Your iPad can't connect to WiFi for a few common reasons: the WiFi password is wrong, the router needs to restart, your iPad's WiFi is turned off, or there's interference between your device and router

Most connection problems solve themselves with a restart — either of your iPad, your router, or both. If that doesn't work, the issue is usually one of four things: you're entering the wrong password, your iPad has forgotten the network, something is blocking the signal, or your router needs an update. This guide walks you through each one in order, starting with the fastest fixes.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your iPad first by holding the power button until "slide to power off" appears, then turn it back on — this fixes most connection problems.
  • Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and waiting two to three minutes for it to fully boot.
  • Check that WiFi is actually turned on in your iPad's Settings app under WiFi, and that you're selecting the correct network name.
  • If your iPad connects but then disconnects, "forget" the network in Settings and reconnect by entering the password again.
  • If nothing works, move your iPad closer to the router to rule out distance or interference as the cause.

Restart your iPad and router in this order

Start by restarting your iPad. Hold down the power button (on the top or side, depending on your model) until you see "slide to power off" appear on the screen. Slide it to the right. Wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears. Let it boot fully — this usually takes one to two minutes.

If your iPad still won't connect, restart your router next. Unplug the power cable from the back of the router and wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in. The lights on the front will blink as it restarts — wait two to three minutes for them to settle into a steady pattern before trying to connect again. A router restart clears its memory and often fixes connection problems that a device restart alone won't solve.

Check that WiFi is turned on and you're selecting the right network

Open Settings on your iPad and tap WiFi. Make sure the toggle at the top is switched on — it should be green. If it's off, tap it to turn it on. Your iPad will then scan for available networks.

Look for your network name in the list. Your network name is the one you chose when you set up your router, or the default name that came with it (often something like "Netgear-1234" or "TP-Link-Home"). Tap on it. If you see a checkmark next to it, your iPad is already connected — the problem is likely with the network itself, not the connection. If you don't see a checkmark, tap the network name and enter your WiFi password.

Make sure you're entering the password exactly as it was set up. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters and lowercase letters are different. If you're not sure what your password is, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — it usually has the default password printed there. If you changed the password and can't remember it, you'll need to reset your router to factory settings, which erases all your settings and returns it to the default password.

Forget the network and reconnect if your iPad keeps disconnecting

If your iPad connects to WiFi but then disconnects after a few minutes, the problem is usually that your iPad has stored incorrect information about the network. The fix is to "forget" the network and reconnect.

Go to Settings, tap WiFi, then find your network name in the list. Tap the information icon (a circle with an "i" inside) next to the network name. Tap "Forget This Network" and confirm. Your iPad will disconnect when ready. Now tap on the network name again and enter your password. This time, your iPad will store the connection fresh, and the problem usually goes away.

Move your iPad closer to the router to check for distance or interference

WiFi signals weaken the farther you are from the router, and they can be blocked by walls, metal objects, and other electronics. If your iPad won't connect from across the house, try moving it to the same room as the router and try again. If it connects when you're close but not when you're far away, the problem is distance or interference, not a broken connection.

Common sources of interference include microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, and Bluetooth speakers — all of which use the same radio frequencies as WiFi. If you have any of these devices near your router, try moving them farther away. You can also try moving your router to a higher shelf or more central location in your home, which helps the signal reach more of your space.

Check your router's WiFi settings and restart it if needed

If multiple devices won't connect to your WiFi, or if only your iPad won't connect while other devices can, the problem may be with your router's settings rather than your iPad. Open a web browser on a computer or phone that is connected to your WiFi and go to your router's admin page — this is usually printed on the sticker on your router (often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Log in with the username and password on that sticker.

Look for a WiFi settings or wireless settings section. Check that the WiFi is turned on and that the network name is visible (not hidden). If you see an option to update the router's software or firmware, do that — outdated firmware can cause connection problems. After any changes, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Update your iPad's software if nothing else works

If you've restarted both your iPad and router, checked the password, and moved closer to the router without success, your iPad's software may be out of date. Go to Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. If an update is available, tap read and Install. Your iPad will restart during the update — this usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. After it finishes, try connecting to WiFi again.

Software updates often include fixes for connection problems that Apple has discovered since your iPad was manufactured. If you're still unable to connect after updating, the problem may be a hardware issue with your iPad's WiFi chip, and you may need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPad say "incorrect password" when I know the password is right?

WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". Check the sticker on your router to see the exact password, including capital letters. If you changed your password and can't remember it, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button (usually a small hole on the back) for 10 seconds, which returns it to the default password on the sticker.

My iPad connects to WiFi but the internet doesn't work. What's the difference?

Your iPad can connect to the router but still not reach the internet if the router itself isn't connected to your internet service provider. Check that the cable from your modem to your router is plugged in firmly on both ends. Restart both your modem and router — unplug the modem first, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, wait two minutes, then do the same with the router.

Can I connect my iPad to WiFi without knowing the password?

No, you need the password to connect. If you don't know it, check the sticker on your router (usually on the back or bottom). If you changed the password and forgot it, you'll need to reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, which returns it to the default password on the sticker.

Why does my iPad keep disconnecting from WiFi?

This usually means your iPad has stored incorrect information about the network. Go to Settings, tap WiFi, find your network, tap the information icon, and select "Forget This Network". Then reconnect by tapping the network name and entering your password again. If it keeps disconnecting, restart your router and check that your iPad's software is up to date.