I'm using a new Asus AC68U router. My home network includes, among other items, my desktop and my laptop (a Dell XPS 15). The laptop occasionally drops the wifi on the 2.4 GHz band. Everything else on the network handles both bands fine. The laptop has been holding well on the 5Ghz band. How do I determine with the 2.4 Ghz band if the problem is the laptop, the router--or both? How do I diagnose this problem? I should mention that all the laptop and Asus drivers are up to date. Thanks.
Maybe your 2.4 GHz band is congested so it can't reliably hold a connection
Have you changed the channel used for 2.4? Sometimes if other WiFi routers in your area use the same channels, the signal can be erratic.
Have you installed the latest wifi drivers for your chipset? I know the Intel dual wireless drivers provided with Windows often have trouble and you need to download the drivers directly from Intel and get the latest versions.
Does your router have dual band wifi? If so you could split the wifi signal between 2.4ghz and 5ghz with a specific key for 5ghz and log in to the second one. 5GHz usually has less interferance.
@theveterans and wyldman68: Maybe, but I doubt it. I'll check with inssider when I'm on the laptop. I've had 4 or 5 devices on the 2.4 GHz band before without a problem.
@Mystere: I will check the drivers, although Windows tells me all is up to date. How do I identify my laptop's specific drivers for this purpose?
@swarfega: Yes, the router is dual band. I've placed my laptop and iPhone on the 5GHz band with no problem--it's definitely faster, but the signal isn't as strong as the 2.4GHz (according to inSSIDer).
Something just occurred to me. Do you think this problem has anything to do with the laptop's screen saver coming on? So far, that's when I notice the problem.
This seems pretty slick. Has anyone tried it? I'm wary because my desktop and laptop are both Dell products, and I wonder if Dell altered the chip software.
It shouldn't be the screensaver but you could disable it to eliminate that in the process if you want.
I am not so sure that Dell is the commonality here, I think something is interfering with your wifi.
Have you heard of powerline adaptors? Might be an alternative for you to think about. Again there are pros and cons with this too. But if your house isn't too old and taking into account other factors, you might find it more stable.
If it's an intel wireless, then just go to Drivers & Software and at the bottom is a link to the Wireless ProSet drivers. If it's another vendor, then you'll have to do some research on your chipset.Mystere I will check the drivers, although Windows tells me all is up to date. How do I identify my laptop's specific drivers for this purpose?
My laptop's wireless network adapter is an Intel Centrino Ultimate-N6300 AGN. Windows tells me the driver is up to date. Why would I install the Wireless ProSet drivers? And will that installation erase any of Dell's proprietary settings?If it's an intel wireless, then just go to Drivers & Software and at the bottom is a link to the Wireless ProSet drivers. If it's another vendor, then you'll have to do some research on your chipset.
Same deal with my desktop--a Dell Studio XPS 8100. Would installing the Intel ProSet be an advantage?
