WiFi for Dell XPS-13 9350

I’m having a problem with the Bluetooth on my Dell XPS-13 9350 laptop. After speaking to Dell tech, they believe it may be a faulty WiFi card. Based on some other recommendations, I just purchased an Intel 8265NGW adapter but now realize this may not be compatible with my machine. Can anyone tell me if this will work for me?

Thanks,
Steve K.

 

Did you use your Service Tag to at Dell to find out which model and hardware it uses. That way you can make sure you get the right wifi device to replace it.

 

@EssKayKay The Intel 7265/8260/8265/9260/AX200/AX210 or just about any standard M.2 WiFi card should be fine with the 9350. I put an AX210 in my sister's 9350, you can upgrade similarly with any other Dell that an M.2 WiFi slot. Newer ones like the XPS 9370 have WiFi cards that are soldered on however and not upgradable.

Try uninstalling the previous WiFi driver Qualcomm/Broadcom/Intel whichever it may be and, I'd get the latest WiFi drivers directly from Intel's website for the 8265:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/59485/Wireless

 

Thanks Guys,
Yes, i did update to the latest drive from Dell's website. This included paying Dell $100 for support of which the tech then also downloaded numerous drivers to see if he could get it to work - he could not. So, Dell is going to reimburse me the $100.

I then looked online for other persons with similar XPS 13 Bluetooth problems. Their recommendation was to replace the OEM WiFi with an Intel 8265NGW. My question though is I did not verify it was being installed in an XPS 13 9350. However, I think they may have been talking about the next version which I believe is a 9365.

I will download the driver from Intel's site when I get the card. I'll keep you posted.

Again, much appreciated,
SKK

 

So did you use the Dell Service Tag to find out which model would fit yours? Swapping doesn't always work. So unless you want to toss money away without first looking at the Dell Service Tag to find what hardware works this will be 50/50 DIY.

 

OP, yeah check the tag to make sure you have the right model year and go ahead and order the 8265AC or better yet the AX210 since its not that much higher in cost. If it has an m.2 WIFi slot it will work regardless of which Dell model which is most Dell laptops over the past 5-6 or so years including the XPS 9350 and 9360... unless it's an XPS 9370 or newer in which case the WiFi card is soldered on and not user replaceable.

If its a very old 2012/13 era model with an mpcie slot then it would use an Intel 7260ac or any equivalent Broadcom/Qualcomm card with an mpcie pinout.

 

No, I did not specifically ask the tech that. I found the suggestion online (and we know what that can lead to). If the 8265 works I'll be happy. I'll keep you posted.

 

@EssKayKay 8265 is ancient and slow, you should get AX200 or AX210 (same card, but AX210 supports 6Ghz channels, while AX200 doesn't and costs much less).

 

Well Good News/Bad News (mostly good). I received the Intel 8825 WiFi adapter today and installed. It works fine.

Here’s the kicker. When I attempted to disconnect the antenna connectors from the old Broadcom WiFi card the left one (white) came off just fine; the right one (black) was very tight. I carefully attempted to disconnect it but the socket that is soldered to the chip ripped of the chip. So now I had a disconnected antenna cable with the socket still inside the cable connector. I had to attempt to pry off/dig out the broken socket that was inside the black antenna connector. After numerous attempts I finally was successful in removing the old “frozen” socket from inside the connector and was able to reconnect the black antenna cable to the new 8825. I fired up the laptop and “whew” – all worked fine (both WiFi and Bluetooth).

Based on recomendations, it was suggested I upgrade to the Intel AX200 rather than an 8825 as it is BT 5.0 compliant vs. 4.2. Therefore, it was my original intent that if the 8825 worked I would purchase an AX200 as a “functioning” 8825 would assure me the problem was a bad OEM WiFi chip and not something more serious. BUT, after what happened here I am going to stay with the 8825. I’m just a bit freaked over breaking the solder connection on my old chip. So, because for the most part the 8825 does what I want I’m OKAY for now – kind of “if it works don’t fix it”. . . .

Thanks all,
SKK

 

@EssKayKay you can still sell the damaged module for low price to someone handy with a soldering station. Good thing you managed to recover the antenna.

 

Yes, really glad I didn't break the antenna connector which could have happened. The 8825 only cost me $7.00 so it was really quite reasonable. I think I'll just let it go and chalk the up to experience.

Again, my thanks. . .
SKK

 

If you do decide to swap it out for an AX go with the AX210 and skip the AX200. It will perform better and more reliably than the AX200.

 

Yeah the AX210 is a better buy since they can be had at similar prices but either is fine. AX210 is no more reliable than the AX200. It just adds 6E (6 Ghz) support. Performance characteristics are the same for both on 2.4/5 GHz as I have a mix of both models, and that's essentially what Intel has said to me as well. If you had differences, it's probably down to your particular card or the fact that drivers have changed for the better since.

Either way OP stated they intended stick with the 8265 regardless earlier.

 

I had some oddities with the AX200 that were resolved with the AX210 regardless of 6E or not. Since they're the same price ~$25 it was a nice perk of swapping from one to the other to have more stability.