Win11 doesn't work with my 5GHz network

[cst1992]

When I installed Win11 on my system that uses a WiFi motherboard, it said "this network has weak security that may not protect you" and after rebooting after that, it simply refused to connect to 5GHz saying "can't connect to this network". It connects to 2.4 just fine.

Both 2.4 and 5 have the same security: WPA/WPA2 Personal.

What's going on here? Is it just because it's Win11?

The board is Asus Strix X570-E Wifi II and it uses a Mediatek RZ608 controller.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Is it just because it's Win11?

No. Something else is happening. Windows doesn't care if 5GHz or 2.4GHz.

Note while 5GHz is typically faster, it has a VERY limited effective range compared to 2.4GHz. While 2.4GHz can work all the way to the opposite end of a house, or beyond, 5GHz may not make it to the next room - depending on the composition of the walls and other potentially interfering issue.

So how far away is the WAP (wireless access point) from the computer? How many barriers (walls, floors, ceilings) are in between. Are the barriers full of wires or metal pipes? Any large metal object in the way or nearby like refrigerators or metal file cabinets? Or electronics like TVs or microwave ovens?

 

[cst1992]

That's not the issue, 'cause my laptop (with Win 10 on it) is barely a foot from the computer (on the same table) and it connects and has always connected to 5GHz just fine.

There's some configuration issue that's causing problems.

When I try to connect it also keeps asking for the security key again and again even though it should remember it.

 

[R-T-B]

The weak security message should only display on a WEP/open (maybe WPA1,don't know) network, not a WPA2, WPA3 or similar.

I have no idea what's going on there but something isn't right. I know that's not helpful, sorry. It might help if you specified your router or access point.

 

[AMF]

When I installed Win11 on my system that uses a WiFi motherboard, it said "this network has weak security that may not protect you" and after rebooting after that, it simply refused to connect to 5GHz saying "can't connect to this network". It connects to 2.4 just fine.

Both 2.4 and 5 have the same security: WPA/WPA2 Personal.

What's going on here? Is it just because it's Win11?

The board is Asus Strix X570-E Wifi II and it uses a Mediatek RZ608 controller.

ive had this happen too. u haveto delete the 5ghz connection everywhere it appears in win 11 . disable wifi in dev mgr then renable and restart u should be able to connect to it then

 

[cst1992]

disable wifi in dev mgr then renable

I've tried this, also switched from ax (WiFi 6) to ac(5) and that only works for a few minutes, then back to square one.
Also, for some reason, TPU doesn't want to load on 5GHz. Maybe it didn't like my solution

Another thing: I've seen that when connecting to the 5GHz network, it sometimes shows zero signal, like this:

The "Can't connect" error is independent of this, however.

 

[Shou Miko]

@cst1992 what wifi chip does your laptop use? It could be something as weird as a communication problem between your wifi ap/router and the MediaTek RZ608 chip on your X570 board.

It's been a long time since I had any connecting issues with any Intel or Realtek WiFi and I do not have much experience with MediaTek WiFi card but I wouldn't rule it out.

You can also buy a Intel AX210 WiFi6 card for about 15USD and swap the MediaTek out and see if this makes a difference. (I wouldn't recommend the AX211 there are too many issues with this one in laptops around the world).
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Intel-802-11...699425475&sprefix=intel+wifi+7,aps,185&sr=8-1

My last wifi headache was a few years ago with a credit card terminal that would only work on Wireless-N 2.4GHz routers and ap's if the device making the wifi was on anything newer the terminal would keep disconnecting or refuse to connect but taking a smartphone at the time I had a iPhone I made a person hotspot this worked flawless and was going 2.4 and 5GHz at once but testing out this on different routers and ap's didn't work.

 

[cst1992]

Lappy uses Intel AX201 160MHz chip.

I'm thinking of getting an Intel card as well. This motherboard cost $350 but this Wifi card isn't really very good.
First it gave issues with Bluetooth (turned out I'd installed the wrong driver - they don't provide an installer for it) and then this.

 

[Shou Miko]

Lappy uses Intel AX201 160MHz chip.

I'm thinking of getting an Intel card as well. This motherboard cost $350 but this Wifi card isn't really very good.
First it gave issues with Bluetooth (turned out I'd installed the wrong driver - they don't provide an installer for it) and then this.

Well it doesn't hurt trying something else but again sometimes manufactures just doesn't do a good job always with drivers.

But the small price for a Intel WiFi which works fine, just avoid the AX211 I had many issues with this in Lenovo laptops.

