On an iPad Pro (M4) or iPad Air (M2), Apple's Wi-Fi article starts with settings and only then the router. Open Settings, Wi-Fi and confirm Wi-Fi is on and a blue checkmark shows next to the network. If not, make sure Airplane Mode is off and Connectivity Assist is off; if the Wi-Fi setting is grayed out, restart the iPad. If you see No Internet Connection, check whether other devices connect, restart the router and modem, and try the other frequency: Apple suggests joining 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz where the router offers both. Both models support Wi-Fi 6E, per Wikipedia, so they can use a 6 GHz band if the router does.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple iPad Pro and iPad Air will not connect to Wi-Fi or keeps disconnecting”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Wi-Fi off, or Airplane Mode on
What separates it No networks listed, or the setting is grayed out
How to confirm Settings, Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode; Apple says to restart if Wi-Fi is dimmed
- 2
Connectivity Assist or a VPN interfering
What separates it The network shows but pages fail, or traffic drops
How to confirm Turn Connectivity Assist off; Apple says to uninstall VPN and security software and test
- 3
A router or modem fault
What separates it Other devices also fail or show No Internet Connection
How to confirm Restart the router and modem, as Apple says, and test another device
- 4
A band mismatch
What separates it The network is not listed, or connects only near the router
How to confirm Join the 5 GHz band if the router offers both, per Apple; 6E models can use 6 GHz on a 6E router
- 5
A saved network in a bad state
What separates it The iPad joined this network before and now refuses
How to confirm Forget the network and rejoin; last resort is Reset Network Settings
- 6
A hardware fault
What separates it No network works at all, at home or elsewhere
How to confirm Apple says to contact it if the device cannot connect to any Wi-Fi network
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The model, the size and the iPadOS version of the tablet
- Whether a VPN, security app or profile is installed
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the settings
ReversibleSettings, Wi-Fi: confirm it is on, tap the network and look for the blue checkmark.
Turn off Airplane Mode and Connectivity Assist
ReversibleTurn off Airplane Mode and Connectivity Assist, both in Settings, and restart the iPad if Wi-Fi is grayed out.
Test another device
ReversibleTest another device, and if a phone also fails, the router or the ISP is the fault.
Restart router and modem
ReversibleUnplug both the charger and the cable, wait a moment, then plug them back in firmly and check that the charging icon appears.
Try 5 GHz
ReversibleTry 5 GHz, and join the 5 GHz name if the router offers separate bands.
Remove VPN or security software
ReversibleRemove VPN or security software, by uninstalling it, restarting and testing, since Apple describes this step.
Reset Network Settings
ReversibleSettings, General, Transfer or Reset iPad, Reset, Reset Network Settings. This erases saved networks and passwords.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Wireless
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on the iPad Pro (M4) and iPad Air (M2), per Wikipedia; cellular models add 5G sub-6 GHz.
- Cellular
- Apple's battery article says 5G Auto is available on iPad models with 5G, so it appears only on cellular models.
- Part numbers
- No part number is needed; the model is shown in Settings, General, About.
- Tools and supplies
- The Wi-Fi password, a flashlight to read the router's label, another device to test the network, and access to the router's power. Have the router's frequency names written down.
- Repair cost
- Wi-Fi faults are software or router faults first. Apple's battery-service fees, if the tablet needs hardware service, are $119 for an iPad Air and $149 or $179 for the iPad Pro of the M2 generation per MacRumors and SlashGear.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the iPad Air 13-inch (M2).
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If no network works anywhere after Apple's steps, contact Apple
- !If the router is the fault, contact your ISP, as Apple advises when you do not manage the network
- !If a hidden or enterprise network will not join, ask the network's manager for the settings
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Wi-Fi settings, Airplane Mode, Connectivity Assist, VPN software, router and frequency steps.
Joining a network and the blue checkmark.
M4 chip, Tandem OLED, battery watt-hours, USB-C with Thunderbolt/USB4, Wi-Fi 6E, RAM and storage tiers and weights.
M2 chip, 11 and 13 inch battery watt-hours, 10 Gbit/s USB-C, Wi-Fi 6E and storage tiers.
Exact questions
Common questions
What is Connectivity Assist?+
A setting that moves traffic to cellular when Wi-Fi is weak. Apple's article says to make sure it is off while you troubleshoot Wi-Fi.
Why do I see No Internet Connection with a checkmark?+
Apple says that message points to another issue, so check the router and network settings and test other devices.
Does Wi-Fi 6E need a special router?+
To use 6 GHz, yes. Wikipedia lists Wi-Fi 6E on both models, but an older router still works on 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz.
Why does my network not appear?+
Apple says it might be hidden or not meet its recommendations. If you do not manage the network, contact your ISP.
Should I forget the network?+
It is a reasonable step after a restart. Tap the network's info button, forget it and rejoin with the password.
Will Reset Network Settings remove my Apple Account?+
No. Apple says it resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings and VPN and APN settings. Your data stays.
Do the Pro and Air behave differently?+
Both list Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, per Wikipedia, so Apple's steps are the same for the four models.
Does my case block Wi-Fi?+
Apple's Wi-Fi article does not say so. A metal case is the only accessory worth removing for a test.
Is 2.4 GHz slower?+
It reaches farther but is slower and busier than 5 GHz. Apple's advice is to try the other frequency when one fails.
Why do other devices connect and the iPad does not?+
That points to the iPad's settings, a saved network state or a VPN. Follow the steps above in order, ending with Reset Network Settings.
Should I update iPadOS?+
Apple's articles recommend the latest version for fixes, and it costs nothing. Settings, General, Software Update.
When should I contact Apple?+
Apple says to contact it if the device cannot connect to any Wi-Fi network after the steps.