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iPad Wi-Fi Issues to be Addressed in Software Update

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Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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Apple recently updated a support document detailing current solutions to Wi-Fi connectivity issues surrounding the iPad. There have been several distinct Wi-Fi issues reported on various discussion forums. The new support document lists a few possible workarounds, but also states that "Apple will also address remaining Wi-Fi connectivity issues with a future iPad software update."

The workarounds listed include:

- Updating Wi-Fi router firmware
- Using WPA or WPA2 wireless security
- Adjusting screen brightness
- Renewing IP address

Issues with the iPad Wi-Fi include weak signal, forgotten passwords, and more technical networking issues. According to Apple, only a "very small number" of iPad users are affected.

Article Link: iPad Wi-Fi Issues to be Addressed in Software Update
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/05/11/ipad-wi-fi-issues-to-be-addressed-in-software-update/
Adjust screen brightness

* Check to see if your screen brightness is set to the lowest level by going to Settings > Brightness & Wallpaper. If brightness is at lowest level, increase it by moving the slider to the right and set auto brightness to off.

Note: Brightness control in the iBooks application can also be used to adjust brightness.
Click to expand...

Can someone please explain how screen brightness affects WiFi?? (And turning it BRIGHTER is a workaround?!?!)
 
AHDuke99 said:
A few users? I have 1 bar on WiFi right next to my router. Then it jumps from 5 bars to 1 when I walked around my house.
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Same for me, except the 5 bars to 1 happen when I am standing in the same place (10 - 15 feet from my Airport Extreme). They never admit problems are widespread.
 
"very small number", my ass. They just say that so that it wouldn't affect their sales. My Ipad has been experiencing unstable wifi since I bought it and I have apple routers. Hopefully, this is just a software issue.
 
Yeah right very few.. Even with a new Apple Airport Extreme I have flickering WiFi icon on my iPad and only 4 bars out of 5 in my condo.
 
I would think this was a more prevalent problem then what they are letting on. Mine drops errrrrrrrr. It doesn't do it at my parent house, using an airport base station. The troubled router is a Verizon.
 
smileyborg said:
Can someone please explain how screen brightness affects WiFi?? (And turning it BRIGHTER is a workaround?!?!)
Click to expand...

All I can think of to reduce brightness is that the wifi interface can use more power to boost the signal. If you have DHCP problems at home you can extend the lease time of the IP adresses. Updating a router firmware when all the other wifi devices have no problems seems to me no solution. Still waiting on a new firmware for my airport extreme early 2009 model ;)
 
I am guessing that a new software will be released right after the international launch date. Many people are relying to this update to fix their wifi issues. I am not sure how people will take this if this turns out to be a defect with the wifi hardware and not with the software.
 
Apple's long term WiFi problems

There have been ongoing WiFi issues with several Apple products, which leads me to conclude that it is their achillies heel. A previous (polycarbonate) MacBook had constant problems with WiFi, as did my iPod Touch 8G and more recently, my iPhone 3GS only works on a full strength signal.

I have always believed Apple should have purchased a wireless company to obtain key technical expertise, just as they have with other technologies, such as iAd advertising and the software behind iTunes.

I for one won't be touching the iPad until I have had a chance to try one out in my own place of work and home. The device is a brick without connectivity and Apple really should have tested this way in advance out in the field, perhaps by disguising it as a netbook.
 
I use a rather long WEP key as my Airport password, but I have the same connectivity issues whether I use an iPad, iPodTouch, PC or Mac -- my house has large metal items in the way relative to the airport (a refrigerator, for one example).
 
Oh for christi's sake I'm tired of Apple with their super duper devices hobbled by something basic and stupid! SHEEEEESH!:mad:
 
Sn0wRa1n said:
"very small number", my ass. They just say that so that it wouldn't affect their sales. My Ipad has been experiencing unstable wifi since I bought it and I have apple routers. Hopefully, this is just a software issue.
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I have had zero issues with my WiFi iPad that I've had since launch day.

and yes, the couple thousand of people who visit these forums and complain are a very small number compared to apples 1 million iPad users (so far)

MacRumors Forum
"Currently Active Users: 4512"
 
If by "small number" they mean "large number", then yes.

I haven't had too many issues, but enough to annoy me. Hope this software update fixes things.
 
Sn0wRa1n said:
"very small number", my ass. They just say that so that it wouldn't affect their sales. My Ipad has been experiencing unstable wifi since I bought it and I have apple routers. Hopefully, this is just a software issue.
Click to expand...

It only looks like a lot of people because you don't get anyone starting new threads or blog posts about how their ipad is working correctly. In reality it is only a small number of people.
 
After my first DHCP lease ran out I had conflicts with other devices on my network. I gave my iPad a static IP and everything works great. I can not talk about signal strength issues, I have had none. If you have DHCP issues, a static IP will cure them.
 
I have no issues with the wifi on my iPad. I have a dlink DIR-655 router which uses 802.11n with the newest firmware. I had to take back my first iPad because of a dead pixel so I've tested two iPads on my network, which both worked great.
 
The note says that there are workarounds for the issues, and that an update fixes REMAINING issues. Does that mean people with the issues have to just live with a workaround?
 
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