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Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 Network Speed

JHagu
Beginner
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My HP Pavilion 15-Au183SA is fitted with this network adaptor and only manages 150Mbps on 5.2GHz. Is this the maximum I can expect as my 8 year old Dell with a 5300 adaptor still manages 300Mbps. I find the data rate rather disappointing as I would have expected it to match the 5300 with ease.

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idata
Employee
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Hello Velvetcoat,

 

 

The http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/dual-band-wireless-ac-3168-brief.html Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 supports a single data stream (1x1), it is an entry level adapter. It has a maximum theoretical data rate of 433 Mbps per second enabled by 802.11ac in 1x1 configurations.

 

Based in your description, you are probably using an 802.11n implementation. If this is the case, the Maximum data rate for Wireless-N 1x1 is 150 Mbps.

 

 

The adapter in the other PC probably supports 2 data streams (2x2), this would result in 300 Mbps data rate using 802.11n.

 

 

You can find more information about this topic in the following document:

 

 

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/80211ac-wifi-for-dummies.html Nex-Gen 802.11ac Wi-Fi for Dummies

 

 

If you require a higher data rate, you could upgrade to an 802.11ac network; or you may check with the Computer Manufacturer Support if your PC is compatible with a 2x2 Wireless Adapter.

 

 

Regards,

 

Jonathan B.
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MBaum6
Beginner
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Hi

Same Problem, but even worse.

My brand new HP Pavilion 570-p070nz i7 also has the Intel AC 3168 Wireless module, but connects with only 72.2 Mbit/s to my access point. This results in a net transmit rate of about 50 Mbit/s. (My Access point is 100 Mbit/s symmetrical!)

My 7 years old iMac connects with 130 Mbit/s to the same 802.11n Access point, giving me a net rate of nearly 100 Mbit/s.

Same for iPad Air and iPad Air 2. So the Access point cannot be the Problem.

I'm using the newest driver (19.50.1 – 3/30/2017).

Would be very happy to get some hints how I can get the normal 1x1 802.11n speed.@

Regards

Martin B

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idata
Employee
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Hello Martin B,

 

 

Please try the following actions:

 

 

- Apply the configuration mentioned in the advisory: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/network-and-i-o/wireless-networking/000005544.html Recommended Settings for 802.11n Connectivity

 

 

- Go to the Power options of your 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.

 

 

- Check with the access point manufacturer (provider) and make sure that it has the most recent firmware for it.

 

 

If the issue persists, please provide 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.

 

 

- Access Point model and firmware version.

 

 

Regards,

 

Jonathan B.
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MBaum6
Beginner
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Hi Jonathan B

All settings are as recommended in your referenced article (my Windows 10 Pro is a german version. No change in speed.

The Access Point is a Huawei EchoLife HG8247H GPON Terminal. Firmware: unknown, updated by my service provider Qickline.

See attached file for additional information.

Regards

Martin B

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idata
Employee
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Hello Martin B,

 

 

We checked the new information you provided and the SSU log as well. We noticed that the log is not showing details of the wireless network: the wireless channel, radio mode and data rates are empty. Here are some additional recommendations for you consideration:

 

 

- Try connecting to other networks, such as 801.11ac 5 GHz, and check if you have any connectivity issues with them.

 

 

- Place the PC closer to the access point and check if this helps.

 

 

- Disable the Bluetooth* component in your PC, this is normally done with switch in the PC chassis or a key combination.

 

 

- The Huawei EchoLife HG8247H is a single band 802.11n access point, released in 2011. You might want to check again with the ISP if there is a newer firmware version for it. We have seen cases were older AP's have issues connecting with newer adapters.

 

 

- For troubleshooting purposes, you can modify some of the advanced driver settings that may improve connectivity with older access points:

 

 

HT mode: HT mode

 

Wireless mode: 802.11b and 802.11g

 

802.11n channel width for band 2.4: 20 MHz

 

* Note: these may limit connectivity to networks using current protocols, so you can change them back if the issue is not resolved.

 

 

Hoangtunho, we provided a response on the /thread/113137 New thread you created for your question.

 

 

Regards,

 

Jonathan B.
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MBaum6
Beginner
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Hi Jonathan B

I've now connected my desktop's wireless module to quite new Zyxel NBG6617 (2x2) MU-MIMO Router.

Same result in 802.11n mode: physical connection rate only 72 Mbit/s (!!), net up/down rate about 50 Mbit/s

802.11ac mode: physical connection rate: 433 Mbit/s, net up/down rat: > 100 Mbit/s

You can see the test results here:

https://ux.cnlab.ch/speedtest/Controller?page=UserReport&userid=2765030508742656&old=de&language=en https://ux.cnlab.ch/speedtest/Controller?page=UserReport&userid=2765030508742656&old=de&language=en

On the left hand side please select the tab "Test Details", then left side, second line "Show Download Details for Test" select the following to test results:

- Time stamp: 12-04-2017 09:23.20: results for 802.11n

- Time stamp: 12-04-2017 09:22.19: results for 802.11ac

On the right hand side of each result you can find all details about Radio Type, Channel, Signal Pegel, REc/Trans Rate etc.

My conclusion: The http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/dual-band-wireless-ac-3168-brief.html Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 Chip does connect with only 50% (72 Mbit/s) of the speed it should (144 Mbit/s)

What are your further proposals to solve this issue?

Regards

Martin B

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idata
Employee
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Hello baumaeschi,

You may want to configure your adapter and router for channel bonding:

- http://Configure 802.11n Channel Bonding on Intel® Wireless Adapters/ Configure 802.11n Channel Bonding on Intel® Wireless Adapters.

This will increase your data rate, but leave you more susceptible to ambient interference.

Best regards,

 

Carlos A.
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idata
Employee
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Hello Martin,

 

 

Please let us know if there has been ant change in the behavior or in case you require further assistance.

 

 

Regards,

 

Jonathan B.
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MBaum6
Beginner
2,303 Views

Hello Jonathan

Whatever I try - no change in behavior.

Connection rate remains 72.2 Mbit/s instead of 130 Mbit/s.

If you have any further ideas what could be done - I would be happy to check it out.

What I will do next: connect a 15m Ethernet cable to my fiber router!

Regards

Martin

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idata
Employee
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Hello Martin,

 

 

In this case, we advise you to go back to the configuration mentioned in the advisory: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/network-and-i-o/wireless-networking/000005544.html Recommended Settings for 802.11n Connectivity.

 

 

Make sure that the access point has an equivalent configuration (a/b/g/n enabled, 40 MHz channel width, etc.)

 

 

Also, review the access point QOS configuration, make sure that WMM is enabled, and also, verify that any bandwidth limitation features or access control listings are disabled.

 

 

The 3168 is capable of connecting at 150 Mbps, however, it is possible that it has compatibility issues with the older access point.

 

 

Regards,

 

Jonathan B.
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idata
Employee
2,303 Views

Hello Martin,

 

 

Please let us know if there have been any updates, or in case you require further assistance from our end.

 

 

Regards,

 

Jonathan B.
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NKiem
Beginner
2,303 Views

Hi,

My laptop MSI PE60 6QE (with Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165) runs windows 10 64 bit. About 3 weeks ago, wireless connect was constantly dropped. About 5 - 10 minutes will be dropped once. Every time I drop my network I use the "Troubleshoot problems" tool. And get the message: "The default gateway is not available _ detected".

Continue to connect to the internet but drop the network after 5-10 minutes.

I have updated the latest version (Version 19.50.1.5_ 15/03/2017). Test with both Obtain IP and Static IP.

Please help me fix this problem, thank you!

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