Wifi unstable

[cloud998]

Hi all,

So i've recently purchased this new laptop. its wifi uses the 802.11ac technology.

the wifi works, but is rather unstable. my ping will spike rather high quite often for a few seconds and i will generally loose connection with what i'm doing.

i am the only one on the wifi, there are no other programs running which use the internet but this keeps happening.

it is rather annoying and has made some of my online coursework unaccessable.

if anyone has a fix for this that'd be great!

thanks!

[y2ken]

Wireless troubleshooting can be difficult because so MANY things could be the cause.

If you are noticing that your wifi drops out after a period of inactivity or resuming from sleep it could be your wifi adapters power options settings.

Other wifi troubleshooting steps can be found HERE

Most wireless devices can be turned off by the system to save power. In some sleep scenarios, the device may wake properly when the system returns from sleep or hibernate. To prevent this from happening, adjust the power management settings for the wireless adapter

1. From the Start screen, type device manager to open the Search charm, and then select Device Manager from the search results.
   Figure 29: Search results for Device Manager

   
2. Double-click Network Adapters to expand the list, right-click the wireless (Wi-Fi) adapter in the list, and then select Properties.
   Figure 30: Device Manager

   
3. In the adapter properties window, click the Power Management tab.
4. Remove the check mark next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, and then click OK.
   Figure 31: Wi-Fi Adapter Properties

   

Close the Device Manager, restart the notebook computer, and attempt to reconnect to the wireless network.

[cloud998]

Thank you,

this method for turning off power save has helped but i still experience ping/lag spikes which cause me to disconnect from my coursework.

i dont have any spare ports in my router to use an ethernet connection so that isnt really an option...

is there anything else i can try? all the previous mentioned troubleshooting methods dont really apply to this situation

[y2ken]

It's easy and inexpensive [$20] to add an Ethernet Switch to your router to give you more ports.

It doesn't solve your wifi issue but at least you'll have reliable access until you get it sorted out.

Adding Ethernet Switch

You say the "previous mentioned troubleshooting methods don't apply"?

Did you try the suggestions in WiFi Troubleshooting?

Have you tried rebooting your wifi router?

Did you check for driver updates to your WiFi card using HP Support Assistant?

Did you check for firmware updates to your Router?

Have you tried changing from the 5Ghz band to the 2.4Ghz band?

*The 5Ghz band can transmit more data but doesn't penetrate walls, floors, etc., as well as 2.4Ghz

*The 2.4Ghz band is more likely to experience interference since many other houshold devices use the 2.4Ghz band.

Did you try changing the wifi channel on your router?

Have you tried moving your router to a better, closer, or more central location? [if possible]

[cloud998]

---

@y2ken wrote:

You say the "previous mentioned troubleshooting methods don't apply"?

Did you try the suggestions in WiFi Troubleshooting?

Have you tried rebooting your wifi router?

Did you check for driver updates to your WiFi card using HP Support Assistant?

Did you check for firmware updates to your Router?

Have you tried changing from the 5Ghz band to the 2.4Ghz band?

---

I have tried all the steps in the WiFi Troubleshooting section, rebooting the router, updating drivers, updating router firmware and my router doesn't support the 5Ghz band so its set to use the 2.4Ghz band. my router is broadcasting using the 802.11n, 802.11g and 802.11b protocols.

unless there is a setting for the wireless card itself? (i dont know)

[y2ken · Accepted solution]

You can try changing your router to broadcast on the 'N' band only if you don't have any 'G' band devices connected to your network. It may improve your signal. You can also try disabling router security and your firewall temporarily just to see if it helps. If your router has external antenna's you can purchase a 'high gain' replacement antenna.  Since you have a fast AC wifi card it might be worth upgrading your router to a new AC router.

[cloud998]

beautiful,

that has fixed the issue untill i get a newer router 🙂

i have 2 more months on my ISP contract and then will probably upgrade my router when i renew it

THANKS!

[y2ken]

Your welcome! Glad I was able to help.