Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 performance on ThinkPad P14s Gen5i

[igs417]

I'm having ridiculous Wi-Fi issues with new P14s Gen5 Intel (21G2000BGE).

Wi-Fi module is Intel AX211, Windows 11, all updates and latest driver (23.60.1.2) installed, BIOS version R2DET28W 1.13.

I have 200/100 Mbps internet connection and ISP issued Wi-Fi 6 router ARCADYAN VRV9518BA-2C.

Testing some 2-3 meters from the router it's all fine - I get 2402/2162 Mbps link speed to router reported by Windows, and steady 200/100 Mbps internet connection measured by Speedtest.net

But going 6-7 meters from the router, around 1 concrete wall corner to home office room, Wi-Fi download performance drops drastically - SpeedTest reports 30-50 Mbps download, with upload still over 100 Mbps.

I could accept that Wi-Fi signal strength drops with distance/obstacles, but:

• upload speed is still 100 Mbps?!

• my old T14s Gen1 AMD equipped with older Intel AX200 has steady 200/100 Mbps at that very room (I've been working in it for 3+ years and never had any issues), with Windows reporting 576/216 Mbps link speed to router

• another Legion 5 AMD has same 200/100 Mbps in that very room

• my Samsung Galaxy S23+ has same 200/100 Mbps in that very room

P14s Gen5: https://www.speedtest.net/result/16549651751.png

T14s Gen1: https://www.speedtest.net/result/16549653318.png

This is insane...

Driver/software issue? Laptop still gets full speed if it's 2-3 meters from router, so there is no software bandwidth limit somewhere...

Hardware issue, like damaged antenna? Laptop still gets full 100 Mbps upload in that room, only download is affected...

I know this is "portable workstation" meant to be docked / hooked directly to Ethernet a lot, but this Wi-Fi performance is ridiculous.

Any ideas?

Home office roomRouter room

[RobbieR_Intel]

Hello igs417

Thank you for providing a detailed information about the issue you are experiencing with your Intel AX211 Wi-Fi Module. I understand that you're experiencing a significant drop in Wi-Fi download speed when you move a certain distance from the router, while upload speeds remain unaffected.

Please answer the following questions below:

• Have you noticed this issue since the first use of the device, or did it start occurring at a certain time?
• What is the Product ID of your Laptop?
• Where did you download the Driver of your Wi-Fi Module?

We look forward for your response!

Best Regards,

Robbie R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[igs417]

Hi Robbie,

Thanks for your reply. Regarding your questions:

• I have noticed this since first use of the device
• Product ID is 21G2000BGE
• Driver was downloaded via Lenovo Commercial Vantage app (driver version 23.40.0.4), but also from intel.com (driver version 23.60.1.2) - device performs the same with both drivers)

Strangely, I did notice that if I open laptop fully (screen at 180 degrees) and put it upright (see attached photo) ,download speed improves significantly - from 20 Mbps to 125 Mbps using speedtest.net in the very same room at the very same desk. Difference is almost exactly linear to lowering of the screen angle. At the point I reach around 110-115 degrees screen angle and put the laptop in normal typing position, Wi-Fi performance is down by 84% (125 Mbps -> 20 Mpbs), same room, same desk, same WiFi network.

This is still not on par with T14s G1 equipped with AX200 (which gets full 200 Mpbs - my max. internet throughput) in the very same room, in normal typing position.

[RobbieR_Intel]

Hello igs417,

Thank you for your prompt reply and for providing the additional details and observations regarding your Wi-Fi issue. We appreciate the thorough information you've shared including your testing conditions and results, which will really assist us in diagnosing the problem.

To further investigate this issue and provide a more accurate diagnosis, we need some additional information:

• Could you describe the layout of your home office and the path to the router from the laptop in more detail?
• Have you checked if there are any physical obstructions or damages to the laptop's antenna?
• What is the power management settings of your laptop?
• What is your Laptop's BIOS Version? Is it up to date?

We look forward for your response!

Best Regards,

Robbie R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[RobbieR_Intel]

Hello igs417,

I wanted to check if you had the chance to review the questions I posted. Please let me know at your earliest convenience so that we can determine the best course of action to resolve this matter.

Best Regards,

Robbie R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[RobbieR_Intel]

Hello igs147, 

I have not heard back from you so I will close this inquiry now. If you need further assistance, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards,

Robbie R.

Intel Customer Support Technician