Why does my laptop keep losing the wifi connection to my router?

Laptop drops out every 20 minuites or so, sometimes more often. The desktop that's wired doesn't suffer.

Windows 7 Network Troubleshooter fixes the problem, but then the connection gets lost again minutes later.

The Network troubleshooter diagnosis states (but means little to me):-

Windows Network Diagnostics Publisher details

Issues found
Problem with wireless adapter or access pointProblem with wireless adapter or access point Fixed
Reset the wireless adapter Completed
Investigate router or access point issues Not run
Refer to Windows Help and Support for more information about wireless connectivity problems Not run


Issues found Detection details

6 Problem with wireless adapter or access point Fixed

Reset the wireless adapter Completed

Network Diagnostics Log
File Name: 3F5C62FC-7D04-4ACE-9FE0-9E530C2F8B8B.Repair.1.etl


Investigate router or access point issues Not run

If you're connected to a hotspot or domain network, contact the network administrator. Otherwise: 1. Unplug or turn off the device. 2. After all the lights on the device are off, wait at least 10 seconds. 3. Turn the device back on or plug it back into the power outlet. To restart a router or access point that has a built-in battery, press and quickly release the Reset button.
Refer to Windows Help and Support for more information about wireless connectivity problems Not run

Windows cannot resolve your wireless connectivity issue.


Detection details

Diagnostics Information (Network Adapter)
Details about network adapter diagnosis:

Network adapter Wireless Network Connection driver information:

Description . . . . . . . . . . : Atheros AR9285 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter
Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . : Atheros Communications Inc.
Provider . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft
Version . . . . . . . . . . . : 2.0.0.74
Inf File Name . . . . . . . . . : C:\Windows\INF\netathrx.inf
Inf File Date . . . . . . . . . : 13 July 2009 20:37:24
Section Name . . . . . . . . . : ATHR_DEV_OS61_H30A1.ndi
Hardware ID . . . . . . . . . . : pci\ven_168c&dev_002b&subsys_3040103c
Instance Status Flags . . . . . : 0x180200a
Device Manager Status Code . . : 0
IfType . . . . . . . . . . . . : 71
Physical Media Type . . . . . . : 9



Diagnostics Information (Wireless Connectivity)
Details about wireless connectivity diagnosis:

Information for connection being diagnosed
Interface GUID: 78e71773-3fc7-4ab4-b8c7-252397331e06
Interface name: Atheros AR9285 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter
Interface type: Native WiFi

Connection incident diagnosed
Auto Configuration ID: 1
Connection ID: 1

Connection status summary
Connection started at: 2012-04-06 09:02:28-298
Profile match: Success
Pre-Association: Success
Association: Success
Security and Authentication: Success

List of visible access point(s): 25 item(s) total, 25 item(s) displayed
BSSID BSS Type PHY Signal(dB) Chnl/freq SSID
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
34-08-04-2F-A3-8E Infra g -83 1 SKY51483
00-8B-5D-B3-69-42 Infra <unknown> -89 1 BTHomeHub2-X93C
FC-75-16-01-C8-D8 Infra <unknown> -52 1 TALKTALK-01C8D8
74-44-01-65-C2-BE Infra <unknown> -36 1 virginmedia6170374
00-1F-33-1B-81-13 Infra g -91 1 SKY26806
0A-8B-5D-B3-69-42 Infra <unknown> -88 1 BTFON
00-8B-5D-BD-02-2A Infra <unknown> -85 6 BTHomeHub2-HC26
7C-03-4C-6F-1C-0F Infra <unknown> -58 6 SKYF1C0E
00-26-F2-5F-A6-A8 Infra g -59 6 cathy
00-26-5A-86-4A-FA Infra g -92 6 (Unnamed Network)
2C-B0-5D-BD-AD-C2 Infra <unknown> -79 11 virginmedia9752275
00-24-17-C4-CD-71 Infra <unknown> -86 7 BTHomeHub2-W9GZ
C4-3D-C7-39-A9-CB Infra <unknown> -62 1 virginmedia3616948
C8-CD-72-95-98-7F Infra <unknown> -82 11 SKY5987E
20-2B-C1-87-0B-45 Infra <unknown> -86 11 BTHub3-PX26
00-14-A4-59-AF-13 Infra g -86 8 Livebox-B728
A0-21-B7-FB-34-82 Infra <unknown> -88 1 virginmedia6053382
00-26-44-47-51-4C Infra <unknown> -83 1 ThomsonBB27CC
00-24-D2-D7-81-50 Infra g -85 1 TALKTALK-D78150
0A-8B-5D-BF-A5-22 Infra <unknown> -84 11 BTFON
90-01-3B-50-86-64 Infra <unknown> -90 11 SKY08663
06-8B-5D-BF-A5-22 Infra <unknown> -84 11 BTOpenzone
08-76-FF-D0-6B-47 Infra <unknown> -85 11 BeBoxD06B47
00-8B-5D-BF-A5-22 Infra <unknown> -83 11 12 ARNSIDE STREET
B0-E7-54-4F-F5-A4 Infra g -90 1 BTOpenzone

