OMEN unable to see 5GHz AC wireless networks

[MCMunroe]

I recently purchased the new high-end Omen gaming ultrabook. It's listed wireless is up too wireless AC.

Listed on the sales page the only wireless that comes in this laptop is:

Wireless

802.11ac (2x2) and Bluetooth® 4.0 combo

Which turns out to more specifically be:  Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260

Great, sure, awesome. Let's go!

I purchase a new Netgear Nighthawk router from Staples.

(http://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-routers/R7000.aspx)

Set up the router, and My Samsung S4 finds the 5GHz AC band, my wifes iPad finds the 5GHz AC band, the Zotac Nano PC i320 (which only cost $130) finds the wireless AC band. All these devices are enjoying the super fast speeds.

My very expensive flagship, HP boasts about Omen, can't even detect the 5GHz band of the router. Can only see and log into the Wireless N.

This is not cool. I have checked the intel website drivers and the one driver from HP. No change. I tried every dumb setting to tweak from google searches. Nothing. But like I said, the other devices just worked, not tweaking.

Here is my Netsh report (before you all ask 😉 )

Interface name: Wi-Fi

    Driver                    : Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260
    Vendor                    : Intel Corporation
    Provider                  : Intel
    Date                      : 12/8/2014
    Version                   : 17.13.11.5
    INF file                  : C:\Windows\INF\oem43.inf
    Files                     : 3 total
                                C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\Netwbw02.sys
                                C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\Netwfw02.dat
                                C:\Windows\system32\drivers\vwifibus.sys
    Type                      : Native Wi-Fi Driver
    Radio types supported     : 802.11g 802.11ac
    FIPS 140-2 mode supported : Yes
    802.11w Management Frame Protection supported : Yes
    Hosted network supported  : Yes
    Authentication and cipher supported in infrastructure mode:
                                Open            None
                                Open            WEP-40bit
                                Open            WEP-104bit
                                Open            WEP
                                WPA-Enterprise  TKIP
                                WPA-Enterprise  CCMP
                                WPA-Personal    TKIP
                                WPA-Personal    CCMP
                                WPA2-Enterprise TKIP
                                WPA2-Enterprise CCMP
                                WPA2-Personal   TKIP
                                WPA2-Personal   CCMP
                                Open            Vendor defined
                                Vendor defined  Vendor defined
    Authentication and cipher supported in ad-hoc mode:
                                Open            None
                                Open            WEP-40bit
                                Open            WEP-104bit
                                Open            WEP
                                WPA2-Personal   CCMP
    IHV service present       : Yes
    IHV adapter OUI           : [00 80 86], type: [00]
    IHV extensibility DLL path: C:\Windows\System32\IWMSSvc.dll
    IHV UI extensibility ClSID: {1bf6cb2d-2ae0-4879-a7aa-a75834fbd0e3}
    IHV diagnostics CLSID     : {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

[iMaxx]

This is odd as the card is the AC model and it has no issues seeing 5Ghz.

(Others have said they cannot see 5Ghz networks either, but that is because they do not have the AC model of Wifi card in their Omen- that one can only do the 2.4Ghz.)

A few things you can try:

1. Get the program InSSIDer. It scans for all wifi networks that are around you. (You may not see them in the list of networks in Windows, but that doesn't mean they are not there. 🙂 )
   
   
2. Double check your new router to ensure that it is sending 5HGz on the second band. (Which it seems to be.)

At this point, it can now be two things, flakey router or bad Wifi card. (Not likely the router if other devices can see it.) One way to find out is to take the laptop around with you and see if inSSIDer can pick any 5Ghz' up at all. If it can't, call HP Support to see about getting things fixed up.

Also look into the network card properties and make sure the U-APSD setting DISABLE. (It's a tip I have been given but I canont say for sure that it will work.)

(Edited for clarity and additional tip.)

[MCMunroe]

1. Get the program InSSIDer. It scans for all wifi networks that are around you. (You may not see them in the list of networks in Windows, but that doesn't mean they are not there. )

- That program does not see any 5GHz band.

2. Double check your new router to ensure that it is sending 5HGz on the second band. (Which it seems to be.)

- Just had family over, Dads S5, Moms S4 mini, Aunts cheap tablet, Dads Thinkpad, all saw and log into the Wireless AC 5GHz band.  I don't think think it's the Router. It's the Omen.

3. Also look into the network card properties and make sure the U-APSD setting DISABLE. (It's a tip I have been given but I canont say for sure that it will work.)

- No change when flipping that setting. And it was DISABLED to start with.

Oh, HP Support part of the website takes in my serial number and says I don't have a warranty.

[MCMunroe]

"

HP contact options

Based on the information you provided, the following contact options are available for your product.

en

We cannot verify the status of your warranty. The contact options available to you are presented below. Dispute this"

[iMaxx · Accepted solution]

Has to be a glitch somewhere as you have to have warranty.

 Can you email me the serial number, et al, and I'll get a case opened for you.

We'll get ya fixed up.  🙂

[MCMunroe]

I happened to be at Best Buy for work today. I checked with my Samsung S4 and there was an Wireless AC 5GHz network.

Boot up my Omen, it was not able to see it.

Confirmed. That it is the Omen, not my router.

[iMaxx]

I agree.

You should be getting contacted soon if not already.

[MCMunroe]

So, by HP's request, I ordered a second OMEN.

What are the odds that this one also does not work on Wireless 5GHz AC?

When I was searching for info, I did not find a single mention of anyone using wireless AC on an OMEN.

I just worry that after $4000, I will go Ape $@@% if it doesn't work, after all this.

[iMaxx]

AC's are not quite market saturating yet. I have an AC router at home and use it exclusivley with my Omen. 🙂

[marande]

I have the same problem, but in my case... works on the first 2 days (before updates - drivers and Win10). Pls could u help me?

Tks and KR