is why I wanted to have him check private relay. Stop any VPN apps too. Just eliminate things that complicate the connection unnecessarily. I would also check for Double NAT since there is an extender, but that's not typically an issue unless you are trying to reach your network from outside your network.

Also, go outside and use other wifi networks to make sure the problem isn't the iPad setup. Does it work fine at Panera/Starbucks/etc.?

But if it is however disconnected and the network is no longer visible, then that is most likely an issue on the router/extender side. Try removing the extender first and see if that fixes the problem. Try a different wifi channel. Reboot the router/modem. See if the network hardware has updates available.
 
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Jsimonnola said:
I should add - I’ve had this AT&T setup for a couple of years, and used an iPad Pro M1 with no issues. Also, this iPad worked fine for its first 12 months.
Click to expand...

Yeah so did mine and I haven't changed my internet modem/network for 4 years now, something changed in iOS/iPadOS at some point and the issue began for me and I would constantly find my WiFi icon come and go until I changed the rotating WiFi address to Fixed from Rotating.
 
HouseLannister said:
Maybe I misunderstood the problem. He said stop, as in no internet access. Is it disconnected or just not providing any data? A lack of data could be DNS-related, which is why I wanted to have him check private relay. Stop any VPN apps too. Just eliminate things that complicate the connection unnecessarily. I would also check for Double NAT since there is an extender, but that's not typically an issue unless you are trying to reach your network from outside your network.

Also, go outside and use other wifi networks to make sure the problem isn't the iPad setup. Does it work fine at Panera/Starbucks/etc.?

But if it is however disconnected and the network is no longer visible, then that is most likely an issue on the router/extender side. Try removing the extender first and see if that fixes the problem. Try a different wifi channel. Reboot the router/modem. See if the network hardware has updates available.
Click to expand...

If you watch the video he attached you can see the WiFi network is lost and comes back, it isn't a DNS issue. It's the iPad and the router having some kind of conflict preventing the iPad from holding onto its IP address on the router.
 
TokyoKiller said:
I ran into this issue with my M4 iPad a little while ago, I think changing the "Private Wi-Fi Address" setting under WiFi solved it for me.
Click to expand...
I’ve had random dropouts with older iPad Pro off and on for years. Turning off “Private Wifi Address” definitely improved the situation. I know it’s common around here to blame the wifi router or something other than the Apple device, but the fact remained dozens of other devices on the same router had no such issues.
 
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