[Solved] Wifi drops, Centrino Advanced-N 6200

[brain_matters]

Hi all,

First of all I am quite happy to starting the switch into Linux world and I am happy to recommend it. However I am facing some issues with my wifi... I am still a newbie but from what I have been reading there are some common "problems" with the wifi . Here is my problem:

My wifi drops every so often, this problem happens when:
1) I move a couple of meters from my router;
2) if my laptop is not plug into the electricity.

Some info about the machine:
Processor: Intel Core i5 CPU M540 @2.53Ghz x2
Memory: 1.8 GiB
Graphic card: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller
I am using the lastest Mint 16 Cinnamon 32-Bit

Network info
*-network
description: Ethernet interface
product: 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 19
bus info: pci@0000:00:19.0
logical name: eth0
version: 06
serial: 70:5a:b6:a9:71:96
capacity: 1Gbit/s
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master cap_list ethernet physical tp 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd 1000bt-fd autonegotiation
configuration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=e1000e driverversion=2.3.2-k firmware=0.12-3 latency=0 link=no multicast=yes port=twisted pair
resources: irq:43 memory:94700000-9471ffff memory:9472a000-9472afff ioport:5020(size=32)
*-network
description: Wireless interface
product: Centrino Advanced-N 6200
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 0
bus info: pci@0000:43:00.0
logical name: wlan0
version: 35
serial: 00:23:14:88:b2:20
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master cap_list ethernet physical wireless
configuration: broadcast=yes driver=iwlwifi driverversion=3.11.0-12-generic firmware=9.221.4.1 build 25532 ip=192.168.1.5 latency=0 link=yes multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11abgn
resources: irq:47 memory:90500000-90501fff


Is there an easy-fix for this problem? I can provide more info if needed...

Thank you so much in advance

[brain_matters]

The comment on reddit seems to be doing the trick :
http://www.reddit.com/r/linuxmint/comme ... cedn_6200/

I am copying the commands below:

echo "options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf
sudo modprobe -rfv iwldvm
sudo modprobe -rfv iwlwifi
sudo modprobe -v iwlwifi

The first line puts a line of code inside to iwlwifi.conf file. The next two lines unloads the iwldm and iwlwifi and the last one reloads it. If these don't work just delete the added line from the file and do the last three again. Finally, just write down the code to somewhere safe cause some kernel updates (not all) wants it to be done again, last three one are enough if it stops working.

Cheers

[Lingula]

Same problem and same fix in both Windows and Linux. Intel makes great ethernet cards but terrible WiFi devices. Several of them drop connections with n and/or 40MHz channel width. Power saving on Intel wireless also often drops the connection. Disabling all those features is a workaround. If you need the higher throughput of 802.11n then you're better off with another manufacturer, perhaps a USB wireless adapter with high power and Linux support.

[chili555]

echo "options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf

I think it is instead:

Code: Select all

echo "options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf

-a is for append. The file iwlwifi.conf already exists with lots of needed items. Without -a, the file is overwritten and the needed items are not used.

Here is mine:

Code: Select all

# /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf
# iwlwifi will dyamically load either iwldvm or iwlmvm depending on the
# microcode file installed on the system.  When removing iwlwifi, first
# remove the iwl?vm module and then iwlwifi.
remove iwlwifi \
(/sbin/lsmod | grep -o -e ^iwlmvm -e ^iwldvm -e ^iwlwifi | xargs /sbin/rmmod) \
&& /sbin/modprobe -r mac80211

Frankly, I wouldn't take reddit as an expert on Linux wireless.

If you have already overwritten your file, please restore it; post back if you need guidance.

[brain_matters]

hi chili555,

Thanks for the reply.

Apologies I'm still a newbie , could you provide me with the necessary steps to 1) restore what I've done and 2) the command with the fix.

Thank you in advance I really appreciate it.

[chili555]

First of all; no worries, we were all newbies at one time, even me, even Linus. We've all made oopsies. I've made plenty. Some even today!

Let's restore the file.

Code: Select all

gksudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf

When the text editor opens your file, since it was evidently overwritten, it probably reads:

Code: Select all

options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1

Simply copy and paste this text above what's already there:

Code: Select all

# /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf
# iwlwifi will dyamically load either iwldvm or iwlmvm depending on the
# microcode file installed on the system.  When removing iwlwifi, first
# remove the iwl?vm module and then iwlwifi.
remove iwlwifi \
(/sbin/lsmod | grep -o -e ^iwlmvm -e ^iwldvm -e ^iwlwifi | xargs /sbin/rmmod) \
&& /sbin/modprobe -r mac80211

After you are done, it should read:

Code: Select all

# /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf
# iwlwifi will dyamically load either iwldvm or iwlmvm depending on the
# microcode file installed on the system.  When removing iwlwifi, first
# remove the iwl?vm module and then iwlwifi.
remove iwlwifi \
(/sbin/lsmod | grep -o -e ^iwlmvm -e ^iwldvm -e ^iwlwifi | xargs /sbin/rmmod) \
&& /sbin/modprobe -r mac80211

options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1

In both cases, the part from (/sbin all the way to the second \ is one long line. Proofread carefully, save and close gedit. If you have any doubts or questions, stop and ask.

In the future, for the benefit of you and the searchers, this command replaces the entire file with the echoed text:

Code: Select all

echo "options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf

Adding the -a for 'append' adds the echoed text to the end:

Code: Select all

echo "options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf

Finally, if you read a fix on reddit, tread carefully; very carefully.

[PatMcTookis]

How convinent someone else is having trouble with this driver on the same day as me.

chili555 - after appending that disable line to the iwlwifi.conf file, should I still run those modprobe commands OP mentioned?

[chili555]

It wouln't hurt at all. Once you reboot, the parameter will always be loaded automagically with no further intervention.

[brain_matters]

chili555,

Thanks for such easy instructions! Followed them without a problem.

Connectivity seems to be working fine without power cord and moving away from router. You're a hero!

One final question, if I may... should the commands be in repeated every time there is a kernel update? Any idea?

[chili555]

chili555,

Thanks for such easy instructions! Followed them without a problem.

Connectivity seems to be working fine without power cord and moving away from router. You're a hero!

One final question, if I may... should the commands be in repeated every time there is a kernel update? Any idea?

Please see my reply just above:

Once you reboot, the parameter will always be loaded automagically with no further intervention.

You are all set. Of course, post back if anything is amiss and we'll be glad to help.