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A6210 operating @ High Speed (USB 2.0)
I've installed A6210 using the standalone Windows 7 driver, and on every boot I receive the W7 message informing me that the device will perform faster when using a SuperSpeed (USB 3.0) port. It i...
Hi JamesGL,
I guess this will not help ltj, he most likely doesn't have a problem with A6210 and Windows 10.
His problem - and that of many other customers including me - more likely is the following:
The A6210 works. But only at USB 2.0 speed. Even at USB 3.0 ports.
I will repeat this, just to make the problem clear, once and forever :smileywink:
When using the Netgear driver and plugging the A6210 into USB 3.0 ports
... the A6210 does not connect and work at USB 3.0 SuperSpeed
... it only connects and works at USB 2.0 High-Speed
We purchased an USB 3.0 device. It is advertised as "faster access with USB 3.0". We install the driver. We plug this piece of hardware into an USB 3.0 port. It only works as an USB 2.0 device. The free Tool "USB Device Tree Viewer" confirms this. USB 2.0 speed only. The achieved transfer rates are way too low. As an USB 3.0 device, the A6210 should do much better.
That's the topic of this thread: USB 2.0 speed at USB 3.0 ports.
Luckily, this seems not to be a fundamental hardware problem, but a software / driver problem.
Solution: (that at least worked for me)
- install the standalone version of the Netgear A6210 driver
- stop and disable the Windows service "NetgearSwitchUSB", which is installed and started by the installer
- unplug the A6210
- wait a moment
- reconnect the A6210 to the same USB port.
The A6210 should now be recognized correctly as an USB 3.0 device and will work at SuperSpeed. Hurray!
The service "NetgearSwitchUSB" somehow switches the A6210 via software from USB 3.0 to USB 2.0. If the service is active and you look at the "USB Device Tree Viewer" while plugging the A6210 in, you can see the A6210 shortly and correctly as an USB 3.0 device. But after a second, it disappears and comes back as an USB 2.0 device. Disabling the service prevents this.
How to disable the service (Windows 7):
- Open the Control Panel, click on "System and Security", then "Administrative Tools", then "Services".
- In the list, locate "NetgearSwitchUSB", right click on it, select "Properties"
- Click on the "Stop" button and wait a few seconds
- Click on the drop down menu next to "Startup type" and select "Disabled"
- Click on the "Apply" button
- Click "OK"
- done
I use the A6210 for many month now at USB 3.0 speed without that service active, so it seems not to be mandantory for proper functionality.
Hope that helps.
Bye,
a guy from Germany.
*Update*
After back and forth case updates with NETGEAR (they offer solutions, I test them, report back the results, they offer more), they narrowed down a more specific reason for adjusting settings in the router. I mildly feel like an ***, then again, I don't.
It turns out that their suggestion to "adjust the mode in the GUI to the highest" was their way of saying to set the 5GHz a/n/ac band to full, not doing so causes the WiFi adapter to (somehow) operate in 2.0 mode. After sending them a screenshot of my R6300v2's internals (it was safe for work, I promise) I had stressed that it was on full since day one. It took them less than 3 minutes from my posting that response to my ongoing/open case to reply back "we're going to replace your A6210, stand by for RMA instructions". I laughed a little.
To potentially assist those experiencing the same problem:
Log in to your router > Advanced tab > Setup > Wireless Setup > Ensure that Wireless Network (5GHz a/n/ac) Mode (the dropdown) is at its fullest.
Send a screenshot (after you open a Support Case, of course), blank out your WiFi passwords (both the 2.4 and 5 password fields), attach it, send it, and fight for an RMA.
After back and forth case updates with NETGEAR (they offer solutions, I test them, report back the results, they offer more), they narrowed down a more specific reason for adjusting settings in the router. I mildly feel like an ***, then again, I don't.
It turns out that their suggestion to "adjust the mode in the GUI to the highest" was their way of saying to set the 5GHz a/n/ac band to full, not doing so causes the WiFi adapter to (somehow) operate in 2.0 mode. After sending them a screenshot of my R6300v2's internals (it was safe for work, I promise) I had stressed that it was on full since day one. It took them less than 3 minutes from my posting that response to my ongoing/open case to reply back "we're going to replace your A6210, stand by for RMA instructions". I laughed a little.
To potentially assist those experiencing the same problem:
Log in to your router > Advanced tab > Setup > Wireless Setup > Ensure that Wireless Network (5GHz a/n/ac) Mode (the dropdown) is at its fullest.
Send a screenshot (after you open a Support Case, of course), blank out your WiFi passwords (both the 2.4 and 5 password fields), attach it, send it, and fight for an RMA.