topic Re: Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP in Wireless

Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

TristanM — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Intel ax211 160mhz

July 2025 firmware

Reducing 'Roaming Agressiveness' from 'Medium' to 'Medium-Low' did not help.
Currently trying 'Prefer 5Ghz'... but this is a lame solution, as we should be able to use 6Ghz where its available.

Problem (Theory):

Laptop connects to Nano HD AP (-51 dBm). This is a strong connection.
Laptop sees the U7 Pro Max AP 6 GHz signal (-83 dBm). Although the signal is poor, the laptop's client-side roaming algorithm is prioritizing the 6 GHz band of the U7 Pro Max AP over the 5 GHz band of the Nano HD AP. Client devices often prefer the newest, fastest technology band available, even if the signal is significantly weaker.
Laptop Roams to U7 Pro Max AP: The connection drops from excellent ($-51 dBm) to poor ($-83 dBm).
Poor Connection Kicks In: Once connected to the poor $-83 dBm signal, the disruptions begin. The laptop's Wi-Fi driver recognizes the connection is now too poor.
Laptop Roams Back to Nano HD AP: The laptop quickly scans and sees the strong $-51 dBm signal from the Nano HD AP and roams back.
The Cycle Repeats: The laptop is now back on the strong Nano HD AP, but its logic dictates that the 6 GHz band is "better," so it switches back to the U7 Pro Max AP's poor 6 GHz signal, starting the cycle over every few minutes.

Sample Logs (from Unifi Network):

Oct 17, 13:15:15 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -51 dBm. Roaming Decision: -82 dBm to -51 dBm.
Oct 17, 13:14:56 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -82 dBm. Roaming Decision: -51 dBm to -82 dBm.
Oct 17, 12:54:43 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -51 dBm. Roaming Decision: -86 dBm to -51 dBm.
Oct 17, 12:54:25 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -86 dBm. Roaming Decision: -50 dBm to -86 dBm.
Oct 17, 12:44:24 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -51 dBm. Roaming Decision: -85 dBm to -51 dBm.
Oct 17, 12:44:07 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -85 dBm. Roaming Decision: -51 dBm to -85 dBm.
Oct 17, 11:22:04 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz). Roaming Decision: -83 dBm to 0 dBm.
Oct 17, 11:21:58 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -83 dBm. Roaming Decision: -50 dBm to -83 dBm.
Oct 17, 11:11:54 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -50 dBm. Roaming Decision: -82 dBm to -50 dBm.
Oct 17, 11:11:42 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -82 dBm. Roaming Decision: -50 dBm to -82 dBm.
Oct 17, 11:01:29 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -50 dBm. Roaming Decision: -82 dBm to -50 dBm.
Oct 17, 11:01:27 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -82 dBm. Roaming Decision: -51 dBm to -82 dBm.
Oct 17, 10:41:10 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -49 dBm. Roaming Decision: -82 dBm to -49 dBm.
Oct 17, 10:41:04 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -82 dBm. Roaming Decision: -50 dBm to -82 dBm.
Oct 17, 10:20:55 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -53 dBm. Roaming Decision: -83 dBm to -53 dBm.
Oct 17, 10:20:40 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -83 dBm. Roaming Decision: -51 dBm to -83 dBm.
Oct 17, 10:10:48 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -51 dBm. Roaming Decision: -83 dBm to -51 dBm.
Oct 17, 10:10:30 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -83 dBm. Roaming Decision: -51 dBm to -83 dBm.
Oct 17, 09:50:22 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -51 dBm. Roaming Decision: -85 dBm to -51 dBm.
Oct 17, 09:50:06 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -85 dBm. Roaming Decision: -50 dBm to -85 dBm.
Oct 17, 09:30:05 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -51 dBm. Roaming Decision: -81 dBm to -51 dBm.
Oct 17, 09:29:52 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -81 dBm. Roaming Decision: -51 dBm to -81 dBm.
Oct 17, 08:28:50 - Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -51 dBm. Roaming Decision: -83 dBm to -51 dBm.
Oct 17, 08:28:34 - Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -83 dBm. Roaming Decision: -51 dBm to -83 dBm.

Re: Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

TristanM — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 17:24:00 GMT

'Prefer 5Ghz' did not work. These logs were collected with 'Prefer 5Ghz' active.

Today at 10:15:25 Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -50 dBm. Roaming Decision: -85 dBm to -50 dBm.

Today at 10:15:08 Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -85 dBm. Roaming Decision: -49 dBm to -85 dBm.

Today at 10:05:12 Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -49 dBm. Roaming Decision: -85 dBm to -49 dBm.

Today at 10:04:52 Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -85 dBm. Roaming Decision: -49 dBm to -85 dBm.

Today at 09:54:56 Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -48 dBm. Roaming Decision: -86 dBm to -48 dBm.

Today at 09:54:36 Laptop roamed from Nano HD to U7 Pro Max. Connection Info: Ch. 85 (6 GHz, 320 MHz), -86 dBm. Roaming Decision: -48 dBm to -86 dBm.

Today at 08:53:04 Laptop roamed from U7 Pro Max to Nano HD. Connection Info: Ch. 149 (5 GHz, 40 MHz), -49 dBm. Roaming Decision: -85 dBm to -49 dBm.

Re: Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

TristanM — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 03:52:06 GMT

This won't turn into a defect and get fixed, will it?

Re:Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

JedG_Intel — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 07:04:07 GMT

Hello TristanM,

Thank you for posting on Intel Community Forum

1. Is this the original adapter that came pre-installed in your system, or have you changed/installed a new adapter recently?

2. What is the full model of the laptop?

3. Has this issue occurred recently, or has it been present from the start?

4. How frequently is "frequent"? (Every few seconds, minutes, or based on movement?)

5. What is your Operating System?

I look forward to your response.

Best regards

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Re: Re:Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

TristanM — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:58:13 GMT

Disabling the 6Ghz radio in the laptop worked. It's a lame solution, though.

Re: Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

TristanM — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 01:05:39 GMT

All original hardware. It's my wife's work laptop, so changes are not possible.

Windows 11.

The logs shown are with the laptop stationary. It did not move all day.

Frequency: everyday, constantly. Timestamps in the logs above speak to the more fine-grained aspects of frequency.

Re:Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

JedG_Intel — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 06:26:49 GMT

Hello TristanM,

Thank you for all this information. To gain more clarity and investigate further, please generate a complete copy of the System Support Utility (SSU) report. Please follow instructions here and send the report - How to get the Intel® System Support Utility Logs on Windows*

I look forward to your response.

Best regards

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Re:Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

JedG_Intel — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 05:37:15 GMT

Hi TristanM,

I'm following up with regards to the System Support Utility report. Kindly share this information at your earliest convenience to help with the investigation.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Re: Re:Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

TristanM — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:39:06 GMT

I'll see if I can. The laptop is very restricted in what can be done with it (ie download, run, install... definitely no admin mode).

Re:Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

JedG_Intel — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 06:21:52 GMT

Hello TristanM,

I would truly appreciate that, as it would be very helpful in moving things forward. Your support makes a big difference in ensuring we address this properly. In the meantime, if you run into any challenges or difficulties during the process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Best regards

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Re:Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

JedG_Intel — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:10:46 GMT

Hi TristanM,

I'm just checking if you're having any difficulties sharing the SSU report. Please let me know so I can proceed accordingly.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Re:Bug: Frequent roaming when 6 Ghz band signal is weak and 5 Ghz band is strong on another AP

JedG_Intel — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:53:28 GMT

Hello TristanM,

I have not heard back from you so I will close this inquiry now. If you need further assistance, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician