IPad Wifi Deathgrip (it's real)

[D.T.]

Could you explain a little further? I've just resorted my iPad and the same issue popped up. I've tried to reset the router and then re-enter my credentials but the same thing happened.

Yeah, it seems like you’re losing your IP then not authenticating when the router attempts to reissue. I’ve seen this behavior in the past, usually with mixed security (like WEP, WPA, WPA/2 devices all on the same router), and sometimes peculiar behavior with mixed protocols (like B/G/N).

Sometimes it just can’t be helped because of the devices, especially less updatable things like TVs, DVRs, etc.

As a side note, make sure you’ve got the latest router firmware. Generally you download a file from the manufacturer, then upload it using the router web UI.

I’d just work through each potential failure point: DHCP, security, maybe start with setting up a static IP on the device (I do this anyway, as I like to have specific IPs for specific machines/devices in my network). Then maybe try running without any security (obviously not for any extended time!)

Doh! Time to make the taco bar ... back a bit later

 

[Frenchjay]

Yeah, it seems like you’re losing your IP then not authenticating when the router attempts to reissue. I’ve seen this behavior in the past, usually with mixed security (like WEP, WPA, WPA/2 devices all on the same router), and sometimes peculiar behavior with mixed protocols (like B/G/N).

Sometimes it just can’t be helped because of the devices, especially less updatable things like TVs, DVRs, etc.

As a side note, make sure you’ve got the latest router firmware. Generally you download a file from the manufacturer, then upload it using the router web UI.

I’d just work through each potential failure point: DHCP, security, maybe start with setting up a static IP on the device (I do this anyway, as I like to have specific IPs for specific machines/devices in my network). Then maybe try running without any security (obviously not for any extended time!)

Doh! Time to make the taco bar ... back a bit later

This is all started after resetting my router power. No settings have been changed on the router or the iPad. Resetting the router does not change any settings so I'm wondering how the iPad is going crazy. I've just restored the iPad and re-entered the password. After the intial setup it disconnected from the router but seems to be stable now. What is weird is the connection would drop once I went into the wifi on/off tab in thr settings menu. I'm guessing it's a software bug!

Thanks for the help!

 

[whtrbt7]

What router are you using?

 

[Heebeejeebies]

I'm getting consistently better DL and UL speeds when I try to recreate what you call the "deathgrip."

However I will choose to see this as proof of the fact that my iPad is just awesome.

 

[napos]

If you are on 5ghz vs 2.4ghz wifi network it also makes a difference. Higher the ghz I have found the less "penetration" on the signal.

 

[Lukeyy19]

You've got to be kidding me. I don't know about you, but when I pay $500+ for a product, I expect little to no bugs. This video just proved that there is a deathgrip and that it occurs when people hold the iPad in landscape mode (note: many people actually hold the iPad like that, so it is a BIG issue). Apple is making a ton of profit from every iPad, so I expect them to fix these problems before selling them.

you're putting a cover over the antenna, what would you expect? it's not just the iPad that will do this, if you cover the antenna on any device the WiFi will suffer.

I tried it with mine and if i held in that exact (uncomfortable i might add) position, I lost one bar of WiFi signal, but the speed was only affected minimally (5.2Mb/s - 4.7Mb/s), when I held it comfortably in landscape mode, there was no drop in signal and no loss of speed.

 

[The Bogeyman]

If you are on 5ghz vs 2.4ghz wifi network it also makes a difference. Higher the ghz I have found the less "penetration" on the signal.

Yes. You get that with any type of radio wave. You have a finite amount of energy being put out, so if you increase the frequency, ie make the peaks and troughs of the wave closer together, the wave will not reach as far. This is why submarines for example use Ultra Low fequency waves. They may, because of the lower frequency, not carry much information, but they sure as hell can travel some distance!

 

[whtrbt7]

There are ways to prevent this deathgrip from happening but you might have to tell your HMO/PPO/whatever health insurance that you have that you're going to need chemotherapy by next year or so and maybe if you're really unlucky, an endoscopic brain surgery. The best way would be to boost power to the antenna but it may end up irradiating your body in a whole new dangerous way . I originally thought this was a good idea until I saw the tumors that formed from mutated cancer cells due to radiation.

 

[sulpfiction]

A hoax? Are you serious? Many people on multiple pages on that thread have the same problem, including me. If your hand causes the wifi signal to completely deplete that is a hardware issue. You can ask me to hold it a different way but that doesn't solve the problem.

I didn't say to hold it differently.

Sounds to me like you've got network issues that u can't work out. I tried to replicate the problem numerous times and I don't even come close to losing a connection. In fact, I cant even get the signal to drop consistently. And if your surfing the net, and not looking at a speed test you don't even notice a thing. You may have a hardware issue, a router issue, or both. But that doesn't mean EVERY iPad has a major flaw. And if they do, It just so happens that me, and a few other lucky posters in this thread got the only iPads without this issue. Lucky us!!

 

[Buildbright]

I have a new term "Tech Hypoconrdriaact". Seriously Stop the Craziness.

 

[dukeblue91]

This is a BS story.
I just tried it out and nothing happened.

 

[dmccloud]

You've got to be kidding me. I don't know about you, but when I pay $500+ for a product, I expect little to no bugs. This video just proved that there is a deathgrip and that it occurs when people hold the iPad in landscape mode (note: many people actually hold the iPad like that, so it is a BIG issue). Apple is making a ton of profit from every iPad, so I expect them to fix these problems before selling them.

I've held my iPad the exact same way and I've seen absolutely no dropoff at all in speed. Furthermore, if this was real, then the media would have been all over this story already. Might want to try harder the next time you try to pass something off as fact...

 

[gpsouza]

Omg! I got a deathgrip too! Somehow when I hold my iPad upside down covering the goddamn screen I can't see a fu&%& thing! That's a death grip!

Seriously, if you're blocking the GODDAMN wifi what you expect to happen?
Here, actually, nothing happens and I got 0 problems so far...

 

[cinca]

I also noticed that when I cover my mouth while talking people can't hear me very well.

And when I cover my ears while trying to hear something I can't hear as well.

In a related story - if you submerge your iPad in a pool of wet cement Wi-Fi signal drops dramatically.

 

[VaporPro1]

I've held my iPad the exact same way and I've seen absolutely no dropoff at all in speed. Furthermore, if this was real, then the media would have been all over this story already. Might want to try harder the next time you try to pass something off as fact...

I won't receive my iPad until tomorrow, so I haven't been able to test it out myself. However, it is clear that the guy in the video has in fact found a deathgrip. Maybe it doesn't happen to all iPads, but it is still happening to some.

 

[batotman]

Manbearpig...I told you he was real!

Signal is good. Only time I've seen any drop is when I have this poetic case on. Suspect the magnets in the back may cause a slight signal issue as it goes back up when I fold it out it goes back to full. But, I'm just guessing.

 

[palpatine]

i can confirm it happens to me too. but, so what. i don't plan on holding it while covering up the speaker. ever.

i've also noticed that covering up the camera while taking a photo affects camera performance. this is about the level of significance i think this death grip has. when i start losing wifi with normal use, then i'll complain.

 

[dukeblue91]

Manbearpig...I told you he was real!

Signal is good. Only time I've seen any drop is when I have this poetic case on. Suspect the magnets in the back may cause a slight signal issue as it goes back up when I fold it out it goes back to full. But, I'm just guessing.

I have the Poetic case too and no drop in signal what so ever.

 

[Frenchjay]

What router are you using?

I've factory reset the router this morning and I'm waiting to see if there is any kind of drop off. I believe it was my router since resetting it once the problem occured. I have a genius appointment at 1120am so if the problem doesn't occur from now until then, I'll leave it.