Acer Switch 10 sw5-012-11hg wlan problem

JMP
JMP Member Posts: 6 New User
in 2015 Archives

I bought a new switch 10 and have been using it for a couple of weeks. I have a problem with it. The wlan connection keeps dropping out about once a day. The problem is clearly in the device because my phone and other laptop are working still fine with wlan. It also happens in different wlan networks so its not limited to a specific wlan.

 

I can use the windows self repair option to fix it, I think it just reboots the wlan hardware somehow. After that it works fine for a while, until it happens again. At first this wasnt a big deal, but now after having to go through this every single day I use the computer, Im getting fed up with this. Switching the wlan on/off doesnt fix it, so the windows repair option is needed for this.

 

Have you seen this problem? Is there a fix for it? There are no updated drivers available for wlan hw. Or should the bios be updated? Anything to fix it? I cannot live with this problem. If there is no fix, I would rather just return the computer and get asus device instead.

Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,246 Trailblazer

    I've been using my Switch for a bit over a month now and seldom see any WiFi issues. I'm looking at four bars right now with the tablet about 20' from the router with two walls inbetween. What kind of sugnal strength are you seeing? Coould you try running inSSIDer to get an indication if the problem is antenna related or chipset issues?

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • JMP
    JMP Member Posts: 6 New User
    Im seeing usually all the bars, not sure how many there are. The router is in the same room so its not really an issue with signal strenght. I can check the sw you mentioned..
  • JMP
    JMP Member Posts: 6 New User

    Ok, I played around with the inssider. I have a link score of 100., wlan signal is fine.

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,246 Trailblazer

    So you are not running into any issues with signal strength. That means we're likely either after a driver problem or hardware issues with the bluetooth/WiFi module. Next time it happens take a look at the event log and see if the driver is throwing an exception (if so it'll be recorded as an error). Does it tend to happen after a certain amount of usage or in a certain temperature environment? If you can test bluetooth, perhaps with a set of bluetooth speakers or a headset, try and see if they both go **bleep** up at the same time.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • JMP
    JMP Member Posts: 6 New User

    Im not using bluetooth, its off. I checked the event log and I can see that all the disconnection problems are there. They all seem to have event id 1014: DNS Client Events as a source.

  • JMP
    JMP Member Posts: 6 New User

    I tried disabling ipv6, lets see if that helps..

     

  • tobeco
    tobeco Member Posts: 1 New User

    i have the exact same issue, my wifi connection drops from time to time. I lose the connection for some time and then its start working again after a while, very frustrating. and its not any issue with the strength on the signal, usally i sitt either in the sofa at the tv or at the fireplace and these places are at maximum 2 meter from an accesspoint, so i have 5/5 in signal strength, no other device phone, computer or other tablet have this issue.

     

    usually it starts with a notation in windows saying that the network access is limited, then i cant even access the network router. then i get the * sign on the connection, and after that it disconnects, and after a while i can connect to the network again and it starts to work after 10-60 seconds

  • JMP
    JMP Member Posts: 6 New User
    I still have the same problem. I also dont have 5GHz wlan functionality?? Im getting fed up with this pos device. I would send this to be repaired, but Im sure that they would not find anything to repair and I would just end up being without a computer for a few weeks and I need it. This was my first and last Acer device.
  • michael07
    michael07 Member Posts: 12

    Tinkerer

    The  sw5-012 has wifi mono band ...

  • renesys
    renesys Member Posts: 10 New User

    I have the same problem... Any solutions?

  • tsukamil
    tsukamil Member Posts: 3 New User

    Well, i have similar problem with my Switch 11 (one out of few). Sometimes WLAN connection just stops working and for example after clicking "disconnect" button acer cant see any wireless connection. I must restart it and it works fine later till the next issue. Probably its software problem. Any tries to solve this? 

  • virsingh3
    virsingh3 Member Posts: 6 New User

    JMP is right - this is an Acer problem, and when you send in the laptop, they find nothing wrong with it and send it back to you.  I've sent it in twice, and I have compiled a few threads of people with this problem at this thread here

     

    http://community.acer.com/t5/Windows-Tablets/Broadcom-802-11-abgn-Wireless-SDIO-adapter-device-is-not-working/m-p/331019

     

    Maybe we should consider a class action suit?

  • f3flight
    f3flight Member Posts: 13 New User

    Fellas, if your device has the same wifi as mine (Realtek RTL8723bs SDIO) then you need to update the driver, this post has the right link - http://community.acer.com/t5/Windows-Tablets/Switch-10-64Gb-1920x1200-BSOD-in-standby-sleep-mode/m-p/348360#M14661

    I guess for Broadcom the solution would be the same - check you driver version and Google for a newer version, maybe other manufacturers (HP, Dell, etc.) have it on their support websites.

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    If that does not work. Open a DOS box (CMD) and try running ipconfig/all >>ip.txt before and after it happens and see what it says that is different. Note the time that it dropped out.

     

    For those unfamiliar with the command line,  this will create a file called ip.txt you can open with notepad and the >> will keep it from overwriting itself.

  • virsingh3
    virsingh3 Member Posts: 6 New User

    Uptdate - laptop went in for a third round of what possibly could have been support saying "hey we got it to work for an hour, shipping it back."

     

    This time, before shipping it in, I took photographs of the Acer laptop showing "no networks found" next to another laptop showing six networks found, in multiple situations.  I sent these photographs to support via the "send file" feature of Acer support chat.

     

    I then sent a pleading handwritten letter with my laptop, urging support to fix my issue, telling them how desperate I am for their product to function with internet.  

     

    This strategy has been successful.  Acer has replaced the motherboard and the Switch 10 has worked for 12 hours with no interruption of internet yet.  I will post again if I have any further problems but I (crosses fingers) don't expect to.

     

    Advice for anyone seeing this thread: provide photographic evidence, be prepared to send your laptop in 3 times.  Write a desperate-sounding handwritten letter. God speed.

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