New Dell XPS 15 (L521x) Wireless Card Issues

Phil

I haven't heard from you in a while, unfortunately it is under these circumstances.  Are you able to make a connection with the system? If you are able to do so, does the connection drop.  Does it make a difference if the connection is wireless N or G?

If you don't mind please shoot me a private message with the service tag of the notebook. let see if we can't find a solution a bit faster with the L521X.

TB

This issue has been flagged up on numerous blogs and forums most notably here:

forum.notebookreview.com/.../680190-xps-15-l521x-wifi-test-results.html

forum.notebookreview.com/.../673630-xps-15-l521x-owners-lounge-159.html

The second link contains 179 pages of people highlighting the issues with the wifi problems among other things.

In short, the conclusions that various people have come up with narrow it down to a possible fault with the antenna. One user reported that there were no problems once the antenna was moved "outside" the chassis. Speculation claims that the aluminium lid is somehow interfering with signal quality. (Apple somehow get around it) This issue NEEDS TO BE FLAGGED UP as anyone I have been in contact with is not taking the issue seriously. The worst part is there are probably quite a lot of people who don't even realise that it is an issue if it is their first laptop or have nothing to compare it to.

Thanks for the post Farleeee

I know that engineering is aware of a lot of these claims of poor wifi performance on the new XPS 15 and are investigating it.   If you have a XPS 15 with similar issues please shoot me a private message with your service tag and if you are interested I will research service options.

TB

Hi I bought a new dell xps 15 L521X and the wifi signal dropped all the time, I change my home wifi network security from WEP to WPA2- PSK and it worked right.

I spent 4 hrs today with Dell customer support they didn't have a clue why the signal was dropping, the fix was a casuality after I spent all morning with the guy troubleshooting the PC installing - unistalling all drivers. Finally told me that later I will get a call from another technical support still waiting.....

It's a shame that such a beautifull and costly hardware fails that way. I will returning the machine since I didn't get a proper response and hundreds of people are waiting on post and nobody officially from Dell says anything.

It was my 3rd machine from xps-studio line, I think it will be last one...

Hi

It depends on your router model but you should be able to set your wireless security settings more common is Open (no security), WEP, WPA2 among others.

Find your router manual should be explained there.

I changed from WEP to WAP2 and everything working fine so far.

How did you change your home network security?

xmachin,

Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID, if using XP, run an ipconfig /all log and post it back here.

