Anyone with Killer Wireless 1103 having connectivity issues?

Hey I want to make sure that no one else is having this same problem before I begin changing a bunch of settings in my router.

I've got a very solid wireless connection that has been working like a charm since I got to this apartment. The last several days though, it has been getting more and more "flaky" ...

I will often lose my wireless completely, and it will have to "reacquire" the network... this happens in as fast as a few seconds sometimes, and other times requires me to physically go in disconnect from the network and reconnect.

I have tried all the tricks that I know of. I've set my router to broadcast wifi on an uncrowded channel. I've tried rebooting both the modem and router multiple times. I've updated my Killer Wireless drivers to the latest version as well. No such luck.

Sometimes (like right now) it seems to work for hours at a time. Last night, I had a fit trying to get it to stop "losing" the network. After forgetting and re-logging into my wifi I got it to stick.

Today I found out that Windows 7 had enabled the firewall (which I didn't ask it to do) and it was conflicting with the Comodo Security that I already have. I disabled the windows firewall and my wireless speed tripled instantly.... which was awesome... but still doesn't fix these random disconnects that I get.

This problem is really annoying. I don't want to drag Cat-5 cables all over my apartment (but I will if I have to I guess). At this point, I can't do long downloads of any kind. Online gaming is near impossible because I disconnect every time. The worst part of it is that I never know when it's going to happen. - Sometimes my connection works fine for an hour, sometimes for half an hour, sometimes it fails every 5 minutes. I can never tell.

I notice instantly when the connection is lost because you'll click a link or something and it'll get stuck "loading" or even time out. Youtube videos will stop, etc..

When this wifi "hiccup" goes down, all devices I have lose connection as well. My phone loses connection to the wifi at the same time my laptop does. This tells me it's gotta be the router.

I dunno, I'm at a loss here guys... what am I doing wrong? All this stuff worked perfectly up until a few days ago. Is my Cable provider just crappy or is this something wrong with my setup?

 

I had similar issues. I got my M17X on Feb.6th. Drivers on Killer card were out of date. Use latest ones on My Dell Downloads. It has been rock solid ever since the change. I never had phone loss, just my M17X was connecting & dropping out at varying frequent intervals. Drove me nuts.

 

Have you looked at the wi-fi signles around you? Use something like this Download inSSIDer and Discover the Wi-Fi Networks Around You | MetaGeek especially in apartments maybe someone new moved in or someone got a new router and the waves are crossing

 

Should I update my drivers from the Dell site? I installed the latest from the Killer Wireless site.... driver version: 6.1.0.298

This is an awesome app, and yes that was one of the first things I tried. I got my router to broadcast at a much less crowded channel. Unfortunately I'm still getting random little disconnects.

 

I agree with your diagnosis that it is the router. If you have multiple devices showing the same symptoms, it is not the PC.

Follow these steps:

1. Reset the router to factory default settings, leave it for a half hour, then set it up again. If that does not help, move to step 2.

2. Go to the routers manufacturer website and download the latest firmware. Reflash the firmware (even if it is the same version as you currently have). Setup the router again, as before. If problems persist, move to step 3.

3. Do a 30-30-30 reset of the router. This is done by holding the reset button on the router (the physical one) for 30 full seconds (use a stopwatch), then unplug the power while still holding the reset button and keep power off for 30 seconds. Then Plug it back in and keep holding the button for another 30 seconds. Just so we are clear on this, you will be holding the reset button for a total of a minute and a half. Set the router back up with minimal security for troubleshooting. If problems persist, go to step 4.

4. Try another router (borrow an old one from a friend if you can). It is possible that your wireless radio on your router can be dying. This happened to me not long ago. Borrowing can help you eliminate anything else in the way of interference before you go out and buy another router.

 

darkDomino, many people have issues with the bigfoot drivers.

You need to remove all that and install the athero's drivers ASAP.

You can reference my instructions in this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/640883-m17x-r3-killer-n-wifi-issues.html

 

Killer 1103 is useless without that crappy manager My opinion is to use intel 6300