Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Pro iPad Pro gen 3 USB-C to headphone adapter/ WiFi interference
- Thread starter iapplelove
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Now this is stranger, I will keep this in mind but no guarantees that I can test this out at 4 hours at a time
Seconded since need to find out if only Apple's dongles are at fault
The video in which the cable-wrapping method was shown concerned a third-party USB-C dongle being used with a MacBook, so no, I don’t think it’s just Apple-branded USB-C accessories that are causing problems.
On a bit of a sidenote, this was much more difficult than necessary to post. Wifi fickleness strikes again!
I see, still need to confirm to narrow down the issue to see if it was only Macs having the issue with all USB C dongles or also iPads having the issue with all USB C dongles
Are there other USB C devices like Android phones that have similar problems?
If wrapping in tin foil solves the issue then it points to a lack of proper shielding in the cable. I’m sure there will be some that work properly, it’s just a case of funding them. At least you should be able to return them as not fit for purchase.
I managed to test this out for at least 2 hours straight and managed to replicate the issue too.
It happened only once though but still it makes the 2017 look better
[doublepost=1542558624][/doublepost]Hold on, I just realised something while searching for USB C accessories like this: https://www.amazon.com/NOVOO-Adapte...pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=usb+c+4k+60hz
Specifically:
I am using an Orbi system that gives my room wireless ac 5GHz which may explain why I do not get this problem much.
Are you all on 2.4GHz or 5GHz?
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I am about 1 meter away from the Orbi router, direct in sight with no obstruction of any form
This is an interesting article; but I don’t think any of us are using 2.4Ghz. The interference in the article is between USB 3 and the 2.4Ghz band only. That’s pretty slow WiFi for Pro gear.
There shouldn’t be any interference with modern 5Ghz WiFi. So if you use 802.11ac you are safe.
Anyone else considering returning their iPad Pro over this issue? If this is a signaling/shielding problem with the USB-C port itself; we may be waiting quite a long time for Apple to “fix” it. Examples of this would be MBP GPU failures, iPhone touch/battery issues on 6 series, etc. Apple often takes years to admit to these wide scale hardware issues and establish a method of repair/replacement. Possibly it would be smarter for me at least to wait for the second generation Apple USB-C iOS device.
It’s super annoying to be in this position. But I would kind of like my $1000 iPad Pro to be fully functional. Especially when only using it with Apple brand peripherals! I don’t even want to be using this stupid dongle; and would not need to if they hadn’t removed the headphone jack. I tried connecting my headphones to the Apple multiport adapter with a usb audio dongle connected to that. For some random reason it immediately sent outrageously high volume to my earbuds and blew them out (luckily I wasn’t wearing them at the time). So now I’m out my Sennheisers to boot.
I’m a long time Apple guy...but this is really getting in ridiculous. Would some tester at Apple not have been assigned to use their new iPad with their new audio dongle before release? Are all the testers wearing wireless Beats?
I switched back to my old iPad for a while last night. It was such a pleasure to just plug my headphones into the headphone jack and not worry about network issues or having my eardrums explode.
Sorry this became a vent/rant.
I’ve experienced this a few times, maybe 3-5 times on my launch day 12.9 512 WiFi/Cell. Each time required me to restart the iPad. No clue what’s caused it. I haven’t been able to replicate it. If it’s a bug, I’m thinking that Apple will fix it at some point soon.
My WiFi shouldn’t be an issue either. I’m using a mesh dual band system.
I also checked and know what signal it’s emitting.
Since I use my computer speakers a bunch when at home this is turning into an annoying little issue.
I also checked and know what signal it’s emitting.
Since I use my computer speakers a bunch when at home this is turning into an annoying little issue.
Just a quick update. Received my 3rd party headphone adapter off Amazon yesterday. Tested it last night and no issues.
This morning had it plugged into my computer speakers sitting on the desk(same room as my router) and lost WiFi connection.
I can almost duplicate the issue every time. So I guess it just is what it is.
This morning had it plugged into my computer speakers sitting on the desk(same room as my router) and lost WiFi connection.
I can almost duplicate the issue every time. So I guess it just is what it is.
Have you tried the tin foil trick and if so, have yo tried it just around the cable or just around the USB C connector? I'm curious where the issue lies.
Have not tried the tin foil trick. I just unplug it then plug it back in.
What I have noticed is I won’t actually lose WiFi until I put the iPad to sleep.
I can be using it for whatever, with the adapter in place. I can switch from app to app and browse safari with no drop outs.
When I put the iPad to sleep that’s when I lose connection. Becasue when it wakes the WiFi is always lost.
I've had similar issues that everyone is describing. I bought a 3rd party 3.5mm only adapter, and one that also has a USBC connector for charging as well as a 3.5mm jack, and both had the same issue. I was restarting the ipad each time, but then I figured out if I just remove the headphones or the adapter entirely from the ipad, my wifi connectivity gets restored within like 10 seconds. I can then replug the headphones or adapter back in without further issue. It seems that once I put the ipad to sleep again, I have to repeat the cycle.
Weird - it sounds like the initial wifi handshake/connection is affected. Still a pain but less of an issue if once up and running it has no impact. What happens if you are streaming say Spotify and using the connector and you turn your screen off - any issues or both sound and Wifi continue to work okay?
Is it still the same behaviour with the official Apple adapter?
Is it still the same behaviour with the official Apple adapter?
I don't have the official apple adapter, so I can't say. Usually I'm only streaming video on my ipad, so the screen stays active. If I've fallen asleep or something and the video ends and the ipad goes to sleep, then I have to do the process above if I want to get the wifi back. It's an annoying inconvenience, but once you know what to do, it's at least manageable.
I'd have to try when I get home to be sure, but to me it sounds like once you have the signal to the headphones running, and you're actively streaming, even if the screen goes to sleep, there's no issue. Once the active stream has ended and the ipad goes to sleep, then wifi gets interrupted.
I'd have to try when I get home to be sure, but to me it sounds like once you have the signal to the headphones running, and you're actively streaming, even if the screen goes to sleep, there's no issue. Once the active stream has ended and the ipad goes to sleep, then wifi gets interrupted.
That sounds like a software bug to me. If it was purely interference, why would it need the iPad to sleep to trigger it? It should occur every time you plug the adapter in.
I have the same issue.
New 12.9” and when I plug a usb c hub with an apple usb keyboard attached I lose network (cell and WiFi).
Unplugging it and it all works again. Super frustrating. I don’t want to rely on Bluetooth for everything
New 12.9” and when I plug a usb c hub with an apple usb keyboard attached I lose network (cell and WiFi).
Unplugging it and it all works again. Super frustrating. I don’t want to rely on Bluetooth for everything
This issue has really become an annoyance for me here on my 11” iPad Pro. I’m seriously thinking of just returning it to Apple and getting a MacBook but I have the feeling that I’ll again run into the same issue with my USB headphone amp. 
Some engineering you’ve got there, Apple.
Some engineering you’ve got there, Apple.
Last edited:
I’ve reported this to MR but they blew my email off.
Apple is already aware of the issue.
Apple is already aware of the issue.