Several iPad users have reported weak Wi-Fi signals and/or inordinately slow transfer speeds. In these cases, 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.
One poster to Apple’s Discussion boards, powerguru, ran a speed comparison using the free speedtest.net site. He writes:
“I used speedtest.net app both on iPhone 3GS and the new iPad. I clearly see the difference.
- iPad download speed is 1.83 megabits/sec whereas
- iPhone 3GS download speed is 14.77 megabits/sec
“Upload speed seems comparable. Also, iPad uses 802.11n and iphone 3GS uses 802.11g. I do have N router.”
Potential Fixes
Turn router off then on Try turning your wireless router off then back on.
Change 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 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.
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.
Similar issue? Please let us know at info@appletoolbox.com.