Really slow wifi

[bfc]

I like my iPad, but my wifi is really slow. Doing a comparison between my MacBook Pro and the iPad, downloading from the same site, I get 1 MB/s on the MacBook, while my iPad maxes out at 200 Kbps.

I've set up the iPad to have a static IP, but that hasn't helped. If the makes a difference, I use an Airport Extreme as my router.

Anybody have any suggestions on improving wifi performance?

Thanks!

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

Same situation, friend. I'm looking into getting a different router now. I have the latest Airport Extreme and cannot stay connected to the N band just one room over. And when i can it's extremely slow and just one bar of signal--like -90 in airport utility. My only suggestion is to use a G band, which is much more stable and gets better range for me. It's held me over, but not worth the $200 for this AE!

But I'm looking for suggestions of solid routers that work with the iPad....

Any help is appreciated.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

I use an Apple Airport Extreme (non dual 5.4ghz version), and its on WiFi N B/G Compatible) so any Wireless N devices work find, but other devices that dont support N work on B/G. I also use WPA2 with AES encryption, not TKIP - as its more secure and reliable. Yes 5.4Ghz has a shorter range than B/G due to its wavelength, so not good for long distances.

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

Yep. That's my experience too. But I keep one band on B/G/N and one on N 5GHz. I use the N in the same room as the router and the b/g/n in the bedroom. It's okay, but not a whole lot better than my older Belkin N router. Hence why I'm looking to return the airport for a cheaper router that works well for others.

 

[jecastejon]

Try using the OpenDNS address

Hi,

I used this Open DNS address and it works but I have not payed attention to any speed up, now that you mention this I will. It should improve performance, security and reliability. However I don't know if it will work on EDGE or 3G as I only tried on wifi network. And its free.

Follow this link and go to "You may have DNS Errors" there it tells you how to set the DNS on your iPad.
http://www.computing.net/howtos/show/how-to-connect-to-a-wifi-network-with-an-ipadiphoneipod-touch/382.html

 

[ArmCortexA8]

Hi,

I used this Open DNS address and it works but I have not payed attention to any speed up, now that you mention this I will. It should improve performance, security and reliability. However I don't know if it will work on EDGE or 3G as I only tried on wifi network. And its free.

Follow this link and go to "You may have DNS Errors" there it tells you how to set the DNS on your iPad.
http://www.computing.net/howtos/show/how-to-connect-to-a-wifi-network-with-an-ipadiphoneipod-touch/382.html

Usually these networks are assigned to obtain the DNS / IP automatically, unless the OP is using a Static IP with different DNS settings - this is where the water gets very murky indeed. I think MAC address filtering may be the issue as there is no visual sign saying "MAC address filtering is enabled" when a connection fails.

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

Hi,

I used this Open DNS address and it works but I have not payed attention to any speed up, now that you mention this I will. It should improve performance, security and reliability. However I don't know if it will work on EDGE or 3G as I only tried on wifi network. And its free.

Follow this link and go to "You may have DNS Errors" there it tells you how to set the DNS on your iPad.
http://www.computing.net/howtos/show/how-to-connect-to-a-wifi-network-with-an-ipadiphoneipod-touch/382.html

Nope. Not DNS related for me. I've been using Google (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) and 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.2, 4.2.2.3... These are the quickest for me. My issue is straight up weak wifi signal.

 

[bfc]

I've been able to improve my wifi speeds, in case it helps anybody else, here's what I did.

On the Airport Extreme, I changed my radio mode to a/n -b/g from automatic, and I changed my authentication mode to WPA2 from WPA/WPA2.

Making these changes has greatly improved my wifi speeds, no idea why, but it apparently worked. Now when I do a comparison between my MacBook Pro and the iPad, I get about 1 MB/s on the MacBook and 750 Kbps on the iPad, still slower, but much faster than I was getting before.

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

I've been able to improve my wifi speeds, in case it helps anybody else, here's what I did.

On the Airport Extreme, I changed my radio mode to a/n -b/g from automatic, and I changed my authentication mode to WPA2 from WPA/WPA2.

Ok. Which is the iPad connecting to? The n or g band?

 

[bfc]

Ok. Which is the iPad connecting to? The n or g band?

Good question, I just checked, its connected on the g band. When I move it back on the n band and the performance goes to crap.

Not sure why I have really poor performance when using 802.11n.

Any thoughts?

 

[irwinm]

I'm having the same issues - didn't notice much on my home router because speeds were still 6 Mbs (compared with 10 on my MBP). But when trying to use the EVO hotspot, it was significantly slower than my MBP, and the same with my work wifi which is a lot slower than my home connection so it's noticeable. It seems the upload speeds are comsistent, but down is 30-60% of the MBP on same network. I've tried al the security protocols and nothing helps significantly. This is really starting to tick me off.

 

[stisdal]

I've been able to improve my wifi speeds, in case it helps anybody else, here's what I did.

On the Airport Extreme, I changed my radio mode to a/n -b/g from automatic, and I changed my authentication mode to WPA2 from WPA

I also have these settings and connected to the N band am getting consistent 7.5 Mbps download and 3.5 Mbps upload speeds on my iPad.

On my laptop (G band) I'm getting 17 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up. Yes, I have tried the iPad on the G band, but the N is consistently faster...

 

[Figbash Acrobat]

Good question, I just checked, its connected on the g band. When I move it back on the n band and the performance goes to crap.

Not sure why I have really poor performance when using 802.11n.

Any thoughts?

Consider changing the AE radios to N at 5GHz only and N at 2GHz only, and naming them different SSIDs. When I run these to I can connect to the 5GHz network for faster speeds (sometimes) when close by with the Pad and when in another room I connect to the 2.5GHz for better and more consistent signal range. The iPad still struggles for me at distances (sadly, even one room over). But either G or N 2.5GHz give me some stability, though my signal icon fluctuates a lot at 1-3 bars. I still only get a max down of 20Mbps but usually around 10-12Mbps. Where as the 5GHz only gives me 1 bar, sometimes 2 and the connection freezes/stalls a lot.

Keep in mind my environment could be effecting the connection to iPad, since I can't go 15 feet without degradation. I'm looking into returning the Airport and getting a cheaper Airport Express or Linksys router.

I'm still trying to find recommendations from forums users for which routers are giving them the best "N" connection with their ipads. Any other good ones?