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Intel centrino wireless-n 2230 keeps dropping connection.

idata
Employee
53,799 Views

Hi I've been looking through some of the threads but i cant really find an answer to my issue.

I recently got my self a Dell Inspiron 17R SE and it comes with the Intel Centrino wireless-n 2230.

I cant really do much stuff on the internet or play online games as the internet keeps dropping out.

I have updated the driver and still nothing. I really don't know what else to do any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks.

some more information. I know its not the internet as my family can use there laptops/Games consoles without any internet issues.

OS: Windows 8.

256 Replies
idata
Employee
6,763 Views

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for posting.

I would like to recommend the following links in order to troubleshooting your system:

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-025332.htm http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-025332.htm

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/mywf/sb/CS-029977.htm http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/mywf/sb/CS-029977.htm

Something else you may consider is possible interference by other wireless devices so here is another link that will provide more useful information:

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-031509.htm http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-031509.htm

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idata
Employee
6,763 Views

Unfortunately nothing there worked , still having internet dropping. For example playing League of legends, connection keeps dropping making it impossible to play. its really frustrating as i cant play any online games. still need help.

I tried a windows 7 driver but that didn't fix the issue.

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idata
Employee
6,763 Views

Hello, very similar problem here. I bought a Lenovo ThinkPad E330 with a Centrino N 2230 card, and it connects properly to various wifi networks (full signal, even checked the signal quality with inSSIDer) but it just drops the connection even if I keep it right next to the antenna. Sometimes I manage to load a webpage or two but after a couple minutes invariably the browser hangs and can no longer connect to any server, although in the Windows taskbar the network shows up as excellent.

I've reinstalled the Intel drivers and software (downloaded the most recent package on the intel website), deinstalled the Lenovo network manager bloatware, tried various networks and the problem persists.

Currently I cannot use my computer due to this issue.

(Windows 7 64 bit, driver v 15.4.1.1)

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Jose_H_Intel1
Employee
6,763 Views

You may review the recommended settings for 802.11n connectivity using the following links:

What are the recommended settings for 802.11n connectivity?

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/sb/CS-030709.htm http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/sb/CS-030709.htm

How do I improve my 802.11n wireless performance?

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/4965agn/sb/CS-028449.htm http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/4965agn/sb/CS-028449.htm

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idata
Employee
6,763 Views

Unfortunately i'm still experiencing the same issue.

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idata
Employee
6,763 Views

There are several variables that may cause a connection to be dropped.

Drivers: since these wireless cards must be customized and tested by the system manufacturer you should use the latest drivers available on the laptops website. If these still present an issue you may want to uninstall those and install the latest generic ones from Intel:

 

Windows* 7

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3316&DwnldID=22547&ProductFamily=Wireless+Networking&ProductLine=Intel%C2%AE+Centrino%C2%AE+Wi-Fi+Products&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Centrino%C2%AE+Advanced-N+6205&lang=eng https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3316&DwnldID=22547&ProductFamily=Wireless+Networking&ProductLine=Intel%C2%AE+Centrino%C2%AE+Wi-Fi+Products&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Centrino%C2%AE+Advanced-N+6205&lang=eng

Windows* 8

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3316&DwnldID=22548&ProductFamily=Wireless+Networking&ProductLine=Intel%C2%AE+Centrino%C2%AE+Wi-Fi+Products&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Centrino%C2%AE+Advanced-N+6205&lang=eng https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3316&DwnldID=22548&ProductFamily=Wireless+Networking&ProductLine=Intel%C2%AE+Centrino%C2%AE+Wi-Fi+Products&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Centrino%C2%AE+Advanced-N+6205&lang=eng

 

Interference: this would cause a connection drop in one specific area (i.e.: only at the office but not at home) and usually other devices connected to the same network and near each other would suffer the same way.

 

Firmware: the firmware of the router if outdated may cause unexpected behavior with newer devices.

 

Malware: certain virus and other malware may case connection drops, if the system used to work correctly in the past then began suffering from connection drops you may need to check the system and may need to do a system restore to a previous date.

 

Conflicting software: some computers come with more than one connection utility, try disabling all connection utilities and use only the one from windows.

 

Power: some power settings may disable the PCIe bus or specific components to save power, set your system to a maximum performance power setting and test again.

 

Heat: overheating may cause connection drops, you usually identify this issue if your wireless adapter completely disappears or also if after a while you get heat warnings or the computer turns off, make sure you have good ventilation available for the laptop.

 

Integration: this is an issue that would be handled with the laptop manufacturer, you identify it by checking with them, and they may have it listed as a common issue on these laptops. You would suffer from connection drops all the time and every network.

 

Failed wireless adapter: can be actual adapter or antennas that are damaged, you would suffer from connection drops all the time and every network, but no known issue has been identified by the computer manufacturer.

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idata
Employee
6,763 Views

I have the exact same problem as Thomas on my Dell Inspiron 17R SE with Windows 8. I've tried a Puppy Linux Live CD, and this doesn't have the problem. The same goes for my company laptop (Dell Precision with Windows 8).

Even more, when I try to make a connection I get connected for a few seconds and then not only the connection on my laptop drops, but all wireless connections on all other devices (tablet, smartphone, another laptop with Windows Vista) that are connected to the same wireless network get disconnected.

It looks like when trying to connect from my laptop, the access point drops all the connections it holds. The wireless signal is still up, as I can see it in inSIDDer.

