Alienware Alpha R2 Intel Wireless 3165 does not connect to 5 GHz WiFi

Hi,

If the router allows you to do 2 different SSID's do 1 with 2.4 and 1 with 5.0. Or change the setting on the router to 5.0 only

In general, most compatible WiFi settings I have found (with a mixture of old and new devices):

HotSpot: 2.4ghz WiFi protocol B/G Only. 20Mhz Only

HotSpot-5G: 5ghz WiFi protocol Mixed (Should still be A/N Only)

Be sure to give them different SSID names.
All radio channels should be on "Auto" (auto select best or mostly un-used frequency). On 5ghz, if no Auto, select a 3-digit one.

You could also try forcing HotSpot-5G to N-Only or A-Only.

Like Eimy says, for Troubleshooting, temporarily turn off 2.4ghz radio to force a connection on 5ghz.

Finally, if Router is only 4 meters away, I would use a real Ethernet cable. It will be much faster and trouble-free.

Hi,

the router doesn't have band steering so 2.4 and 5 GHz are already on 2 different SSIDs

2.4 GHz network SSID: LOLEHOUSE-2.4G

5 GHz network SSID: LOLEHOUSE-5G

OS installed on Alienware Alpha: Windows 10 Home x64

I tried with Ubuntu Gnome (live version) and I got the same problem... I also tried to connect as hidden network writing manually SSID but it doesn't connect.

Any idea?

Hi

I finally discovered what is going on (maybe)... In Italy like other EU countries 5GHz is only available in Lower band. So I tried to change country (US) and set channel 149 (Upper band) in my router. Alienware detected 5 GHz network but signal was very poor (Windows said 86 Mb/s in 802.11ac) while my MacBook Pro in the same position had 450 Mb/s in 802.11n (ac not supported because Early 2011 model). Google Nexus 5X is not compatible with Upper band and obviously also other EU devices could have the same problem... so I can't use the Upper band!

Maybe the wireless card is broken or isn't compatible with Lower band.

Considering that I bought my Alienware in the official Dell IT website I expect that this should work in my country... but maybe my theory and/or my "discovery" is wrong.

What do you think about this?

Thank you

1. In Italy like other EU countries 5GHz is only available in Lower band. So I tried to change country (US) and set channel 149 (Upper band) in my router.   2. MacBook Pro in the same position had 450 Mb/s in 802.11n (ac not supported because Early 2011 model). Google Nexus 5X is not compatible with Upper band and obviously also other EU devices could have the same problem... so I can't use the Upper band!   3. Considering that I bought my Alienware in the official Dell IT website I expect that this should work in my country... but maybe my theory and/or my "discovery" is wrong.

1. If you are in Italy, it seems like Router should be set for Italy or you might need a different one. Good question.

2. Yes, I've seen older Macs do better on A/N than older Windows machines. Those settings above should help.

3. You would think. Another good question. Sorry, I'm not familiar with WiFi in other countries (and radio channels, frequencies, and regulations).

Thanks for your help Tesla :)

Eimy do you know something more about these wifi country codes? Is there a way to check the country code on my Alienware (I've found that on my Mac and says DE)?

PS... EU uses the german (DE) wifi standard

I'll try to escalate this with engineering, to see if they have an answer.

In the mean time:

IT WORKS DUDE!  But really... what kind of chinese/indonesian manufacturer did this config on my wireless card? -.-

Thank you so much Eimy (and obviously also thanks to engineering group)

Perfect!! You're welcome!

Looks like it was a bug on the Intel configuration from factory -.-