Whats taking so long for the wifi fix?

[richpjr]

I've never seen an issue either. My home network is about as complex as it gets with N, G, WDS network with 3 nodes. I've traveled with it and used it in various hotels. I've used my jailbreak iPhone as a WiFi hotspot, etc, etc.

I'm not saying others don't have issues, but I don't understand why I haven't seen a single glitch anywhere with mine if it's so prevalent.

I have zero problems at home when using wifi. However, when I use wifi outside of the home, it's painful at times. Same iPad, different routers, different results. I recently spent a week in New Orleans in a hotel with free wifi and it was so bad, despite a strong signal, that I ended up turning off wife and using 3G for most of the trip. The problem is real.

 

[gatearray]

Potentially silly question, but to anyone with wifi problems: did you ever try to Reset Network Settings?

When the iPad first came out in April, they were having weird problems connecting to wifi fresh out of the box-- the fix at the Apple Store apparently was to do this and then they worked fine as they should moving forward. Might be worth a shot, at least...

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

I'm starting to wonder if there is going to be a wifi "fix" at all, considering the plethora of workarounds posted both on MR and on Apple's discussion boards. I agree that at this point iPhone 4 seems to take priority, and possibly was still priority prior to it's release. It's hard to fathom that there haven't been any "kinks" Apple has worked out in a 3.2.1 update. My guess is there is still one minor update coming before 4.0 for iPad -- I think we all just expected it to drop by now. Shoot, most people expected it within the first 30 days, but they seem to have plans of their own...

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

FYI, my workaround was to give up on my belkin router, buy the airport extreme, return it and get a Linksys e3000. That has done wonders for me both in speed and stability. And I got a good deal at Best Buy -- got in on sale and somehow also got an extra employee 10% discount to boot (note: I'm not a Best Buy employee 😀). I think it was $137 in the end, much better than the AE for $200. I use WPA, n-only, 5GHz and a static IP. Wifi signal strength still isn't great on the iPad vs. other devices/Macs, but I'm happy for the time being. Ultimately, if it is an energy conservation issue, expect battery life to suffer if said fix is upcoming. Then there will be another issue for people to gripe about. If you remember, battery life was one of the foremost impressive features for most users at launch, and I think Apple wanted it to be too!

As usual, only time will tell. But I recommend at least trying a different router. At worst, if it doesn't work or it's not worth it you can always go back to your prior router and wait some more for an update. 🙄

 

[Noblelady56]

Wifi issue on ipad

My iPad kept dropping the wifi signal, so I went to see genius at Apple. They said there was no problem with the wifi as it worked fine in the store. My router appeared to be the problem (ATT router). I called ATT tech support and they sent me a new router as I had a pretty old one. This has somewhat fixed the spotty coverage on my iPad. It's puzzling though, as there is another ipad in the house and two laptops and one desktop, none of which had the wifi issue. I have to admit the downloads are a lot faster now, but my iPad is still dropping the wifi signal on occasion. When I haven't used it in a while, I soft boot and the signal refreshes. Hopefully, there will be a fix for this, especially since I travel a lot and depend on the wifi at hotels. I could only get one bar while on vacation in Orlando.

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

My iPad kept dropping the wifi signal, so I went to see genius at Apple. They said there was no problem with the wifi as it worked fine in the store. My router appeared to be the problem (ATT router). I called ATT tech support and they sent me a new router as I had a pretty old one. This has somewhat fixed the spotty coverage on my iPad. It's puzzling though, as there is another ipad in the house and two laptops and one desktop, none of which had the wifi issue. I have to admit the downloads are a lot faster now, but my iPad is still dropping the wifi signal on occasion. When I haven't used it in a while, I soft boot and the signal refreshes. Hopefully, there will be a fix for this, especially since I travel a lot and depend on the wifi at hotels. I could only get one bar while on vacation in Orlando.

I would head back to the genius bar and tell them this didn't solve your wifi problem. They can say it works fine in the store, but they are still only testing it for a short period in ONE environment. Now that they have you on file for said issue, I would think they would be more likely to recognize your complaint as legit and offer a replacement. Now I haven't done this myself, but I've read of many iPads being replaced for this same reason (and a variety of other "minor" issues). While it seems like at first they were exchanging iPads, perhaps to avoid a scene and bad PR, it sounds like they are being a bit more stingy than before. Still, give it another shot. Tell them the issue persists and you've tried all of Apple's recommended solutions (assuming you have). If it's less than satisfactory for you don't settle. Good luck.

 

[Shinigami301]

Not in this household. Have had Linksys for years, and perfect operation. I'm sure Netgear makes some good stuff too.

Now back to the OP's issue....oh right....iPad wifi not working....

