Issues with WiFi on MR45. Have to set adapter to Medium Power Saving

[SebT]

Hi All, we are currently experiencing this problem where our laptops face intermittent connectivity issues with our Meraki APs

All the affected are intel WiFi card on AC. Mainly 8265 & 9650.

Similar to the articles below, this time round we have to set the Wireless Power Saving to Medium Power Saving when plugged in instead of Maximum Performance:

https://community.meraki.com/t5/Wireless-LAN/Issues-with-Lenovo-T470s-laptop-Intel-8260-wireless-NIC... 

https://community.meraki.com/t5/Wireless-LAN/poor-WLAN-quality-with-MR45/m-p/100512#M14855 

https://community.meraki.com/t5/Wireless-LAN/Serious-issue-with-27-1-MR55-and-Intel-Wifi-chipset/m-p... 

Tried contacting support but no answers yet. Anyone facing similar issues? 

[Brash]

Intel Wifi drivers have historically been pretty buggy. Here is a post raised for issues on Intel adapters last month.

https://community.meraki.com/t5/Wireless-LAN/Intel-Wireless-Adapter-Client-loses-internet-connectivi...

See if your issue correlates to a specific driver version, check the release notes etc.

[SebT]

Hi @Brash , doesn't look related to it but we shall give it a try for those affected laptops. thanks!

[cmr]

@SebT this is an Intel driver bug that has been resolved with newer drivers and Meraki firmware.  We had the same a while ago, but resolved it all.

What driver versions are you running and what Meraki APs / firmware?

[SebT]

we are running 28.7.1 for most of APs. gotten support to update a few to 29.4.1, but still experiencing it. Once laptop plugged in, jam the whole damn AP. all clients connected to it will experience ping lost.

[cmr]

@SebT what driver version is the laptop running, that was the main issue (along with needing to turn off power saving on the laptop driver which can be confirmed by connecting the laptop while the external power supply is connected.

[SebT]

I have to check the driver's number again tomorrow. but they are the latest from lenovo/windows update. for now we found the issue mainly from 8265 & 9650

[cmr]

I had to go to the intel website as those locations didn't have recent enough drivers.  Here is a link: Windows® 10 and Windows 11* Wi-Fi Drivers for Intel® Wireless Adapters

[SebT]

Thanks @cmr I'm handing over to my EUC team to check on this if that's the case. terrible that we have to go through this time and time again. i will update here if it's resolved!

[SebT]

Ok we tested with new intel wifi driver still same issue. Until now no remedy from Meraki/Lenovo 

[cmr]

Are they set to maximum performance with all power saving features off?

[SebT]

@cmr yup. When plugged in, default maximum performance which is causing the issue. When unplugged, by default change to medium power saving, ping all returned to normal.