XPS 9550 bluetooth/wifi problems

Question

Hello All, I have an DEll XPS15 9550-3628 from 2016. Nice laptop only the bluetooth keeps being a problem. It worked for the first year but after that I keep having troubles, and I am done!. See below the symptoms I have - First after a year  I had the problem that when I connected a bluetooth device it work fine only my WIFI wasn't working anymore.- After a lot of internet research I found a work-around which actually works (can't find the link of this forum anymore)-Since then my wifi works but a blueooth device will only connect when it is literaelly next to the computer and I have to place it on numerous sides of the computer before I find a place where it is connected wel. Still there is often lag in the audio when I am playing music. My logitech MX master 2s have never worked on the bluetooth and I just use the dongle that they supply. Other computers and devices in my household don't have problems with the same wifi or bluetooth devices. I am done trying work arounds  and I rather replace my wifi module. The chip in my PC is DW1830. Does anyone know if these problems are common for these chips? And know which chip I could use instead? Thanks in advance!

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

Welcome to the Dell Community @Leendert1985

The DW1830 is a Broadcom card.

Personally I have never liked Broadcom.

Try the Intel AC 8260 Dell part number: 8XG1T

Dell XPS 15 (9550) Intel Wireless-AC 8260 Dual Band WLAN WiFi 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.0 M.2 Card - 8XG1T

https://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=20708

Intel AX200/AX201/9260/9560/9462/8265/8260/7265/3165 Bluetooth UWD Driver

https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=9303n&oscode=wt64a&productcode=xps-15-9550-laptop

XPS 15 Service Manual:

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/us/en/04/xps-15-9550-laptop/xps-15-9550-service_manual/before-working-inside-your-computer?guid=guid-5d3b1051-9384-409a-8d5b-9b53bd496de8&lang=en-us

Best regards,

U2

NOTE: You can use the Dell part number "8XG1T" to search and find it cheaper.

Leendert1985 · Answer

Hi U2, thanks for your reaction. This could be an option. Do you have experience with changing to this particular chip? Just to be sure that I don't get unexpected hardware problems? Or are wifi chips easily inter-changeable for something similiar without any hardware issues?

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

@Leendert1985&#xa0;I upgrade all Broadcom cards to Intel when I can with no hardware issues.The only thing I may need to do is install the driver and that's it.I just received a few XPS 9550's and plan on upgrading them to Intel 7265.I ran out of Intel 8260's.I can let you know how things go in a few days.I will be installing W10 Pro 64bit.Regards,U2

Leendert1985 · Answer

@U2CAMEB4ME  Nice to hear that you didnt had any problems till now. I am looking forward how the new replacement will go, hopefully this is the solution!

Leendert1985 · Answer

@U2CAMEB4ME&#xa0; Today I wanted to replace my chip with the new AC8260 I bought, but I noticed it misses one connection for the grey cable. Can I just skip this without any problem or do I need to connect it to something else?&#xa0;

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

@Leendert1985  The gray one is for other WiFi cards that are MiMo capable. You do not need to attach it to anything. Best regards, U2

Leendert1985 · Answer

Yes worked out great, thanks a lot! Big difference at last no bluetooth problems anymore Still I think it shouldn't be allowed that a laptop of this price is provided with a faulty chip like this... But luckily it's fixed now.

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

Great work @Leendert1985  I said it before and I'll say it again I just do not like 'Broadcom' cards. Best regards, U2

XPS

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