Yesterday on Twitter I saw that ghost_motley is testing the Intel WiFi7 BE200 on several non CNVi or CNVio system

https://twitter.com/x/status/1721964431326720466

 

[lexluthermiester]

I've tried this, also switched from ax (WiFi 6) to ac(5) and that only works for a few minutes, then back to square one.
Also, for some reason, TPU doesn't want to load on 5GHz. Maybe it didn't like my solution

Another thing: I've seen that when connecting to the 5GHz network, it sometimes shows zero signal, like this:
View attachment 320684
The "Can't connect" error is independent of this, however.
View attachment 320685

Your router is actively rejecting the connection. Check your router security settings. Perhaps MAC address filtering?

 

[AleXXX666]

When I installed Win11 on my system that uses a WiFi motherboard, it said "this network has weak security that may not protect you" and after rebooting after that, it simply refused to connect to 5GHz saying "can't connect to this network". It connects to 2.4 just fine.

Both 2.4 and 5 have the same security: WPA/WPA2 Personal.

What's going on here? Is it just because it's Win11?

The board is Asus Strix X570-E Wifi II and it uses a Mediatek RZ608 controller.

just swap this piece of cr... to proper wlan card such as Intel/Broadcom/Qualcomm.

@cst1992 what wifi chip does your laptop use? It could be something as weird as a communication problem between your wifi ap/router and the MediaTek RZ608 chip on your X570 board.

It's been a long time since I had any connecting issues with any Intel or Realtek WiFi and I do not have much experience with MediaTek WiFi card but I wouldn't rule it out.

You can also buy a Intel AX210 WiFi6 card for about 15USD and swap the MediaTek out and see if this makes a difference. (I wouldn't recommend the AX211 there are too many issues with this one in laptops around the world).
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Intel-802-11ax-Bluetooth-Adapter-Notebook/dp/B0B4T696W5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13TQJXALWM3BG&keywords=intel+wifi+7&qid=1699425475&sprefix=intel+wifi+7,aps,185&sr=8-1

My last wifi headache was a few years ago with a credit card terminal that would only work on Wireless-N 2.4GHz routers and ap's if the device making the wifi was on anything newer the terminal would keep disconnecting or refuse to connect but taking a smartphone at the time I had a iPhone I made a person hotspot this worked flawless and was going 2.4 and 5GHz at once but testing out this on different routers and ap's didn't work.

realtek and mediatek wifi - both cr..p. AVOID.

 

[Shou Miko]

just swap this piece of cr... to proper wlan card such as Intel/Broadcom/Qualcomm.


realtek and mediatek wifi - both cr..p. AVOID.

Realtek is actually working now a days and more and more onboard ethernet is realtek chips.

As said I do not have much experience with MediaTek WiFi but it's not always bad with something new.

I had my fair share of trouble shooting with Broadcom and Qualcomm in the past but also Intel.

I guess that's what working with computer does for you

 

[lexluthermiester]

just swap this piece of cr... to proper wlan card such as Intel/Broadcom/Qualcomm.

The problem is not the Wifi device. This is a router problem. The router settings need adjustment.

 

[AleXXX666]

Realtek is actually working now a days and more and more onboard ethernet is realtek chips.

As said I do not have much experience with MediaTek WiFi but it's not always bad with something new.

I had my fair share of trouble shooting with Broadcom and Qualcomm in the past but also Intel.

I guess that's what working with computer does for you

well, it's trend for putting cheaper wifi cards here and there. Intel Ethernet was always considered better than realtek one. well, i'm pretty Ok with Mediatek CPU in my Xiaomi phone although I've bought it just for fun, but Realtek and Mediatek wifi have been always with worse signal reception for me than intel. recent example is Asus Tuf F15 with mediatek wifi. Straight OOB experience - signal is not so good. Swapped with Intel - BIOS lock, not working, f..ck you aNus.. found some Qualcomm wifi and it worked and happy now lol. A lot better than mediatek one!

The problem is not the Wifi device. This is a router problem. The router settings need adjustment.

both. i've had many issues with cheap usb or pcie wlan cards with realtek controllers. just send you to a** and says "can't connect". get another wifi - works straight, lmfao

 

[lexluthermiester]

both. i've had many issues with cheap usb or pcie wlan cards with realtek controllers. just send you to a** and says "can't connect". get another wifi - works straight, lmfao

I doubt the wifi device is causing any problems. I've seen this kind of connection problem many, many times. It's almost always the router settings.

 

[cst1992]

I doubt the wifi device is causing any problems. I've seen this kind of connection problem many, many times. It's almost always the router settings.

What should I change? 5GHz access point works fine on Intel AX201 card on my laptop.

Perhaps MAC address filtering?

I haven't set any filters like that.

