AX200 could not connect to WPA3 hotspot within windows

[maxdarksol]

Windows version: 24h2 26100.3323

Intel wireless driver version: 23.120.0.3 (2025/2/6)

An attempt has been made to remove the drivers from device manager.

And some old version drivers could not connect WPA3 too.

This Acer computer when running Manjaro OS, connect WPA3 hotspot well.

If switch wireless secure from WPA3 to WPA2,connect this hotspot(802.11ax 36channel 160bandwidth) well.  router: CMCC-RAX3000M openwrt24.10.0

Another hotspot(802.11ac 36channel 80bandwidth) WPA3 coun't connect too.  router: newifi D1 openwrt24.10.0

Other device such as some smartphones connect these two hotspot well.

Move this AX200 NIC to another old lenovo computer(os:windows 23h2 22631.4974) and install driver,coun't connect WPA3 too.

It is not clear if is a glitch with Windows or a problem with Intel drivers, wait until I get another NIC to report.

The attachment is the SSU report.

[JedG_Intel]

Hello maxdarksol,

Thank you for posting on Intel Community Forum.

For me to address your concern properly, please share the information below.

1. When switching from WPA3 to WPA2, did you notice any changes in the signal strength or connection stability?

2. Have you tried using a different operating system on the Lenovo computer to see if the issue persists?

3. Are there any specific error messages or codes displayed when the connection to WPA3 fails on the Windows system?

4. How many units are affected?

5. Was this working fine before?

I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[maxdarksol]

1. When switching from WPA3 to WPA2, did you notice any changes in the signal strength or connection stability?

No, there are no significant changes.

Same location no computer moved, signal strength in Manjaro OS: WPA3-SAE 54%,57%,66%,77%; switching to WPA2-PSK 56%,61%,65%,75%.

2. Have you tried using a different operating system on the Lenovo computer to see if the issue persists?

Yes, I tested it further, I made a tails USB stick,plug it to my old lenovo notebook, in tails OS connect WPA3 hotspot well, and AX200 work at HE wifi6 mode well.

By the way,even AC3165 could connect WPA3 hotspot which is discontinued & didn't support WPA3 in windows.Support for Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) on Intel® Wireless...

That is to say, WPA3 is just a software feature, and Intel does not give us a driver that supports WPA3 for our older devices.BUT LINUX DO!

3. Are there any specific error messages or codes displayed when the connection to WPA3 fails on the Windows system?

No specific error messages, only show 无法连接到这个网络, it means unable to connect to this network, I don't know what Windows displays in an English locale.

4. How many units are affected?

At least two of my OpenWrt24.10 routers are affected, whether it's 2.4G or 5G, whether 802.11n 802.11ac 802.11ax.

What is puzzling is:

When I switch wireless secure from WPA3-SAE to WPA2-PSK/WPA3-SAE Mixed Mode, AX200 could connect hotspot well, and Windows setting show it is work at WPA3 mode.

And AX200 could connect my smartphone hotspot with WPA3, whether 802.11n 1 channel or 802.11ac 149channel.

5. Was this working fine before?

I don‘t know, I've been using WPA2 mode before.

I have purchased a Realtek RTL8852CE but have not received it yet, I'll test further once I receive it. Windows, Intel or openwrt issue, Let's wait and see.

[maxdarksol]

Now that I have obtained the realtek 8852CE, I still cannot connect to WPA3 hotspots on Windows.

So I have reason to believe that this is a problem with Microsoft Windows or OpenWRT.

Take it easy, respected Intel colleague.

[JedG_Intel]

Hello maxdarksol,

Thank you for providing all this information. It will be helpful for the investigation I will be conducting. For now, since you have purchased a Realtek RTL8852CE, I will wait for you to try it out so we can further isolate the issue.

Your efforts are highly appreciated.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[maxdarksol · Accepted solution]

Just now, I found a solution from the OpenWRT forum.
When encryption is WPA3-SAE,make sure 802.11w Management Frame Protection is Required as opposed to Disabled or Optional.
I have always suspected that it was a malfunction with the Intel wireless driver (as other devices and systems were running well), and I am sorry for this.
I'm sorry for wasting your valuable time.

[JedG_Intel]

Hello maxdarksol,

Thank you for the continuous update and I'm glad to hear that you were able to find a solution. Since the inquiry has been resolved, I will proceed with closing this. If you have any questions or concerns in the future, please create a new thread as this one will no longer be monitored.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician