iPad A16 won't connect to Wi-Fi or personal hotspot

WiFi/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 problems occur, your iPad may only have a self-assigned link-local IP address that begins 169.254.x.x.

You can verify your DHCP-assigned IP Address from settings:

Settings > WiFi > [Your WiFi Network / SSID] - tap the blue “i” icon - [IPv4 Address] IP Address

If you have a VPN App or profiles installed, or a security/AV/firewall App such as Norton, these may be interfering with DHCP and preventing your device from obtaining a valid IP Address for the WiFi network 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.

If you continue to have difficulties, check to see if your iPad is using the WiFi Private Address feature. This feature is intended to provide additional privacy and security when using “public” (untrusted) WiFi networks.

Settings > WiFi > [Your WiFi Network / SSID] - tap the “i” icon - Private Address

The Private Address feature can cause issues if specific MAC addresses are expected by your WiFi network. You may need to disable this feature - which can be enabled or disabled for each individual WiFi network.

Use private Wi-Fi addresses in iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 - Apple Support

Refapple wrote:

Exact same issue. Is Apple following this?

The Apple Support Community is a user-to-user technical forum. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither overtly monitor nor participate here. As such, if you hope for comments posted here to be seen, or directly acted upon, by Apple you will be disappointed.

Apple invite submission of comments and bug reports via its Product Feedback portal. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

If submitting a Bug Report, ensure that you include details of your iPad model and installed version of iPadOS within the body-text of your report. Don't rely upon the pick-list - as this rarely includes the current versions.

Hi, Can I please ask if you found a fix for this issue. I’m having the same issue with my new iPad A16 on my Unifi network and it’s really annoying.

Thanks

I’ll add onto the connection issues at times at home. I have not tried my new iPad on an outside network yet. I bought my first iPad a16 online. After having the internet connection drop at times, I returned it. Then I purchased another at the Apple Store near me. I’m having the same problem. There are 2 of us in the house. So we have 2 iPhones, Apple TV, a new Mac mini m4, and another iPad all on the WiFi. None of the other devices are having issues. Just the new a16 iPad. In fact, my old iPad worked fine with respects to WiFi. I’m on a Xfinity modem/router, just FYI. I think it’s an iPad a16 issue. Or, an incompatibility with some routers. We probably need to wait for a bug fix from Apple. Disappointing.

chrisble99 wrote:

Hi, Can I please ask if you found a fix for this issue. I’m having the same issue with my new iPad A16 on my Unifi network and it’s really annoying.

Thanks

Have you explored the information provided within earlier posts to this thread?

Hi,

Yes, my IP address is in the 192.168.1.x range and has been allocated by my Unifi Express 7. I have also removed the VPN profile and reset all network settings. I have also explored lots of Unifi settings based upon other threads, but the problem still occurs. What is interesting is at the same time it happens it also seems to trigger high latency for roughly 5mins and this is seen in the Unifi console. I have just upgraded from the first gen Unifi Express to the Express 7 and this didn’t happen on the first gen. It’s all very odd.

Thanks

Chris

Sounds like a school wifi problem. The ball is in the court.

Most school institutions have limited wifi access… if the OP can connect to another wifi nothing wrong with the ipad.

You need to start your own post. This post is a few weeks old and you won’t get the attention you need.

Exact same issue. Is Apple following this?

Apple doesn’t follow these forums.