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Greg Skaruz
8 Posts
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January 12th, 2014 05:00
Weak WiFi connection on Dell Vostro 5470
I've just bought new Dell Vostro 5470 laptop, and it appears that is has a weak WiFi adapter.
I've got a router in another room, and If I have my laptop ahead of me (and a router behind my back)- connection speed goes down from 8 Mbit to 2 Mbit. If I remove myself from the chair it goes up to original 8 Mbit. This doesn't happen using my previous laptop (Lenovo N200) or my smartphone.
If I'm in the same room as the router, I have full speed (8 Mbit).
I did a fresh WIndows 7 install with Dell drivers.
I could buy an USB Wifi adapter with external antenna, but it's not a good solution. And of course I wouldl have 1 USB port always occupied.
Is there any other solution?
Greg
Responses (16)
Solutions (0)
Greg Skaruz
8 Posts
2731
1
Posted January 12th, 2014 08:00
WirelessNetView says it's 82% signal, and there are 4-5 bars
I uninstalled drivers and installed again, but with no luck. I tried to install drivers from Windows Update, but it didn't find any.
In wifi adptaer I even switched "aggressiveness mobility" from medium (3) do best (5) but again, no luck.
Same here! I just bought new Vostro 5470 and the wifi gets very low compared to other laptops include Zenbook, macbook pro, old Dell Studio (6 years).
I tried everything - installing windows 8.1 with all the drivers, installed windows 7 with all the drivers. I also called the support and they replaced my wireless card but it didn't work either.
The support of Dell in Israel was terrible blaming it all on me saying that these are the performances of the laptop but i've never seen worse laptop than this one!!
I'm very upset with this laptop and the service, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone!
I'm considering suing them for all the troubles i've been through.
Anyone else?
Greg Skaruz
8 Posts
2731
0
Posted February 10th, 2014 06:00
It helped me to install Wireless card drivers from Intel site, not using Dell ones.
Greg Skaruz
8 Posts
2731
0
Posted February 10th, 2014 07:00
It's a pitty, it worked at my Vostro 5470.
Did you try any Linux installation?
Greg Skaruz
8 Posts
2725
0
Posted February 10th, 2014 08:00
To check whether it's Windows problem or hardware problem.
The driver was https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=23391
I also had wifi issues with a brand new Vostro 5470, purchased in Israel. For me it was less the signal and more about slow download speed and connection freezing. It would happen even when the computer was next to the router. Formatting, installing drivers, ETC didn't work.
I gave the laptop to the dell's partner lab two weeks ago. They confirmed there is a hardware problem and I've been told for more than a week now that Dell is "considering whether to approve giving me a replacement product".
So for more than a week Dell has been considering whether to replace a new (had it for 6 days before handing it to the lab) and defective product.
Needless to say that I am also not pleased with the service.I use Arch Linux and the problem persists also. The solution I've found was to disable the 11n protocol by following the "Solution 2" from this blog post: http://itsfoss.com/speed-up-slow-wifi-connection-ubuntu/
tl;dr;
echo "options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf
sudo rebootThis solved for me. I guess for Windows users the solution is to find a way of disabling the 11n protocol, but I don't know how to do that.
Hope it helps,
Ian L. Rodrigues

jimroad471
95 Posts
2731
0
Posted January 12th, 2014 06:00
weak as in like 1 - 2 bars? anyway,,i would un install then install the driver. then go to device manager, right click on the the wifi and check all the settings. at times the wifi adapter is set to low strength to conserve the battery....let me know
jim