AC 3165 Slow Download

[idata]

Hi,

I have a problem with the download speed (wifi). Laptop is Win 10 Home x64 / Network card AC 3165.

I have the internet plan with the download speed of 220. On my laptop I get 120 only; while using the phone (connected to the same network - 5GHz) I am getting 190-200. Based on that I am asuming the issue is with thee laptop.

While connection is steady, it feels that my download speed is somehow limited. Upload speed is consistent across the devices.

Same results even if I'm only few ft away from the router.

So far I tried removing the device (via device manager) and re-adding it, also installed the latest driver.

Any suggestions?

[idata]

Hello Awtas,

We would need more information to determine if there is a problem with the Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165. Here are some important items for your consideration:- The http://www.intel.la/content/www/xl/es/wireless-products/dual-band-wireless-ac-3165-brief.html Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 has a maximum theoretical bandwidth of up to 433 Mbps, that is achieved with 802.11ac 1x1 connectivity. If your access point is 802.11n then the possible maximum will be 150 Mbps.If you have an 802.11ac network, please let us know the following information:- https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility Download Intel® System Support Utility, run the tool and use it to create and save a report with all sections, then add your reply to this thread and use the Advanced editor options to attach the resulting file to your post.- Model and firmware version of the wireless access point.Regards,Jonathan.

[idata]

Jonathan,

Thank you for looking into this.

As requested here's additional info.

SSU report attached (removed IP/MAC addresses).

My router (AP) Netgear R6300 v2 - dual band. 5GHz is set to broadcast N/AC mixed mode. Phone (used as a benchmark) is connecting to the same network. Just re-executed the speed test. I got 198 Mbps on the phone and 127 Mbps on the laptop(both devices are next to each other).

[idata]

Hello Awtas,

Thanks for the new information, we checked the log and the adapter is connecting to the network using 802.11ac and a signal strength of 99%, the main thing we noticed is that the negotiated data rate is 200 Mbps, which is not normal for ac connections. This may be caused by configuration in the router, however, there are couple things we can check in the computer side:- Go to the Power options of you laptop, in the Advanced Settings for your Power Plan, and make sure that the Wireless Adapter is set to work at "Maximum Performance" when plugged in and on battery.- Also in the Advanced Settings of the Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165, access from Device Manager, set U-APSD Support to "Enabled" and check if this helps.From the access point side, there are other things to consider, you can contact https://www.netgear.com/support/ Netgear Support for more information about these.- Try creating a SSID dedicated to 802.11ac and check if this helps.- Make sure that WMM QOS is enabled in the network.- Also check if any limiting QOS policies and Bandwidth control configuration are disabled, or at least giving high priority to this computer. You can find more information about this in Chapter 4 of the Netgear* AC1750 Smart WiFi Router http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/R6300V2/R6300v2_UM_20May2015.pdf User Manual.Let us know if this helps.Regards,Jonathan.

[idata]

Thank you for your response Jonathan.

Checked power options. Both plugged in and on battery - set to Maximum.

Changed U-APSD Support to "Enabled" - no improvement in the speed.

AP: QOS is not enabled at all so router does not limit or prioritizes the bandwidth.

Changed SSID's network mode to AC Only - no improvement.

[idata]

Hello Awtas,

From the side of the wireless adapter the configuration is fine, and it is working correctly. At this point, this does not appear to be caused by the Wireless adapter.Please consider the following options:- Check the Access point configuration and confirm that you enabled WMM QOS in the network, this normally improves the link speed.- Contact https://www.netgear.com/support/ Netgear Support and make sure you have the most recent firmware for your Access Point.- Check withhttp://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Products?~ck=mn Dell Support if you are using the recommended BIOS version for your PC motherboard.Regards,Jonathan.

[idata]

Jonthan

I don't think I can contact Netgear support as other device (my phone) doesn't have this issue and only laptop has limited download speed both are connecting to the same network. Just based on that I believe that router is not at fault.

[idata]

Hello Awtas,

We have reviewed the options available from the side of the adapter and event checked a few things from the access point, yet, the issue persists.At this point, we advise you to check with Netgear, or Dell Support so they can advise of other possible causes and any additional recommendations they may have.If you prefer, you can http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/contact-support.html Contact Intel Support, and one of our support agents will be able to provide personalized assistance.Regards,Jonathan.

[idata]

I just got off the phone with Dell. They tell me that the Intel AC-3165 speeds on both 2.4 and 5 Ghz is limited to about 29 Mbps. My 5G wireless gives me 158 Mbps using an external WiFi 5G adapter, but this Intel product is not really capable of 5G speeds. It behaves the same on 2.4 Ghz as it does on 5G.

So it seems that you can only expect about 30 Mbps max on the built-in WiFi regardless of 2.4 or 5G network.

Using the Ethernet port, to an external Netgear Bridge going to my Netgear R700 router gives me this

http://www.speedtest.net/result/5941512468.png http://www.speedtest.net/result/5941512468.png

This is the Intel AC-3165 connected to the same 5G WiFi

http://www.speedtest.net/result/5941516451.png http://www.speedtest.net/result/5941516451.png

This is the AC-3164 connected to the 2.4 Ghz WiFi (same speeds as 5G)

http://www.speedtest.net/result/5941521047.png http://www.speedtest.net/result/5941521047.png

It seems that the claim that this adapter supports 5G is a bit misleading. We assume that 5G means "faster" than 2.4 Ghz, but in this case, it means "Different Band, same speed" -- not what we might expect and very disappointing.

Fortunately, I can return this "new" dell computer to CostCo and explain the problem if they ask.

Dr. T

[idata]

Hello Dr. T,

The Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 is fully compatible with 802.11ac and 5 GHz, with a maximum theoretical bandwidth of up to 433 Mbps. We have to take into account that the actual speed of a wireless connection is affected by many factors, and as you mentioned, 5 GHz is not always faster than 2.4 GHz.In previous comments of this thread, you can find different actions that may improve connectivity; and there are some other things you can check in case you want to work further on this. However, contacting the Computer Manufacturer Support, or engaging the Place of Purchase is always a good option.Regards,Jonathan.

[BYe4]

Hi Dr. T:

Have you found the solution?

I have the exact same problem.

Thanks.

[idata]

Hello briany,

Please make sure you apply the actions we already mentioned in previous posts as they have helped other users. If the issue persists feel free to provide details of your issue and testing, along with a report from the https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility Intel® System Support Utility.We will be glad to take a look at your case.Regards,Jonathan B.