iPad How to remove iPad WiFi setting as "Hidden Network"

[chubbles]

We don't know how long this problem has existed, but last night, we lost internet on our iPad and MacBook which we have connected to our Orbi24. Oddly, we alo lost Internet on our 2 iPhones which are not connected to WiFi. When we checked our settings on our iPad, we saw under our router that it was a "Hidden Network." After rebooting the router several times, we regained all Internet connections, but "Hidden Network" was still there. We also noticed that our neighbors' WiFi's no longer appeared under "Other Networks." They have always been there before.

Under Settings, the WiFi lists our router (Orbi24). Under this, it says "Hidden Network". Under "Ask to Join Network," our settings indicate Ask, but no networks appear.

We have read that Hidden Networks pose a security issue so we don't want it, but can't seem to find a "How to remove it." Can anyone suggest a way to remove Hidden Network from our Orbi24?? Is there also a way to restore closeby networks?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

How good are you with configuring routers? If I said type in 192.168.1.1 into your browsers address bar would you know what that was? Essentially you’ll need to do exactly that and look at how your SSIDs are setup. Or you can just call Netgear for support.

 

[Ruggy]

That's an odd problem.
Normally, you give your wifi network a name and it shows that name to the world- the SSID- so you know which one to connect to.
For some reason- maybe an update- it looks like your router has decided to hide the name of your network
It isn't really a security risk if it's your network unless it's been changed by someone but I doubt it.
What you have to do join a hidden network is go to settings- ipad in your case- and under Network> 'join other network' actually type in the name you gave your network then the password.
It's extremely odd though and digging in the router as mentioned would be a good idea because it is odd and therefore worrying
I presume when you set it up you password protected the interface. If it's default then it is just possible someone has gone in and changed things which would be a security issue. If you can see neighbour's wifi then it means you are close enough to other people for them to get into your network
It's also odd the neighbour's network is hidden too.
You need to get into the interface of your Orbi24 and check the settings as suggested. Do some research on the Orbio.
Tick the box to make sure your SSID is displayed and make sure you put in your own user name and password on the router interface so no one else can play with it.
Also please make sure you have security on your network. If it's unsecured or using WEP then you really need to protect it with at least WPA 2 protocol.

 

[chubbles]

Hey Sheepish-Lord & Ruggy THANKS for the interest! Sorry it took so long to respond, I was working on our roof all day.

I will check into the things you mentioned and get back to.

To the ladies happy Mother's Day

Thanks,
chubbles

 

[chubbles]

Hey folks I'm back and have done a lot of homework. My router is password protected and using wpa2 protocol. I held my breath and went to reset network settings and hit reset. This worked, when we signed back into the Orbi it was no longer a hidden network; however the iPad was still searching for other networks and finding none. I took the iPad and drove to a business center and the iPad showed a list of networks, and when I returned home it showed my neighbor's networks. Right now things are working properly, but I wish I knew how we got in the situation in the first place.

Thanks for your help and inputs!

chubbles