Intel AX201 not connecting to 5GHz network if it's wider than 20MHz

[johnybr99]

Hello everyone,

I started noticing this strange behavior between my Dell Vostro 5510 laptop using the Intel AX201 WiFi card and my ASUS AC53 router. Basically, the laptop won't connect to the 5GHz network if the width setting in the router is set to 20/40/80 (which I prefer), only if it's at 20. I tried using the latest Dell provided driver, 22.170.2.1, as well as the latest driver from the Intel site, 22.200.2.1. The behavior between them is identical. It's especially weird because I have a couple of generations older Dell Latitude E7470 and it connects to the 5GHz network right away, so I think the problem lies within the driver. Any help would be appreciated, but please refrain from those uninstall drivers, winsock reset etc, I've done it all, believe me.

[3Fees]

 ASUS RT-AC53 is a AC router Wifi-5 , AX201  is an AX Wifi-6 Wireless Card. Get a Wifi-6 router to unleash your  AX201 WiFi card then you'll connect to 160Mhz band. Some AC routers don't play nice with AX cards, your router is the issue, mark my post as the solution.

Cheers

3Fees

[johnybr99]

While I do understand your sentiment, the backwards compatibility must be preserved when it comes to things like this. WiFi 6 card must be able to connect to the lowest possible 2.4GHz standard, let alone the AC standard, otherwise it's a bug. Also one weird thing with this is that is intermittent, sometimes it will connect, I'd say 15% of the time, but usually I have to resort to using the 2.4GHz network

[3Fees]

Upgrade to wifi 6 router and problem solved, evidently Intel wifi 6 card works better with wifi 6 router, the step down your trying is not working and your sentiment on backward compatibility is not going to change it. Upgrade to Wifi 6-AX router and problem  solved.

I was using an AC router better than yours and my Intel AX201 Wifi 6 card was not working very well at all, upgraded to Wifi 6 router and zero problems connection speeds far better.

Cheers

3Fees

[johnybr99]

That's not really how this works. It's my work laptop in question, I don't need WiFi 6 router at home, I just need a 5GHz connection. Whenever I work from home, I have to rely on 2.4GHz or pray it connects to 5GHz (which it currently has). If it works sometimes, that means that it is possible and that the reason why it doesn't work always is due to a bug in the driver or configuration. We're not talking about the dial-up here, it's WiFi AC for crying out loud. Every device I own has no problem connecting to the network except for this laptop with this specific card. 

[Jocelyn_Intel]

Hello, @johnybr99. 

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.  

I am sorry to hear that you are having an issue with your Wi-Fi card, I will gladly assist you here. 

Please, answer these questions to have a better perspective of this issue: 

1. Is this card an integration (upgrade/not original card) or the preinstalled card on your laptop? 
2. How are you changing the channels and bands? From your router? 
3. Is it possible for you to try another Access Point or another router (AX if possible)? Connecting an AX Wi-Fi card to an AC router might be causing performance issues. 
4. Have you tried the Recommended Settings for 802.11ax Connectivity? 
5. Did you make sure your router's firmware is up to date? 
6. If the issue persists, perform a Clean Installation of Wireless Drivers process using the latest wireless driver, if it doesn't work, try it with your System Manufacturer's driver. 

Note #1: Make sure to check you have all the Windows updates before doing the driver installation. Also, make sure to do this step disconnected from the internet (wi-fi or wired connection) since Microsoft updates drivers automatically and prevents doing the clean installation successfully.   

Note #2: Since this is a laptop, we recommend checking with your System Manufacturer and using the driver software provided by them to avoid potential installation incompatibilities. Intel supplies generic versions of Wireless Drivers for general purposes. Computer manufacturers might have changed the features, incorporated customizations, or made other changes to the graphics driver software or software packaging. 

Best regards,  

Jocelyn M.   

Intel Customer Support Technician. 

[johnybr99]

Hello, thank you for the response. Here are the answers.

1. It's an original WiFI card for my laptop

2. From the router settings, that's where I noticed that 20MHz only option is fine, while the problem exists when 20/40/80 MHz option is checked

3. Of course, at work I have no similar problems. But I think that AX WiFi card should have no problem connecting to an AC router, backwards compatibility and all. If it can connect to b/g/n, why not ac?

4. Yes, those are my current settings

5. Yes

6. I tried both of those drivers, Dell's and Intel generic drivers. I'm currently on Dell's official driver and it's definitely more stable, but hiccups do occur from time to time. I have to reboot my laptop or restart the router, it's not always the same solution

Hope that answers all your questions. 

Best regards!

[Jocelyn_Intel]

Hello, @johnybr99. 

Thank you for the information provided, however, I am still missing information. 

Just to confirm, Have you tried a Clean Installation of Wireless Drivers process? This step is different than reinstalling drivers, it totally deletes the driver software from your PC and possibly corrupted files along with it. 

Best regards,  

Jocelyn M.   

Intel Customer Support Technician. 

[Jocelyn_Intel]

Hello, @johnybr99  

We are checking this thread and we would like to know if you were able to review our previous post. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us back. 

Best regards,  

Jocelyn M.   

Intel Customer Support Technician. 

[Jocelyn_Intel]

Hello, @johnybr99  

We have not heard back from you so we will proceed to close this thread now. If you need any additional information, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.  

Best regards,  

Jocelyn M.   

Intel Customer Support Technician. 

[Jocelyn_Intel]

Hello, @johnybr99. 

Thank you for your time. 

Since you have no issues with your Work Network, this may be related to the router configuration. We suggest you to contact the Router Manufacturer regarding this issue. 

Best regards,  

Jocelyn M.   

Intel Customer Support Technician.