Any help on solving the issue us much appreciated.

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CMorr7
Beginner
6,763 Views

I'm having exactly the same problem with a Fujitsu Lifebook UH572 with this chipset. It generally behaves itself with in our offices where we use some Zyxel WAPs (though it has difficulty connecting some times), it connected to my LG Nexus 4 acting as a wifi hotspot, but the user had problems at home and in our Italian and South African offices (I don't know the hardware).

Essentially, it would connect and stay connected then disconnect after 5-10 minutes. At his home, it also managed to crash his wifi router. I've updated the drivers, played around with settings and got nowhere. Eventually I disabled it and installed an Edimax USB wifi card which has been rock solid. Intel, you have a problem.

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CMorr7
Beginner
6,763 Views

I seem to be lucky; re-imaging the laptop appears to have fixed the problem. So far...

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JBakk3
Novice
6,763 Views

Hey Guys,

I've had the same problem as well, with Dell Inspiron 15z.

after Dell renewed all hardware without result, I have tried deleting all drivers.

This was the procedure:

- Uninstall Intel WiFi Dashboard

- Uninstall adapter from Computer Management, DO also uninstall drivers.

- Restart computer

- (do the last step 3 or 4 times, until you reach Microsoft drivers 14.8.8.75, date 5-12-2011)

This helped and my problems are now gone!!!

Regards,

Jeroen

JJOe1
Beginner
6,763 Views

As you can see, Intel is either too incompetent to solve this issue or are too lazy to find a solution. How can you make a product that consistently fails to work? Without even trying to find a solution? I have returned 2 computers solely due to the fact that this crap wireless adapter causes the laptop to be complete garbage. Hopefully, someone with a brain that works for Intel can actually resolve this problem instead of the multiple monkeys currently working on it.

Jose_H_Intel1
Employee
6,763 Views

You may want to try the latest driver version 15.8 since some users reported it solved the issue for them. Also make sure your access point has the latest firmware installed.

Intel® PROSet/ Wireless Software Downloads

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wtech/proset-ws/sb/CS-034041.htm http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wtech/proset-ws/sb/CS-034041.htm

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BDiaz3
Beginner
5,676 Views

Had a similar issue on my Dell/Alienware M14xR2 with Centrino 2230 on Windows 8 x64 constantly dropping connection when further than a few feet from the AP. Any bandwidth intensive task seemed to drop the connection, even though signal strength was excellent. In addition, the adapter had to be reset each time via the PROset utility to reconnect.

Issue appears resolved with 15.8 drivers. Throughput is down to 72 mbps from 300 mbps but connection is now rock solid.

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BPina
Beginner
5,676 Views

I also am having serious issues with this WiFi adapter. I never thought I would be having so much trouble from an Intel product.

Whenever I do anything bandwidth intensive, like gaming, downloading, (especially noticeable on YouTube), connection seems to drop (despite showing full bars in the taskbar). I am using an Alienware M18x R2 with the Centrino-N 2230 on Windows 8-64. I have tried rolling back drivers, and trying the latest drivers, but I still have the issue. This is supposed to be a gaming computer. This problem does not occur when I am using a Belkin-N USB dongle.

Ridiculous.

Please try and fix this issue as I'm sure the people posting in this topic represent a lot more people. I made an account here just to comment.

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SLope8
Beginner
6,763 Views

I have a similar problem...kinda.

In my home, My laptop has no problem getting wifi conection, BUT when I do, my cousin that has a laptop too, has no acces to internet.

Right now I'm in my uncle's house, where 2 cousins have laptops (an Asus, like myself, and a Dell) and we are having difficulties connecting to internet.

If I'm connected to internet, one of my cousins can't, or if they have, I can't connect.

Is strange when the 3 of us can be connected at the same time.

I dunno what to do, it was not happening when I bought my laptop, and I haven't installed anything strange besides the 15.8 driver.

(My Asus is Windows 8, the other Pcs are Windows 7)

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HKirk
Beginner
6,763 Views

Have the same problem on a HP laptop. Constant drop outs on some wireless places. Latest drivers don't do a thing. There's either something wrong with this chipset or drivers.

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Jose_H_Intel1
Employee
6,763 Views

It is probably a good idea to report this issue with the computer manufacturer especially since they may provide custom drivers for their systems or because the cause may be related to a faulty integration or the adapter itself.

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Jose_H_Intel1
Employee
6,763 Views
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calbe5
Beginner
6,763 Views

Hey joe_intel,

I was reading the release notes for the link you provided and the driver upgrade says it's compatible with the following adapters:

  • Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260
  • Intel® Dual Band Wireless-N 7260
  • Intel® Wireless-N 7260

so...... Which one do we all pick for the 2230?

can you tell me what driver version I should be using for the Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230?

I'm currently running on 15.5.0.42

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Jose_H_Intel1
Employee
6,763 Views

I double checked about this and you are correct, this driver is only for the adapters you mentioned. I am sorry for the misunderstanding.

The following article shows a list of driver versions you can choose from. The latest versions (15.x) support the Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230.

Intel® PROSet/ Wireless Software Downloads

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wtech/proset-ws/sb/CS-034041.htm http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wtech/proset-ws/sb/CS-034041.htm

We are currently investigating about this case; however, due to the possibility of a hardware issue you may want to contact the computer manufacturer. The fact that different users experience similar symptoms does not mean that they are originated by the same cause.

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