Wifi problem: Can't connect to this network

T

Tomaz

Member
Hi,
I got my new computer a couple of days ago and I'm having problems connecting (and keeping connected) to wifi networks. It worked for the first day more or less, but then it just went downhill - constant disconnects, wouldn't connect for quite some time, then it worked again out of a sudden, then it didn't work again for a longer period, and so on (with often spikes where lag would go into 2000ms or even when connection wouldn't work at all - at the same time, my laptop connected to the same network had normal 20ms ping responses). I'm at the point when it doesn't work at all. I've tried everything - network reset, uninstalled driver, reboots (with fast boot turned off), shutting down computer for hours (with power cable removed), etc. It's not my router problem for sure, since I tried my neighbour's wifi and my phone's hotspot, which are all different networks and it always returns same problem: "Can't connect to this network". So I thought it was hardware, but then just to be sure I tried booting up Ubuntu from boot usb and internet worked there. So I assume it must be something with Windows 10.

Any idea what I can try next, or did anyone experience similar problems? I have a "SCHEDA PCI-E WIRELESS 802.11N 300 Mbps/2,4 GHz" (or so is written in my order info at the Italian PCS site).
 
JakAttack

JakAttack

Resident Metalhead
Staff member
Moderator
It seems like something is interfering with it, good shout on the Ubuntu test. It's like a second opinion ready to go :)

I know the antennae on this model are physically attached and cannot be removed.

Can you go to Device Manager and strip out the driver by uninstalling it (please press 'Remove Driver Software' if asked) and then reboot the machine, see how it behaves, if it doesn't behave we'll find an alternative driver (also check for AV/Internet security WLAN protection as this can be a bother).

If this doesn't work we have other options.
 
T

Tomaz

Member
OK I did as you said, the internet is currently working, although not very stable. I did uninstall wifi adapter myself before (not from the device manager, not sure if that makes the difference?) and it didn't work, so it's all a mystery to me. Currently I have random spikes although there is no traffic on my network, as shown in this screenshot:

connection 1.png


I tried downloading at max speed as well (about 8 MBps) and didn't have spikes at that point, so it seems those are not traffic related at all. See the next screenshot to see what I mean:

connection 2.png


Anyways, my internet is working right now, and it has been working for an hour so that's a progress. The driver that Windows installed after I uninstalled it and rebooted is the same as before ("Realtek RTL8192EE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC"). Maybe I could install some other driver?
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
T

Tomaz

Member
OK I tried installing the one from the link, and been running computer whole day today and it is not working well. Lots of timeouts, spikes, then it works then it doesn't, and so on. Interestingly, when I wake up computer from being away, it usually causes the connection to time out. I remember having similar problems a year ago or so on my laptop.
Anyway, after uninstalling current driver and installing the one from the link, device manager shows the same name as network wifi adapter, I guess that is OK? ("Realtek RTL8192EE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC").

What else can I try?
 
T

Tomaz

Member
JakAttack said:
Just in case Realtek's driver can help - try here: https://www.realtek.com/en/component/zoo/category/rtl8192ee-software

Go for the 2nd (PCI-Express) option. Try installing this and see if it helps, if its the same let me know we can look at replacing the card for you.
Click to expand...
I tried the second driver but it was even worse - I couldn't connect at all to any network. I then uninstalled it, installed the other one, couldn't connect neither. Did a lot of restarts and experimentation, but right now I just can't connect to any network. I even tried putting the wifi card in a different PCI slot, but it didn't change anything. If I boot up Ubuntu, it works. So it's just beyond me. I disabled all antivirus/firewalls that I could (I use ESET Internet Security), but it doesn't change anything.

I wonder, no one else had this problem? I assume lots of people have this card on PCP computers, right? I just don't understand what's wrong (it doesn't seem to be hardware related, since it works on Ubuntu). Any other ideas?
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
Tomaz said:
I tried the second driver but it was even worse - I couldn't connect at all to any network. I then uninstalled it, installed the other one, couldn't connect neither. Did a lot of restarts and experimentation, but right now I just can't connect to any network. I even tried putting the wifi card in a different PCI slot, but it didn't change anything. If I boot up Ubuntu, it works. So it's just beyond me. I disabled all antivirus/firewalls that I could (I use ESET Internet Security), but it doesn't change anything.