Exactly. When every single other wireless device i own including iphone works 50 yards from the router through walls with full signal strength EXCEPT the iPad, don't tell me the problem is the router.

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

Exactly. When every single other wireless device i own including iphone works 50 yards from the router through walls with full signal strength EXCEPT the iPad, don't tell me the problem is the router.

This is getting sooo old. 🙂 No, seriously. We all know it's the iPad's fault. Everyone point at the iPad. Say, "Shame on you, iPad. You're to blame!"

Okay, got that out of your system? Good. Now, in case you're referring to one of my (or anyone else's) recommended "workarounds", know that I always claimed it's the iPad's fault (here you go, again) that it struggles with wifi. Has apple addressed this? Not really. All they did was offer some suggestions (i.e. other workarounds, recommended settings, etc.). But have they issued a software update? Definitely not. So...knowing this, we all have three obvious options: ONE, return your ipad or request an exchange at the genius bar -or- TWO, try a different router or a different wireless setup -or- THREE, wait for software update, then choose option one or two if needed.

So there are obviously other "workarounds" posted throughout the forums and apple's discussions you can try, but I'd lump those with option TWO. Having said that, maybe we can all stop quibbling as to whether it's the iPad's fault or not. Assuming we're all grown-ups here, the obvious plan of action has to be SOLUTION oriented. In other words, not the blame game. So choose your path, but let's please move forward, not backward.

Now I'm sure someone will come up with a FOURTH option, because that's the nature of these forums. And if it's legit, cool. 😎 But if it's infantile, rest assured, you're probably going backward. (Now make me laugh, monkeys! 😀)

/lecture

 

[John Paul]

The WiFi issue is real, and it is an iPad issue, not a router issue. Part of the whole publicity of the WiFi iPad is you can "take it anywhere," that there are WiFi hotspots all around our country and you can have your magical iPad experience at any of them. WiFi at your home. WiFi at your school. WiFi at the Starbucks down the street. WiFi at the airport. WiFi at the nearest Borders or Barnes & Noble. And on and on and on.

If suddenly the iPad keeps dropping the signal because the router isn't "right," or isn't "perfect," or isn't "WPA" or whatever...then that's either a problem with the iPad or its false advertising on Apple's part regarding the WiFi capabiities of this device. Telling people to start adjusting their routers at home isn't a fix, because when you are at Starbucks or the airport or whatever you can't start adjusting those routers. If the iPad can't hold a WiFi signal unless everything with a router is absolutely perfect, then something's wrong with the iPad WiFi capabilities.

I've had problems but it is more an annoyance than anything else. However I do find it strange that I can be sitting in my room (University housing) at my desk and my MBP is getting max strength WiFi signal, my friend's iPhone (while sitting at my desk) is getting max strength WiFi signal, and yet my iPad is getting the lowest (one "bar") WiFi signal most of the time. Sometimes it will jump up to max strength for a few seconds, then it is back down to one bar, then it drops out completely and says "cannot find network," then it is back to one bar...all in about a 30 second time frame.

 

[billyjoegibsonx]

I had wifi issues and was waiting on apple to bring out a fix but since simply moving my router about a meter i now have nice strong wifi signals again 🙂 havent had a "connecting..." yet 😎

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

The WiFi issue is real, and it is an iPad issue, not a router issue. Part of the whole publicity of the WiFi iPad is you can "take it anywhere," that there are WiFi hotspots all around our country and you can have your magical iPad experience at any of them. WiFi at your home. WiFi at your school. WiFi at the Starbucks down the street. WiFi at the airport. WiFi at the nearest Borders or Barnes & Noble. And on and on and on.

If suddenly the iPad keeps dropping the signal because the router isn't "right," or isn't "perfect," or isn't "WPA" or whatever...then that's either a problem with the iPad or its false advertising on Apple's part regarding the WiFi capabiities of this device. Telling people to start adjusting their routers at home isn't a fix, because when you are at Starbucks or the airport or whatever you can't start adjusting those routers. If the iPad can't hold a WiFi signal unless everything with a router is absolutely perfect, then something's wrong with the iPad WiFi capabilities.

I've had problems but it is more an annoyance than anything else. However I do find it strange that I can be sitting in my room (University housing) at my desk and my MBP is getting max strength WiFi signal, my friend's iPhone (while sitting at my desk) is getting max strength WiFi signal, and yet my iPad is getting the lowest (one "bar") WiFi signal most of the time. Sometimes it will jump up to max strength for a few seconds, then it is back down to one bar, then it drops out completely and says "cannot find network," then it is back to one bar...all in about a 30 second time frame.

Gah!
I'd like to write this off as you having posted within minutes of my own, but C'MON PEOPLE! This isn't the first thread regarding wifi problems on the ipad! Why do we keep hearing the same stuff....over....and over....!

This whole "I can't change routers while I'm at various wifi hotspots" argument is getting ridiculous. It's old news and we all know it (okay, maybe not all of us do). But you're still just whining and ignoring the fact that it's just a recommendation for, yes, your HOME wifi. Of course your iPad should work at various wifi spots, on various setups, various routers, blah blah blah. Like I said, old news. Fine, it's false advertisement. If that makes you feel good, go with it. But guess what, you're not being solution oriented. So actually DO something. (pssst....that means return it, file for a class action law suit, so on and so forth)

But for god's sake, don't reiterate the same lines we hear over and over again. Nobody's making you live with the wifi issues. You choose to. So, give me a break. Change your router/settings, don't change your router/settings...nobody cares. People like myself are trying to offer you "workarounds"...notice I keep emphasizing "workarounds". It's not a fix, DUH! Hold Apple accountable or do your best to improve your situation. But if you just come back everytime someone tries to help you and say, "Well, uh...I shouldn't have to change my router" you're only stating the obvious. And it makes people not want to help you at all. Get it? 🙄

*exhale* I should learn.... 🙂 Doesn't matter if people try to help or not. Whiners gonna whine.

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

I had wifi issues and was waiting on apple to bring out a fix but since simply moving my router about a meter i now have nice strong wifi signals again 🙂 havent had a "connecting..." yet 😎

Good to hear. It's something for now while we wait for a "fix" to the weak wifi.

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

The WiFi issue is real, and it is an iPad issue, not a router issue.

I like this part in particular. "The Wifi issue is real....it is an iPad issue." 🙄 No ****! Do a search for ipad and wifi. See how many times this has been said. Check out the discussions on the apple site too. Nothing new, buddy. You're not adding anything to the conversation. It's definitely not the router's "fault", but that doesn't mean that some routers won't work better with the iPad than others.

 

[John Paul]

Gah!
I'd like to write this off as you having posted within minutes of my own, but C'MON PEOPLE! This isn't the first thread regarding wifi problems on the ipad! Why do we keep hearing the same stuff....over....and over....!

Because that is the nature of forums. Wouldn't we all be bored if we couldn't rehash all the same arguments three or four times a day? 😛

This whole "I can't change routers while I'm at various wifi hotspots" argument is getting ridiculous. It's old news and we all know it (okay, maybe not all of us do). But you're still just whining and ignoring the fact that it's just a recommendation for, yes, your HOME wifi. Of course your iPad should work at various wifi spots, on various setups, various routers, blah blah blah. Like I said, old news. Fine, it's false advertisement. If that makes you feel good, go with it. But guess what, you're not being solution oriented. So actually DO something. (pssst....that means return it, file for a class action law suit, so on and so forth)

But for god's sake, don't reiterate the same lines we hear over and over again. Nobody's making you live with the wifi issues. You choose to. So, give me a break. Change your router/settings, don't change your router/settings...nobody cares. People like myself are trying to offer you "workarounds"...notice I keep emphasizing "workarounds". It's not a fix, DUH! Hold Apple accountable or do your best to improve your situation. But if you just come back everytime someone tries to help you and say, "Well, uh...I shouldn't have to change my router" you're only stating the obvious. And it makes people not want to help you at all. Get it? 🙄

Well nothing I wrote was in response to you, it was in response to the boneheads who come into threads like this and say ridiculous things like, "there is nothing wrong with the iPads, the problem is the routers." Indeed, the very reason helpful people (like YOU) need to come into these threads is precisely because there are problems with the iPad. So actually people like you, and people like me, agree 100%. It's the folks who are still trying to deny there are any problems at all with the iPad WiFi capability (on the iPad's part) who are the ones that both of us are essentially arguing against.

*exhale* I should learn.... 🙂 Doesn't matter if people try to help or not. Whiners gonna whine.

Just like it doesn't matter if 80,000 people are all reporting the same problem, there will be people who--because they don't have that problem themselves--will deny that a problem exists. 🙄

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

I need a break from this nonsense. It's like a broken record everytime a new wifi thread pops up in the ipad forums.

Think I'm gonna go play some Plants vs. Zombies...'cause having animated zombies eat my brains is far better than forum zombies doing the same! 😀

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

Because that is the nature of forums. Wouldn't we all be bored if we couldn't rehash all the same arguments three or four times a day? 😛

Well nothing I wrote was in response to you, it was in response to the boneheads who come into threads like this and say ridiculous things like, "there is nothing wrong with the iPads, the problem is the routers." Indeed, the very reason helpful people (like YOU) need to come into these threads is precisely because there are problems with the iPad. So actually people like you, and people like me, agree 100%. It's the folks who are still trying to deny there are any problems at all with the iPad WiFi capability (on the iPad's part) who are the ones that both of us are essentially arguing against.

