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iPad Won't Connect to WiFi? Complete Fix Guide
WiFi greyed out, won't connect, or keeps dropping? Here's how to fix it - from simple resets to when you need antenna repair.
Updated January 27, 2026
9 min read
Verified February 2026
A frustrated dad came in last week. His daughter's iPad wouldn't connect to their home WiFi - but every other device in the house worked fine. He'd spent hours troubleshooting, bought a new router, even called his ISP. The fix? We reset the network settings and it connected immediately. We troubleshoot WiFi issues about 20 times a month - it's one of our most common enquiries.
About 85% of WiFi issues are solved with the steps in this guide. The other 15% are hardware problems, usually from drops or liquid damage. If your iPad is also running slowly or your storage is full, those issues can sometimes affect connectivity too.
Pro Tip
Before anything else: Restart both your iPad AND your router. Unplug your router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, wait for the lights to stabilise, then restart your iPad. This fixes more WiFi problems than any other single step.
Quick Fixes to Try First
Work through these in order. Most WiFi problems are solved by one of the first three steps:
- Toggle WiFi off and on - Go to Settings > WiFi, turn it off, wait 10 seconds, turn it back on. Simple but effective.
- Toggle Airplane Mode - Turn Airplane Mode on, wait 10 seconds, turn it off. This resets all wireless connections.
- Restart your iPad - Hold the power button (and volume button on newer iPads) until you see "slide to power off". Wait 30 seconds after it shuts down, then turn it back on.
- Restart your router - Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, wait 2-3 minutes for it to fully restart before trying to connect.
- Forget and reconnect to the network - Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the 'i' icon next to your network, tap "Forget This Network", then reconnect and re-enter your password.
If those don't work, try the more thorough reset below.
Reset Network Settings
This is the nuclear option for software WiFi issues. It clears all saved WiFi networks, passwords, VPN settings, and Bluetooth pairings - so you'll need to reconnect to everything. But it works when nothing else does.
How to Reset Network Settings
- Go to Settings
- Tap General
- Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPad
- Tap Reset
- Tap Reset Network Settings
- Enter your passcode when prompted
- Confirm the reset
After the reset, your iPad will restart. Go to Settings > WiFi and reconnect to your network.
Warning
You'll need your WiFi password: After resetting, your iPad forgets all saved passwords. Make sure you know your WiFi password before doing this. Check your router (often on a sticker on the back) or ask whoever set up your network.
Is It Your Router?
If your iPad won't connect but other devices work fine, the issue is almost certainly with the iPad. But if multiple devices are having problems, your router may be the culprit.
Router Troubleshooting
- Check for firmware updates - Log into your router's admin panel and check for updates. Outdated firmware can cause connection issues.
- Try a different frequency band - If your router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, try connecting to the other one. Some iPads have issues with certain bands.
- Check MAC address filtering - Some routers block devices by their MAC address. Make sure your iPad isn't blocked.
- Check connected device limits - Routers can only handle so many connections. If you have lots of smart home devices, you may have hit the limit.
Advanced: Try Google DNS
Sometimes the issue is DNS, not WiFi. To try Google's DNS:
- Go to Settings > WiFi
- Tap the 'i' icon next to your network
- Tap "Configure DNS"
- Select "Manual"
- Delete existing DNS servers and add:
8.8.8.8and8.8.4.4 - Tap Save
What Causes WiFi Problems
Based on the iPad WiFi issues we see, here are the actual causes:
| Frequency | DIY Fix? | Solution | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software glitch | ~40% | Yes | Restart iPad/router |
| Corrupted network settings | ~25% | Yes | Reset network settings |
| Router compatibility | ~10% | Maybe | Update router firmware |
| iPadOS bug | ~10% | Yes | Update to latest iPadOS |
| WiFi antenna damage | ~10% | No | Professional repair |
| WiFi chip failure | ~5% | No | Professional repair |
The key takeaway: about 85% of WiFi problems are software-related and fixable at home. Hardware issues are less common but do happen, especially after drops or liquid exposure.
When It's Hardware Damage
How do you know if it's a hardware problem? Look for these signs:
Signs of WiFi Hardware Damage
- WiFi toggle is greyed out - This almost always indicates hardware failure. The WiFi chip or its connection to the logic board has failed.
- Very weak signal - If your iPad only connects when right next to the router but other devices work from across the house, the antenna may be damaged.
- Frequent disconnections - Connecting then dropping every few minutes, especially after a drop, suggests loose antenna connections.
- No networks visible - If your iPad can't see any WiFi networks at all (not just yours), the WiFi hardware isn't working.
Common Causes of Hardware Damage
- Drops - The WiFi antenna runs around the edge of the iPad. A drop can disconnect or damage it.
- Liquid damage - Moisture causes corrosion on the WiFi chip and antenna connections.
- Failed repair - Screen or battery replacements done badly can damage antenna cables.
Did You Know?
WiFi greyed out? This is the most common hardware symptom we see. It means the iPad can't communicate with its WiFi chip. Try a force restart first, but if it's still greyed out, you need professional diagnosis.
UK Repair Costs
If your iPad has a hardware WiFi issue, here are typical UK repair costs. WiFi antenna repairs are relatively affordable compared to screen repairs.
| iPad (Standard) | iPad Air | iPad Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi antenna repair | £30 - £45 | £65 - £79 | £89 - £99 |
| WiFi chip repair | £80 - £120 | £100 - £140 | £120 - £180 |
| Logic board repair (WiFi) | Quote required | Quote required | Quote required |
| Diagnosis | Free | Free | Free |
WiFi antenna repairs are straightforward - the antenna is a replaceable component. WiFi chip issues are more complex as they're soldered to the logic board, requiring micro-soldering expertise.
Pro Tip
Worth repairing? WiFi antenna repairs are almost always worth it - they're affordable and restore full functionality. WiFi chip repairs depend on your iPad model and its value. We'll give you honest advice on whether repair makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common causes are: software glitches (fixed by restarting iPad and router), incorrect password saved, router settings blocking your device, or outdated iPadOS. About 85% of WiFi issues are software-related. Try toggling WiFi off/on, forgetting the network and reconnecting, or resetting network settings. If none of that works and other devices connect fine, it may be a hardware issue with the WiFi antenna.
If other devices connect but your iPad won't, the issue is with the iPad specifically. Try: 1) Toggle WiFi off/on, 2) Restart your iPad, 3) Forget the network and reconnect, 4) Reset Network Settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings). If those don't work, try turning off Private WiFi Address in your network settings. Hardware damage to the WiFi antenna is possible but less common.
Go to Settings > WiFi, make sure WiFi is on, tap your network name and enter the password. If it won't connect, tap the 'i' icon next to your network, select 'Forget This Network', then try connecting again with the correct password. If your network doesn't appear, try Settings > WiFi > Other and manually enter your network name (SSID) and password.
Several things can cause this: 1) Your router may be blocking new devices (check MAC filtering), 2) The network security type may be incompatible, 3) Your iPad's date/time may be wrong (check Settings > General > Date & Time), 4) Private WiFi Address may be causing issues (try turning it off for your network). Also try forgetting the network entirely and reconnecting fresh.
A greyed-out WiFi toggle usually indicates a hardware problem with the WiFi chip or antenna, often caused by drops or liquid damage. Try a force restart first, then a full settings reset. If it's still greyed out, the WiFi module likely needs repair or replacement. This is a hardware issue that requires professional diagnosis. We see this occasionally after drops or when iPads have been exposed to moisture.
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