XPS 13 9380 Wifi Problems

I see you have been in the other thread for the 9370 so it sort of looks like the same situation.  It seems folks from all over are having such a situation, possibly being related to some Windows update.

All I might ask is do you notice anything going on when the dropouts occur.  Any log messages at those times which might mention something being done then?  Any physical activity such as drive or processor utilization?

When you install drivers for the Wi-Fi, is there an option to install just the basic drivers alone or can you install more software at that time?

If you run the WLAN report in an administrative command prompt, so you see any strange addresses or anything else which might indicate a problem?  If you run it, you may have to copy the report to the desktop to open.

netsh wlan show wlanreport

If you have the Killer Control center installed, have you checked your wireless map to see how strong your signal is and if anything else may be effecting your connectivity?

I have felt this problem may be caused by the original driver and control center install because when I tested one of the cards with a system which never had that card prior to that time, it seemed to work normally.  But it may even be some power situation related to the PCIe bus.  I do not have a system with the Killer 1435 or an 8th generation processor.

Thanks for the great tip on the WLAN Report.  I spent a good hour on the phone with Dell Tech Support via Chat.  Had me uninstall drivers and reinstall them a few times.  Checked Windows Update (current) and then went directly to the Killer site to download the most recent drivers again.  Knock on wood, I've been up for about 30 mins and haven't dropped once.  Using your recommendation for the WLAN Report, I ran it and it showed all the drops I've been having.  Most of the Failure Reasons appear to be the same (see below).  Seems to absolutely be a driver compatibility issue and I've got the most recent Driver (12.0.0.820) installed to match my Killer Wireless 1435 adapter.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated !

Session Duration: 0 hours 0 minutes 1 seconds

Disconnect Reason:The driver disconnected while associating.

Here's a more detailed log from one of the incidents:

Interface:Killer Wireless-n/a/ac 1435 Wireless Network Adapter

Interface GUID: 002217a9-402d-4cc7-b990-eb85ea9280ff

Connection Mode:Automatic connection with a profile

Profile:ATTxxxxxxx

SSID:ATTxxxxxxxxx

BSS Type:Infrastructure

Session Duration: 0 hours 2 minutes 51 seconds

Disconnect Reason:The network is disconnected by the driver.

EventId Time Message

I checked my system and its wlan report and I see one difference until the sequence separates.

For the first part, mine is the same except in the 11001 yours shows:

Management Frame Protection Enabled: 0x100000000

Mine shows:

Management Frame Protection Enabled: 0x300000000

Later, the sequence is the same until after the 4042 line.  Mine goes to a 10311 regarding NDIS and a working device power state. 

Yours goes to a 11004 and showing "Wireless Security stopped", which might be a result of a disconnect in progress(8003).  It would be interesting to see what the report entries show after the disconnect and see if it comes back by itself.

Hopefully, yours will continue to work but if it doesn't we can check for any changes in the report.  It is important to know what your system is doing at the times referenced in the report.  If the system were to be going into Modern Standby, it may disconnect from the network.  The time you have the display to turn off would put the system into Modern Standby.

Thanks for all the feedback.  Knock on wood, I've been online for about an hour or so today and no-drops.  Can't exactly pinpoint the resolution other than uninstalling/reinstalling drivers several times.  Absolutely bizarre.  I did start the repair process with Dell so I've got a few days until the boxes arrive to determine whether or not to send it in for repair.  Will keep the thread in-the-loop if problems arise again.  Appreciate it !

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I appear to have fixed mine but I don't know what it did. I was noticing that my router kept cutting out while my mobile data remained perfect with no dropouts. The difference I found between my data and my router is that my router had a 5ghz connection while my data had a 2.4ghz connection. In protest of the crappy dropouts, I took drastic measures and decided to change my wireless mode - device manager>network adapters> (right clicked) killer wireless thing>advanced>wireless mode - from 12-11 to 5-11 which appears to have fixed all my problems. I don't know why I did it or what it did but my internet is perfect now so yolo.

My daughters XPS 13 9380 has same problem. Updated BIOS, installed updated KillerDriver from their site and Windows 10 1909 is up to date. When she puts PC to sleep it drops internet and she has to restart or click the wireless symbol on taskbar to reconnect. I tried everything suggested on several sites yet problem persists. She uses it for work. Dell does not seem to have a solution. This is unacceptable for a 1600 dollar laptop. Where do I go from here. Still under 1 year warranty. Thanks

I am sorry to have to tell you what happened to me.  My son is a software developer and knew right away that getting dropped from the internet is a problem with the PC.  I contacted Dell, and I spent 1.5 hours on the phone with a tech, running tests.  The PC was overheating (fan problem), and although I paid for the premium “at home” service, the tech recommended I send it back to Dell. He said they would come to the house prepared to deal with the fan issue (a problem according to others online), but if it was more than that, I would have to send it back to Dell anyway, and I may as well do it now.  He told me the most expedient way was to send it back to Dell right away.  Because I purchased the home premium repair service, Dell did expedite my repair.  My PC was only a month old when this happened, and besides needing a new fan, I had to have the whole motherboard replaced.  It was really annoying because, although it cost me nothing in dollars, copying files as a result of having a new motherboard put in, cost me many, many hours of time.  I agree with you…this is totally unacceptable for an expensive PC. 

I agree and not too happy already with Dell tech. Telling me to change power management on wi fi card. If they were aware of problems they would know that option is not available on newer PC’s. I have been building and repairing PC’s for 10 years and I am just getting basic troubleshooting suggestions. I am way past that point. First thing is to get option for power management tab back, if possible. Also I read the sleep mode is now called something else on were PC’s? I’ll try to work with tech but with all the forums about what has been tried and what has worked and didn’t work should be known by tech. I’m forwarding tech the forums to read. Dell has to do a bit better with such a widespread problem for an expensive laptop. I’ll try and work with tech and have patience. Thanks.

Followed tech support updated chipset , bios and WiFi driver. All already up to date. Daughter put Pc to sleep at work this morning, went to wake and same problem. No WiFi requiring restart. This problem has been going on for 2 years. Not too happy Dell! Something has to give. New mobo with improved WiFi card(apparently Killer network cards have hardware or software issues which no one can figure out) or a new PC. I bought this for my daughter who is in medical field. She needed a reliable PC and I recommended this. My mistake. Need a new mobo with new WiFi card or a new PC.  

Still getting run around. Now try safe mode. After 2 years you would think that was the first troubleshooting thing to do.? Apparently they do not read their own forums. I even suggested they read them but guess they don’t do that. Being tossed from tech and get same useless troubleshooting. Getting really upset now and may have to try raptors escalate this. Why can’t I talk to someone? My wife works with software vendors and has closed deals for her company with deal and has been to business meetings with Dell president. May have to ask her to make a call.

We recently switched from Latitude to XPS at our small office.  At least 2 of the XPS-13 machines have experienced WI-FI problems as described here.   Surprised this had not been ironed.   I will be calling Dell today,  hopefully they will have some good suggestions.  

Thanks. They make it sound like it's an isolated problem but has going for a year and half on XPS laptops. I tired of going thru their troubleshooting basics as an experienced PC builder and repair person that I have already done. This is way beyond basic troubleshooting. If is the Killer card and drivers I don't care. If the card is soldered to the motherboard and the issue cannot be resolved they better come out with a mobo with a new wifi card!!

Maybe in bios we can switch from S0 power mode to S3 mode and see if that works?