Knowledge Base

This article provides information on resolving intermittent, slow, no connection or can't get to the Internet issues on your Wireless (Wi-Fi) network.

Table of Contents:

1. Resolving Connection Issues
2. Turn Off and Then Turn on All the Devices on the Network
3. Configure the Wireless Adapter Settings for Optimal Performance

1. Resolving Connection Issues

1. Move the computer to within 3-9 feet (1-3 meters) of the wireless router.
   

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2. Make sure the wireless switch is on. It will be either a sliding switch on the left or right side edge of the computer, a key combination or single key. Toggling this switch will turn all the wireless connections (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Mobile Broadband) on and off, at the same time. Look for a wireless icon .
   Note: For more information on where the wireless switch is located for your specific computer, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article How to Turn the Wireless Switch on a Dell Notebook On and Off.

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3. From the Start page, click Desktop.
   

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4. Right-click the network icon or in the notification area of your taskbar, and then click Troubleshoot problems and follow the instructions.
   

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5. Turn off and then turn on all the devices on the network to synchronize them, for more information refer to the Turn Off and Then Turn on All the Devices on the Network section.
   

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6. Make sure the latest driver is installed, for more information refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, How to Use the Drivers and Downloads Website
   Note: The driver is located in the Network section. You may need to transfer the driver by memory key from another computer or use a network cable connected to the computer needing the driver.

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7. Make sure the correct network name (SSID) and passphrase or network key (if any) were used to create a profile.
   Note: For more information on how to perform these steps refer to the appropriate sections in the Dell Knowledge Base article, Wireless Networking for the Home for Windows 8(8.1).

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8. Configure the wireless adapter settings for optimal performance, for more information refer to the Configure the Wireless Adapter Settings for Optimal Performance section.
   

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9. Update the computer to the most current BIOS, for more information refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, What is BIOS and How to Download and Install the latest BIOS?
   Note: When the BIOS on your computer happens to become corrupt while following the process as outlined the the article above, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, BIOS Recovery options on a Dell PC or Tablet.

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10. Run the Network Adapter Diagnostics.
    

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11. SupportAssist, previously called My Dell, detects issues and sends you alerts based on your device, This application gives you access to everything you need to take the guesswork out of maintaining PCs and tablets. For more information on how to obtain and install SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for PCs and tablets page.
    Note: You may need to provide the Service Tag or Express Service Code of your Dell computer or select your computer model from a list.

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12. Follow the troubleshooting steps provided in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article, Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage.
    

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13. Refer to Microsoft Knowledge Base Article, Why can’t I get connected? for additional information.
    

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14. Refer to the Dell Support Video Troubleshooting WiFi on Windows 8 (English Only)

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2. Turn Off and Then Turn on All the Devices on the Network

1. Disconnect the power from the broadband modem and leave the broadband modem disconnected for at least 3 minutes.
   

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2. Shut down all the computers that are connected to the network.
   

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3. Disconnect the power from the wireless router (if separate from the broadband modem).
   

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4. Verify that a network cable is connected from the Broadband Modem into the Internet or WAN port on the wireless router (if separate from the broadband modem).
   

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5. Verify that no USB cables or serial cables are connected to the Broadband Modem.
   

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6. Connect the power to the broadband modem. Wait for at least 2 minutes for the Broadband Modem to initialize.
   (If the Modem does not establish an Internet connection successfully, unplug the Modem. Wait for at least 5 minutes, then plug in the Modem.)
   

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7. Connect the power to the wireless router (if separate from the broadband modem). Wait for at least 2 minutes for the wireless router to initialize.
   

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8. Turn on the computer(s) and try connecting to the Internet.

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3. Configure the Wireless Adapter Settings for Optimal Performance

For Intel Wireless adapters:

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen or move the cursor to the upper right corner of the screen and swipe down until the Charms Bar appears.
   

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2. Touch or click Search.
   

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3. In the Search box, type Device Manager.
   

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4. Touch or click, Device Manager.
   

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5. In the Device Manager window, touch or click the arrow next to Network Adapters.
   

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6. Double-tap or double-click the Intel WiFI, Wireless or Centrino icon.
   

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7. Touch or click the Advanced tab.
   Note: The Wireless networking adapter in your computer may not have every option shown below, change the ones available.

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8. In the Property: box, touch or click 802.11n Channel Width for 2.4GHz and select Auto from the drop-down menu.
   

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9. In the Property: box, touch or click 802.11n Channel Width for 5.2Ghz and select Auto from the drop-down menu.
   

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10. In the Property: box, touch or click 802.11n Mode and select Enabled from the drop-down menu.
    

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11. In the Property: box, touch or click Fat Channel Intolerant and select Disabled from the drop-down menu.
    

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12. In the Property: box, touch or click Roaming Aggressiveness and select 1. Lowest from the drop-down menu.
    Note: This setting is suggested for home wireless networks. When you are on a business network and move from place to place, the setting should be set to 3. Medium.

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13. In the Property: box, touch or click Intel® Throughput Enhancement or Throughput Booster and select Disabled from the drop-down menu.
    Note: When you only have one device on the wireless network or are streaming video you may want to turn this feature on, but the adapter with this feature turned on does not allow other computers on your network to have equal access to the wireless network.

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14. In the Property: box, touch or click Transmit Power and select 5. Highest from the drop-down menu.
    

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15. In the Property: box, touch or click Wireless Mode and select the highest number available from the drop-down menu.
    

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16. Click OK.

For Dell Wireless adapters:

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen or move the cursor to the upper right corner of the screen until the Charms Bar appears.
   

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2. Touch or click. Search.
   

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3. Touch and hold or right-click Computer and then click Properties.
   

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4. Touch or click. Device Manager in the upper left corner.
   (If you are prompted to continue by the User Account Control, click Continue).
   

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5. In the Device Manager window, click the plus <+> sign next to Network Adapters.
   

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6. Double-tap or double-click the Dell Wireless WLAN Card.
   

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7. Touch or click. the Advanced tab.
   

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8. In the Property: box, click to highlight AP Compatibility Mode, select Broader Compatibility under Value: from the drop-down menu.
   

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9. In the Property: box, click to highlight Minimum Power Consumption, select Disabled under Value: from the drop-down menu.
   

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10. Touch or click. OK.

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