Rick

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>systeminfo

Host Name:                 XMOBILE
OS Name:                   Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
OS Version:                6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
OS Manufacturer:           Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration:          Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type:             Multiprocessor Free
Registered Owner:          ownername
Registered Organization:   Microsoft
Product ID:                00000-000-0000000-00000
Original Install Date:     8/14/2012, 8:33:56 PM
System Boot Time:          8/17/2012, 9:31:16 PM
System Manufacturer:       Dell Inc.
System Model:              XPS L521X
System Type:               x64-based PC
Processor(s):              1 Processor(s) Installed.
                           [01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 58 Stepping 9 GenuineInt
el ~2101 Mhz
BIOS Version:              Dell Inc. A04, 6/26/2012
Windows Directory:         C:\Windows
System Directory:          C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device:               \Device\HarddiskVolume2
System Locale:             en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale:              en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone:                 (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Total Physical Memory:     8,094 MB
Available Physical Memory: 6,211 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size:  16,187 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 14,037 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use:    2,150 MB
Page File Location(s):     C:\pagefile.sys
Domain:                    WORKGROUP
Logon Server:              \\XMOBILE
Hotfix(s):                 107 Hotfix(s) Installed.
                           [01]: 982861
                           [02]: KB971033
                           [03]: KB2393802
                           [04]: KB2397190
                           [05]: KB2425227
                           [06]: KB2459268
                           [07]: KB2475792
                           [08]: KB2478662
                           [09]: KB2479943
                           [10]: KB2482122
                           [11]: KB2484033
                           [12]: KB2488113
                           [13]: KB2491683
                           [14]: KB2492386
                           [15]: KB2495523
                           [16]: KB2496898
                           [17]: KB2505438
                           [18]: KB2506014
                           [19]: KB2506212
                           [20]: KB2506928
                           [21]: KB2507618
                           [22]: KB2509553
                           [23]: KB2511250
                           [24]: KB2511455
                           [25]: KB2515325
                           [26]: KB2518869
                           [27]: KB2519736
                           [28]: KB2522422
                           [29]: KB2529073
                           [30]: KB2529825
                           [31]: KB2532531
                           [32]: KB2533552
                           [33]: KB2536275
                           [34]: KB2536276
                           [35]: KB2539635
                           [36]: KB2541014
                           [37]: KB2544893
                           [38]: KB2545698
                           [39]: KB2547666
                           [40]: KB2550648
                           [41]: KB2552343
                           [42]: KB2560656
                           [43]: KB2563227
                           [44]: KB2564958
                           [45]: KB2567680
                           [46]: KB2570947
                           [47]: KB2572077
                           [48]: KB2579686
                           [49]: KB2584146
                           [50]: KB2585542
                           [51]: KB2588516
                           [52]: KB2603229
                           [53]: KB2604115
                           [54]: KB2607576
                           [55]: KB2618451
                           [56]: KB2619339
                           [57]: KB2619497
                           [58]: KB2620704
                           [59]: KB2620712
                           [60]: KB2621440
                           [61]: KB2631813
                           [62]: KB2633952
                           [63]: KB2640148
                           [64]: KB2641653
                           [65]: KB2641690
                           [66]: KB2644615
                           [67]: KB2645640
                           [68]: KB2647518
                           [69]: KB2647753
                           [70]: KB2653956
                           [71]: KB2654428
                           [72]: KB2655992
                           [73]: KB2656356
                           [74]: KB2656373
                           [75]: KB2656411
                           [76]: KB2658846
                           [77]: KB2659262
                           [78]: KB2660075
                           [79]: KB2660649
                           [80]: KB2665364
                           [81]: KB2667402
                           [82]: KB2675157
                           [83]: KB2676562
                           [84]: KB2677070
                           [85]: KB2679255
                           [86]: KB2685939
                           [87]: KB2686831
                           [88]: KB2688338
                           [89]: KB2690533
                           [90]: KB2691442
                           [91]: KB2695962
                           [92]: KB2698365
                           [93]: KB2699779
                           [94]: KB2705219
                           [95]: KB2709630
                           [96]: KB2709715
                           [97]: KB2712808
                           [98]: KB2718704
                           [99]: KB2719985
                           [100]: KB2722913
                           [101]: KB2729094
                           [102]: KB2731847
                           [103]: KB2732487
                           [104]: KB2732500
                           [105]: KB958488
                           [106]: KB976902
                           [107]: KB982018
Network Card(s):           5 NIC(s) Installed.
                           [01]: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
                                 Connection Name: Local Area Connection
                                 Status:          Media disconnected
                           [02]: Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6235
                                 Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection
                                 DHCP Enabled:    Yes
                                 DHCP Server:     192.168.1.1
                                 IP address(es)
                                 [01]: 192.168.1.104
                                 [02]: fe80::acbd:960c:a296:6610
                           [03]: Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
                                 Connection Name: Bluetooth Network Connection
                                 Status:          Media disconnected
                           [04]: Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
                                 Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection 2
                                 Status:          Media disconnected
                           [05]: Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
                                 Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection 3
                                 Status:          Hardware not present

C:\Windows\system32>ipconfig /all

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Users\xmachin.xmobile>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

   Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : xmobile
   Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
   Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
   IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.fl.comcast.net.

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : C4-85-08-07-12-EC
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : C4-85-08-07-12-EF
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : hsd1.fl.comcast.net.
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6235
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : C4-85-08-07-12-EB
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::acbd:960c:a296:6610%12(Preferred)
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.104(Preferred)
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, August 17, 2012 9:31:41 PM
   Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, August 18, 2012 9:31:43 PM
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 230982920
   DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-17-6D-E4-FB-D4-BE-D9-34-68-4A

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
                                       75.75.75.75
                                       75.75.76.76
   NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : hsd1.fl.comcast.net.
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : D4-BE-D9-34-68-4A
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.hsd1.fl.comcast.net.:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : hsd1.fl.comcast.net.
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft 6to4 Adapter
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{77398288-A317-422C-9262-DDAF3016841F}:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #3
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
   IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:4137:9e76:8fe:3a9c:bd4f:6b7a(Prefe
rred)
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::8fe:3a9c:bd4f:6b7a%16(Preferred)
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ::
   NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Users\xmachin.xmobile>

xmachin,

Is this a new machine or a new installation of the operating system?

