Please Help! Sudden Drop in WiFi connection on PC only

[lemoncarbonate]

Like 2 days ago my PC wifi connection suddenly went bad. I thought it was because of latest windows update, but after I uninstalled all the updates, the problem still remains.

Problems: (all happen on my PC only, the same devices that connected to the same network in the same room are fine)
1. Google search and youtube load veeeeery slowly
2. Intermittently losing internet connection.
3. Intermittently disconnected from wifi, or still connected to wifi but says 'no internet', even with almost full signal.
4. Signal drop only to 1 bar (happened before too, but never affected the speed this much. Phone and laptop in the same room are fine.
5. As I'm writing this, speedtest on my PC says 0.19Mbps download, while on my phone says 42Mbps, and I am disconnected from network multiple times.
6. Can't reconnect to the same network it disconnected from. Slow reconnecting.

What I have tried (I don't have much knowledge in networking, so just basic stuff)
1. Restart the router
2. Uninstall windows update
3. Restart PC
4. Adjusting antenna on both router and wifi card

Others:
1. My work laptop connection is fine
2. My iPad, and phone connection are fine, when I'm losing internet connection I tried to load website from my phone, and it loaded quickly.

Wifi card: TP Link TL-WDN4800 (PCIE). bought 2017, no new driver, last official driver was 2014
Router: Asus RT AC58U, bought 2019.

Please help me troubleshoot:
1. Is it possible that my Wifi card is dying? It is still working fine and detected in my hardware configuration. I don't want to rush buying a new one and still having the same problem afterward.
2. Is windows update is at fault here? Previously I had windows update destroyed my wifi connection, but I uninstalled all recent updates after March 2021, except some that is can't be uninstalled.
3. Or is it something else?

Attached is my windows update history right now.
current version: Windows 10 Pro 64bit 10.0.19041 Build 19041

If my wifi card is dying, I'm planning to buy TP Link Archer T6E. Any recommendation will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Jetster]

Couple of things to try. If you're on the 5.0 switch to 2.4. Try disabling the nic then re-enable it. I don't think your card is dying

 

[joemama]

Maybe try reinstalling your card's driver?

 

[lemoncarbonate]

Couple of things to try. If you're on the 5.0 switch to 2.4. Try disabling the nic then re-enable it. I don't think your card is dying

How do I do that? Honestly I'm not savvy in networking and wifi things. Thank you.

Maybe try reinstalling your card's driver?

Forgot to mention, I already did, but doesn't repair anything. The latest driver was also from 2014 lol.

 

[Jetster]

Lower right wifi right click you should have both 2.4 and 5.0. Try 2.4

To disable the adapter. Search ethernet settings, change adapter options on the right. Right click and disable, then enable

 

[lemoncarbonate]

Lower right wifi right click you should have both 2.4 and 5.0. Try 2.4

To disable the adapter. Search ethernet settings, change adapter options on the right. Right click and disable, then enable

Thanks. I'm already on 2.4 (please see attached). Did not see any options to change. I also googled how to change it, but it doesn't seem applicable to my card.
I disabled and re-enabled the wifi too, but still having trouble, even for posting this reply.

In task manager, it looks like it's not receiving or sending any data at all. the graph is totally flat or low when I tried to opening web or running speed test.
Now it's disconnecting every few seconds and having trouble to reconnect.

This has never happened before 2 days ago. Something is clearly wrong but I don't know what it is.

 

[Jetster]

Sorry I didn't check your adapter. Get an AC wireless adapter. The one you have is a N900. Even a USB one would be better than what you have

The TP Link Archer T6E would be fine or the Archer T3U

Keep in mind, if its on another floor, or far way get one with an antenna

 

[Mussels]

I mean... have you checked the wifi aerials are intact and not damaged?

Google fu shows it's an Atheros AR9380

Try this generic 2019 driver?
Qualcomm/Atheros Wireless Lan Drivers Version 10.0.3.462 WHQL (station-drivers.com)


I recall BS with another adaptor like this from TP link (look it may even be the same card) where i had to change an advanced option to force it to 5GHz, to get full speeds when my 2.4 and 5ghz shared an SSID name, and then swap it back to auto if i wanted 2.4 to work

 

[lemoncarbonate]

Sorry I didn't check your adapter. Get an AC wireless adapter. The one you have is a N900. Even a USB one would be better than what you have

The TP Link Archer T6E would be fine or the Archer T3U

Keep in mind, if its on another floor, or far way get one with an antenna

No worries. So is this N900 likely an old and bad model?
It was working fine until 2 days ago. Well if I recall again, it did disconnect from network several times before, but it has never been this severe.

