Windows 11 with AX210/AX211 unable to see 6GHz network using the latest drivers.

Anonymous
2022-07-09T21:22:19+00:00

I recently bought a new Asus 6E (6GHz) router, and I have four newer laptops with Intel AX210 and AX211 wireless cards installed, all running Windows 11 or Windows 10 Professional.  Two of these computers came with Windows 11 Professional and the AX210/AX211 wireless cards new, and the other two were upgraded.

None of my computers can see the 6GHz network.   I know the network is broadcasting because my S21 Ultra can see and connect to the 6GHz band.  I've tried the latest manufacturer driver 22.130.0.5 and latest Intel driver 22.140.0.3, and neither of them can see the 6GHz network.

In my search for help, I found this previous post Solved: ax210 window 10 21h2 not showing 6GHz networks - Intel Communities and tried the recommended older 22.45.1.1 driver and it worked.  However, 22.45.1.1 was only provided by the Microsoft Insider program to enable initially enable Wi-Fi 6E support in Windows 10 and is over fifteen months old.

This doesn't seem like a hardware issue since my phone can connect to the 6GHz network, and my computers can connect to the network using the older driver.  I even verified this by purchasing a different Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz) router to confirm it wasn't a router issue.  However, I still can't see the 6Ghz network using any other version of the driver.

I have a help ticket open with the computer manufacturer, router manufacturer, and Intel but thought I would ask here as well since it seems like a software issue.

I even made a video showing the issue here.

https://youtu.be/Kzq54t8A104

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity

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

60 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2022-10-25T19:06:23+00:00

    Microsoft and others decided to block 6e in Win 10. You cannot see that network without that one driver.

    Windows 11 does not block 6e natively but there may be something else, such as your location or where the systems are sold and are blocked for that reason.

    We do not know exactly why they block 6e, but if you are running Win 11 and not in a restricted country, 6e should be visible, as it is on my three systems.

    I do not have a newer Dell laptop to check but I have seen other systems which we know are blocked or at least not capable for 6e.

    Your statement regarding it being needed in Win 11, which the OP may also be saying, means that folks with other systems may be able to use that same driver to get their systems working.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2022-10-25T18:47:10+00:00

    I don't understand what you mean that the system has it blocked. I can't see the SSID on windows 10 or windows 11 unless I load that specific driver.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2022-10-25T18:38:49+00:00

    @OmahaTim You should only need to run that driver on Windows 10.

    If you are running Windows 11 and still cannot see the 6e, perhaps that system has it blocked just like Win 10 is blocked.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2022-10-25T17:56:34+00:00

    I have a new Dell 5570 with the AX211 chipset and a Meraki MR57 and I'm running into the same issue. I can only see the 6GHz SSID (and connect to it) If I roll the drivers back to v22.45.1.1.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2022-08-16T18:39:05+00:00

    Same issue for me - i have a new Gen 10 Lenovo Carbon with the AX211 160 mhz 6E wifi card running windows 11 natively. I have tried several early access updates and i still cant see my 6Ghz network. No issue connecting on a samsung S22 so i can only assume my hardware is fine (UNIFI 6E AP's). I tried creating an all new SSID with a new name and 6Ghz only, then tried a new SSID with the same name as my 5Ghz network. and yes my AP's force WAP3.

    Thanks

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments