Issues with Wifi being poor after digitizer replacement

I just finished sorting this out, hope this helps you. The antenna is almost always destroyed by removing the digitizer so plan on replacing it. It is a very inexpensive part so order it at the same time. One end attaches to the underside of the MB but can be accessed without removing the MB by removing the top shield and popping up the wireless board.

Here is what happened to me: I attached the antenna connector to the silver post and re-assembled. The wireless signal was dead awful but available if you set the iPad next to the router so I knew all the electronics were OK. Then I disassembled again, placed a piece of tape over the antenna connector at the post on the wireless board to make sure the connector does NOT touch the underside of the metal MB bracket! There is practically no room to avoid shorting the antenna post otherwise. Even though the antenna wire eventually makes contact with the metal case it must travel through the antenna first (I guess to tune the frequency better).

step 25 here Remplacement de l'antenne Bluetooth/Wi-Fi de l'iPad 2 Wi-Fi EMC 2415 shows were the wi-fi antenna plugs in

To answer your question about where the wifi plugs into it plugs Ito the silver button not the gold after replacing mine with a new one I still was getting a weak signal I can't explain it I'll figure it out I'm sure

Hi,

I'm also getting weak wifi after fitting a new digitizer. I would have thought if I damaged the antenna I would have had no wifi but I'm just getting weak wifi. It will work when I'm close to the wifi access point but when I move into the next room its gone. Is this indicative of me damaging the wifi adapter or cable?

Is it a new antenna I need. I'm loathed to open the iPad again because I doubt if I can get the digitizer off in one piece!

P.S. I've just noticed an item on the old digitizer which sits just over the wifi antenna. Obviously this is something I've broken either when the ipad was dropped or when removing the digitizer.

hi, i also had the same problem with weak signal after antenna replacement,after trying several different things (settings etc)there was no difference, the solution was to remove the motherboard and the top shield, fit the antenna using a pair of tweezers applying slight pressure on the connector to ensure the connector did not turn sideways but was rigid (90 degrees to the motherboard)

PROBLEM SOLVED.HOPE THIS HELPS.

Hey chris its because the antenna flex cable tape is broken even in the guide on replacing the digitizer on the pad 2 they ripped the antenna flex or its not properly glued to the digitizer you need to buy a new one. and install it.

I know you gotta go back in =[

Envigopcrepairs.com

-Aldo R

I remember having this issue; it was really annoying being forced to use the new iPad, only in the same room as my wifi router because of the poor range. I've searched endlessly on Google, in the hope that someone would figure out on how to solve this, once and for all... I did a bunch of research came across WIRED magazine and found a extensive and detailed review of Pong Research cases www.pongresearch.com . These guys make a very special case which has a built-in antenna in between its layers, which redirects and boost the signal and range of your new iPad, iPhone and other devices. This solved my new iPad 3 wifi issues and now as a result, I'm able to connect to my router from further distance without a problem at all. I also enjoy a lot the Origami Smart Cover it comes with, which besides providing the classic sleep/awake function, folds and allows you to stand the iPad on 5 different positions.

Next time an iPad 2 WiFi comes in to my shop I will do a guide on repairing the WiFi as part of the service (very straight-forward, takes 15 minutes at most on a non-shattered screen)

I just did a repair on an iPad 2 WiFi (my first one) and snapped the WiFi cable while removing the digitizer (was left on top of a car, skidded 30 metres along a street and was run over by 2 more cars) which had been shattered into hundreds of pieces, power button and chassis had been compacted ~10-20mm inwards and towards the front. Suffice to say, a difficult repair. Ended up using the Dremel to create a new home for the power button even haha.

The WiFi cable itself is an easy job to do, however, if you are not an experienced technician (an actual technician, not 'I've run a tech store outta me garage for 7 years and thusly I am the hottest of all shite' technician - MCTS, MCITP, ACMT (for those playing in Australia) Cert IV I.T etc.) you may find it a bit daunting and you may make simple errors that cause major problems (not draining the battery completely - working on a live PCB - using metal spudgers to decouple flex cables - overheating adhesive before prying iPad open and melting the home button etc. etc. etc.).

If you would still like to jump in straight away a quick Google search found a very usable Youtube tutorial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26liR46z7...