Thank you for the recommendation, I'm on another floor, I'll definitely need one with antennas.

I mean... have you checked the wifi aerials are intact and not damaged?

Are those the antenna thing on the back of the card? nothing is damaged in particular.

 

[Jetster]

No worries. So is this N900 likely an old and bad model?
It was working fine until 2 days ago. Well if I recall again, it did disconnect from network several times before, but it has never been this severe.

Thank you for the recommendation, I'm on another floor, I'll definitely need one with antennas.


Are those the antenna thing on the back of the card? nothing is damaged in particular.

802.11 N was always notorious for drops if its on another floor. AC is a game changer. But both need to be AC

 

[P4-630]

Get an 802.11ac router and get one of these:

USB-AC68｜Adapters｜ASUS Global

www.asus.com

 

[Jetster]

Get an 802.11ac router and get one of these:

USB-AC68｜Adapters｜ASUS Global

www.asus.com

He's got a Asus RT AC58U MU-MIMO just an N adapter

 

[Mussels]

Just avoid the old TP links, they're super cheap around here and often passed off very fast due to terrible drivers

Edup is also a cheapo brand, but this is an intel chipset (and a stupidly fast one, at that)

Amazon.com: EDUP PCIe WiFi 6 Card Bluetooth 5.1 AX 3000 Mbps AX200 Dual Band 5.GHz/2.4GHz

bluetooth requires a USB header on mobo, totally optional

 

[micropage7]

Thanks. I'm already on 2.4 (please see attached). Did not see any options to change. I also googled how to change it, but it doesn't seem applicable to my card.
I disabled and re-enabled the wifi too, but still having trouble, even for posting this reply.

In task manager, it looks like it's not receiving or sending any data at all. the graph is totally flat or low when I tried to opening web or running speed test.
Now it's disconnecting every few seconds and having trouble to reconnect.

This has never happened before 2 days ago. Something is clearly wrong but I don't know what it is.

just to check what setting that you run? 20mhz or 40 mhz on 2.5 ghz?

 

[lemoncarbonate]

Thank you for all your replies and help.
Update: last night my wifi was weirdly working fine, I saw 999ms ping drop for few seconds multiple times in game though (usually around 90-150ms), and youtube buffers occasionally.
And now as I'm typing this, my connection also seems fine. I did not make any change in setting or setup.
But just in case the same problem may happen again anytime in crucial time, I need to take precaution.

Edit: I retract my word. I lost connection when I tried posting this reply.

Google fu shows it's an Atheros AR9380

Try this generic 2019 driver?
Qualcomm/Atheros Wireless Lan Drivers Version 10.0.3.462 WHQL (station-drivers.com)


I recall BS with another adaptor like this from TP link (look it may even be the same card) where i had to change an advanced option to force it to 5GHz, to get full speeds when my 2.4 and 5ghz shared an SSID name, and then swap it back to auto if i wanted 2.4 to work

Just avoid the old TP links, they're super cheap around here and often passed off very fast due to terrible drivers

Edup is also a cheapo brand, but this is an intel chipset (and a stupidly fast one, at that)

Amazon.com: EDUP PCIe WiFi 6 Card Bluetooth 5.1 AX 3000 Mbps AX200 Dual Band 5.GHz/2.4GHz

bluetooth requires a USB header on mobo, totally optional

Thank you, I'll try the new driver. I'll be sure to check how recent it is before buying new card. I did not think that far when buying this WDN4800 back in 2017.

just to check what setting that you run? 20mhz or 40 mhz on 2.5 ghz?

How to check? Supposedly at 2.4GHz.

802.11 N was always notorious for drops if its on another floor. AC is a game changer. But both need to be AC

Will there be any significant improvement if I use both AC? I had RT AC58U as router. I mean improvement in terms of such ping, stability, etc. Router is on first floor, my PC is on 2nd floor.

 

[eidairaman1]

Make sure the wifi adapter and router are not obstructed by enclosures.

I prefer antennas with flex wire so it can be moved out from back of case.

 

[lemoncarbonate]

Make sure the wifi adapter and router are not obstructed by enclosures.

I prefer antennas with flex wire so it can be moved out from back of case.

