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iPad Wi-Fi Issues to be Addressed in Software Update

Monday May 10, 2010 11:18 pm PDT by Arnold Kim

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.
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AHDuke99
23 months ago
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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smileyborg
23 months ago

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.


Can someone please explain how screen brightness affects WiFi?? (And turning it BRIGHTER is a workaround?!?!)
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theheadguy
23 months ago

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.

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.
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NakedPaulToast
23 months ago

Can someone please explain how screen brightness affects WiFi?? (And turning it BRIGHTER is a workaround?!?!)


If you turn the screen to the absolute darkest you won't be able to see the bars showing poor WiFi reception.
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Sn0wRa1n
23 months ago
"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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SchneiderMan
23 months ago
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.
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1rottenapple
23 months ago
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.
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mackiemacbook
23 months ago

Can someone please explain how screen brightness affects WiFi?? (And turning it BRIGHTER is a workaround?!?!)


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 ;)
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alphaod
23 months ago
Good to know at least they are acknowledging there is an issue.
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scottness
23 months ago
Hmmm... Mine seems to work about as well as my iPhone wifi.
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