Like I said though, if you are even slightly unsure about it, don't do it, get it done by a professional. You will know within 2 minutes of starting whether you are going to succeed or fail.

As mentioned above, within a couple of weeks (hopefully) I'll have a WiFi tutorial up on iFixit for you guys, just need someone to bring me another broken iPad 2 :)

I had this issue. My problem was that the new antenna wasn't seated as well as it should be. After reopening the iPad and making sure that the antenna was definitely connected to the board properly, Wifi is working properly.

I was pretty sure I had connected the antenna properly the first time, but I had not. With it barely connected, it worked, but the range was terrible and it would only pick up one wireless signal.

I hope this helps.

Can the wifi address get corrupted in any way? If it can, would this cause this problem and could it be corrected?

@mazamaland

No cause after a restart the ipad gets a new ip from modem/router.

so a non issue.

if the antenna doesn't seam torn, but it broke off right next to where the three screws hold it down, will i have poor connectiong when i close it up? ipad2.

i worry the screws have some kind of grounding or extention to the antenna purpose...

the main rectangular part of the antenna is untorn and the plug never got pulled out.

thanks,

-alex

i have just fixed i iPad 2 and as a week WiFi signal before and so decided to replace it, replace it but the same problem accord can sugestions

The same probleme. The second antenna . And only wifi a cess next to the router.

Any idea?

Hello world..!

i have finally a solution for the weak wifi signal for the iPad 2,

i have the same problems over and over again, after replacing the digitizer or lcd, you kill het wifi antenna (stupid construction)

this is only a solution for the people that taking there logic board out! so not the wifi/bluetooth card

first of all: your iPad 2 is a big aluminum antenna,

the problem is your logic board, when you want to get this out for replacing the antenna you need alot of force to get i out because it''s a little glued in the middle! (near by the battery connector)

what happens is that you bent your logic board a little bit!

there is a copper sticker on the backside of the logic board, that sticker is normally pushing again the aluminum body of you iPad 2 (grouding)

when you bent to much the sticker is not pushing against the frame anymore so you don't have circle or connection!

that is why you a have low or weak signal!

easy fix: just put something under the 2 srew's and metal plate that hold the logic board down (piece of paper or something else)

and add more force!

thats it..! happy repairing and cheers jorisdevet@gmail.com maby for a small donation with paypal??? other questions? feel free to ask!

Did you take the logicboard out?

This is only a solution for people that take

the motherboard/logicboard out!

Add more force, the copper antenna sticker (backside logicboard)

Must press againt the aluminium frame of the iPad!

Good luck And happy reparing!

Cheers

iPad 2nd Generation had a big flaw in design for the Wifi antenna. For one thing, the antenna on many iPad 2s went bad even without the iPad being repaired or replaced. We get many customers who call us and ask us to repair them for this issue. I am not sure what causes this problem but after replacing the antenna with a new one, all is fixed.

Another BIG issue is that Apple used to glue the iPad 2 antennas to the bottom of the glass/digitizer from the inside. So if you broke the glass right on top of the antenna, it would damage it and tear into it. They fixed this issue on later models by not gluing the antenna to the glass. So when you took the broken glass off, it would not pull on the antenna and cause it to tear.

Also, if you don't have a lot of experience in fixing iPad 2nd Generations, it is very easy to rip the antenna during repair. The antenna is is screwed to the body of the iPad by 4 screws and it is extremely flimsy. The antenna can easily rip away from the screws and become loose. We have even seen many antennas that go bad after the repair without any physical damage visible to the antenna.

Also keep in mind that some Apple software updates do cause wifi connection issues on certain iPad models.

I get no signal at all infact the wifi toggle has remained grayed out since i replaced the anttenna and mobile data tab is als in operable

I had the same problem after replacing the digitiser on my ipad 2 and got here after searching relentlessly. I trashed the WiFi antenna when I opened it up and had to fit a new one. New antenna had really poor signal so I had to open it up again. I found out that with the antenna unscrewed from the chassis the signal was strong all over the house, but died whenever the antenna made contact with the chassis. I covered the "free" end of the antenna with electrical tape (and where it connects to the WiFi board to avoid shorting as someone mentioned previously). Without screwing it down at all, I tucked it between the screen and the battery! Tested it all with the ipad in bits and all was good. Still good on re-assembly. Hope this helps!