Hi, it's never been obstructed by anything. The router has been in the same open position forever (1st F, I'm on 2nd F)
My wifi card has antennas on the back of my case, I suspected at first that my aluminum case could become an obstruction, but it has never been a problem for over 4 years.

 

[Mussels]

Thank you for all your replies and help.
Update: last night my wifi was weirdly working fine, I saw 999ms ping drop for few seconds multiple times in game though (usually around 90-150ms), and youtube buffers occasionally.
And now as I'm typing this, my connection also seems fine. I did not make any change in setting or setup.
But just in case the same problem may happen again anytime in crucial time, I need to take precaution.

Edit: I retract my word. I lost connection when I tried posting this reply.



Thank you, I'll try the new driver. I'll be sure to check how recent it is before buying new card. I did not think that far when buying this WDN4800 back in 2017.


How to check? Supposedly at 2.4GHz.


Will there be any significant improvement if I use both AC? I had RT AC58U as router. I mean improvement in terms of such ping, stability, etc. Router is on first floor, my PC is on 2nd floor.

Best idea for now is to find a cheap wifi 6 like the intels, because you simply know those chipsets are newer

You could tell how fast the connection is from windows, and that would give us plenty of info as to its connection type (450Mb or under, probably 2.4Ghz. Locked to 65 or 150, and we know its lower bandwidth, etc)

 

[eidairaman1]

Hi, it's never been obstructed by anything. The router has been in the same open position forever (1st F, I'm on 2nd F)
My wifi card has antennas on the back of my case, I suspected at first that my aluminum case could become an obstruction, but it has never been a problem for over 4 years, until 3 days ago.

Make sure wifi router is on 2nd floor.

 

[Mussels]

Make sure wifi router is on 2nd floor.

That might not be possible. He could obviously circumvent the issue with homeplug (ethernet over power), new wifi adaptor, really long cable, or a bunch of other alternatives - the goal is fixing the wifi adaptor that did work and now doesnt

 

[Jetster]

Could also be interference from other 2.4 devices on the same channel. But changing to an AC network adapter should fix it
I know my old N router would not even reach upstairs back room. AC does with both 2.4 and 5.0

 

[lemoncarbonate]

Best idea for now is to find a cheap wifi 6 like the intels, because you simply know those chipsets are newer

You could tell how fast the connection is from windows, and that would give us plenty of info as to its connection type (450Mb or under, probably 2.4Ghz. Locked to 65 or 150, and we know its lower bandwidth, etc)

I saw some generic unbranded or unknown brand of Intel AX200 Wifi 6, quite cheap, same price as TPLink Archer T6E, but I dont know if it can be trusted for long term..

Make sure wifi router is on 2nd floor.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to move it to 2nd floor
As I said, it's been fine since 2017, the problem occurred just very recently, which I'm trying to figure it out.

Could also be interference from other 2.4 devices on the same channel. But changing to an AC network adapter should fix it
I know my old N router would not even reach upstairs. AC does with both 2.4 and 5.0

That's good to know. I'll be sure to take AC when I end up buying a new one.

I'm trying some generic drivers right now, if it doesn't work maybe I have to assume my wifi card is failing.

 

[phanbuey]

what helped me for my laptop was setting the band in device manager to one band -- that got rid of my drops.

 

[Mussels]

what helped me for my laptop was setting the band in device manager to one band -- that got rid of my drops.

i needed to do that for my two atheros devices as well, it was an issue a W10 update introduced at some point (pretty sure i mentioned this earlier, may have been another thread)

 

[lemoncarbonate]

Update: Hey guys! So I bought the Archer T6E, swapped it, installed the driver, and unfortunately the problem still exists

I rarely get disconnected anymore, but I'm still getting random speed drop.
Here you can see my phone on the left and my PC on the right.
Both are connected to the same network. My maximum speed is around 45Mbps, I'm pretty happy with 25 on 2nd floor. 20-30 Mbps is what I usually got before.

1. I did the test both separately and at the same time. Both are showing almost the same result, 20 something on phone, and 0,5-2 on PC.
2. Signals are strong. I doubt signal was the issue.
3. VPN is off when testing.
4. Not only the speedtest, the actual speed is also slow.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY WIFI?? I'm so frustrated.
Will a clean install help? It's the last thing I want to do because I have many softwares installed...

Additional info: I don't know if this matters or not, but apparently only my download speed is affected, the upload speed mostly stays the same (see 2nd attachment)