Using a USB WiFi (b/g/n) adapter over internal WiFi (AC) adapter for old router?

Kagelulz

Estimable
Jan 10, 2015
2
0
4,510
So I just purchased my first laptop over $400 (lol), the Lenovo 15 edge, and am extremely disappointed to learn I'm experiencing some kind of incompatibility issue with my wireless card and the old router in my house.

What I believe is the issue is that this card uses 802.11 AC, its an Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160. I have 2 other laptops with non-AC WiFi cards and they reach speeds of 72 mpbs and that speed never really changes. This AC card's maximum is 35 mpbs and frequently goes down to 6-12 mpbs. All have a full WiFi signal. Simple tasks such as web browsing take extremely long. Gaming is impossible. Has anyone heard of this before?

I work in tech support and have done what I consider the basic troubleshooting steps... I've installed/reinstalled the latest drivers, tested it on my college's enterprise network (newer technology) and it ran at 150mpbs no problem, checked third party wifi controller software, turned off firewalls and anti virus protection, released and renewed ip, flushed dns, checked power management settings for the device. Have done tons of research, suggestions to disable bluetooth and ipv6 did not help either. I've also tried switching between the 2.4 and 5 ghz bands with no luck in the device's advanced settings.

My home network is a general WPA-2 network with comcast/xfinity service.

The bad side is i live in a house with terrible roommates and have no idea what the model of the router is because none of us really communicate... I was able to get him to power cycle it but have not had a chance to find out the make or model of it. I am just going to assume it's ancient like everything else in this old house.



 
Solution
You have done all the recommended fixes to troubleshoot the issue.

There are occasions where certain wifi cards do not work well with certain routers.

I would go with a USB wifi adapter from a well known manufacturer and it should bypass the issues you are having.

digitaldoc

Distinguished
Herald
You have done all the recommended fixes to troubleshoot the issue.

There are occasions where certain wifi cards do not work well with certain routers.

I would go with a USB wifi adapter from a well known manufacturer and it should bypass the issues you are having.
 
Solution