iPad wireless woes?

geekraver · 04-07-2010, 01:17 AM

So there seem to be quite a few complaints about wireless networking on the iPad. I certainly have problems - I'm finding it really hard to get content on the device because of network timeouts. Not very good given that I want to use it as an eReader - I've managed to transfer only about 5 comics and 4 books these past two days.

OTOH I have friends at work who bought iPads too and they say they have had no issues. So I'm wondering if perhaps there are just a bunch of bad devices out there and I should try for an exchange (otherwise it might be a return). I'm interested in hearing from others. If you respond, include what kind of wireless router you have, what kind of case, and how much flash memory (I have 16GB, my friends with no issues have 16GB - so if it is a bad batch it may be correlated with amount of flash).

dmaul1114 · 04-07-2010, 01:27 AM

I did notice it dropping out sometimes at my girlfriends. Seemed ok when I was in the same room as the router (didn't drop out streaming videos on ABC app etc.).

But did a few times while in another room, but not that often, maybe once or twice in 4 hours or so of playing around with it the other day.

It could be an issue with certain routers as well, which would explain why some have issues and others don't.

geekraver · 04-07-2010, 01:29 AM

In my case I've had issues with both a Netgear 802.11g/n router and my Verizon FIOS 802.11g router, and had issues at work too (where my other iPad owning friends had none). I can have full bars on the signal indicator and still get timeouts. I'm sitting about 20 feet from my router.

Interestingly my limited use of ABC and Netflix apps has been fine. It has been HTTP and WebDAV transfers that have had issues.

Donnageddon · 04-07-2010, 01:33 AM

No problems here, but the iPad does seem to notice if the wireless has not been used for a period of time, and drops the connection. Not really a bad thing, as it keeps the battery from depleting, and connects quickly when a new request for connectivity is made.

I've been streaming a lot of netflix with no interruption in service.

scottjl · 04-08-2010, 07:45 AM

i haven't had any problems with wireless in my house, at a few airports and at a few hotels..

HarryT · 04-08-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekraver

So there seem to be quite a few complaints about wireless networking on the iPad. I certainly have problems - I'm finding it really hard to get content on the device because of network timeouts. Not very good given that I want to use it as an eReader - I've managed to transfer only about 5 comics and 4 books these past two days.

Can you not copy files to the iPad via a cable, like you can with the iPod Touch, etc?

scottjl · 04-08-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Can you not copy files to the iPad via a cable, like you can with the iPod Touch, etc?

it depends on the application and the file type.

some applications appear in itunes and allow you to transfer supported (by the app) file types in and out. keynote, numbers, and pages are all like this. goodreader also allows you to import files into it via itunes, or via network or internet.

Mirrorlike · 04-08-2010, 10:33 AM

mine's working fine

it refuses to auto connect when the brightness is at min though. I just turned it up a bit.

jswinden · 04-08-2010, 11:11 AM

I saw this article on MSNBC about Wifi complaints: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36223698...h_and_gadgets/

I'm not surprised. There are a lot of different providers, routers, modems, and combinations thereof so there are bound to be some that don't work well with new hardware.

Lotus Esprit · 04-08-2010, 08:19 PM

It could have just been a bad lot if WiFi cards. The big question is how is apple going to fix this. They must do something before they release the 3Gs

yvanleterrible · 04-09-2010, 10:48 AM

There seems to be a fix but you'll have to be patient and knowledgeable with router settings.

http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-help/...fi-issues.html

yvanleterrible · 04-09-2010, 12:24 PM

Another solution from an iPadforums.net user.

Quote:

iPad and dual band routers

I was having problems with weakening signal and dropped connections with my DLINK DIR 655 N router. I changed the settings in my router setup so it only broadcasts in b/g mode (since I couldn't rename the SSID's as Apple suggested).
This seemed to fix my problem and my connection has been full bars and no loss in connection.
This won't help if you are in a public place and defeats the purpose of N mode routers. It prob will work to set mode to N mode only if all your devices use N mode but I have some that can only connect to g mode.

I hope this makes sense and helps someone out.

Lotus Esprit · 04-10-2010, 11:27 PM

The fix shouldn't be to reconfigure your router. What if you are using one is someone elses business or a Panera Breads? Are you going to go to the IT manager and and tell him to reconfigure his router for your iPad?

If you have 3 other devices that work fine on your router than the iPad should as well. Wirless has been around for almost 10 years and this isn't the first wireless device that Apple has made.

Seeing how it is only affecting a portion of the iPad users, I would think that it is a hardware issue. Perhaps a batch of bad wireless radios.

dmaul1114 · 04-11-2010, 03:35 PM

It does seem to vary by router etc.

Had it drop out twice in 5 hours or so of using it (reading, watching TV shows) at my girlfriends last night with her d-link router. Has never dropped out at my place when she's brought it over with my Linksys. Her dlink sucks though, our laptops drop out there as well, especially if you're more than a room away from it.

