AX1650s very slow and unstable download speed in 2,4Ghz band

[cooperb]

Hello, I have some issues with the AX1650s network card using Windows 11 23H2 (fresh setup).
The internet download speed in the 2.4 GHz band is very slow (on average 3-10 Mbit/s instead of 80-100 Mbit/s) and sometimes there are interruptions.

When using the 5GHz band, everything is ok. Also when I install Fedora Linux 40 on the same notebook, everything works normally in both the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands.

All other devices (smartphones, another Windows 11 notebook with a different network card) in the 2.4 GHz band work normally. As I said, only the Windows 11 notebook with AX1650s is affected when using the 2.4GHz band.

Intel Driver Version: 23.60.0.10
Notebook: Dell XPS 15 9510

I think there is a problem with the Intel driver when using Windows 11. Please help.

[cooperb]

Can someone help me?
The problem occurs with all 2.4GHz (802.11n) networks (at different locations and using different access points).
Sometimes the download starts with normal speed, but decreases after a few seconds to 3-10 Mbit/s and/or has interruptions for a few seconds.

Upload speed seems stable. Only the download speed is affected.
Everything works stable using Linux.

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi cooperb,

Apologies for the delay in my response.

We supply generic versions of drivers for general purposes. Computer manufacturers might have changed the features, incorporated customizations, or made other changes to the driver software or software packaging. To avoid potential installation incompatibilities, we recommend that you check first with your computer manufacturer and use the driver software provided by them.

I suggest downloading the drivers from your OEM. Please see the link for reference:

Support for XPS 15 9510 | Drivers & Downloads | Dell US

I suggest as well doing clean installation of the driver. Here's the link for reference:

Clean Installation of Wireless Drivers (intel.com)

Let us know if you have questions

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[cooperb]

Thanks. I have already tried that. Unfortunately it makes no difference which driver i use.

There must be a fundamental problem under Windows with the Intel driver and the version customized by Dell.

The driver supplied with Windows 11 also has the same problem. 

Perhaps the problem lies with Microsoft in combination with the AX1650s card. However, this should also be clarified with Intel.

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi cooperb,

Apologies for the delay in my response, please try the following:

• If the router and client are using different wireless standards, Wi-Fi speeds will be limited by the lower of the two standards.
• Set the correct wireless standard (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) following the instructions in the article Advanced Intel® Wireless Adapter Settings under Wireless Modes. Contact the Router manufacturer for assistance with router settings.
  
  

Here's the link for your reference:
Slow Wi-Fi Download Speeds on Device Running on Windows 11* (intel.com)

Let us know if the issue still persists

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[cooperb]

I have tried all this. If I disable Bluetooth WiFi is stable. There seems to be a problem when Bluetooth is enabled (also when no devices are connected) in combination with WiFi 2,4 GHz and Windows.

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi cooperb,

I would like to clarify if you see any error code in the device manager. Have you tried contacting Dell for this? If not, I suggest contacting them as well because this may be a hardware issue.

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi cooperb,

I wanted to follow up on the previous message regarding your inquiry. Have you had a chance to review it? If you have any questions or need further information, please let me know.

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[cooperb]

Hello Dean,

no errors are displayed in the device manager. I didn´t contact Dell because everything works fine in Linux.

So it doesn't seem to be a hardware issue.

If I disable Bluetooth in Windows, WiFi works normally. When I activate Bluetooth again (even without connected devices), there are interruptions when transferring data via WiFi.

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi cooperb,

Can you try the latest driver from Intel 23.70.2 and let us know if the issue still persists. I suggest as well doing clean installation of the driver. Here's the link for reference:

Clean Installation of Wireless Drivers (intel.com)

Intel® Wireless Wi-Fi Drivers for Windows® 10 and Windows 11*

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[cooperb]

Unfortunately, it does not work with 23.70.2 and Clean Installation either.

When using a 2,4 GHz connection and Bluetooth is activated, the download speed becomes slower and slower and is even interrupted.

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi cooperb,

This is an acknowledgement message for your case, do please wait for our higher ups working on this case to be able to provide a resolution to your request and also to your call request.

Please do give us more time to this case, we will get back to you possibly when I have the necessary information.

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi cooperb,

I suggest checking wireless advanced setting 802.11ax for wireless mode, channel width and channel number. Refer to Quick Checks to Improve or Fix Wi-Fi Connection Issues (intel.com).

Use software to select the best channel for your access point or wireless router.

We would like to know how is the outcome of 5GHz using Windows 11?

Is this system dual boot OS?

If it is including Windows 11 OS too then just focus on Windows 11 OS wireless card advanced setting and AP settings.

You may use CMD command prompt to collect the channel number or security information if necessary.

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[cooperb]

Hello,

all recommended settings are configured:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005544/wireless.html?wapkw=intel+wi-fi+recommended+settings

Everything works normally in the 5 GHz range (using Windows 11 and Linux).

The problem only occurs in the 2,4 GHz range (802.11n)  if bluetooth also is activated.

If you deactivate bluetooth in Windows 11, the WiFi works normally in the 2,4 GHz range too.

Bluetooth and WiFi 2.4 GHz cannot be used simultaneously with the Intel 1650s card. Even if no Bluetooth device is connected.

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi cooperb,

Please try the following:

1. Change the Preferred band of the wireless adapter to No Preference (Default) or Prefer 2.4 GHz band. See more detailed info and how to change these settings under the Advanced tab of the Windows* Device Manager properties.

For more information. here's the link:

Cannot Connect to a Wi-Fi Network Using 2.4 GHz Frequency but... (intel.com)

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[cooperb]

Hi Dean,

I'm not sure if you might be a bot.
As already mentioned, I can connect to 2.4 GHz networks. However, if Bluetooth is active at the same time, there are interruptions when downloading via the WiFi connection.

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi cooperb,

Apologies for the confusions, I will coordinate with the engineers for this and get back to you once I have the necessary information.

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi cooperb,

Apologies for the delay on my response.

As we have reviewed the link you have provided, it appears to be incorrect as you are following the 802.11n WiFi Network Standards instead of the 802.11ax, which is the correct setting for the Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6 AX1650.

Therefore, we suggest following the Recommended Settings for 802.11ax Connectivity article and let us know the outcome.

Best regards,

Dean R.

Intel Customer Support Technician