---

Also, it's worth pointing out that Windows 10 on this same computer (which I had to remove and install 11 because of instability) did work with the 5GHz connection fine, just like the laptop did. The problem started after the installation of 11. Like I mentioned in the base post, it said "this connection has weak security and might not protect you" the first time and just refused to connect henceforth.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Mediatek piece of shit there are tons of open tickets about them, my sweet suggestion is take apart the board IO and swap the wifi card to AX210. It is the card. Well to be fair AX210 does not work with WPA3 on 5GHz normally too it is a hardware bug.

Those are drivers... take the latest ones with latest firmware binaries. They often break after WUs it is a never ending cycle. Clean the old ones out as the driver is built in linux manner with firmware blobs. IMHO 3.03.00.0852 is the latest.

In router settings downgrade to WPA2 AES and set 802.11w Management Frame Protection to optional if you can.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Like I mentioned in the base post, it said "this connection has weak security and might not protect you" the first time and just refused to connect henceforth.

Exactly, that is a router security setting. Make sure your routers settings are appropriate. Windows 11 is more strict than previous versions of Windows about Wifi security. You need to make sure your wireless security is set to WPA2 and that TKIP/AES is enabled.

 

[cst1992]

It has two options: WPA2-AES (which is currently selected) and WPA2+WPA. What does the second option mean?

Clean the old ones out as the driver is built in linux manner with firmware blobs. IMHO 3.03.00.0852 is the latest.

Mine is 3.3.0.322.

In router settings downgrade to WPA2 AES and set 802.11w Management Frame Protection to optional if you can.

No such options, unfortunately. I am currently using WPA2-AES.

 

[xrobwx71]

Exactly, that is a router security setting. Make sure your routers settings are appropriate. Windows 11 is more strict than previous versions of Windows about Wifi security. You need to make sure your wireless security is set to WPA2 and that TKIP/AES is enabled.

What do you think it is Lex?

 

[Athlonite]

Which driver are you using the one MS supplies or the one you download from Asus... if your using the one that MS provide don't as more than half the time this creates problems just go with the one from Asus

MTK WiFi driver 3.3.0.713 For Windows 10/11 64-bit. https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/...14R.zip?model=ROG STRIX X570-E GAMING WIFI II

If you already use that driver then it may be a hardware fault and if I were you I'd just pick up a PCIe x1 WIFI 6 card and turn the onboard one off

 

[lexluthermiester]

It has two options: WPA2-AES (which is currently selected)

Is there no option for WPA2-TKIP? If not, this is likely your problem. Windows 11 requires TKIP+AES in the WPA2 protocol to be enabled. IF your router is to old for that to exist, then this is very likely the problem. Windows 10 will still logon fine as it's wifi requirements are less strict.

So next question, have you checked for a firmware update with your router model? If you'd like we can help you answer that question of you tell us the model number. If there's no update, then your options might be limited to buying a new router. That sucks, but technology marches on.

On the positive side, a new router of good quality will likely give your network a shot in the arm and will provide a lot better security while reducing your network latency!

WPA2+WPA. What does the second option mean?

It just means that it's supporting both WPA2 and WPA1 at the same time, which is possible but not as secure, so don't select that option.

What do you think it is Lex?

My thought on this is that the router might not have TKIP in it's WPA2 framework which Windows 11 is known not to like. WPA2+AES is not enough. This also means that the router might be a much older model.

 

[cst1992]

It's a POS ONT+router type that my ISP bundles with their fiber plans. So I don't want to touch it - I don't own it.

I might want to shop for a new router and turn SSID off on this one and connect via LAN. Which one would you recommend?

 

[Bill_Bright]

and turn SSID off

I wouldn't bother. Turning it off does not increase security (a common, but ill-conceived reason often given to disable SSID broadcasting). My only recommendation is not to name it something that immediately identifies you. Don't use your dog's name or street address number.

Did you do as Lex suggested and check for new firmware updates? Checking for updates is often a simple click away from the router's menu options.

 

[cst1992]

Turning it off does not increase security

I am not talking about turning off broadcasting and using a hidden SSID - I am talking about getting another wireless LAN-LAN WiFi router and turning off the ONT wireless entirely. I guess I used inaccurate wording, apologies.

Did you do as Lex suggested and check for new firmware updates? Checking for updates is often a simple click away from the router's menu options.

It seems the ISP has removed the OEM software and installed their own. I've checked all their settings, but there is nothing anywhere for updating firmware.

It's a POS ONT+router type

Turns out it's a Nokia G2425G-A (I forgot - that's why I named the SSID that). Yeah it's so old Nokia doesn't even list it on their website anymore.