Electronics

[TinTX]

Hi,

I have the iPad retina (released Fall 2012) and all of a sudden Monday, it stopped working on WiFi even though my Windows laptop has no problems.

I've disconnected and reconnected to my network, changed proxy settings and shut it off for 24 hours. Nothing works for longer than 5-10 minutes.

I've seen lots of fixes on the internet (including apple's own forum), but nothing that lasts. It works fine on cellular, but that is more costly and I have the cellular only for when I'm actually mobile with it and there is no WiFi available.

Does anyone know why the heck this happened out of nowhere and what the heck is actually a permanent fix?

Thank you in advance!

[glb613]

I found this:

"5. Renew IP Address: (especially if you are droping internet connection)

• Launch Settings app

• Tap on Wi-Fi

• Tap on the blue arrow of the Wi-Fi network that you connect to from the list

• In the window that opens, tap on the Renew Lease button"

If that doesn't work, call Apple or take it into an Apple store.

[Tenners]

It has happened to me a couple of times. I just re-boot my iPad and everything works great again.

[SHOPR]

Our iPad, iPhones, and blu-ray player w/wifi all started disconnecting from our network on a daily basis, while the laptop computer (also wireless connection) stayed connected. The only way we could re-connect them was to turn off, wait 10 seconds, turn back on the combo cable modem/wifi router (the one Comcast provides).

We finally got tired of having to do that and called Comcast. They said we likely had interference with something, and switched our modem/router's channel from their end, over the phone. All of our devices have stayed connected ever since. This was several weeks ago.

In the same room, we do have a receiver for a wireless outdoor thermometer, and a receiver for a wireless doorbell. Not sure what was actually causing the interference, but I do know that switching the channel was a definite fix for our problem. Hope this helps!

[glb613]

You can get into the router settings and change the channel. Go to the router's support page for instructions.

[Iambeezer]

Did you by chance upgrade to 7.1? If so, there's your answer and welcome to Apple's way of forcing you to upgrade to a new ipad.

[Lynnj]

On 3/15/2014 WIlliam Joseph said: Did you by chance upgrade to 7.1? If so, there's your answer and welcome to Apple's way of forcing you to upgrade to a new ipad.

You have no idea what you are talking about. OP doesn't need to upgrade to a new iPad, as stated they have the 4 with retina display.

OP - whatever the problem, its with the router and the wireless service. Nothing is wrong with the iPad itself. If the tips suggested previously don't work, call your cable company ask ask them to reset the router from their end.

I had a similar thing happen earlier this week after did the latest update, but unplugging the router, waiting 30 seconds, plugging back in and re-syncing everything worked. Haven't disconnected since.

[dooBdoo]

TinTX, I'm sorry you're having problems. It can be frustrating. Here's a checklist I found in a quick search:

How to Keep an iPad From Dropping Wi-Fi Signals

Step 1

Update your office or home Wi-Fi router's firmware to the latest version. Outdated firmware often causes connection problems. Some routers automatically check for firmware updates. If yours doesn't, visit the router manufacturer's website and look for firmware on the Downloads or Support page.

Step 2

Determine whether your router uses WEP, WPA or WPA2 security. To do this, open your Internet browser on a computer and visit the router's configuration page. If the router uses WEP security, switch to WPA or WPA2. According to Apple, WEP security may cause regular disconnects.

Step 3

Renew the iPad's DHCP lease. Tap "Settings" and "Wi-Fi." Tap the arrow to the right of your preferred wireless network and select "Renew Lease."

Step 4

Erase the network that gives you problems with connectivity. Tap "Settings" and "Wi-Fi." Select the desired network and then tap "Forget this Network." This option erases the settings for this network, so you need to re-enter them.

Step 5

Reset the settings for all the networks on the iPad if the problem persists. Tap "Settings," "General" and "Reset." Tap "Reset Network Settings." Re-enter the configuration information for each network.

Step 6

Restart the iPad after renewing your IP address or resetting the Wi-Fi network settings. To restart the iPad, hold down the "Sleep/Wake" button. When the slider appears, slide it to turn off the device. Hold the "Sleep/Wake" button again to turn on the iPad.

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/keep-ipad-dropping-wifi-signals-49630.html

[TinTX]

Thank all of you SO much for your suggestions! The one thing that I hadn't done that appears to have worked (at least so far; I'm keeping my fingers crossed!) is disconnecting the router.

I think the key for my situation was a combination of changing the channnel (which didn't work on its own) and disconnecting the router (which I hadn't considered before the suggestion here).

I also think now that it happened seemingly out of nowhere due to a lot of new networks in the area. I noticed new networks on the iPad, but never put two and two together. I have us on a "far out" channel now that I hope will be distant enough for a long time to come. We're not even in an apartment nor a heavily populated area!

I have it charging now and will see if it is still working once it charges.

Again, thank you all very much for assisting; I really appreciate it!

[Buck-i-Nana]

Something else to watch out for down the road. I starting having connectivity issues with my iPad and iPod, but not my Macbook Pro. That went on for quite a while and I remember grumbling to my SIL about it (he's a computer tech who is not automatically anti- Mac ) A few months after those issues started, suddenly my Macbook started dropping connection and within a couple of days the router died. I suspect that the mobile devices are more sensitive to router issues and don't have the automatic recovery that computers do.