Try...

Intel® WiFi Products — Power Save Polling (PSP) causes connection issues with some access points (not sure this helps)

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options\Create a Power Plan

Select High performance.

Start, control panel, device manager. Click on Network and then right click on your wireless adapter, left click properties, power management. Uncheck the box, allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

Intel ~ Recommended settings for 802.11n connectivity

Rick

Hi Rick

Is a new xps 15, 4 days old. I upgraded win 7 home to Ultimate.

Thank you for your recomendation for the power configuration, I think (in my modest opinion) it doesn't apply to my case, since the connection fails under WEP security, when I switch to WPA2 it works ok, and both are running with the same settings all the time, but at the very moment I switch to WEP the connection drops, however you can see the full bar signal but you don't get internet access at all.

Thank you for your advice, I set the setting that way so never gets disconnected for the power reason.

xmachin,

I use these Recommended Wireless Router Settings I use channel 11.

When you reinstalled the operating system, did you install the Desktop/Notebook system software and the chipset drivers first? If not, the rest of the drivers will fail to install. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order

Start with the Desktop/Notebook system software and the chipset drivers and follow the list.

Rick

The WiFi issues in the new XPS 15 L521X are a *known issue* that the Dell engineers are trying to come up with a fix for,

No amount of playing around with drivers or router settings will fix the fact that this is a design flaw in the system that actual Dell employees have been talking about publicly and have admitted as much.

Here are links to some posts on another forum from a Dell employee who is in close contact with the Engineers team who are trying to find a solution to this:

forum.notebookreview.com/.../680190-xps-15-l521x-wifi-test-results-8.html

forum.notebookreview.com/.../673630-xps-15-l521x-owners-lounge-158.html

forum.notebookreview.com/.../673630-xps-15-l521x-owners-lounge-159.html

However, for whatever reason, Dell employees are not admitting on THIS forum that this is a known issue with the L521X and for whatever reason have customers chasing their tails over things such as driver re-installs etc... that have no effect on this design flaw.

It's been fully documented as a known issue on that other forum, and can be confirmed over the phone if you speak to the right technician in the XPS Hardware Support department - I can't name names, but I've spoken more than one technician (and a manager) in that department who have indeed said - yes, this is a known issue and we hope to have a fix for it eventually.

Hi

I didn't reinstall the drivers during the update, it was just an OS update from win 7 Home to Ultimate that is most of the time enable functionality.

However I will check that article about the drivers order, hope the dell driver utility knows about this order because most of the time just do default everything.

Thank you very much for your expertise is very welcome

Some routers just don't play nice with certain wireless hardware...especially older stuff that is N-draft spec. If it is a hardware fault and the card is a mini PCI card, swap it for another model. Dell does not lock their systems down so it should be fairly easy to do.

Dell Case  <ADMIN NOTE: Case number removed per privacy policy> opened yesterday because I just received a new xps15 laptop 2 days ago and discovered that WiFi issues that I had read about in the dell forums after I had order the machine, Even after updating the BIOS to A06 (as per dell support request), i am still experiencing the terrible drop off in WiFi (802.11n mode) download speed when i move more than 12 feet from the router. Download speeds drop from 30 Mbps to less than 2 Mbps and if watch the speed as reported by the wireless network connection status window on the laptop, it jumps around settling as low as 11 Mbps while observation of the connections from the router show its connection is renegotiated down to 802.11b mode at 5 Mbps.  My 2 yr old HP pavilion laptop with a Qualcomm Atheros wireless card sitting next to the new XPS shows practically no drop off in WiFi speed.  Interesting thing is the upload speed seems to be less affected, sometime not all as the upload speed continues to measure at 5 Mbps.

My 30 day new purchase/return window is ticking now so a fix has got to happen quickly or this machine is being returned.  Maybe Terry, you can research my trouble ticket and see if Jaibee (the dell support person who i was on the phone with yesterday) needs any help.

When you say that Dell engineering is aware of a lot of these claims, does that mean Dell engineering can and has reproduced the problem ? Would be nice to see more specific information.  If you need a customer to collect data, send me a riverbed airpcap adapter that supports 802.11b,g and n and i'll be the test subject.

jt