XPS 8930, Killer 1535, won't work after Windows 10 Update

Question

I'm stuck on Windows 10 1909 (which is nearing the end of its support) because three attempts to update (once for 2004 and twice for 20H2) all resulted in the death of Killer 1535.

I have Killer driver version 12.0.0.953, and Dell's check tells me that's current.

Any advice?

kevin_camera · Accepted Answer

Hi @RoHe,

Killer wifi 1535.

After scouring the dell forums, I was able to find the solution.

There was a post about it (somehow can't find it anymore) where I have to install the Killer wifi driver first.

Go to Device Manager --> Select Killer Wifi (had a triangle with exclamation mark on it) -> Update Driver

Then select something like "select the driver manually" then go through the menus until you find the Killer wifi driver. There you will see 3 options -- this is where you have to select the "Qualcomm" version and finish install.

Windows can detect the hardware after that.

Hope this will help someone who's having the issue.

DELL-Cares · Answer

Thank you! We have received the required details. We will work towards a resolution. In the meantime, you may also receive assistance or suggestions from the community members.

Vic384 · Answer

@K in NC I think you mean 10.0.0.953 at least that is what I found on Dell's Drivers & Downloads. You could try the Killer Networking site: https://support.killernetworking.com/software/

If you filter on your Killer Device, there is a Killer Control Center software package. If you click on the package. the details indicate "For other Killer devices, the device drivers that are installed by default in Windows and provided by Windows Update are sufficient for most users.".

K in NC · Answer

No, Device Manager shows the Driver version number as 12.0.0.953.

I know, that number doesn't appear anywhere else, but that's what was installed by some Dell update onto my computer on June 14, 2020.

And I'm about to give up on trying to get a different/better/more correct driver for the Killer 1535 from Dell, given that they're showing (for my service tag for my XPS 8930) only a driver (with a later date than June 2020) for a Killer 1650.

I'm not sure what's meant by the text you quoted from the Killer Control Center. But my current driver (again, identified as 12.0.0.953 by Device Manager) works just fine with my current Windows 10 1909. It's just that the Killer 1535 gets killed (and a yellow symbol shows up over the logo in Device Manager) if I update to 1909 of 20H2 (and comes back alive and well if I go back to 1909).

Anyhow, thanks for your advice. I just hope I can figure out how to deal with this. I'm going to try downloading directly from Qualcomm because, hey, what have I got to lose?

DELL-Cares · Answer

Hi,   I have replied to you from a private message.   -Gautam.

Vic384 · Answer

@K in NC Here is the full driver details page for the Killer Wireless AC 1535 and 1435 Bluetooth Driver: https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=vgpp7&oscode=wt64a&productcode=xps-8930-desktop

Near the bottom of that page under 'Important Information' it states, "After you install this update, Killer 1435 and Killer 1535 Bluetooth driver version that is displayed in Device Manager is v10.0.0.953.".

If you entered your Service Tag and clicked on the 'View product specs' link does it show that you have the Killer 1535 or the Killer 1650?

I think the quote from the Killer Control Center page implies that Windows Update will supply the driver for the Killer 1535.

RoHe · Answer

Go to the Killer website to download their removal tool and the latest driver. Use their tool to get rid of everything Killer. Then install the latest driver. See if that helps...

K in NC · Answer

You're absolutely right, and I'm totally confused! I checked again, and Device Manager most definitely says the driver version is 12.0.0.953. I have to wonder whether this could have been some sort of a typo in the text to be displayed in DM as opposed to the actual driver? Weird!

Product specs shows this as: 1535: 555-BCRM : Killer 1535 2x2 802.11ac Wi-Fi Wireless + Bluetooth 4.2.

But -- and this also confuses me: When I do a manual check for Killer drivers available for my XPS 8930, Dell lists the Killer 1650 driver (in addition to the 1435/1535 Bluetooth driver).

Right now, given that I have to do something before support for Win 10 1909 ends soon, I'm inclined to just try a full reinstall of Killer with the correct drivers from Qualcomm.

K in NC · Answer

Weird, about the numbers! And frustratingly confusing.

I have to set this problem aside for a few days, then I plan to come back and do a total "cleaning" with the removal tool, and then do a fresh install.

Either that works, and I can finally update Windows before Microsoft support for 1909 ends, or I'll just toss the computer out the window (after opening it first, of course) and buy a new computer without Killer.

RoHe · Answer

@K in NC The version numbers are never consistent with Killer drivers. That's part of the confusion.

I have XPS 8930 with Killer Ethernet. The driver version number listed on Dell's Support page for the XPS 8930 Killer PCI-e Network Controller is v2.3.1516, which is what I have installed. In Device Manager, the Killer Ethernet E2400 driver is listed as v9.0.0.50.

Don't have Killer WiFi, but the driver version numbers listed and what actually gets installed don't match either.

As said in my previous post, the best thing is to use their removal tool to get rid of everything Killer. Been there, done that to fix probs with Killer Ethernet on my PC. (NOTE: Manually set a System Restore point before running that tool, to be safe.)

Then install the latest version which should give you choices for which Ethernet and WiFi drivers to install.

Once that's done and things are working again, you can probably disable most -if not all- Killer Services in services.msc, which get loaded at every boot.

At least for Killer Ethernet, they're totally useless things, cause problems and hog system resources. I only installed Killer Ethernet drivers and 4 Killer services got installed, all of which I disabled in services.msc and Killer Ethernet works better without them.

Caveat: Since I don't have Killer WiFi, can't say which,any, Killer services are needed or useful with Killer WiFi cards...

DELL-Cares · Answer

Hi,   I have replied to you via a private message.   -Gautam.

RoHe · Answer

@K in NC - When I was having trouble with Killer Ethernet, attempts to update or reinstall Killer without using their removal tool first caused errors that were only reported by the Win 10 Reliability Monitor. After I ran their removal tool, Reliability Monitor reported a successful uninstall and then a successful install after I loaded the software again. So be sure to check there.

FWIW, I updated to Win 10 Pro 20H2 from v1909 on my XPS 8930 in Dec'20, a few months after resolving the Killer Ethernet problems. The Ethernet was still working properly after the update...

K in NC · Answer

Thanks for the advice about using the removal tool, RoHe. I learned long ago that when a removal tool is provided for a software product or device, it's prudent to use it because general Windows removal tools aren't quite up to the job.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

Agreed, confusing naming conventions.

Our generic XPS 8930 driver page shows the following;

Qualcomm QCA61x4A/QCA9377 WiFi and Bluetooth Driver =
After you install this update, Qualcomm QCA61x4A and QCA9377 WiFi version that is displayed in Device Manager is 12.0.0.953.

Killer Wireless AC 1535 and 1435 Bluetooth Driver =
After you install this update, Killer 1435 and Killer 1535 Bluetooth driver version that is displayed in Device Manager is 10.0.0.953.

kevin_camera · Answer

Hi,

I'm having the exact problem with my XPS8930.

Any one was able to resolve this?

I tried to use the killer removal tool and reinstalled the drivers but that didn't seem to work. Maybe need to do a more thorough job again.

Thanks

XPS Desktops

XPS 8930, Killer 1535, won't work after Windows 10 Update

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