Win 8.1 WiFi Performance

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AcroGimp

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AcroGimp
So I have been suffering from significant WiFi performance issues on my Acer R7 Win 8.1 touch/convertible.

Randomly ceases recognizing the active WiFi network, you have to switch from the 5 gHz to the 2 gHz, sometimes once a day, sometimes every 15-20 minutes. When it acts up again you just switch to the other network.

Latest drivers on the Acer and the new router of course.

Anyone managed to slay this issue - and why the hell hasn't Microsoft figured out something this freaking basic?

Really damn frustrating to have such a fantastic device spec that is marginally useful when on my WiFi network at home - oddly enough though, no issues when hotspotted to my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 but cell service in the canyon we live in is terrible and I wouldn't want to use up my data that way.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

'Gimp
 
I've got it on a non-touch laptop. I should have "downgraded" on day one to 7 Pro since there is no automatic downgrade path. You have to do a fresh 7 Pro install.

I suffer and get along inspite of Windows 8.1. It adds no value and does not enhance my user experience.

That said, no I don't have any trouble with it dropping WiFi.
 
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You can't blame Microsoft... they don't control Acer or the driver developers.
It could be anything. Does it happen to other devices? Are there competing WiFi signals? Have you tried forcing the use of a particular channel?
I had a client who was having serious random WiFi problems. 'Turned out to be competition with wireless security cameras.
Remember this: Everything about WiFi Sucks! The only thing it excels at is convenience. Reliability-Speed-Security: sucks. The new WiFi standards (AC and AX) are addressing many issues.
 
Kiddo's Driver said:
I've gpt it on a non-touch laptop. I should have "downgraded" on day one to 7 Pro since there is no automatic downgrade path. You have to do a fresh 7 Pro install.

I suffer and get along inspite of Windows 8.1. It adds no value and does not enhance my user experience.

That said, no I don't have any trouble with it dropping WiFi.
Click to expand...

This will make your life easier. It is what I am using.
Lays on top of 8 brings 7 look and feel back
http://www.classicshell.net/
 
As mentioned, Microsoft doesn't make wifi hardware or write the drivers. It could be a broken or poorly designed antenna in the Acer. Hav you googled the model to see if anyone else is having the issue. You could call Acer. Take the laptop to a Starbucks and see if you still have the issue. If you don't, it could be interference as mentioned or a bad access point.
 
When I finally figured out what was going on I googled both Acer R7 and Win 8.1 for WiFi issues and based on the number and magnitude of reports the issue looks to be Win 8.1 related, not hardware.

I can't say for sure because the Acer is the only Win 8.1 device in the house and is the only device with the WiFi drops.

Google Win 8/8.1 WiFi drops and be prepared to read, a lot.

When I use my phone's WiFi hotspot for source at my office there are never any issues, only the WiFi at home, so I replaced the oldish router (3-4 yrs old) with a mid-range new router, works better for all devices in the house except the Acer.

Seems like a lot of complaints with respect to how Win 8.1 manages WiFi networks and same issue I have, just craps out after 15-20 minutes sometimes, hours other times, and switching from one band to another seems to fix it.

Have not tried forcing to a single channel, little beyond my normal comfort zone but I'll take a look at that as a possible fix.

Thanks

'Gimp
 
I had wifi issues with my Samsung notebook. I blamed Win 8.1, but it turned out to be Samsung's issue. Got a new device driver and it's been rock solid ever since. I suspect you'll find the same with yours.
 
'Gotta be careful judging computer problems with Google searches, just the fact that there are some hits doesn't prove anything. You can Google virtually any combination of words like "problem", "wifi", "drop", and any version of Windows and get a zillion hits. It just goes to reinforce what I said about Wifi... it often sucks, period.
Get an App like "wifi analyzer" for your smart phone or tablet and check your wifi at home. You must be connected to the wifi. Are there many different networks? What channels are they on. Are they overlapping? Try connecting via a wired connection. The same Windows protocols and services control the wired connection as the wireless one. Try an external usb WiFi connection, they cost a whole $8 on Ebay or Amazon. Just as a diagnostic tool... but more than once I've just ended up leaving it in place (as it worked).
 
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The fact that your device works properly from your hotspot tells me that in all likelihood, the problem is an interference or signal obstruction problem.

It's difficult, and usually fruitless, to diagnose these sorts of issues without doing a site survey. There are dozens of possibilities. Wire lath in walls, competing RF devices, metal HVAC ducts, metallic vapor barriers on insulation, intermittent high-draw unshielded electrical devices (hair dryers, electric water heaters, or air conditioning or refrigeration compressors, for example) are just a few examples.