Just like it doesn't matter if 80,000 people are all reporting the same problem, there will be people who--because they don't have that problem themselves--will deny that a problem exists. 🙄

Alright. Thanks. Sorry my patience wears thin, didn't consider you weren't responding to me because I see the same arguments on repeat. But, yes, I know it's the nature of the beast (unfortunately). I guess I just like to see progress, not regression. Which is sometimes asking too much in these parts. LOL. I suppose there's a lot of denial too. I forget how thick-headed people can be, but also that there are intelligent folks scattered around too. Anyways, be easy. (I'm trying to) 😎

 

[wrkactjob]

I don't have a pad yet but do want one!

So I am limited to playing with them in Apple stores while my wife shops for wife things.

So why do the pads all work super quick and well in Apple stores? Are they using special wifi?

 

[lokerd]

Alright. Thanks. Sorry my patience wears thin...

Not sure if you have tried this...but there is an easy solution...assuming you have JB...and SBSettings. With a quick swipe of a finger, and a click on the brightness settings, up or down...or not at all, the wifi INSTANTLY comes up...and usually stays up. if on the other hand, I try to fix the wifi, i.e. restart the router, go to Settings and Click on Renew, etc. the wifi stays iffy (on and off). However, if I use the brightness slider in SBSettings, wifi stays on, usually for the evening...like I only had to do the brightness slider once in 8+ hours of usage yesterday.

Now, my question is that I still don't understand why this wifi started for me just a little over a week ago...after 5 normal weeks on this 3g model. I did not have a problem with my wifi unit.

Did I install something that is breaking the wifi connection?

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

I know of this "brightness" workaround. S'why we think it's a energy conservation issue (see my earlier post). I'm actually not having much of a wifi issue since changing to the Linksys router, but maybe some others don't know of this yet. Wifi is still weak at longer range (like two rooms away, 30 ft.), but I'm content for now. Like I said, see my earlier post. I understand not everyone is aware of the various workarounds, but I suggest those with issues do a little searching...before my head explodes. 😛

 

[Consultant]

My iPad WiFi has problem with WiFi if signal goes through 2 walls.

1 wall is fine.

As to WiFi disconnect / reconnect problem? When that happens just go into WiFi, turn it OFF and back on.

 

[jimHdk]

There are the usual number of posts in this thread claiming it's an iPad problem, it's a router's problem, etc. There seems to be a failure to understand that the problem could be more complex than just one or the other.

First note that more than 3 million iPads have been sold. If all were having WiFi problems like some describe the complaints would be deafening. Yet it seems anyone here who has an iPad with poor WiFi performances generalizes their problem to everyone else's iPad.

The situation appears to be a combination of:

1. Bad iPad - A few examples of iPads have WiFi defects, i.e., not all iPads are created equal. It appears that these defects can sometimes be worked around with tricks like turning the brightness off minimum, use WPA security rather than WEP, etc. Apple may (or may not) be working on a S/W fix to address these issues. If I had such an iPad I would return or replace it. The S/W fix may be possible but it's also possible that some iPads have antenna problems or defective Broadcom BCM 4329 chips. It would seem that such a S/W fix might involve the firmware in the 4329. If Apple is working on a fix here they would have to be very careful not to cause problems for iPads which are functioning fine currently.

2. Bad router - Some iPad users have had WiFi problems due to router S/W bugs, bad router H/W, etc. These folks have solved their problems by doing things like resetting the router, updating the router firmware, replacing the flaky router, etc. It's not too surprising that a router might not work with a new device after constantly running with no maintenance for years.

 

[lokerd]

There seems to be a failure to understand that the problem could be more complex than just one or the other.

Any idea why mine started in the 5th week of ownership?

No problems up until then. Now, I have to move the brightness off of the dimmest setting...and I can put put it right back...like slide right...and while still holding the slider...slide left to the dimmest setting and it come back on.

Thanks!

 

[jimHdk]

Any idea why mine started in the 5th week of ownership?

No problems up until then. Now, I have to move the brightness off of the dimmest setting...and I can put put it right back...like slide right...and while still holding the slider...slide left to the dimmest setting and it come back on.

Thanks!

Perhaps your iPad has changed over time due to some burn-in issue with its components or something else in your network environment has changed (WiFi interference, router problems, etc.). My iPad which is now 12 weeks old still has no WiFi issues even when the brightness is set to minimum.

You might want to try restoring the iPad S/W to original factory condition to see if that helps (or at least try resetting the Network Settings, i.e., Settings >General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.).