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Forum Discussion
smbrouss70
Mar 14, 2022Follower
Older laptop with b/g/n wireless card can't see SSID on SXR30
I recently installed an AX1800 Dual-Band Orbi Pro WiFi 6 Mini Mesh System (SXK30B3). I have an older Windows 7 laptop that has a Realtek RTL8188CE b/g/n wireless card that will not see the SSID broa...
- Mar 14, 2022
The problem isn't the router. its the wireless card. If it doesn't see the orbi's AX signal, it isn't going to see any AX signal.
they are supposed to be backwards compatible if they followed the proper specs/drivers.
Sadly, even intel had issues when AX was first released and had to issue firmware updates.
Realtek hasn't been as pro-active with it. We've seen it a lot on here.
You can try going directly to the realtek website and seeing if there's anything newer. Its doubtful though.
or a couple other options.
- disable AX on the router (not ideal option)
- replace the wireless card in the laptop. I've done this quite a few times. a good way to improve performance for relatively cheap as you don't need the "best" adapter, just something from a generation or 2 ago that works.
- use an old router and set it in access point mode that that specific laptop could connect to.
plemans
Mar 14, 2022Guru - Experienced User
The problem isn't the router. its the wireless card. If it doesn't see the orbi's AX signal, it isn't going to see any AX signal.
they are supposed to be backwards compatible if they followed the proper specs/drivers.
Sadly, even intel had issues when AX was first released and had to issue firmware updates.
Realtek hasn't been as pro-active with it. We've seen it a lot on here.
You can try going directly to the realtek website and seeing if there's anything newer. Its doubtful though.
or a couple other options.
- disable AX on the router (not ideal option)
- replace the wireless card in the laptop. I've done this quite a few times. a good way to improve performance for relatively cheap as you don't need the "best" adapter, just something from a generation or 2 ago that works.
- use an old router and set it in access point mode that that specific laptop could connect to.
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