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    XPS 15 (2015) - poor wifi signal

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by domi360, Aug 10, 2015.

  1. domi360

    domi360 Newbie

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    Hello!
    Just two rooms away from the router - the wifi signal is very poor.
    I have the Dell XPS 15 (2015) with the Dell Wireless 1560 adapter.
    I hope this problem can be solved with some software changes..

    Does anyone know a solution?

    Thanks
     
    domi360, Aug 10, 2015
    #1
  2. HCW

    HCW Notebook Deity

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    you can easily upgrade your card for better range $20 for the card
     
    HCW, Aug 10, 2015
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  3. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    What kind of router do you have? How are you configuring / positioning your antennas? Can you take a picture?

    To improve your signal, you will either need to improve the transmit signal from the router (perhaps by getting a new router, changing WiFi channels, and/or re-positioning the antennas), or improve the signal of your laptop WiFi adapter.

    Between those two, it's much more convenient to try and improve things from the router side, since modifying your laptop's WiFi signal will usually require replacing an internal WiFi adapter, or using some external USB WiFi adapter that sticks out of your laptop.
     
    kent1146, Aug 10, 2015
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  4. elyl

    elyl Notebook Enthusiast

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    Open the bottom panel on your computer (T5 screws, and a couple of Philips screws under the XPS panel). The wireless card is under the corner where the "Delete" key is. It's a mini PCI card, very small, with a couple of cables connected onto it. Those cables are the wireless antennae. Disconnect them (pull the connectors and they'll pop off), then reseat them again, rotating them left and right to make sure they are seated in well. See if that makes any difference. The antennae can sometimes come loose, or they were never seated properly at the factory.
     
    elyl, Aug 10, 2015
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  5. domi360

    domi360 Newbie

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    Thanks for the many replies, super forum!

    The router can't be the problem, because the problem just appears at the XPS, every other notebook has a good wifi signal.
    Do I loose the warranty, if I open the bottom panel? If not, I check the antennae connection first..

    Otherwise I will change the wifi card - Does anyone know a good card for the XPS 15?
    Maybe the Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260?
     
    domi360, Aug 11, 2015
    #5
  6. paulthuong

    paulthuong Notebook Consultant

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    I had the 1560 card but I had Dell replace it with the better 7260 one. And the result was night and day compared to what it performed before. The thing is there are much more capable wifi cards out there but they might not fit with this model.
     
    paulthuong, Aug 11, 2015
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  7. elyl

    elyl Notebook Enthusiast

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    You won't void your warranty by doing some valid troubleshooting on your system.
     
    elyl, Aug 11, 2015
    #7