I wonder, no one else had this problem? I assume lots of people have this card on PCP computers, right? I just don't understand what's wrong (it doesn't seem to be hardware related, since it works on Ubuntu). Any other ideas?
Click to expand...
Did you delete the driver from device manager before installing the realtek one?
 
T

Tomaz

Member
Yes, I did. Several times.
I just found other people having same problem with Tenda W322N - on reddit, one comment on amazon.it, and also here on this forum:

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/threads/network-adapter-issues.68376/

New PC but slow Wifi

Hi! Recently purchased a new PC from PCS. When I started it up for the first time, I ran a few tests and one of them was a simple internet speed test (by Google and Ookla). They both measured speeds of about 30-40mbps which was much different to the 250-300mbps I'm receiving on other devices in...
www.pcspecialist.co.uk www.pcspecialist.co.uk

limited or no internet

Hi My new pc has arrived but the internet speed is very slow and it keeps disconnecting. Other devices on the network are fine. The pc came with a CD with network card drivers on it but the pc has no CD drive... The specification just says it's WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD...
www.pcspecialist.co.uk www.pcspecialist.co.uk
 
Last edited:
Martinr36

Martinr36

MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Tomaz said:
Yes, I did. Several times.
I just found other people having same problem with Tenda W322N - on reddit, one comment on amazon.it, and also here on this forum:

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/threads/network-adapter-issues.68376/

New PC but slow Wifi

Hi! Recently purchased a new PC from PCS. When I started it up for the first time, I ran a few tests and one of them was a simple internet speed test (by Google and Ookla). They both measured speeds of about 30-40mbps which was much different to the 250-300mbps I'm receiving on other devices in...
www.pcspecialist.co.uk www.pcspecialist.co.uk

limited or no internet

Hi My new pc has arrived but the internet speed is very slow and it keeps disconnecting. Other devices on the network are fine. The pc came with a CD with network card drivers on it but the pc has no CD drive... The specification just says it's WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD...
www.pcspecialist.co.uk www.pcspecialist.co.uk
Click to expand...
I'd recommend, changing the card to an AX200, maybe @JakAttack can sort you something out if you pay the slight difference between the 2 cards
 
T

Tomaz

Member
After quite some time of trying to fix this issue, I finally ordered a new wifi card via Amazon which works perfectly. In the meantime, I received another wifi card from PCS but didn't work either since it uses the same Realtek chip and hence the same driver (I tried all kinds of drivers with that card, having the same problem). So in my case the only solution that I found was to change the wifi card - if anyone else stumbles upon this problem, just change the card and don't waste your time trying to fix it :)
 
JakAttack

JakAttack

Resident Metalhead
Staff member
Moderator
Yeh, we probably should have gone down the AX200 route. Sorry Tomaz, glad you got it sorted either way.
 
Scott

Scott

Behold The Ford Mondeo
Moderator
I'm often wary of that particular Wifi card as we constantly have troubleshooting issues with it.

@JakAttack, do you think it would be possible to pull this card as an option? I know that it's to offer a budget solution but with the AX200 being very affordable it may not be worth having such a troublesome option.

We never recommend it on any of the builds on here due to how much hassle it causes the end users, and no doubt PCS with troubleshooting & RMA-ing.
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
Scott said:
I'm often wary of that particular Wifi card as we constantly have troubleshooting issues with it.

@JakAttack, do you think it would be possible to pull this card as an option? I know that it's to offer a budget solution but with the AX200 being very affordable it may not be worth having such a troublesome option.

We never recommend it on any of the builds on here due to how much hassle it causes the end users, and no doubt PCS with troubleshooting & RMA-ing.
Click to expand...
there does seem to be a terminal issie with the drivers, we could work around it up until a few months ago, but now its almost impossible to resolve
 
Scott

Scott

Behold The Ford Mondeo
Moderator
SpyderTracks said:
there does seem to be a terminal issie with the drivers, we could work around it up until a few months ago, but now its almost impossible to resolve
Click to expand...

Indeed and just thinking as well, even when fully functioning the card isn't the best. It just isn't in keeping with modern standards, or IMO PCS's standard of component. Even if we didn't have the troubleshooting issues I don't think we would ever recommend it in a build when the AX200 is there and a much more relevant choice.
 
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