New Dell XPS 15z (L511z) Wireless Card Issues

All you have to do is go out and purchase a USB Wireless Modem and Install it. Problem solved. Make sure you turn off the one that came with your new dell. You also have to burn one of your only two USB plugs.

I am sorry to say that is not a solution but a band-aid. You purchase a product and expect it to work. I have the same wireless card in a 15z laptop and have no wireless problems....so I expect its router problems that appear to be quite widespread. Lets hope Dell/Intel can come up with a software solution very soon!

Oh I forgot to mention its not anyones router it is the wireless card on the motherboard!

Same deal, purchased on 16th, no wireless internet right out of the box. Very dissapointed in this, I paid 1500 dollars. Techinical support has no solution, I spent an hour on the phone and was told I might try waiting for a new bios or they could send a tech to replace my motherboard! Being returned Monday for refund of my money. It's a shame because its a really beautiful computer but to be cheap on the wireless card??? Not cool Dell, I am considering an HP now. For the guy that suggested a USB modem thats pretty lame.

I just hang up the phone with DELL

On tuesday they will send a technician to replace the card, let's see how that goes. Maybe we don't all have the same issue on this thread because I also tried the latest drivers from Intel found here:

downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx

as stated by cbowers but it didn't help at all, I suspect we are all experiencing a combination of hardware / software issues

What's clear is that DELL MESSED UP, really shame.

I would invite everyone who has issues with wireless to report here at least DELL can become aware of the issue and hopefully take action, maybe replace with a better card.

I hope this helps everyone

SHORT STORY- Try this link to load latest Intel N6230 driver, it made a marked improvement. Thnx to "CBOWERS". Pls Note the INTEL Wizard incorrectly identifies the 14.0.1 as the latest driver, which it is not.

Install states Driver Rev 14.0.1.1 (which is also not right either, 14.1.1.3 actual in this package)

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=20116&lang=eng&OSVersion=Windows%207%2C%2064-bit*&DownloadType=%0ASoftware%20Applications%0A   

LONG STORY -

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect/wireless

Product Detected

Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6230

Best of luck all -

wavezz2k

 ( LMGuadagna, rhymes with Lasagna, Spa boy & part time IT support)

Current Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility Installed 14.0.1.0 Your driver is current.

(Above, from install wizard, which is not right. Rev 14.1.1.3 is latest)

So, Dell's site is not the latest driver. Intel's site tells you that your driver is the latest, and it's not. Intel's site also states the latest install ZIP contains a different Revision package than what's actually in the ZIP file.

Router type, and plugged in or not (even if it's your "ear") won't make a lick of difference. Recommend you try the new install Rev 14.1.1.3, it could help.

wavezz2k Nice find...lets see how long before this driver appears in the Dell downloads. I also have downloaded the full package from the Intel website and can verify it works quite well with a Linksys  and Netgear router.

Now if someone can find a fix for the screen saver/power issues!

I can confirm that this download gets the card working again:

downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx*&DownloadType=%0ASoftware%20Applications%0A

Make sure you read wavezz2k instructions above as I had also installed the driver before but for some reason it was not updated properly.

As a note it works well but there is definitely room for improvement

Thank you wavezz2k for the info, let's hope DELL and Intel work together to get card working properly

I am at work and I have 3 wireless routers I can connect to. One has no problem. It connects and stays connected. The other two although I can see them and have good reception (4-5 green bars) i try to connect but it goes back to the first that has no problems. Before I could not connect to any. This is funny because this one is the farthest away from me (physically).

I can say that on the connected one i can only see speed of  13 - 30 Mbps. I still have my old laptop and see 50+ numbers and no problems connecting to any of the routers.

I don't know if I have to reset something or delete something, kind of busy today and need to get some work done. I will try this at home tonight to see how it works there and advise findings.

I can confirm that this download did not fix the problem at Home. I have a Motorola Broadband Router with Bright House Networks. When I plug in the wireless adapter into my USB, works fine. Infact this was how I was able to connect to write this post.

In addition with my prevoius post that as the day wore on so did the wireless to a point where I just turned it off and pugged in my ethernet cable.

I have a service tech coming out to replace the card I am intrested to see if this helps any.

Thank you for the update.

I have not yet been able to test it with other routers but i can say it works fine but not great, all my other laptops and even mobile phones consistently perform better than the 15z.

I hope Dell can work with intel to deliver decent drivers.

Hello guys,

I had the same issue with my XPS15Z.. I got mine at the beginning of the month, I called Dell and one of their techs changed the power performance to the maximum.. and he also changed something on the wireless card from the Computer - Manage and I never had the issue again..  

My XPS15Z arrived today in Perth Australia.

Cannot belive I also have this issue. I get about 2 bars and it keeps dropping out.

I have read all of the threads and am not clear whether it is worth updating the driver or not.

What is DELL recommending?