They may be a problem with the wireless antenna on your notebook. If the problem continues you may wish to consider a service to have the LCD replaced (the antenna is a component of the LCD). If you do decide on trying a service and are in the US I can help.
Are you sure there isn't a driver/software problem?
Since in normal usage the wifi connection is functioning great. Also in closed or folded position the reception gives full bars. When i lift the lid for only a couple of degrees (so the keyboard get's unlocked again) the connection is back immediatly)
I was about to say if it was a software / driver issue it shouldn't matter how the notebook is configured and where the LCD screen is, the drivers are going to work equally well. Then it occurred to me that due to power management settings It is very possible that depending on how the LCD is placed Windows could be cutting power to the wireless card especially if it thinks that the device is being used in tablet form.
This document discusses configuring power settings if you aren't familiar with the process, but I suggest changing the power setting if you haven't already to High Performance. When checking power settings the High Performance plan is often hidden, so if you don't see it click the "show additional plans" link and that should reveal the High Performance plan.
Once the device has been set to High Performance test the wireless connection and see if the problems continue. If all of a sudden wireless performance is unchanged no matter how you have the LCD placed then you know it was just a power management issue and can plan accordingly. Leaving the system running at High Performance so you may want to change the settings dependent on your use.
You can also try to configure how power management effects the wireless card without changing power settings. Open device manager, Swipe from the right edge, choose search and type in device manager. Look for the wireless card in device manager and right click, choose properties and then click the power management icon. Remove the check from the box for "allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" and then test.
Please let me know if changing the power settings makes a difference or not. Baring power issues, if the drivers are installed correctly it really shouldn't make a difference where the LCD is placed. The drivers are going to perform the same. If needed we can still look at having the antenna replaced.
I have changed and tried different settings over the weekend and unfortunatly it doesn't effect the behavior of the card. I live in Holland and don't want to go true the servicing procedure.
On top of that I'm not convinced that this is a hardware default. The problem only occeurs when fully booted. When half way true the booting proces everything is just fine. And then in a minute or so, Bam no more internet. I have tried to look at processes but cannot find anything to kill.
I understand not wanting to have the notebook serviced.It sounds like though you have covered a lot of the bases already.You can try testing with safe mode with networking. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen or in the Settings charm. Then, press and hold the SHIFT key on your keyboard and click Restart. From the advanced startup menu choose Safe mode with Networking.
Once booted up you should be able to establish your network connection.Close the lid and see if you notice the problem.Safe mode with networking disables most background software and drivers only loading the networking drivers.If the problem is caused by software the connection should work fine with the lid closed now.If you continue to have the problem then it is likely going to be a hardware problem.
Thank you. This is great advice. Unfortunately I couldn't get the safe mode to work with networking but it did start me thinking. I made a bootable usb with Linux Mint.
Here the networking worked great in closed state as well in open state. This for me confirmed that this is a driver problem. So thank you TB.
Now I have to find which driver or service is causing the problem. I contacted Intel but they don't want to look in to it because I use Windows 10.Wich I don't think is causing the problem. I hope there is somebody that can try it with windows 8.
I am glad that you where able to determine the problem was software related before having a service. You may want to look to see what power settings you have, specifically instructions for what closing the LCD does.
You can use msconfig to try to find out if a specific application is causing the problem. The following document details a little on how to use msconfig and clean boot troubleshooting to identify problems.
Just fyi the bios update with revision A04 resolved a big part of the problem.
So I think it's safe to say this is where the problem begins.
I'm investigating further if and how much this problem persist now but it seems there is a big part of the problem now solved (not 100% though). Maybe this info can be past on to somebody somewhere at Dell.
Updating the BIOS to A04 helped, interesting. I checked the comments on enhancements and found the following:
Updated win flash tool to 5.56 (for DUP) - Enabled dell boot option feature and add workaround - Updated KBC to 35.
Looks like a change to the boot option feature was made, which possibly may be what is helping although I don't see anything mentioning wireless updates, I take it that you are still having the problem, just not as often?
Where you able to test with msconfig and if so did it look like any files was causing problems as well?
Hi. For what it's worth, I also had bad wi-fi problems with my new Inspiron 13 7000 when I got it. The connection drop constantly.
I went to the Dell website, my specific laptop Tracking Number was detected by the site and a number of downloadable updates were recommended, one of which was the wireless network card driver. I downloaded the driver, created a Restore Point just in case, and ran the update.
I was expecting to see a newer driver version, but it appears that the driver was actually rolled back to an earlier version. I set the Power Management setting to never turn off wireless.
The end result - my wireless connection is very stable now. I've left it up for days without a drop. Closed the lid, leave it fora while, open it back up, still going.
No more dropped connections.
Just my two cents. Do the recommended Dell-provided update.
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
March 25th, 2015 16:00
They may be a problem with the wireless antenna on your notebook. If the problem continues you may wish to consider a service to have the LCD replaced (the antenna is a component of the LCD). If you do decide on trying a service and are in the US I can help.
TB
carlovn
6 Posts
0
March 26th, 2015 03:00
Dear Terry B,
Thank you for the response.
Are you sure there isn't a driver/software problem?
Since in normal usage the wifi connection is functioning great. Also in closed or folded position the reception gives full bars. When i lift the lid for only a couple of degrees (so the keyboard get's unlocked again) the connection is back immediatly)
Thank you for taking time to look in to this!
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
March 26th, 2015 09:00
I was about to say if it was a software / driver issue it shouldn't matter how the notebook is configured and where the LCD screen is, the drivers are going to work equally well. Then it occurred to me that due to power management settings It is very possible that depending on how the LCD is placed Windows could be cutting power to the wireless card especially if it thinks that the device is being used in tablet form.
This document discusses configuring power settings if you aren't familiar with the process, but I suggest changing the power setting if you haven't already to High Performance. When checking power settings the High Performance plan is often hidden, so if you don't see it click the "show additional plans" link and that should reveal the High Performance plan.
Once the device has been set to High Performance test the wireless connection and see if the problems continue. If all of a sudden wireless performance is unchanged no matter how you have the LCD placed then you know it was just a power management issue and can plan accordingly. Leaving the system running at High Performance so you may want to change the settings dependent on your use.
You can also try to configure how power management effects the wireless card without changing power settings. Open device manager, Swipe from the right edge, choose search and type in device manager. Look for the wireless card in device manager and right click, choose properties and then click the power management icon. Remove the check from the box for "allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" and then test.
Please let me know if changing the power settings makes a difference or not. Baring power issues, if the drivers are installed correctly it really shouldn't make a difference where the LCD is placed. The drivers are going to perform the same. If needed we can still look at having the antenna replaced.
TB
carlovn
6 Posts
0
March 30th, 2015 05:00
Dear TB,
I have changed and tried different settings over the weekend and unfortunatly it doesn't effect the behavior of the card. I live in Holland and don't want to go true the servicing procedure.
On top of that I'm not convinced that this is a hardware default. The problem only occeurs when fully booted. When half way true the booting proces everything is just fine. And then in a minute or so, Bam no more internet. I have tried to look at processes but cannot find anything to kill.
Greetings,
Carlo
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
April 1st, 2015 11:00
Carlo,
I understand not wanting to have the notebook serviced. It sounds like though you have covered a lot of the bases already. You can try testing with safe mode with networking. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen or in the Settings charm. Then, press and hold the SHIFT key on your keyboard and click Restart. From the advanced startup menu choose Safe mode with Networking.
Once booted up you should be able to establish your network connection. Close the lid and see if you notice the problem. Safe mode with networking disables most background software and drivers only loading the networking drivers. If the problem is caused by software the connection should work fine with the lid closed now. If you continue to have the problem then it is likely going to be a hardware problem.
TB
carlovn
6 Posts
0
April 2nd, 2015 02:00
Dear TB,
Thank you. This is great advice. Unfortunately I couldn't get the safe mode to work with networking but it did start me thinking. I made a bootable usb with Linux Mint.
Here the networking worked great in closed state as well in open state. This for me confirmed that this is a driver problem. So thank you TB.
Now I have to find which driver or service is causing the problem. I contacted Intel but they don't want to look in to it because I use Windows 10.Wich I don't think is causing the problem. I hope there is somebody that can try it with windows 8.
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
April 2nd, 2015 08:00
I am glad that you where able to determine the problem was software related before having a service. You may want to look to see what power settings you have, specifically instructions for what closing the LCD does.
You can use msconfig to try to find out if a specific application is causing the problem. The following document details a little on how to use msconfig and clean boot troubleshooting to identify problems.
Please let me know what you find out.
TB
carlovn
6 Posts
0
April 15th, 2015 01:00
Hello TB,
Just fyi the bios update with revision A04 resolved a big part of the problem.
So I think it's safe to say this is where the problem begins.
I'm investigating further if and how much this problem persist now but it seems there is a big part of the problem now solved (not 100% though). Maybe this info can be past on to somebody somewhere at Dell.
Carlo
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
April 15th, 2015 11:00
Updating the BIOS to A04 helped, interesting. I checked the comments on enhancements and found the following:
Updated win flash tool to 5.56 (for DUP)
- Enabled dell boot option feature and add workaround
- Updated KBC to 35.
Looks like a change to the boot option feature was made, which possibly may be what is helping although I don't see anything mentioning wireless updates, I take it that you are still having the problem, just not as often?
Where you able to test with msconfig and if so did it look like any files was causing problems as well?
TB
carlovn
6 Posts
0
April 15th, 2015 11:00
I'm not shure exactly but I found on the internet that KBC has something to do with battery control. Maybe there is something there.
I do have the same problems but indeed not so often anymore. I'm gonna investigate further with msonfig but didn't had any luck so far.
Carlo
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
April 17th, 2015 12:00
Thank You Carlo
I am looking forward to what you find out.
TB
hakesad
1 Message
1
September 22nd, 2015 09:00
Hi. For what it's worth, I also had bad wi-fi problems with my new Inspiron 13 7000 when I got it. The connection drop constantly.
I went to the Dell website, my specific laptop Tracking Number was detected by the site and a number of downloadable updates were recommended, one of which was the wireless network card driver. I downloaded the driver, created a Restore Point just in case, and ran the update.
I was expecting to see a newer driver version, but it appears that the driver was actually rolled back to an earlier version. I set the Power Management setting to never turn off wireless.
The end result - my wireless connection is very stable now. I've left it up for days without a drop. Closed the lid, leave it fora while, open it back up, still going.
No more dropped connections.
Just my two cents. Do the recommended Dell-provided update.