Unique problem with intermittent wifi on alienware m17x with qualcomm killer wireless

rajata,

What virus program and firewall are you using?

On wireless, can you run Network Interface and post the results back here.

See if this tweak helps...

Hit the Windows key and the x keys at the same time, device manager. Click on Network and then right click on your network adapter, left click properties, power management. Uncheck the box, allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

Go to the power options, and changed the Wireless Adapter Setting, from Maximum Power Setting to Maximum Performance.

Rick

Hi Rick, thanks for the reply!!!

Below are the results for Network interface:

There is 1 interface on the system:

Name : Wi-Fi
Description : Killer Wireless-N 1103 Network Adapter
GUID : e24d6541-f99d-489e-b830-f578e0d9e69b
Physical address : b8:76:3f:56:24:cc
State : connected
SSID : RAJATAGA
BSSID : 00:1b:2f:df:01:54
Network type : Infrastructure
Radio type : 802.11g
Authentication : WPA2-Personal
Cipher : CCMP
Connection mode : Auto Connect
Channel : 11
Receive rate (Mbps) : 54
Transmit rate (Mbps) : 54
Signal : 100%
Profile : RAJATAGA

Hosted network status : Not available

Both the tweaks you mentioned, i had already implemented a couple of months earlier when i was searching the net for solutions, but unfortunately no improvement :(

I don't have any 3rd party av/firewall installed, just Windows defender and Windows Firewall.

rajata,

I use these Recommended Wireless Router Settings I use channel 11. There may be something in the settings that may help. I may suggest you try WPA2-PSK(TKIP)Security (Personal) I turned off my firewall in my wireless router and just use the firewall on the computer.

I have not used the Killer Wireless-N 1103 Network Adapter.

Hit the Windows key and the x keys at the same time, device manager, network adapters, right click on Killer Wireless-N 1103 Network Adapter left click properties, click on advanced. Look and see if this adapter has Antenna Diversity. It may or may not have this. If it does have Antenna Diversity, try changing it from Auto to Aux.

Did you install this adapter on this system? Did you install the operating system on this system?

Rick

Hi Rick,

thanks again for responding! i doubt it is a router issue, because i've had this problem with my laptop on all the routers (around 5) i've till now at home/office, etc.

But i changes the settings to the ones mentioned in the post, also updated by router firmware, and changed the security to WPA-PSK(TKIP).......i then switched on all the applications which usually cause the issue like steam, mmos, skype, torrent, etc., and surely, after 5 mins the problem resurfaced :)

I checked the adapter settings, it does not have Antenna Diversity. This adapter/OS(w8) was pre-installed on my system when i ordered from alienware.

Can't help but think that this problem is due to the killer wireless adapter, and i made a mistake choosing it. My laptop is still under full warranty, but i'm not sure how/if the support guys will even be able to figure out the problem here. :(

I Called and they got me to Update my BIOS and the Qualcomm Killer Driver individual driver, not the one that covers Lan also but only WiFi (i think) and so far its worked but ill see if it goes bad again.

Hello,

I have this exact same problem.  It primarily happens when using steam but it also affects all of my online gaming.  I have spoken with tech support over the phone and did all driver/software updates, and even adjusted my power settings all to no avail.  Next, they sent a tech to replace the wireless network adapter and that didn't fix it either.  This problem has been going on since I bought the computer last summer I'm out of ideas at this point.  Any more insight would be great.

Thanks,

Feels good to hear that i'm not the only one with this problem :)

i'm all out of ideas here, i was beginning to think that maybe it was faulty hardware, but it seems even changing that didnt fix it for you......disconnections every now and then for 1-2min doesnt sound like that big of a problem but when it happens everytime, and specially in online gaming (which we specially buy alienware for), it starts to get very frustrating :(

Hei, i got the exact same problem, ramdom disconnects. This happens only when i use wifi. Got the 1103N installed in my laptop.

Tech support tried to help me and in the end they changed the hardware. but still same problem. Is there a solution to the problem by now?