Also didn't drop out in our office, nor in the restaurant we went for brunch.

So I'm not sure if it's bad radios, or some people are just having bad luck with certain routers etc.

Mr. Goodbar · 04-11-2010, 04:09 PM

I haven't had any issues either at home or at Starbucks.

04-07-2010, 01:17 AM	#1
geekraver Addict Posts: 364 Karma: 1035291 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Device: iPad Mini,Kindle Paperwhite	iPad wireless woes? So there seem to be quite a few complaints about wireless networking on the iPad. I certainly have problems - I'm finding it really hard to get content on the device because of network timeouts. Not very good given that I want to use it as an eReader - I've managed to transfer only about 5 comics and 4 books these past two days. OTOH I have friends at work who bought iPads too and they say they have had no issues. So I'm wondering if perhaps there are just a bunch of bad devices out there and I should try for an exchange (otherwise it might be a return). I'm interested in hearing from others. If you respond, include what kind of wireless router you have, what kind of case, and how much flash memory (I have 16GB, my friends with no issues have 16GB - so if it is a bad batch it may be correlated with amount of flash). Last edited by geekraver; 04-07-2010 at 02:25 AM.

04-07-2010, 01:29 AM	#3
geekraver Addict Posts: 364 Karma: 1035291 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Device: iPad Mini,Kindle Paperwhite	In my case I've had issues with both a Netgear 802.11g/n router and my Verizon FIOS 802.11g router, and had issues at work too (where my other iPad owning friends had none). I can have full bars on the signal indicator and still get timeouts. I'm sitting about 20 feet from my router. Interestingly my limited use of ABC and Netflix apps has been fine. It has been HTTP and WebDAV transfers that have had issues. Last edited by geekraver; 04-07-2010 at 01:34 AM.

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04-07-2010, 01:27 AM	#2
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	I did notice it dropping out sometimes at my girlfriends. Seemed ok when I was in the same room as the router (didn't drop out streaming videos on ABC app etc.). But did a few times while in another room, but not that often, maybe once or twice in 4 hours or so of playing around with it the other day. It could be an issue with certain routers as well, which would explain why some have issues and others don't.

04-07-2010, 01:33 AM	#4
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	No problems here, but the iPad does seem to notice if the wireless has not been used for a period of time, and drops the connection. Not really a bad thing, as it keeps the battery from depleting, and connects quickly when a new request for connectivity is made. I've been streaming a lot of netflix with no interruption in service.

04-08-2010, 07:45 AM	#5
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	i haven't had any problems with wireless in my house, at a few airports and at a few hotels..

04-08-2010, 10:33 AM	#8
Mirrorlike Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 280 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: iPad	mine's working fine it refuses to auto connect when the brightness is at min though. I just turned it up a bit.

04-08-2010, 11:11 AM	#9
jswinden Nameless Being	I saw this article on MSNBC about Wifi complaints: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36223698...h_and_gadgets/ I'm not surprised. There are a lot of different providers, routers, modems, and combinations thereof so there are bound to be some that don't work well with new hardware.

04-08-2010, 08:19 PM	#10
Lotus Esprit Addict Posts: 214 Karma: 646 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: iPad	It could have just been a bad lot if WiFi cards. The big question is how is apple going to fix this. They must do something before they release the 3Gs

04-09-2010, 10:48 AM	#11
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	There seems to be a fix but you'll have to be patient and knowledgeable with router settings. http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-help/...fi-issues.html

04-10-2010, 11:27 PM	#13
Lotus Esprit Addict Posts: 214 Karma: 646 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: iPad	The fix shouldn't be to reconfigure your router. What if you are using one is someone elses business or a Panera Breads? Are you going to go to the IT manager and and tell him to reconfigure his router for your iPad? If you have 3 other devices that work fine on your router than the iPad should as well. Wirless has been around for almost 10 years and this isn't the first wireless device that Apple has made. Seeing how it is only affecting a portion of the iPad users, I would think that it is a hardware issue. Perhaps a batch of bad wireless radios.

04-11-2010, 03:35 PM	#14
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	It does seem to vary by router etc. Had it drop out twice in 5 hours or so of using it (reading, watching TV shows) at my girlfriends last night with her d-link router. Has never dropped out at my place when she's brought it over with my Linksys. Her dlink sucks though, our laptops drop out there as well, especially if you're more than a room away from it. Also didn't drop out in our office, nor in the restaurant we went for brunch. So I'm not sure if it's bad radios, or some people are just having bad luck with certain routers etc.

04-11-2010, 04:09 PM	#15
Mr. Goodbar Wizard Posts: 1,005 Karma: 98078 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Mini 4	I haven't had any issues either at home or at Starbucks.

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