You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Both iPads in house stopped connecting to WiFi at same time

Strangest thing today. Both my husband's and my separate iPads dropped off the WiFi and won't connect back to WiFi. When you try to connect it just says "Unable to connect to WiFi." Things I have tried:


  1. Power cycling the modem/router
  2. Rebooting the iPad
  3. Toggling Airplane Mode on and off
  4. Forgetting the WiFi network and then adding it back
  5. Resetting the iPad's network settings


Both of our iPhones and our network-enabled tv are still connected and having no issues. We both installed the latest IOS update when it came out a few days ago on phones, watches, and iPads. Only the iPads are having an issue, and it seems strange that it's both of them. Anyone have any suggestions? Really hoping to avoid a factory reset.

iPad (6th gen) WiFi

Posted on Feb 22, 2023 5:09 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 23, 2023 7:55 AM

Start with basic WiFi troubleshooting - as detailed here:

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won’t connect to a Wi-Fi network - Apple Support

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support


If your WiFi has been set-up according to Apple’s recommended settings, WiFi and Internet connection difficulties are usually an indication that your device does not have a routable IP Address - your IP Address usually being assigned by DHCP. When this occurs, your iPad may only have a self-assigned link-local IP address that begins 169.254.x.x.


System software updates can, in some circumstances, trigger a problem with the iPad (or iPhone) internal routing table. The causes are many, but are usually attributable to some types of App or associated device configuration.


If you have a VPN App or profiles installed, or a security App such as Norton, these may be interfering with DHCP - and preventing your device from obtaining a valid IP Address for the WiFi network/hotspot to which you are attempting to connect. The resolution is usually simple; if installed, you may only need to temporarily disable or remove the Security App and/or VPN.


DHCP is frequently used to automatically obtain an IP Address. Until your iPad has a valid IP Address to connect to your network, you will not have an internet connection. Disabling or removing VPN and/or the offending security App should allow DHCP to operate normally - allowing connection to your network and the internet.


If this resolves your issue, the VPN and/or security App can be reinstated after the connectivity problem has been resolved.

Similar questions

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 23, 2023 7:55 AM in response to Andazi1

Start with basic WiFi troubleshooting - as detailed here:

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won’t connect to a Wi-Fi network - Apple Support

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support


If your WiFi has been set-up according to Apple’s recommended settings, WiFi and Internet connection difficulties are usually an indication that your device does not have a routable IP Address - your IP Address usually being assigned by DHCP. When this occurs, your iPad may only have a self-assigned link-local IP address that begins 169.254.x.x.


System software updates can, in some circumstances, trigger a problem with the iPad (or iPhone) internal routing table. The causes are many, but are usually attributable to some types of App or associated device configuration.


If you have a VPN App or profiles installed, or a security App such as Norton, these may be interfering with DHCP - and preventing your device from obtaining a valid IP Address for the WiFi network/hotspot to which you are attempting to connect. The resolution is usually simple; if installed, you may only need to temporarily disable or remove the Security App and/or VPN.


DHCP is frequently used to automatically obtain an IP Address. Until your iPad has a valid IP Address to connect to your network, you will not have an internet connection. Disabling or removing VPN and/or the offending security App should allow DHCP to operate normally - allowing connection to your network and the internet.


If this resolves your issue, the VPN and/or security App can be reinstated after the connectivity problem has been resolved.

Both iPads in house stopped connecting to WiFi at same time

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.