WIFI problems on Dell xps 15 L521X

Hi Dell_Harish_R ,

I'm among the users having WiFI issues with the new XPS 15 L521X - tomorrow is day 21 for me, last day to return it -  and I noticed that in one of the steps in your possible solution you say the folowing:

"In the Property: box, click Wireless mode and select 802.11n"

Well, that option doesn't even appear in my menu. (and yes I have the Intel Advanced N 6235 with the proper latest drivers for my service tag installed, I have the latest BIOS update, and have a modern dual-band gigabit wireless N router).

The only 6 options that appear in Device Manager > Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 Properties > Advanced > Wireless Mode are:

1. 802.11a

2. 802.11b

3. 802.11g

4. 802.11b/g

5. 802.11a/g

6. 802.11a/b/g

There is no 802.11n option in the Wireless Mode section of my Intel 6235

Does that seem normal to you?

I'm also experiencing a weird issue with the Bluetooth connection - when I first boot the computer or reboot, when my Dell Bluetooth Travel Mouse connects the cursor jumps all over the screen and tracks very sketchy. If I turn the mouse off and then back on again, the problem is resolved, but this certainly indicates a gltich with the L521X and Intel 6235, because I have several other Dell latpops here that I can use the same mouse with and not encounter that issue (a Studio 1558, L502, and L702).

All 3 of my other laptops (the Studio 1558, L502, L702) have Intel Advanced-N 6230 wireless adapters in them, and they all have good connectivity / speed. In fact, the oldest one - the Studio 1558 - has excellent connectivity and speed. And yet the brand new L521X with the Intel Advanced-N 6235 has connection / speed issues. Even when the signal says "Excellent" with 5 bars showing, it's 5 times slower (at least) than the other systems mentioned.

funny how it's prevented from posting three times and then magically after I ask some where else... they all show up... any more of that magical fairy dust??

Is there a good reason why the below was moved from this thread, where it also completely belongs, to a thread only about 502x and 702x wifi?

Can you please refrain from completely disrespecting the facts and concern a paying customer is voicing?... that'd be very mature and professional of you...

Taken from a deleted/moved posting by a moderator *below*

"notebookreview has a forum on this issue 500 pages long.. with the failure in design of the last XPS 502 and 702 series you would think Dell could get the new 521x correct and without another nightmare for ignorant customers that trust dell would't sell them something that is more of a problem and waste of time, energy and money than it is a solution...this does not give  me hope for Dell...

The consensus (with input by Dell agents) at notebookreview forum is the wifi issue is a design/hardware problem and it "should have been caught" during the design test phases... once it again it hasn't... and now it's a new nightmare..."

Posted in this thread, then moved/vanished to another thread... really telling of the motivations here...

Is there a good reason why the below was moved from this thread, where it also completely belongs, to a thread only about 502x and 702x wifi?

Can you please refrain from completely disrespecting the facts and concern a paying customer is voicing?... that'd be very mature and professional of you...

Taken from a deleted/moved posting by a moderator *below*

"notebookreview has a forum on this issue 500 pages long.. with the failure in design of the last XPS 502 and 702 series you would think Dell could get the new 521x correct and without another nightmare for ignorant customers that trust dell would't sell them something that is more of a problem and waste of time, energy and money than it is a solution...this does not give  me hope for Dell...

The consensus (with input by Dell agents) at notebookreview forum is the wifi issue is a design/hardware problem and it "should have been caught" during the design test phases... once it again it hasn't... and now it's a new nightmare..."

Posted in this thread, then moved/vanished to another thread... really telling of the motivations here...

Is there a good reason why the below was moved from this thread, where it also completely belongs, to a thread only about 502x and 702x wifi?

Can you please refrain from completely disrespecting the facts and concern a paying customer is voicing?... that'd be very mature and professional of you...

Taken from a deleted/moved posting by a moderator *below*

"notebookreview has a forum on this issue 500 pages long.. with the failure in design of the last XPS 502 and 702 series you would think Dell could get the new 521x correct and without another nightmare for ignorant customers that trust dell would't sell them something that is more of a problem and waste of time, energy and money than it is a solution...this does not give  me hope for Dell...

The consensus (with input by Dell agents) at notebookreview forum is the wifi issue is a design/hardware problem and it "should have been caught" during the design test phases... once it again it hasn't... and now it's a new nightmare..."

Posted in this thread, then moved/vanished to another thread... really telling of the motivations here...

To Dell_Harish_R ,

Sorry but your answer and suggestions contain incorrect information. Dell (or you) needs to edit your post and remove the parts of your post on page 1 of this thread that are incorrect (such as the link you gave to the wrong drivers for the wifi card, and some info that you're telling people to look for in device manager that does not exist).

The L521X comes with an Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 wireless adapter, and the drivers you linked to are for a different device, and some of the properties that you've told people to look at for troubleshooting in the device manager do not even exist.

Dell needs to have an actual technician (or someone who knows what we're actually talking about here) address this thread and stop sending users on a wild goose chase.

I've been getting the run-around on this issue from Dell and I'm now passing 21 days - Dell support asks to uninstall / reinstall drivers, check bios update, etc... etc... all the same things that we've already tried, and then they want to send a technician out to replace the wireless card which is just WASTING MORE TIME and everyone KNOWS it.

I will get my money back for this system regardless of being slightly past 21 days, because I've had to call in for several issues with this $1700 system already during these first 3 weeks of ownership, because it wouldn't be passing the 21 day mark if Dell weren't stalling me for more time on an issue that is apparently quite widely know and wide spread.

This is not a cheap system. For $1700 we shouldn't even have to be sitting on HOLD with "XPS Hardware Support" and spend hours getting the run-around, nor should we have to resort to posting on Internet Message Boards to cry for help.

THIS IS A HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE ISSUE AND DELL NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT PROPERLY. (Which they're not doing).

UNTIL THEN I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT ANYONE THINKING OF BUYING AN L521X NEW XPS 15 , DON'T DO IT. AND IF YOU OWN ONE, RETURN IT FOR A REFUND OR CALL DELL SUPPORT EVERY DAY WITH THE PROBLEM UNTIL THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Seems that's the only way we're going to get anything done. We're paying for a high-end system and we're getting jacked-around.

I have the same issue and would like some assistance in getting the issue resolved.  I only received my XPS 15 yesterday and already have been able to confirm that I also have wireless speed issues when comparing it to other systems connected to the same network in the same location.

You are definitely not alone  this problem is actually known about by Dell employees and being discussed by Dell employees (along with many many users with the same exact problem) at forum.notebookreview.com/.../680190-xps-15-l521x-wifi-test-results.html

I strongly suggest you read that thread thoroughly (and check out page 8 where they talk about a team of engineers addressing the issue and also providing exchanges for some customers).

It is an absolute shame that we have to go to another web site to get real responses from Dell employees who actually care.

Her is the same issue. XPS 15 L521x a week old , very poor connection.

XPS L521x   7M away = 2-4 Mbs

XPS 15 Z      7M away = 20 Mbs

Nice, well buit laptop but the WiFi lets my down.

I am sorry to read that all of you are having the problem with WIFI on your new XPS 15.  I wanted to step in here and let you know that Dell engineering is aware of your concerns and is investigating them.   I hope to have word from them shortly.

If you haven't already tried I do suggest uninstalling and reinstalling the Intel Centrino 6235 drivers

Bluetooth

www.dell.com/.../xps-15-l521x

WIFI

www.dell.com/.../xps-15-l521x

if you continue to have problems please feel free to shoot me a private message and include your name and the service tag of the notebook, I may be able to help.

TB

If a complete fix is found please re-post on here to let me know. i returned my l521x because of it and if it is fixed i would like to get a new one.

I have discoved a solution to the wireless problem, at least for me.

I was getting disconnected every couple of minutes at home. My home wireless router is a,b,g. The wireless card in the xps L521 has "n" as well.

Single click your wireless conection,  Click network and sharing center, Click your wireless network connection, click properties, click configure, advanced tab, 802.11n 2.4 channel width set to 20, 802.11n 5.4 channel width set to 20, 802.11n mode set to disable.

I have no more disconnects and my wireless is as fast as it should be with my service.

Hope this helps people as well as Dell to discover the root cause of the wireless "n" issue

I am about 7m away from my router and I get the same speed as when beside my router.

I am still getting some disconnects when 7m away. It has improved the wifi issue somewhat. I shudder to think what my connection will be like in a hotel when I travel on business.

No hope, good that it worked for you.

Just get your laptop away ,about 7M, test it to see if you have the same speed as close to the router.

In fact at this hour I do not get fully speed (20Mbps), the traffic is very heavy. Even closer to the router I have 3Mbps and 7M away more or less the same.( this with N deactivated, it was on)

I will see tomorrow when the traffic is lighter. I was also planning to get a new dual n router (advised by Dell Tech), the G one is old back to 2009, but the N-6300 is working fine with this router.

I tested now the N-6300 on Dell 1537 and I have the same speed as L521x.

I am curios tomorrow.

By the way, Dell Tech support connected to my laptop did a bit of settings but did not touch the N, left it activated……and noticed a loss of speed when I am more than 5M away. They are planning to change LCD and the wireless card. It is on hold till I will get new router if I will get!