Article ID : 00060090 / Last Modified : 11/04/2018Print

The wireless throughput (download speed) becomes very slow or randomly disconnects when the computer is moved further away from the access point.

    This Wi-Fi connectivity issue can potentially occur in rare instances as a result of a variety of variable factors, including signal strength, proximity to the Wi-Fi signal, number of devices utilizing the Wi-Fi router, and the general Wi-Fi environment. Please follow these steps to troubleshoot this issue and improve the wireless throughput (download speed) and random disconnects.

    1. Verify that the latest wireless adapter driver has been downloaded and installed.
      1. Press the Windows Logo + X key combination, and then on the menu click Device Manager.
      2. In the Device Manager window, double-click Network adapters to expand the selection.
      3. Under Network adapters, double-click the Intel wireless adapter.
      4. In the Intel wireless adapter Properties window, click the Driver tab.
      5. On the Driver tab, next to Driver Version, verify the latest wireless adapters driver has been installed. 
      6. If the driver version is the same or higher than the latest available, proceed to the next step. If the driver version is a lower version than the latest available, download and install the wireless adapter driver update first, and then proceed to the next step.

    2. Disable the power management setting for the wireless LAN adapter.
      1. Press the Windows Logo + X key combination, and then on the menu click Device Manager.
      2. In the Device Manager window, double-click Network adapters to expand the selection.
      3. Under Network adapters, double-click the Intel wireless adapter.
      4. In the Intel wireless adapter Properties window, click the Power Management tab.
      5. On the Power Management tab, click to uncheck the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
      6. Click the OK button.

    3. Set the Wireless Adapter Power Saving Mode to Maximum Performance.
      1. Press the Windows Logo + X key combination, and then on the menu click Power Options.
      2. In the Power Options window, next to the selected power plan, click Change plan settings.
      3. In the Change settings for the plan window, click Change advanced power settings.
      4. In the Power Options window, double-click Wireless Adapter Settings.
      5. Under Wireless Adapter Settings, double-click Power Saving Mode.
      6. Under Power Saving Mode, next to both On battery and Plugged in, click to change the setting to Maximum Performance.

      NOTE: Changing the On battery setting to Maximum Performance will increase the battery consumption.

    4. Adjust the 802.11n Channel Width for 2.4GHz.
      1. Press the Windows Logo + X key combination, and then on the menu click Device Manager.
      2. In the Device Manager window, double-click Network adapters to expand the selection.
      3. Under Network adapters, double-click the Intel wireless adapter.
      4. In the Intel wireless adapter Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
      5. On the Advanced tab, in the Property section, click to select 802.11n Channel Width for 2.4GHz.
      6. With 802.11n Channel Width for 2.4GHz selected, in the Value section, change the value from 20 MHz Only to Auto.

    5. Modify the Wireless Network Properties
      1. Press the Windows Logo + X key combination on the keyboard and, from the list, click Control Panel.
      2. In the Control Panel window, click Network and Internet.
      3. In the Network and Internet window, click Network and Sharing Center.
      4. In the Network and Sharing Center window, on the left hand column, click Change adapter settings.
      5. In the Network Connections window, double-click Wi-Fi.
      6. In the Wi-Fi Status window, click the Wireless Properties button.
      7. In the Wireless Network Properties window, on the Connections tab, click to place a check mark in the box next to Connect even if the network is not broadcasting its name (SSID), and then click the OK button.

      IMPORTANT: At this point, test to see if there is any improvement with the wireless throughput (download speed) or drop connection issue. If there is improvement, it is recommended that you keep the setting changes from the steps above. If there is no improvement or the drop connection issue continues, proceed with the following steps.

    6. Adjust the Wireless Encryption type of the Router.
      1. Log in to the wireless access point.

        NOTE: Consult the Router User Manual for the step by step instructions on accessing and adjusting the Router settings.

      2. If the wireless encryption is WEP or WPS-PSK(TKIP), change the encryption type to WPS-PSK(AES).


    7. Adjust the wireless channel on the Router.
      1. Log in to the wireless access point.

        NOTE: Consult the Router User Manual for the step by step instructions on accessing and adjusting the Router settings.

      2. Adjust the wireless channel to either Channel 6 or Channel 11.