Internal Apple document obtained by 9to5Mac.
Owners of the newest Wi-Fi-only iPad have reported numerous connectivity issues since the product’s launch, including the inability to see wireless networks, frequent connection drops, and slow upload and download speeds.
Interesting examples of the issue as identified by 9to5Mac include:
I am in a hotel with my laptop and new ipad3. The laptop wifi reception is as strong as it gets, but the iPad only registers a weak signal. Anyone else having similar problems? Any suggestions?
It has absolutely nothing to do with routers. I am right next to my wife, to whom I gave my iPad 1: she has full bars and I have 1-2. FYI: on Speedtest near the router I get over 10 mb downloads; 20 feet away I get .2 mb downloads. That’s ridiculous.
Same problem; same issue. Mine with University’s wifi or my home wifi (Airport Express). Original iPad maintains a strong connection right next to new iPad, which doesn’t.
The internal documentation, available to retail and AppleCare support staff, instructs employees to flag certain product returns for further investigation by Apple, including iPads exhibiting “Intermittent connectivity, slow Wi-Fi speeds, and Wi-Fi networks not seen.”
Thus far it appears that Wi-Fi-only models are affected; 4G iPads are not reporting similar Wi-Fi connectivity issues.
For those users suffering from Wi-Fi issues but unable to immediately return the device to Apple, OSXDaily offers a potential solution:
- Open Settings and tap on “General”
- Tap “Network” and tap “Wi-Fi”
- Tap the blue arrow next to the wireless router you are connected to
- At the next screen, tap “Forget this Network”
- Go back to Wi-Fi and rejoin the network you just forgot