ZDNet reports today that Apple has updated a support document which deals with the issues that some users have been experiencing with Wi-Fi on their iPad. The document refers to the fact that “A very small number of iPad users have experienced issues with Wi-Fi connectivity”, which is probably a little more accurate than ZDNet’s statement that the iPad has been “plagued by Wi-Fi issues”.

The Apple support document goes on to suggest several workarounds for the Wi-Fi connectivity issues, including updating your Wi-Fi router firmware, using WPA or WPA2 wireless security encryption instead of WEP, as WEP is older, adjusting screen brightness if the brightness is set too low, and renewing the IP address. And if you find that you’re still having Wi-Fi issues after all that tweaking, Apple adds that it will “address the remaining Wi-Fi connectivity issues with a future iPad software update.”

By Maura Sutton, iPadForums.net
Source: ZDNet

I understand the problem stems from the iPad not renewing the DHCP lease: powering off and on the unit or disengaging the wifi in Settings and then reengaging the function, will force the unit to request a new lease.

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http://www.net.princeton.edu/announcements/ipad-iphoneos32-stops-renewing-lease-keeps-using-IP-address.html

Sorry: wrong button

http://www.net.princeton.edu/announcements/ipad-iphoneos32-stops-renewing-lease-keeps-using-IP-address.html

Mine is constantly forgetting my WiFi passwords. It's so much fun having to re-enter a 20+ digit alphanumeric code every time I want to use the piece of crap.

My favorite Made in China glitch is when it randomly decides you have entered an "Incorrect Password" in the settings screen, despite having used the WiFi for 3 hours straight with the same password.

I really should've just paid the restocking fee and took the hit.

I don't use security so I haven't really had an issue regarding that. I haven't had any sudden drops either. Range is about the same as my touch and much better than my vaio laptop.

I don't understand how or why people are having problems. I've got a 3 year old router, use security, and have never had a single issue with my iPad using Wi-Fi.

My issue is with the range of the signal. My connection to my router and wifi hot spots is ok. But the antenna on my iPad only finds Very close signals. For example at home my laptop and $300 netbook finds my neighbors networks which we all share if our Internet provider goes down (my neighbors have different providers).

Talked with apple about this and they do not know for sure if the new software will take care of this or not. From everything I have read on the Internet about this issue, most "tech" people think this is a hardware issue (most likely the antenna).

Has anyone on this forum experienced this specific issue?

By the way when I first received my unit I did have the connection issues at home and other locations as well as a antenna range problem. Apple replaced my original unit and I no longer have the connection problems only poor range

Was unable to connect in public wifi area and can't figure out why. No prelim for the iPhones connecting at same place. Any ideas??

Was unable to connect in public wifi area and can't figure out why. No problem for the iPhones connecting at same place. Any ideas??

I'm using the free wifi in Las Vegas airport right now. No problems whatever. My hotel in Milwaukee for tomorrow has notoriously bad wifi. I will report from there.