I used to use Kismet on a Linux laptop to track down these sort of issues. I don't know what they're using nowadays. I do know that the majority of problems like yours are related to neither the device nor the router, but rather are a problem with the site.

-Rich
 
RJM62 said:
The fact that your device works properly from your hotspot tells me that in all likelihood, the problem is an interference or signal obstruction problem.

It's difficult, and usually fruitless, to diagnose these sorts of issues without doing a site survey. There are dozens of possibilities. Wire lath in walls, competing RF devices, metal HVAC ducts, metallic vapor barriers on insulation, intermittent high-draw unshielded electrical devices (hair dryers, electric water heaters, or air conditioning or refrigeration compressors, for example) are just a few examples.

I used to use Kismet on a Linux laptop to track down these sort of issues. I don't know what they're using nowadays. I do know that the majority of problems like yours are related to neither the device nor the router, but rather are a problem with the site.

-Rich
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Thanks Rich. I might try and use the device from different locations in the house and see if the issue persists, if so then you are probably right.

'Gimp
 
CT4ME said:
'Gotta be careful judging computer problems with Google searches, just the fact that there are some hits doesn't prove anything. You can Google virtually any combination of words like "problem", "wifi", "drop", and any version of Windows and get a zillion hits. It just goes to reinforce what I said about Wifi... it often sucks, period.
Get an App like "wifi analyzer" for your smart phone or tablet and check your wifi at home. You must be connected to the wifi. Are there many different networks? What channels are they on. Are they overlapping? Try connecting via a wired connection. The same Windows protocols and services control the wired connection as the wireless one. Try an external usb WiFi connection, they cost a whole $8 on Ebay or Amazon. Just as a diagnostic tool... but more than once I've just ended up leaving it in place (as it worked).
Click to expand...
There is a 50 page thread on the Microsoft Community under the heading "windows-81-wifi-dropping-andor-limited" started in October of 2013 and still going. It has had both user and support engineer inputs and has run the gamut in terms of potential causes and fixes to include device WiFi drivers, IPConfig approaches, forced channel usage, etc.

I was just hoping someone like Rich who actually knows networking well would offer up some specific solutions, as well your idea of forced channel usage or trying an alternate receiver.

It has actually been reasonably stable the past couple days, like when you take your car into the mechanic and it stops making the noise you were worried about...:dunno:

'Gimp
 
AcroGimp said:
There is a 50 page thread on the Microsoft Community under the heading "windows-81-wifi-dropping-andor-limited" started in October of 2013 and still going. It has had both user and support engineer inputs and has run the gamut in terms of potential causes and fixes to include device WiFi drivers, IPConfig approaches, forced channel usage, etc.

I was just hoping someone like Rich who actually knows networking well would offer up some specific solutions, as well your idea of forced channel usage or trying an alternate receiver.

It has actually been reasonably stable the past couple days, like when you take your car into the mechanic and it stops making the noise you were worried about...:dunno:

'Gimp
Click to expand...

Whatever dude. Knowledgeable people did give you advice. Rich gave the same advice that was given in two previous posts. You apparently were just looking for his blessing. Rich is knowledgeable, but for the record I make a good living supporting networking. Forced channel useage is just a way of dealing with interference issues. So far, you haven't made any convincing case that this a problem endemic to Win 8.1. I have been running Win 8.1 on several computers, including my main work laptop, since it's release and have not experienced wifi drop issues that I would blame on the OS.
 
It's unfortunate that most people will never read beyond the title of this thread. Then, at the next cocktail party, they'll tell their friends "I've heard there are problems with Windows 8.1 and Wifi"... and repeat loop. It ends up with things like post #2.
Except for the horrible interface decision (which is easily fixable in seconds) Windows 8 has been solid. Microsoft knows it's an issue of perception and media. So, they'll throw in a few improvements/advancements, fix the interface issue, and call it Windows 9. Then all the cocktail party pundits will claim Microsoft finally "fixed" Windows and all the headlines will say good things, and all the HeadLine Readers will tell their friends.
 
what other wifi devices you have in the house?

Wireless speakers?

Wireless phone?

What freqs do they use? The earlier Panasonic DECT 6.0 phones operate right in the middle of the 5.0ghz band used by many 'n' routers for the high speed side of the system . . . and many many many other wireless 'things' use 2.4ghz which is the freq used by the 'g' side of many routers . . .
 
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Jim_CAK said:
What interface fix are you talking about?
Click to expand...

Startmenu8, Classic Shell, StartisBack, 8StartButton, etc. My fave is StartMenu8 from iobit.com (free). I've put this on dozens of client computers... they don't even know they have Windows 8 now.
 
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