Why does Wireless N 7260+BT with Windows 10 Pro x64 degrade internet browser performance?

[jjeff6]

My computer demonstrates several serious bugs in Windows 10 Pro x64 networking performance. It is one of my goof around computers that I have reset using recovery tools or system images on multiple occassions when performance degrades.: The key hardware and software is:

--- Intel Next Unit Of Computing box, Model DC3217BY

--- Intel Core i3-3217U CPU @ 1.80 GHz

--- Intel N-7260 WI-FI / Bluetoothmodule (BT driver

WiFi driver ver 18.33.3.2 (provider Intel, signer Microsoft WHPC)

BT driver ver 19.1621.3340 (provider Intel, signer Microsoft WHCP))

--- Crucial M-SATA SSD drive

--- Corsair 4 GB DDR3 16000 memory (wrong slot)

--- logitech bluetooth K480 keyboard

--- logitech bluetooth M557 mouse

--- bluetooth headset or soundbar

--- Microsoft Windows 10 Pro x64

Version 1511, build 10586.494

Internet performance, as measured by the Ookla speedtest download metric, ALWAYS degrades when bluetoooth devices are connected and continues to degrade as bluetooth devices are used. This degradaton seems more rapid when high data rate (e.g. headsets) are used. Rebooting does not noticably improve performance. However, when we UNPAIR every bluetooth device and REBOOT the problem is cleared and the computer performs normally until bluetooth devices are connected again.

Initially the downloadspeed test is >40 Mbps (ISP limited). I can also rapidly load multiple tabs using EDGE, EXPLORER and CHROME simultaneously as expected and youtube streams great. Unfortunately, this does not last long after pairing bluetooth devices. Within a matter of hours and a few dozen websites visited, WINDOWS 10 PRO FAILS BADLY in the following manner.

--- Ookla speedtest drops to about 20 Mbps immediately after first bluetooth device is connected.

--- After a few hours use, the Internet browsers take long time when opening additional tabs or opening first tab in a second browser. Quite often the tabs do not load at all.

--- Ookla speedtest continues to report less than 2 Mbps in first browser tab opened after reboot.

--- Ookla speedtest either fails to load or gives results well below 1 Mbps when run in browser tab # 2 and higher, especially when youtube is first tab.

--- youtube streaming cannot keep up and often fails outright.

--- sometimes, task manager shows 100% disk activity for several minutes and millions of page faults without significant data transfer rates.

--- occasional temporary system freeze upwards of 20 seconds, some freezes that require short power button for controlled shutdown, some freezes that require long power button for hard off.

--- several different BSOD reasons displayed

I really cannot understand why Internet degrades so badly over such a short time. It works great initially. The Internet Troubleshooter does not report any problem no matter how bad the browsers perform. Windows update says I have all the patches. Internet search offered procedures to clear DNS and IP stacks, but those did not improve anything.

[idata]

JefLawTucAri,

Even though Bluetooth* and WiFi transmit in different ways using different protocols, interference can occur when WiFi operates in the 2.4GHz band and this type of interference causes Internet performance degradation.

Please, bear in mind that Bluetooth* and WiFi are based on spread spectrum signal structuring. A workaround for this degradation would be to use 5 GHz Band. The router has to offer support for 5GHz band as well as the adapter, unfortunately the Intel® Wireless-N 7260 only offers support for 2.4GHz band.

Best regards,

Aleki

[idata]

JefLawTucAri,

We haven't heard from you in a while so we would like to know if you still need our assistance.Best regards,Aleki

[jjeff6]

that is nice to know, but it does not explain why the browser continues to degrade over a few hours of bluetooth use until it is no longer able to open more than one tab or why it fully recovers after all bluetooth devices are unpaired. These behaviors are more likely related to stack corruption or garbage buildup in the device driver or network queues that persist in swap files.

[idata]

JefLawTucAri,

The workaround available to avoid and/or minimize Bluetooth* interference impact on wireless Internet connectivity is to move to a different frequency spectrum such as 5GHz band if your router and wireless adapter allows it since Bluetooth* uses 2.4GHz. If you have applications that use Bluetooth*.Please, take into consideration that this kind of interference is not limited to Intel® Wireless Adapters, all other manufacturers in the wireless industry know about this only too well. Here are some tips that might help you minimize the impact.1. If that is the case, manage the use of other RF(Radio Frequency) devices - One good way to reduce the potential for interference is to regulate the types of RF devices within your home/office. In other words, establish your own private rules for managing unlicensed/license RF devices. 2. Ensure adequate 802.11 coverage. Strong, healthy 802.11 signals throughout the coverage areas helps reduce the impact of the Bluetooth* signals. If wireless LAN transmissions become too weak, then the interfering Bluetooth* signals will be more troublesome.3. Use only one wireless standard - Though the wireless standards (802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n and 802.11ac) are backward compatible with each other, you should stick with one standard for your router and Wi-Fi devices for best performance. And obviously try to use the latest standard, which supports the highest speeds and best performance.4. Use WPA2 security - For the high speeds on wireless N or AC routers you must use WPA2 security with AES encryption. Using WPA or WEP security with TKIP encryption will dramatically reduce bandwidth. Most routers offer a mixed WPA/WPA2 mode, but for security and performance it is recommended to use WPA2.5. Change your wireless channel - Changing your wireless channel might help increase range and performance, especially if you have neighboring networks set on the same channel or interference from other electronics. It's best to check channel usage with programs like http://www.vistumbler.net/ Vistumbler or http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/ inSSIDer for example but you can simply try other channels as well to see which one is best. *NOTE: These links are being offered for your convenience and should not be viewed as an endorsement by Intel of the content, products, or services offered there.6. Please, make sure you are running the latest drivers for your Intel® Wireless Adapter, here it the link to it: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26214/Intel-PROSet-Wireless-Software-and-Drivers-for-Windows-10?product=75174 Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software and Drivers for Windows® 10 - Package Version: 19.2.0 and the driver version in this package for this adapter is the: 18.33.3.2.7. Make sure that your router is running the latest firmware as well.Best regards,Aleki

[idata]

JefLawTucAri,

We haven't heard from you in a while so we would like to know if the steps sent to you previously helped you resolving the situation reported.Best regards,Aleki