Connection History

Information for Auto Configuration ID 1

List of visible networks: 23 item(s) total, 23 item(s) displayed
BSS Type PHY Security Signal(RSSI) Compatible SSID
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Infra g Yes 34 Yes SKY51483
Infra <unknown> Yes 16 Yes BTHomeHub2-X93C
Infra <unknown> Yes 96 Yes TALKTALK-01C8D8
Infra <unknown> Yes 100 Yes virginmedia6170374
Infra g Yes 12 Yes SKY26806
Infra <unknown> No 32 Yes BTFON
Infra <unknown> Yes 30 Yes BTHomeHub2-HC26
Infra <unknown> Yes 84 Yes SKYF1C0E
Infra g Yes 82 Yes cathy
Infra g Yes 10 Yes (Unnamed Network)
Infra <unknown> Yes 42 Yes virginmedia9752275
Infra <unknown> Yes 28 Yes BTHomeHub2-W9GZ
Infra <unknown> Yes 76 Yes virginmedia3616948
Infra <unknown> Yes 36 Yes SKY5987E
Infra <unknown> Yes 28 Yes BTHub3-PX26
Infra g Yes 28 Yes Livebox-B728
Infra <unknown> Yes 18 Yes virginmedia6053382
Infra <unknown> Yes 34 Yes ThomsonBB27CC
Infra g Yes 30 Yes TALKTALK-D78150
Infra <unknown> Yes 14 Yes SKY08663
Infra <unknown> No 32 Yes BTOpenzone
Infra <unknown> Yes 30 Yes BeBoxD06B47
Infra <unknown> Yes 34 Yes 12 ARNSIDE STREET

List of preferred networks: 8 item(s)
Profile: virginmedia6170374
SSID: virginmedia6170374
SSID length: 18
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: Yes
Profile: BTBusinessHub-854
SSID: BTBusinessHub-854
SSID length: 17
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028001
Profile: BTHub3-KWZJ
SSID: BTHub3-KWZJ
SSID length: 11
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028001
Profile: TALKTALK-FC1828
SSID: TALKTALK-FC1828
SSID length: 15
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028001
Profile: LawSociety Library
SSID: LawSociety Library
SSID length: 18
Connection mode: Infra
Security: No
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028001
Profile: URBAN-BEACH
SSID: URBAN-BEACH
SSID length: 11
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028001
Profile: Batten1
SSID: Batten1
SSID length: 7
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028001
Profile: TalkTalk520
SSID: TalkTalk520
SSID length: 11
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028001

Information for Connection ID 1
Connection started at: 2012-04-06 09:02:28-298
Auto Configuration ID: 1
Profile: virginmedia6170374
SSID: virginmedia6170374
SSID length: 18
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Pre-Association and Association
Connectivity settings provided by hardware manufacturer (IHV): No
Security settings provided by hardware manufacturer (IHV): No
Profile matches network requirements: Success
Pre-association status: Success
Association status: Success
Last AP: 74-44-01-65-c2-be
Security and Authentication
Configured security type: WPA2-PSK
Configured encryption type: CCMP(AES)
802.1X protocol: No
Key exchange initiated: Yes
Unicast key received: Yes
Multicast key received: Yes
Number of security packets received: 0
Number of security packets sent: 0
Security attempt status: Success
Connectivity
Packet statistics
Ndis Rx: 3672
Ndis Tx: 3134
Unicast decrypt success: 710
Multicast decrypt success: 0
Unicast decrypt failure: 0
Multicast decrypt failure: 0
Rx success: 783
Rx failure: 690
Tx success: 589
Tx failure: 0
Tx retry: 12
Tx multiple retry: 4
Tx max lifetime exceeded: 0
Tx ACK failure: 1576
Roaming history: 0 item(s)




Diagnostics Information (Wireless Connectivity)
Details about wireless connectivity diagnosis:

For complete information about this session see the wireless connectivity information event.

Helper Class: Auto Configuration
Initialize status: Success

Information for connection being diagnosed
Interface GUID: 78e71773-3fc7-4ab4-b8c7-252397331e06
Interface name: Atheros AR9285 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter
Interface type: Native WiFi

Result of diagnosis: There may be problem






Network Diagnostics Log
File Name: 3F5C62FC-7D04-4ACE-9FE0-9E530C2F8B8B.Diagnose.0.etl

Other Networking Configuration and Logs
File Name: NetworkConfiguration.cab

Collection information
Computer Name: COMPAQCQ61-427S
Windows Version: 6.1
Architecture: amd64
Time: Friday, April 06, 2012 9:23:18 AM

Publisher details

Windows Network Diagnostics
Detects problems with network connectivity.
Package Version: 1.0
Publisher: Microsoft Windows

 

Things you could try to fix this:

1) Ensure that you are within the Wireless range of your Wireless Router and that there are no obstructions. Also ensure that there are no speakers located near the router itself as the magnetic fields could hamper the signal strength.

2) Ensure you are running the latest firmware of your router. If you are not sure, go to your router's website, then go to support, then select your router model, and see if there are any firmware updates

3) The next time your Laptop disconnects from the router,

Click on the START MENU, then ALL PROGRAMS, then ACCESSORIES, then right click on Command Prompt and select Run As Administrator

While you are in the command prompt type:

ipconfig -release
wait for 5 seconds
then type:
ipconfig -renew

4) If all those don't help, then consider checking for a driver update for your WiFi chipset/card

 

Try changing wifi channel your router is broadcasting on. Set your network as trusted in whatever security software you are using. Does the connection improve if you are close to the router?

 

I'm was having similar issues connecting to new Sky (Sagem) router last week. When I closed and shut down Online Armor the problem went away. OA now uninstalled and the issue went away permanently after next Network troubleshooter run. Could just be coincidence but I notice you use OA too.

Best of luck.

 

It looks to me as though your AP is -36 1 virginmedia6170374 and it would be better off on a different channel. The next strongest signals at that time were:

-52 1 TALKTALK-01C8D8
-62 1 virginmedia3616948
-58 6 SKYF1C0E

My gut says channel 8 or 9, but I'd sniff a bit first. There may be better free tools (suggestions anyone?), but I've been using MetaGeek inSSIDer (http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/) to get a sense for wireless environments. I do something like this:

1) Run that on two notebooks that are disconnected from all wireless networks (just in case one of them has an Rx problem).
2) Watch it for awhile to get a feel for the environment as is, looking for signs the signal strength from the AP in question is fluctuating badly and looking for the quietest channel to move it to (may require walking around if a larger usage area).
3) Consider the proximity of interfering devices and whether moving them or the AP is an option. If you are willing to spend the bucks, or can borrow one, a more sophisticated spectrum analyzer would come in handy here.
4) Power cycle the AP and see how it looks afterwards. Some seem to fade after being on for a long time, and simply cycling power restores a solid connection for awhile.
5) Move the AP to the preferred channel, make adjustments to Tx strength if possible and desired, look everything over while in config
6) Experiment with minor tweaks to AP location and/or AP antenna positioning. Relatively small changes can sometimes produce nice gains.
7) Make changes as appropriate on the client side, then connect and (hopefully) enjoy a more solid wireless experience. Experiment some more if warranted.

Edit: It just dawned on my you are likely in the UK and thus should have for example 2.4 12 & 13 to possibly make use of. I also didn't get into 5GHz options above. In any case, if you download something like inSSIDer you'll have something visual to share and there will probably be a forum and...

 

For the longest time I had this problem and I just uninstalled and re-installed the drivers one day, and now everything is fine.

 

Just an fyi for you baby monitors as well as older cordless phones will affect signal of wifi your neighbors if they have young kids like under 4 may use a baby monitor.

 

The Routers Wireless Range Needs To Be Expanded

TO EXPAND THE ROUTERS WIRELESS RANGE:

01] Change the Beacon Interval to 50
The router sends out beacon packets to all the wireless clients to retain the wireless connection.
Sending beacon packets every 50 milliseconds instead of the default 100 milliseconds will retain the connection.

02] Change the RTS Threshold to 2304
Reducing the Request To Send (RTS) Threshold improves by enhanceing the communications between router and computer.

03] Change the Fragmintation Threshold to 2304
Reducing the Fragmintation Threshold fragments large packets into smaller packets for more reliable access by the
computers on the receiving end.

04] Change the WiFi Broadcasting Channel to 8 or 9
Changing the WiFi Broadcasting Channel to 8 or 9 reduces interference caused by surrounding devices broadcasting
signals on the same dafault channel 6 of the routers wireless antenna(s).


Should you encounter inconsistent data flow change the:
RTS Threshold to 2306
Fragmintation Threshold to 2307


HKEY1952

 

Probably wouldn't hurt to look for updated version(s) too.

 

I'm having the same symptoms with my wireless laptop, but only when it enters sleep mode.

 

Check device manager>network adaptors>your wireless adapter>(right click)properties>power management> untick (if ticked) allow computer to turn off this device to save power.
Also check control panel >power options>change plan settings>change advanced power settings>wireless adaptor settings >power saving mode