Computer cannot connect to wifi6 router

[ColourOz]

Some time ago I purchased an Ultrabook with Windows 10 pre-installed. With the help of this forum, I was able to install Windows 7 and got over some hiccups. All has been going well except that I have purchased a wifi6 router and cannot get the router/OS to connect to the wifi. The wifi adapter is an "Atheros QCA61X4A". The laptop picks up the LAN without hesitating. The Linux Mint OS has no trouble connecting to the router using the wifi (same laptop).

I was hoping to find an updated driver, but can only find an Intel driver which I have not attempted to install despite the wifi6's being an Intel invention. My next option is to open the laptop and replace the card. Being such a slim laptop with plastic clips, I am apprehensive to open it incase I snap a plastic clip. Also, I am not sure whether the card is replaceable. Cannot find a diagram.

Does anyone have any ideas? Would be most appreciated.

 

[SIW2]

lenovo have win 7 drivers for that card, should work on any machine

Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4 Wireless LAN Driver for Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit) - ThinkPad E460, E465, E560, E565 - Lenovo Support JP

 

[ColourOz]

Thank you for your reply. Will the Lenova driver suit wifi 6?

 

[SIW2]

Just noticed is the model x4A.

DEll have driver for win7 Qualcomm QCA61x4A QCA9377 WiFi and Bluetooth Driver.

another one slightly more recent
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_003E&SUBSYS_87521043&REV_32
device drivers for Windows 7 x64
QualComm-FORCED-7x64-QCA6320_11.0.0.791-drp.zip

 

[ColourOz]

Many thanks! In the meantime I have removed the ultrabook cover to have a better look at the wifi card as I was unable to find any information/images of the inside of the laptop.
I have been searching for a Wifi 6 card that will replace the current card and it appears that the wifi 6 card is for Windows 10, and the 6E for Windows 11. No mention of Windows 7 other than unappreciative comments. This is sad so will have to rethink the wifi 6 card as I will also need a driver. ...mmm......

 

[SIW2]

Is there an id in win7 msinfo32>components>problem devices

something like this:
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_003E&SUBSYS_87521043&REV_32

 

[samuria]

OPen a cmd prompt type

ipconfig /all

make sure DHCP is on
post results

 

[ColourOz]

Thank you so much. In the meantime as nothing has worked, I have wiped the hard drive and will start again. I appreciate the help very much.

 

[file3456]

I have not attempted to install despite the wifi6's being an Intel invention.

Actually, it's an "invention" of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax.

Unless ALL your devices in your area support 802.11ax, I wouldn't use it. Never the less, your laptop should perform with the router and your router should use 802.11ac and 802.11n and 802.11g all at the same time providing you create each SSID (Service Set Identifier)/network name for those channels.

The Atheros QCA61X4A is not 802.11ax compatible. Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4A Wireless Network Adapter - Qualcomm Wi-Fi Specifications and Certification

Neither is the QCNFA344A shown in the picture.

- - - Updated - - -

You'll need an external adapter.


https://www.amazon.com.au/ALFA-AWUS036AXML-802-11axe-Adapter-AXE3000/dp/B0BY8GMW32

https://www.amazon.com.au/ALFA-AWUS036AX-802-11ax-Adapter-Antennas/dp/B0C3GY285L

https://www.amazon.com.au/ALFA-AWUS036AXER-802-11ax-WiFi-Adapter/dp/B0C8CPVFQF

Not sure if those come with Windows 7 drivers though.

- - - Updated - - -

Keep in mind that Wi-Fi 6e is (6 GHz) or Wi-Fi 6 is (2.4 GHz & 6 GHz). If you do use 6 GHz your range is going to be very low. You'd need to deploy a mesh system in your house. An apartment should perform well. 5 GHz was already bad enough with range.

Also, if you have IoT stuff like a smart speaker or wireless camera, those may only be 802.11g capable. So create a SSID for those channels accordingly.

For 802.11g you only wanna use channels 1, 6 or 11 (if provided in Oz). Those are non overlapping channels.

For 802.11ac you want to use channels 36 through 48. The others will auto negotiate with Doppler radar an whatnot and can have an effect on your Wi-Fi signal. You also probably want to limit to 80 MHz of bandwidth if the router allows you to select it. I think most smartphones, tablets and whatnot may not even support 160 MHz bandwidth anyway. So channel 42 in this case.


Edit-

And now I just figured out that the use of the term "Wi-Fi 6" was inconsequential. Should have just stated that the router was unable to communicate with the wireless LAN card in the laptop.... The use of term Wi-Fi 6 in this case has no bearing to the question...

 

[ColourOz]

Thank you for your advice. The router is a new router which has many connection and security options. Despite the Ultrabook, I would have assumed that the laptop would connect to the router (and visa-versa) as it did with the previous router. I have been looking at replacing the wi-fi card and have now decided to let it go as the ultrabook can be used successfully with Linux. Linux does not seem to have the same hiccups as Windows. I do not want to upgrade Windows 7 to a later OS as I have a great setup as things are. However, I am hoping to find a Win7 driver for the TP-Link AX3000. Companies seem to think that Windows 7 never happened.

 

[MisterEd]

Your laptop should have been able to connect to the router if everything is configured correctly. You might have to compare the WiFi specs of the router and laptops to see what modes are compatible.

I have a WiFi 6E router. I can connect to it with all my wireless devices including my 13 year old Dell laptop and my 17 year old Toshiba laptop. Note I had to make a change in the router settings for these older laptops to connect.

Comcast XB-8 Gateway (modem/router)
2.4GHz: Mode: 802.11 g/n/ax | Security Mode: WPA3-Personal Transition
5.0GHz: Mode: 802.11 a/n/ac/ax | Security Mode: WPA3-Personal Transition
6.0GHz: Mode: 802.11 ax | Security Mode: WPA3-Personal Only

I had to make the following change in the router setup so that the Toshiba laptop would connect:
2.4GHz: Mode: 802.11 g/n/ax | Security Mode: WPA2-PSK (AES)

Dell Latitude E-6410 laptop (802.11 b/g/n) purchased in 2010
Protocol: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Security type: WPA2-Personal
Network band: 2.4 GHz

Toshiba Tecra M7-S7331 laptop (802.11a/b/g) purchased in 2006
Protocol: 802.11g
Security type: WPA2-Personal
Network band: 2.4 GHz