Wireless
Participate in insightful discussions regarding issues related to Intel® Wireless Adapters and technologies
7960 Discussions

Wi-fi range issues after Windows 10 update

CFiel
Novice
3,819 Views

Hi

I have an Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 installed in my Toshiba laptop. After a recent Windows 10 update the range of my Wi-Fi is greatly reduced, so much so I cannot see Wi-fis to connect when previously they showed as full range and even when I am sat next to the router they only show as two bars range out of four. I have updated the drivers, increased the roaming aggressiveness, run the Intel software support repair and rolled back the PC to the previous Windows update but no joy.

Please can you suggest another fix?

Thanks

0 Kudos
1 Solution
CFiel
Novice
1,722 Views

Hi Diego

I have now replaced the Wi-Fi card and the problem has been fixed. Thanks

View solution in original post

0 Kudos
9 Replies
idata
Employee
1,722 Views

Hello badrobot101,

 

 

Thank you for joining our Intel ® Community.

 

Let us gather more information regarding your system, please go ahead and send us the report generated by our https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility-for-Windows-Best Intel® System Support Utility for Windows*

 

To attach a file, you must click the "Attach" option on the bottom right-hand corner of the response box.

 

Let us know, is there any other system in your network that is experiencing the same issue?

 

Is your computer acting the same when is connected to a different network?

 

Does this happen in 2.4 GHz or 5GHz?

 

Also, feel free to try our https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000024678/network-and-i-o/wireless-networking.html Recommended Settings for 802.11ac Connectivity

 

 

I hope this helps.

 

Regards,

 

Diego S.

 

0 Kudos
CFiel
Novice
1,722 Views

Thanks, I've attached the report. To answer your questions:

- No other system is experiencing the problem, we have other PCs, Macs, Android phones and tablets all working fine with Wi-fi

- the PC acts the same in any environment in that it cannot 'see' the wifi unless it is within a metre of it

- it happens in both frequencies.

0 Kudos
idata
Employee
1,722 Views

Hello badrobot101

 

Thank you for your response.

 

All the information provided is extremely helpful.

 

Please go ahead and perform a clean install of the latest drivers using the following https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000022173/network-and-i-o/wireless-networking.html guide.

 

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/28143/Intel-PROSet-Wireless-Software-and-Drivers-for-Windows-10?product=75442 Here is the link for the latest wireless drivers.

 

I hope this helps, please let me know the outcome.

 

Regards,

 

Diego S.

 

0 Kudos
CFiel
Novice
1,722 Views

I uninstalled everything correctly, but the reinstallation stalled about halfway (see pic). I let it run overnight to see if it picked up, but it didn't. So, it seems the installation didn't complete and the wifi range issue isn't fixed. I've tried start the uninstall /reinstall process again today and when I try and uninstall I can see two versions in programs and features: 20.10.2 and 20.80.0 (see attached). When I try and uninstall 20.10.2 I get a message saying blocked because 'a newer product version is already installed'. Does that mean the re-installation was successful despite not reaching completion? If so, that didn't fix the Wi-Fi range problem

0 Kudos
idata
Employee
1,722 Views

Hello badrobot10,

 

Thank you for your response.

 

Based on the behavior of your machine after the Windows* update , and the screenshots that you attached, we determined that the issue that you are experiencing is an OS registry issue, as the OS registry cannot update, erase or interact with the actual drivers after the Microsoft* update.

 

We strongly recommend you to:

 

-Clean install the OS

 

-Recover your OS to the image previous the Windows* update.

 

As well, you can try to contact https://support.microsoft.com/en-us Microsoft* for additional assistance on this matter.

 

 

I hope this helps.

 

Regards,

 

Diego S.

 

0 Kudos
CFiel
Novice
1,722 Views

I have now clean installed Windows 10 and have been able to fully complete the driver update. However, the wifi range problem is the same as before. I am now running Driver Version 18.33.13.4. Please can you assist?

0 Kudos
idata
Employee
1,722 Views

Hello badrobot10,

 

Thank you for your response.

 

We are currently performing further investigation regarding your case; we will reach you back as soon as we have an answer.

 

I hope this helps.

 

 

Regards,

 

Diego S.

 

0 Kudos
idata
Employee
1,722 Views

Hello badrobot101,

 

Thank you for your patience.

 

In this case, based on the brief description, considering that this is related a to Wi-Fi range issue, the antenna cable could be a little loose.

 

You may want to check on that or to contact your OEM for hardware revision.

 

As well, you can try to troubleshoot using the inbox drivers as specified https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/installing-an-in-box-driver-or-a-preinstalled-driver here.

 

This link is being offered for your convenience and should not be viewed as an endorsement by Intel ® of the content, products, or services offered there.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Regards,

 

Diego S.

 

0 Kudos
CFiel
Novice
1,723 Views

Hi Diego

I have now replaced the Wi-Fi card and the problem has been fixed. Thanks

0 Kudos
Reply