# iPad requires router password entry at random times

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-requires-router-password-entry-at-random-times/546403>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 12, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-requires-router-password-entry-at-random-times/546403 "2010-07-12T15:44:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-requires-router-password-entry-at-random-times/546403/1 "2010-07-12T15:44:40Z")

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My iPad requires me to input the network password for my router (26 digits) at random times while in use. I can’t pinpoint a specific app or action I am doing which could be causing this. No other devices connected to my wireless router require password input beyond the initial connection. Sometimes the iPad will be in the middle of streaming netflix or surfing on safari and suddenly ask for a network password. If anyone can help me solve this problem, I’d be eternally grateful!

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-requires-router-password-entry-at-random-times/546403/2 "2010-07-12T15:51:02Z")

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Here is some VoodDoo I found on the web:

> [@](#):
>
> iPad not automatically connecting known Wi-Fi networks
> 
> Create separate Wi-Fi network names to identify each band (for Wi-Fi routers that are dual-band capable). Add some characters to the current network name. Example: Add a G to the 802.11b/g network name and an N to the 802.11n network name. (source)  
> In third-party Wi-Fi routers that are dual-band capable, ensure that both networks use the same security type (WEP, WPA, WPA2 etc.)  
> Reset your network settings – Go to Settings \> General \> Reset \> Reset Network Settings. This will reset all network settings, including passwords, VPN, and APN settings.  
> Update Wi-Fi router for firmware or software updates.  
> That should get your iPad wi-fi started easily. Check it out. Share your tips.

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**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-requires-router-password-entry-at-random-times/546403/3 "2010-07-12T16:00:54Z")

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Biggest one is that Apple devices, the iPad specifically, but the iPhone and iPod Touch to a lesser extent; just don’t like WEP password encryption. Try changing your security protocal or WPA or WPA2.

The other things would be,  
1\> as **beowulff** suggests, splitting multi-band routers into separate networks  
2\> changing the channel from Automatic to either 1, 6 or 11.

Won’t spend much time pointing out that the device is a bit hinky on the wifi side and all the suggestions are to change the NETWORK to work better with the device.