Alienware M17x R4

Windows 8 now 8.1

Just to add I'm also suffering this problem, alienware m17 r4, same wireless card. (win 7 though)

It seems to disconnect whenever a large amount of bandwidth is used. If I try and do a speedtest (100mb connection) it will always disconnect, likewise if trying to download files and the speed goes above 50mb.

No idea how to sort this, if anyone does please shout up!

Hello guys :)

FYI:
Just wanted to let you know I have the exact same issue. I'm an IT Proffesional, so I've covered all the troubleshooting. The issue only seem to occur at larger data transfers (I don't have a dell laptop btw, but a ClevoP170EM through PCSpecialist.co.uk)

Here is what Killer support wrote to me:
Case #: 00010653 - Random disconnect [ ref:_00D306grN._500a0Z1Ec1:ref ]
"We apologize for the problems with your Killer wireless card. We are aware of the issue and while we have not been able to reproduce the error in our facilities, we believe this may be a hardware issue and we recommend getting a replacement 1103 from your system manufacturer.

Some users have found success with an older version of the wireless drivers, found below. If you wish to try these drivers, please save them to your hard drive and uninstall your existing software before installing these, ensuring antivirus is disabled prior to installation.

http://www.killergaming.com/support-downloads/Killer_Wireless-N_1.0.09.1055_Win7_Win8.exe

If they do not work, please RMA your card with your builder or reseller and let us know if that solves your issue.

Sorry again for the trouble,

Regards,
Ethan
Tech Support Engineer
Qualcomm Atheros

ref:_00D306grN._500a0Z1Ec1:ref"

I would just like to add, that I to have the same issue with the Alienware Mx17 R4 and the Killer wireless N card.

I have tired all available steps, the main thing that I notice is when the laptop is plugged in, it happens more frequently, I check the metal Alienware plate and it is very hot. So my theory is that is overheating of sorts and causing the wireless card to disconnect (wait a minute and it will reconnect) then it drops again approx 5 minutes later...

If I unplug the power and leave it for about 5 minutes to 'cool' then resume what I was doing it is fine and rarely drops out at all, if I charge it and have it on my lap all doing the same process its fine and no drop outs at all.

As soon as the power is plugged in (with it on my lap for example) repeating what I was doing it drops frequently.

I have got to the point where I am going to replace the card or send my laptop back, as I don't expect to pay over £1000 for a simple problem like this...

Yep i have the same wifi issue for almost a year now -_-

Has anyone tried the following yet? 

Go to your Network Connections:
Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections
Right Click on WiFi -> Properties -> Configure -> Driver Tab -> Update Driver
Click Browse my Computer -> Let me pick -> Uncheck "Show compatible hardware"

Qualcomm Atheros Communications should be highlighted under Manufacturer
On the right side under Network Adapter find exactly and click on: "Qualcomm Atheros Wireless Network Adapter"
Click Next and install it.

Found at: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/689010-killer-wireless-discussion-thread-look-solutions-ask-questions-here-44.html

I have an Alienware M17x R4 and Im having the same issues except for a few differences.

I updated from Windows 7 to 8.1 yesterday and ever since I have had dropped wifi connections 15 minutes into playing Elder Scrolls. It happens if I search the web for a 15 to 20 minute period. I tried all of the above comments on attempting to fix the problem but nothing worked. I did unplug my cpu and didnt have any dropped wifi signals as one of the above posts recommends.

Baardaaper I just tried the link you posted and it took wifi completely off of my network connections list. I restarted my computer as it says to do and when it came back up wifi wasnt even an option for internet access. I had to backtrack to put it back on there.

Heres where things get interesting to me...I dont have a Killer Wireless Network Adapter. I have an Intel Centrino Advanced-N6250 AGN Network Adapter but my system is doing the exact same thing everyone here is describing. This makes me think that its probably not the Killer Wireless hardware. This only started happening to me whenever I installed Windows 8.1. So I think its either an overheating issue somewhere or something to do with Windows 8.1. Just thought this would help everyone stop looking at their Network Adapters as the problem since mine isnt the same adapter and Im having issues also. Cant play games on a gaming laptop...how much worse could it get?