Some iPads can join Wifi network, some can't

[Sonic007]

Hi everyone,

 

I wondered if anyone could help as I have several failing to connect iPads.

 

 

I've got 90 iPads and most are working fine and can connect to the Wifi however we are having more and more iPads that are displaying the error below when I try to connect them to the Wifi:

 

Unable to join the network “network name.” This network is operating on Wi-Fi channels in use by several other nearby networks. Restarting your wireless router may allow it to automatically choose the best channel to use, and may resolve this problem.

 

 

I can get the iPad to connect to another network but just not this one. It only happens to certain iPads which is really annoying.

 

Anyone else had this issue?

 

We are running iPad OS version 16.5 on 5th Gen iPads.

 

Thankyou.

[Accura2k7]

Try resetting the network settings on the device.

[FN-GM]

What do the logs in your wireless system tell you?

 

One thing to check - do you have enough spare IP Addresses in your DHCP scope?

[simonw]

Hard reset has worked for most for me, but I have had to erase and start again for a few.

[Sonic007]

Try resetting the network settings on the device.

 

Done that. Makes no difference.

 

 

 

What do the logs in your wireless system tell you?

 

One thing to check - do you have enough spare IP Addresses in your DHCP scope?

 

Any other device can connect fine so not a problem with addresses. Plenty of phones and Laptops connecting perfectly.

Edited July 6, 2023 by Sonic007

[Michael]

I presume your WiFi solution is dual band?

[Sonic007]

I presume your WiFi solution is dual band?

 

It is yes.

[FN-GM]

Any other device can connect fine so not a problem with addresses. Plenty of phones and Laptops connecting perfectly.

 

What do the logs say?

[Sonic007]

What do the logs say?

 

 

Sorry as I'm a bit not with it today as my wife is in hospital, but which logs do you mean?

I've gone into my Unifi controller and can't really see much in there.

 

Thankyou.

[FN-GM]

Sorry as I'm a bit not with it today as my wife is in hospital, but which logs do you mean?

I've gone into my Unifi controller and can't really see much in there.

 

Thankyou.

 

I’m sorry to hear that. Wishing you and your wife the best.

 

I am home soon and I can check on my setup. I can’t remember the exact location. Unless someone else beats me to it.

[Michael]

Same ^^^

 

If you haven't already, navigate to your Unifi Controller and select your WiFi name.

 

Scroll down and under Advanced, and untick Band Steering.

 

The System log is the last but one icon, bottom left > AP

[Sonic007]

Thankyou.

 

The Band Steering was already off.

 

I've found something... We have two Wifi Networks, our main School one and then a guest one. The Guest one is set up as a Guest Hot spot with login page. This connects absolutely fine so it must be something to do with the network. Though it's odd as it has worked fine in the past.

 

Just looked at the system logs. It just says when I've logged into the admin portal or when a device has connected to the guest portal. Nothing else.

Edited July 6, 2023 by Sonic007

[FN-GM]

When you connect to the WIFI if you navigate to this URL does anything happen?

 

neverssl.com

[Koldov]

I am probably one of the least 'networky' people on here, so...

 

Can anyone explain what is happening there? Is the iPad actually correct but is it a little over sensitive? Have you run something like inSSIDer to establish what your network looks like (especially near any AP that the iPad can't connect to)? Can you see anything on the WLC about which APs/SSIDs (or hopefully channels) are being connected to by X amount of devices?

 

Running inSSIDer I can see the nearest AP to me shows the following:

 

3 x MAC ADDRESSES (ending in :A0, :A1 and :A2)

3 x SSID being broadcast (ADMIN, CURRIC and GUEST)

CHANNEL: 1

SIGNAL: -50dBm

802.11: a,g,n

2.4GHz

 

Maybe I'm a bit confused by the terminology... Would the iPad saying "Unable to join the network “network name.” This network is operating on Wi-Fi channels in use by several other nearby networks. Restarting your wireless router may allow it to automatically choose the best channel to use, and may resolve this problem." mean that basically as I have 3 'networks' (SSIDs) all being on Channel 1, that is potentially an issue and it might not connect? Would restarting my WLC mean the AP would choose a different channel to broadcast on (if it were set up to detect what other APs around it was using)?

 

Or is it using 'network' or 'channels' to mean the 2.4 or 5 GHz band (seeing as you referenced dual-band)?

[Sonic007]

When you connect to the WIFI if you navigate to this URL does anything happen?

 

neverssl.com

 

You can't get on the Wifi network to try this.

If you mean once I connect to the Guest network, then yes on that network I can browse to NeverSSL. But all SSL sites work anyway.

 

Koldov... It doesnt matter which of my AP the iPad is near, it still won't connect.

[Sonic007]

UPDATE:

 

It seems to be an issue with the MDM profile on the iPads. This is strange as some work completly fine.

If I remove the MDM profile it will then allow me to connect it to the Wifi network. Very odd.

[simonw]

Had the MDM certificate expired?

[Sonic007]

No, not expired.