AX201 Authentication did not complete within configured time

[LobangBoy]

I am sorry. I don't mean to create another post for the same issue. But when I tried to reply Carmona's post, this forum displays the error "Correct the highlighted errors and try again. The message subject contains... which is not permitted in this community. Please remove this content before sending your post."

Latest update (15 July 2024): After many days of further troubleshooting, I managed to "workaround" with this issue by going into the wireless adapter properties and change the Wireless Mode to 802.11AC, instead of 802.11AX.

However, now it becomes Wifi 5, instead of Wifi 6 and the network speed has been reduced.

Would appreciate if someone can assist to investigate on this issue further. So far only happens to AX201 wifi adapters on Thinkpad T490 and T14 models. See below for details.

======================================================

My 1st post:

I go straight to the point...

1) Radius server using Microsoft NPS

2) 802.1x authentication

3) Windows 10/11

4) Happened to both new and old laptops (so unlikely caused by hardware failure)

5) Mainly happen to my Thinkpad T490 and T14 laptops with Intel AX201 wifi adapters. T14 is the latest procurement which is supposed to replace T490.

Problem description:

Whenever affected laptops boot up in the morning, the wifi icon become disconnected. The user can either reboot laptop or click on "Connect" button manually to get connected again. Otherwise, users just have to wait for 5 mins for wifi to get connected again. Don't ask me why 5 mins. 

Event Viewer shows (in sequence):

1) Wireless security failed.

Reason: 802.1x authentication did not complete within configured time
Error: 0x5B4

2) Wireless network is blocked due to connection failure.

Failure Reason:802.1x authentication did not complete within configured time
Length of block timer (minutes): 5

3) WLAN AutoConfig service failed to connect to a wireless network.

Failure Reason:802.1x authentication did not complete within configured time
RSSI: -37

Troubleshoot steps done but did not resolve the issue:

1) Updated AX201 driver to latest 20.60.1.2.

2) Upgraded the BIOS to latest firmware version.

3) Disabled Power Management on AX201 in Device Manager.

4) Reinstalled OS.

As mentioned, strangely this issue mostly happened on AX201 adapter. Other models of wifi adapters don't seem to have this issue.

Kindly help as I am going to procure more T14 laptops which will come with AX201 too.

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Carmona's reply:

Hello LobangBoy,

Thank you for posting in our communities.

Please check your device manager to see if there are any error messages. 

How to check the device manager to see if there are any error messages:

Device Manager > Network Adapters > Double-click on Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 and check the error code and error description in the General tab. 

Then, please share the error message with us. 

Furthermore, have you made any changes to the device before the issue occurred? The queries that I am asking will help us quickly isolate the issue.

We look forward to your response!

Best regards,

Carmona A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[AlfredoS_Intel]

Hi Lobangboy,

We are just following up.

It looks like you need more time to carry out the recommendations that we have provided.

Best Regards,

Alfred S

Intel Customer Support Technician

[LobangBoy]

Hello Alfred,

Sorry for the late reply as I really need some time to test out your suggestions above.

I had created the testing SSIDs with the required frequencies, as well as set to "No SMPS" but all didn't work. The issue resurfaced with the suggested SSIDs this morning, hence I quickly come and report to you here.

So far only 1 method is working for affected T490 laptops... upgrade to BIOS to BIOS Update Utility - 10/11 - 1.25 and wifi driver to 23.30.0.6 using Vantage but change the WIFI mode to AC instead of AX.

[AlfredoS_Intel]

Hi Lobangboy,

Much obliged for finding a way and for allotting time to carry out the suggestions of our engineers.

We will continue investigating this and the information that provided is invaluable to us.

Please allow us some time to check on this. We hope for your understanding regarding this. We will get back to you once we have updates.

Best Regards,

Alfred S

Intel Customer Support Technician

[AlfredoS_Intel]

Hi Lobangboy,

Thank you for patiently waiting for our findings regarding the recent update that you have provided.

After thoroughly checking your concern, the reason of step 1 to 3 suggestion is due to current channel 120 is a DFS channel (Channels 50-144 are in the USA), if you would prefer to use DFS channels, please check for suitable channels in your local area or changing to non-DFS channels.

We would suggest to test on the suggestions to mitigate which channels and channel width are suitable for your office environment usage since the connection issue occur intermittently. You can test on 1 AP settings for the impact environment area and consider to compare wi-fi connection performance with or without join domain or any group policy to confirm authentication or security issue on the said Thinkpad laptop.

Keep in mind that 80 MHz and 160 MHz channel widths may carry the promise of extra speed, but will also interfere with, and receive interference from, many more sources than 40 MHz.

We also suggest to work with Access Point /laptop manufacturer support or share OEM ticket number with us if it is cause by generic driver issue or provide this case number #06286881 to OEM support.

Lastly, we would like to inform you that we have a new driver available in our download center version 23.70.3.

Please let us know if you have any feedback or further questions regarding this.

Best Regards,

Alfred S

Intel Customer Support Technician

[LobangBoy]

Noted. I think this ticket has been created for some time. I shall live with this issue for now.

Who knows it may go away after my next laptop replacement.

[AlfredoS_Intel]

Hi Lobangboy,

Thank you for your considering our findings.

We will proceed to close the thread.

We hope that our suggestion for you to coordinate with the manufacturer of your system and access point will lead you to a lasting solution for your concern.

If you need any additional information, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer being monitored.

Thank you for contacting Intel® and have a great week!

Best Regards,

Alfred S

Intel Customer Support Technician