By far the most widespread issue affecting iPad users is one in which they experience weak/fluctuating Wi-Fi signals, inordinately slow transfer speeds, and/or inability to maintain wireless connections (constant drops). Affected users report fast connection and throughput from Macs, PCs, iPhones and other devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network, but significantly degraded speeds and/or fluctuating signal strength on the iPad.
Sources tell us that Apple is working to roll out a software-based fix for this issue, though timing is uncertain. In the meantime, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of potential fixes for the problem:
Turn router off then on Try turning your wireless router off then back on.
Change or turn off wireless security You may want to try toggling the settings on your wireless router, switching from WPA to WEP or vice versa, or, as a last resort, turning wireless security off altogether. For AirPort routers, this can be accomplished with the AirPort Admin Utility. For other routers, this can usually be accomplished by accessing the router’s configuration page — open a browser and enter the address 192.168.1.1.
Reset network settings on iPad. On your iPad, open Settings, then navigate to “General” in the left-hand pane. Scroll down and tap Reset, then select “Reset Network Settings.” This will delete any stored WiFi passwords and other information, but may result in a more stable connection.
Adjust brightness upward. Oddly, a number of users have found that they can resolve this issue by simply adjusting the iPad’s brightness level upward and off the lowest setting. To do this, tap Settings, then select “Brightness & Wallpaper” from the left-hand pane. Slide the brightness bar upward, then wait 1-2 minutes and check for an improvement in signal strength. Speculation holds that a power delivery issue associated with the screen brightness affects Wi-Fi.
Change thresholds in router settings. Access your routers configuration screen (for most routers, open a browser and enter the address 192.168.1.1), then change the fragmentation threshold and the CTS/RTS threshold as described here. Some users have found success with the settings Fragmentation= 2048, RTS = 512.
Change 802.11 spec on router. Try changing your router’s wireless spec mode from B, G and N to G only or vice versa. For AirPort routers, this can be accomplished with the AirPort Admin Utility. For other routers, this can usually be accomplished by accessing the router’s configuration page — open a browser and enter the address 192.168.1.1.
Switch routers. Although a far-from-ideal solution, some users have found success with switching to a different wireless router.
Turn off “Ask to Join Networks.” To do so, tap Settings on your iPad, then select “Wi-Fi” from the left-hand pane. Slide “Ask to Join Networks” to off. Speculation holds that leaving this option on causes the iPad to constantly seek networks, resulting in some type of interference with the network to which it is connected.
Forget network then rejoin. Tap Settings on your iPad, then select Wi-Fi from the left-hand pane. Choose the network with which you are experiencing difficulty, then select “Forget this network.” Go back to the previous screen and rejoin the network.
Turn off Bluetooth. Some users report that, perhaps due to interference issues, turning off Bluetooth can boost Wi-Fi signal strength. To do so, tap Settings then tap General in the left-hand pane. Tap Bluetooth in the right-hand pane, then slide to off.
Feedback? info@appletoolbox.com.
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May 19, 2010 at 4:45 PM
My iPad was having the same problems reconnecting after sleep. I think it was struggling with DHCP ip address conflicts. I know that my router (Linksys WRT54ag) allocates addresses between 192.168.1.100 through 192.168.1.149, and that I typically only use the first 10 to 15 of these with all the various networked devices in my house. I didn’t want to make any changes to my router (this is clearly Apple’s problem — all of my many other wireless devices work fine and have for years). I simply set a static ip address on my iPad of 192.168.1.145. Of course subnet mask set to 255.255.0.0, with the gateway and DNS servers at 192.168.1.1. I know it would be better to set a static ip outside the DHCP range, but again, I didn’t want to screw with the router. I was having constant issues before. Since assigning a static ip inside (and at the high end of) the dhcp range, I’ve had no trouble whatsoever.
March 12, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Thank you Heath! Knocked it out in 1 punch. And I was about to buy or hook up a 2nd router! I was able to re-enable security (only 64 bit) and return the RTS and Threshold settings back to default (yet another “red herring”). Simply put , my iPad 1 with IOS 5.0.1 has a specific DHCP acquiring problem with my old Airlink101 108Mpbs router. Its an older router, but works just fine for my iPhone4 with IOS 4.3.3 and my wife’s iPhone3GS with whatever older IOS is on that. Thanks again!
June 13, 2010 at 7:18 PM
In my case I have experimented, and it is definitely the bluetooth that slows the WiFi. Hope there is a fix for this because I want to stream movies and TV while listening on bluetooth headphones!
June 19, 2010 at 8:51 AM
Heath, how did you set the static IP address on the iPad? I tried your suggestion but it defaulted back to the DHCP option, which is allocating me an IP address starting 169 with no DNS or router address, thus not getting me online, just connected to the wireless.
Thanks
August 7, 2010 at 7:06 PM
Heath, THANK YOU!!! Very smart fix and worked like a charm. Appreciate your help.
August 12, 2010 at 7:30 AM
Heath, thank you very very much. It worked. I was feeling frustrated!!!! Now I AM VERY HAPPY
September 15, 2010 at 1:54 PM
I got a new router, a D-link DIR-655. Awesome router. Had to use the same procedure as above, however, the default DHCP range was 192.168.0.100 through .199 (note, the D-link defaults to 192.168.0.x not 192.168.1.x like the Linksys). I just set the iPad’s static ip to 192.168.0.200 (this time outside the DHCP range — would have worked before too without configuring the router, but I didn’t know what I was talking about), with subnet mask set to 255.255.0.0, and with the gateway and DNS servers at 192.168.0.1. Again, works like a charm.
November 6, 2010 at 9:32 PM
Many thanks…. much angst… now calm….very much appreciated.. now bookmarked!!
December 1, 2010 at 1:51 PM
I have OS4.2.1 on iPad but today I started having problems with my router it turns itself off every few seconds and restarts again making it useless. I tried rebooting and resetting my ZyXel router. Then connecting it only to PC then adding hard drive connected to router. I can turn off the wireless and did this. I discovered the problem was the wireless connection. So I tunred off all the wireless connections, MAC, iPhone, Laptop etc and turned them on one by one. I’ve discovered its the iPad that is causing the problem everytime it tries to connect it brings down the router and it keeps restarting. Then when wireless comes up and iPad tries to connect then down again it goes! Appears to have happened after I added a Flicer App which I deleted but still have the problem. Will have to try another router to see what happens. Want to see if I can reset iPad and refresh it as new and see if that helps.
February 11, 2011 at 3:23 AM
I have an iPad and had no wifi speed issues on iOS 3.x but when I upgraded to iOS 4 it slowed down and completely ruined my experience of the iPad
Anyway, after trying all of these resolutions with no luck or improvement I took the plunge and replaced my wifi router. Now all wifi speed issues have completely disappeared. I had no problems with my old router on any other device other than the iPad but nevertheless this is what has fixed it for me.
I had a Linksys wag325n and now have a billion bipac 7800n. I suspect the issue was something about the age of my old router and the 802.11n “standard” supported by the Linksys, but that’s just speculation!
February 14, 2011 at 11:08 PM
This is obvious, apples networking sucks, I can tell you now this is not the routers fault it is apples problem and it extends over to the OS X operating system. They are blaming networking companies when it is apples problem
February 22, 2011 at 10:58 AM
I have been having the wifi issue with my iPad since the iOS 4.2 update. This has been making me tear my hair out with frustration as it has made the iPad totally not fit for purpose.
I had tried all the solutions on this site with no avail. I was waiting for the 4.3 update, in the hope that this would finally sort the issue.
I could wait no longer and purchased a used Apple Airport Extreme router on eBay. Just plugged it in and configured it, guess what… iPad is back to full iOS 3 speeds!! I am over the moon.
There is definitely an issue with the wifi whether Apple accept it or not.
Quick fix: get an Airport Extreme!
Long fix: Wait for Apple to quietly solve the issue with an iOS update and pretend that it was a “non-issue”!
October 19, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Thank you! Turning the router off and on did it for me. I’ve been fighting this for two weeks.
October 24, 2011 at 5:56 PM
Thank you for solving a tough IPad issue.
December 25, 2011 at 7:44 PM
(Dec 25, 2011) Got a new IPAD 2 today for the wife. Had immediate network issues. Changing to a static IP seems to have worked for me…. Apple needs to do a damned sight better in networking.
March 17, 2012 at 9:14 AM
I have done these things and I still can not get onto the intent with my IPAD. It sees the network and says it is connected….
March 25, 2012 at 9:25 PM
Health….. you saved me man.
Thanks.
April 14, 2012 at 6:05 PM
Heath, THANK YOU!!!!!!!
May 9, 2012 at 3:17 AM
Lucky you who can get into the settings. I got my new 64GB iPad yesterday and I’m stuck in the initial setup wizard where I’m supposed to select the network. At first, I didn’t get my network displayed. At that time I could tap on the other networks and be prompted to log in. After restarting my wi-fi router my network shows up (with best possible signal) but now nothing happens when I tap on any network, including my own. I assume that it’s a bug in the software but I don’t have the ability to reboot to get a fresh start it seems, I can’t even take out the battery and do it that way. The “manual” tells me I shouldn’t use the iPad while riding a bike and that I shouldn’t drop it on the ground but there is absolutely no useful information in it. I’m completely stuck. How I wish I’d gotten a Samsung Galaxy instead. I’m so disappointed.
May 9, 2012 at 10:19 PM
I’ve spent 5 hours trying to connect my new (today) iPad to my home wi fi. I feel as if I’ve been scammed. I’m not a techy and have no idea how to change or even access settings on this thing. I thought it was supposed to be intuitive! Was told it would work fine.
All other devices -PC Mac Book, printers etc work fine.
What a ripoff.