iPad Wi-Fi settings beside a home Wi-Fi router
Join the correct Wi-Fi network in Settings, then confirm the checkmark beside its name.

Quick answer: On your iPad, open Settings > Wi-Fi, turn Wi-Fi on, and tap your network name. Enter the password if asked. A blue checkmark next to the network and the Wi-Fi icon in the status area indicate that the iPad has joined the network.

This guide uses current iPadOS wording. Menu names can vary slightly by software version, school or work management settings, and whether your iPad is Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + Cellular.

Before you begin

  • Have the correct network name and password ready. Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive.
  • Keep the iPad near the router or access point for the initial test.
  • If the network belongs to a school, employer, hotel, or health-care provider, follow its sign-in instructions rather than changing security settings yourself.

Join a visible Wi-Fi network

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Turn Wi-Fi on if it is off.
  4. Under Networks, tap the name of the network you want to use.
  5. Enter the password when prompted, then tap Join.
  6. Confirm a blue checkmark appears beside the network name.

If you can join but web pages do not load, the network may require a separate sign-in page. Open Safari and visit a simple website to trigger the hotel, airport, or guest-network portal.

Join a hidden Wi-Fi network

A hidden network does not show its name in the usual list. Only use this option when the network owner has given you the exact details.

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap Other.
  3. Enter the network name exactly.
  4. Choose the security type supplied by the network owner.
  5. Enter the password and tap Join.

Do not guess a security type or repeatedly attempt passwords. Ask the network administrator if you do not have the required information.

Connect to a Personal Hotspot

If another iPhone or cellular-capable iPad is sharing its cellular connection, choose that device name under Settings > Wi-Fi and enter the hotspot password if prompted. This uses the hotspot device’s cellular data plan and may incur charges. It does not turn the iPad into a connection to the home Wi-Fi that the other device is using.

Share or find a saved Wi-Fi password safely

Apple devices can share a Wi-Fi password when the sharing iPad is unlocked and connected, the devices are nearby, and the people are in each other’s contacts. On supported iPadOS versions, you can also view saved Wi-Fi credentials in the Passwords app or in the Wi-Fi network settings after authenticating with your passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.

Only share a network password with people you trust. For a guest, create or use a separate guest network when your router supports one.

Fix common iPad Wi-Fi problems

Problem Check first Next action
Network name is missing Wi-Fi is on and you are near the router Restart the iPad, then try another band or move closer if the router provides multiple bands.
Password is rejected Correct network and exact capitalization Ask the network owner for the current password; do not keep guessing.
Connected but no internet Can another device use the same network? Check for a captive-portal sign-in and then investigate the router, ISP service, or network administrator.
Wi-Fi option is dimmed Temporary software state Restart the iPad. If it remains dimmed, contact Apple Support.
Only this network fails Old saved password or network configuration Forget that network, then rejoin with the current password.

Forget a network and reconnect

Use this only when you know the current password and the network is your own or you have permission from its owner.

  1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the information button beside the network.
  3. Choose Forget This Network and confirm.
  4. Select the network again and enter its current password.

Forgetting removes that saved network from the iPad; it does not change the router’s password or settings.

Reset Network Settings: last resort

Reset Network Settings removes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN/APN settings. Use it only after basic checks and, for a managed school or work iPad, after speaking with IT. To reach it, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

When the issue is not the iPad

If multiple devices cannot reach the internet on the same network, the problem is probably the router, modem, service provider, or an outage. Start with the safe checks in Wi-Fi Not Working?. If only the iPad cannot join any network, use Apple’s support path rather than changing router settings at random.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my iPad say No Internet Connection?

The iPad may be joined to Wi-Fi but the network has no working internet path, needs a sign-in page, or has a router/ISP problem. Test another device on the same network to separate an iPad-only issue from a network-wide issue.

Can an iPad join 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

Many iPad models support 5 GHz Wi-Fi, but compatibility depends on the model and router settings. If your router offers separate names for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, join the one recommended by the network owner.

Will Reset Network Settings erase my photos?

No, but it removes saved network, cellular, VPN, and APN settings. It should not be your first troubleshooting step.

Technical guidance consulted