Surface Pro 3 - Windows 10 - WiFi (slow or limited connectivity )

Anonymous
2015-07-30T14:16:39+00:00

Have a Surface Pro 3 that worked fine till I updated to Win10.  Now the wireless connection seems to randomly go to a "limited connectivity" mode.  Fortunately was purchased from Costco a coupe of weeks ago so it is going back there if we can't get this figured out by Sunday.

The Surface Pro3 is a flagship device - why in the world would you subject your customers to have to resort to looking for help in forums like this?

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2015-11-13T10:20:54+00:00

Everyone,

Build 10586 - the November Windows 10 update - was released yesterday, and it contains a newer Marvell wireless driver 15.68.9032.47 - people are reporting that this greatly improves wireless connectivity. Please download the large update, and if you used the registry hack, reverse it as follows:

Press Windows button. Search for regedit. Open it

  1. Navigate to the following path:

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\mrvlpcie8897

  1. Find the item labeled “TXAMSDU”. Double tap and modify the value from 0 to 1
  2. Restart the machine

Then test your connectivity, and post results.

Was this answer helpful?

40+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2015-11-13T10:44:26+00:00

Fred,

the November Windows 10 update to build 10586 has new wireless drivers. Can you download and install the update (it should be offered via WU) and let us know if this changes your connectivity?

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2015-08-05T18:12:39+00:00

Penny,

These kinds of issues WERE present on 8.1 for months but they mostly all cleared after several driver updates.

And that particular router is not one known to exhibit slow wifi. I'm suggesting you trade it because it is SP new and you can now get one with 10 pre-installed and not have to go through an upgrade AND because you have this issue. Getting it swapped will rule out a hardware issue and would be a step forward.

This is what *I* would do if in this situation.

For what it's worth - Microsoft needs to fix the driver and any underlying Win 10 OS issues. It took them 9 months to get a "good" Windows 8.1 wireless driver. For now, consider an external USB wireless adapter. I carry around a http://www.amazon.com/Edimax-EW-7811UTC-Dual-Band-Connectivity-Exceeding/dp/B00FW6T36Y

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments

417 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-01-19T16:27:46+00:00

    Yes, I detest that refresh/reset response to wifi issues. But unless you open a support case on the IT side and get escalated, that is the type of response you get. You'll get better info from technically knowledgeable customers here in the Forum.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-19T16:11:15+00:00

    A couple of things - Wireless 2.4GHz (b/g/n) shares the same channels as Bluetooth. This isn't a Microsoft thing, it's a consequence of how these protocols were established. You can search for information that explains this. You MIGHT get some relief by configuring your TG788vn for a specific channel/change the channel, etc. You WILL have better performance if you got yourself a newer 802.11ac router and configured it as an access point, connect it to your router and connect to the 5GHz SSID.

    You mentioned a similar issue in this discussion thread http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro3-surfhardware/surface-pro-3-problems-with-wifi-and-bluetooth-how/fff9e3dc-f12c-4231-93f6-4ffb948d54d9

    I know you don't want to hear a suggestion to spend money/buy a different router, but in this case, Bluetooth vs 2.4GHz WiFi isn't just a problem with the Surface. Lot's of other things that operate in the 2.4GHz band cause issues with 2.4GHz WiFi - older cordless phones, microwaves, etc.

    Dear Barb, thanks for replying.

    I am fully aware that 2.4 GHz Wifi and bluetooth frequencies tend to interfere and that this is not a Microsoft problem - it has to do with the way the protocols were formed way back as you point out correctly. However, I have other PC equipment where use of the Bluetooth together with Wifi does not pose any problems, i.e. still operating on b/g/n and using Bluetooth.

    Changing the Wifi channels does not resolve problems (have tried every channel from 1-13 [EU]). Usually I use 1, 6 or 11 to minimize interference with other Wifi networks. There are no cordless phones or microwaves or other gear operating within this spectrum in the vicinity.

    My conclusion is that Marvell AVASTAR really is poor performing chip that should be avoided at any costs.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments