Laptop dropping WiFi

[copacetic]

We have just replaced a laptop here in the office with a brand new unit, as the old one was falling apart, a major issue being that it kept disconnecting from the WiFi.

The new one, insanely, is doing the same thing! I simply don't understand it!

The laptop is situated about 2 metres from the Ruckus Zoneflex 7372, you could just about reach out and touch it.

This is the replacement unit.

Thanks in advance for solving this maddening puzzle.

 

[Blunt_Dude]

Hi

Is it only the one device which keeps dropping it's wifi?
Have you tried checking if maybe it's not the channel of the wifi? Maybe there are other wifi devices in the area or in the range which conflicts?
We had this issue with a company next to us having the same wifi channel as our wifi, as soon as I changed our channel to at least 2 channels lower / higher the problem stopped?

 

[copacetic]

It's only the one device, and this is absolutely and utterly perplexing. I just don't understand it.

I've checked the channels, and it's set to the least populated one currently.

Right now, after working for a couple days, the laptop will simply not see the relevant network at all.

What the hell to do?

 

[Geoff.D]

Use a fixed line connection ( LAN cable) is a very good option if you are that close to the router. Have you tried that?

What OS? Upgraded to WIN 10?

 

[Lord Flacko]

Is there any other electronic device in the office that might be placed near the area the laptop is situated ?

 

[copacetic]

Use a fixed line connection ( LAN cable) is a very good option if you are that close to the router. Have you tried that?

What OS? Upgraded to WIN 10?

Win 10, yep. Using a cable as an interim measure, but the geography doesn't make it suitable as a permanent solution.

Is there any other electronic device in the office that might be placed near the area the laptop is situated ?

None at all. It's if anything the least populated area in that regard.

***

Now the laptop is seeing the network, but refuses to connect to it.

 

[Geoff.D]

Win 10, yep. Using a cable as an interim measure, but the geography doesn't make it suitable as a permanent solution.



None at all. It's if anything the least populated area in that regard.

***

Now the laptop is seeing the network, but refuses to connect to it.

Now you are getting to the nub of the problem! It is a WIN 10 issue, but I have not been able to nail it down as to why it happens yet. I have the issue about once a week with my own laptop (on a wired connection) and my daughter's (on a Wi-Fi connection).

The only way to clear it is to restart the laptops AFTER establishing the connection. (So far, that is all that works.)

 

[nemo415]

What you could potentially do is check the WiFi driver that is being used. It may not be the latest one from the manufacturer's site...

If it is, try downgrading the driver, or selecting a generic Windows USB Network adapter

(Create a restore point first)

If that does not work, then you can try borrowing a USB wifi device from a friend (or buy one, http://www.takealot.com/tp-link-150mbps-wireless-n-nano-usb-adapter/PLID32579755 ), and try and isolate it to be a hardware problem.

 

[Geoff.D]

What you could potentially do is check the WiFi driver that is being used. It may not be the latest one from the manufacturer's site...

If it is, try downgrading the driver, or selecting a generic Windows USB Network adapter

(Create a restore point first)

If that does not work, then you can try borrowing a USB wifi device from a friend (or buy one, http://www.takealot.com/tp-link-150mbps-wireless-n-nano-usb-adapter/PLID32579755 ), and try and isolate it to be a hardware problem.

Done all those steps (except buying something off Takealot). And I am pretty sure it is not hardware related. Inclusive results when playing around with the drivers. I find plenty of complaints about the issues on the Internet but so far none of the solutions offered have done anything permanent as a "fix".

Appears to not happen with my laptop when not disconnected or powered down.

 

[copacetic]

As it happens, it turns out the Asus driver was indeed not the latest one available. After manually updating it, and also for some reason changing the preamble to 'long' instead of 'long and short' the festering thing seems to be stable. That being said, the other day it was just fine for two days or so, so only time will tell.

I also looked into the WiFi chip in the PC, and by all accounts it is simply just a bit of a piece of crap. Many complaints similar to my own.

Thanks for the advice guys.