topic Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5 in Wireless

Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

elelanddonal — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 10:00:55 GMT

Hi,
I am using a Cisco vWLC 9800 with a Cisco 9105AXI-I AP. My phone connects with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) successfully, but my laptop connects only with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), even though it has an Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz adapter.
I have already:

- Checked Device Manager and set the adapter to prefer 802.11ax.
- Updated the Wi-Fi driver to the latest version.
- Set the Preferred Band to 5 GHz.Despite these steps, the laptop still connects over Wi-Fi 5.
Has anyone experienced this issue or can suggest a solution?
Thank you.

Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

sh-o — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:53:05 GMT

Hi Community,
I am using a Cisco vWLC 9800 with a Cisco 9105AXI-I AP. My phone connects with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) successfully, but my laptop connects only with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), even though it has an Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz adapter.
I have already:

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

Enes Simnica — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 10:17:50 GMT

gDay @elelanddonal , and sure the classic "my laptop is being stubborn" Wi-Fi 6 issue! Which means that since ur phone connects as AX, the AP is fine. The problem is almost always one of these two things:

1. Quick WLC Check (Most Likely):
On your 9800, go to Configuration > Tags & Profiles > RF Profiles. Try to edit ur 5GHz profile and make sure 802.11ax is enabled under its tab. It's often off by default.....

2. Laptop's "Hidden" Setting; In Device Manager, under ur Intel adapter's Advanced properties, look for: 802.11ax Mode" or "HE Mode" and set it to Enabled.

SO try the RF Profile first, that fixes it 90% of the time (at least it did for me many many times),,,,. let me know!

hope it helps and enjoy ur weekend (cause im not LOOOOOOOOL)

-Enes

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

Mark Elsen — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 10:25:35 GMT

- @elelanddonal You may get insights on the client's behavior using client debugging according to :
https://logadvisor.cisco.com/logadvisor/wireless/9800/9800ClientConnectivity
These results , so called RadioActive Traces can be analyzed with Wireless Debug Analyzer

You can also issue this command on the 9800 :
show wireless client mac 00:11:22:33:44:55 detail (change mac address accordingly)
Look for info's concerning the client's capabilities as advertised.

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

Rich R — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:52:49 GMT

> - Updated the Wi-Fi driver to the latest version.
What version exactly @elelanddonal @sh-o
(little bit suspicious that you're making the exact same post with 2 different user IDs - what game are you playing?)

What version of software is the 9800 WLC running?

FYI: my laptop has no trouble connecting with 802.11ax with exact same Intel adapter.

From sh wireless client mac-address xxxx.xxxx.xxxx detail
Protocol : 802.11ax - 5 GHz
Max Client Protocol Capability: Wi-Fi6 (802.11ax)
This is Windows 11 Enterprise 24H2 with Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz driver version 23.160.0.4

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

sh-o — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 08:05:47 GMT

Hello,

I updated the Intel driver to the latest version (23.160.0.4) and upgraded the WLC to version 17.15.3.
The issue still persists.

Are you using the same AP model (9105AXI-I) or a different one?

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

Mark Elsen — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 08:17:17 GMT

- @sh-o When the laptop is connected issue the command :
show wireless client mac da66.e4d6.e2f1 detail | inc Max Client Protocol Capability
Of course you need to replace the mac address in this example with the mac address of your laptop

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

sh-o — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 09:00:21 GMT

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. At first, I was able to connect using Wi-Fi 6, but after disconnecting, it reverted to Wi-Fi 5. I did not move the PC or change the location of the AP.

Here are the results of my tests:

WLC#show wireless client mac E0:2B:xx:xx:xx:xx detail | inc Max Client Protocol Capability
Max Client Protocol Capability: Wi-Fi6 (802.11ax)

WLC#show wireless client mac E0:2B:xx:xx:xx:xx detail | inc Max Client Protocol Capability
Max Client Protocol Capability: 802.11ac Wave 2

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

Mark Elsen — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:33:53 GMT

- @sh-o Any reason for disconnecting again when things are working ?

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

sh-o — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:39:37 GMT

I just want to test whether the laptop should always connect using 802.11ax or if it can revert to 802.11ac.

I tried many times, but it only connects with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) the first time.

After disconnecting, it always reconnects using Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

Mark Elsen — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:56:44 GMT

- @sh-o I would be good with a first time, because that is the behavior for your business users.
The rest would be difficult to tell; perhaps the AP doesn't like a disturber.
Or for instance check with another laptop and see if the behavior replicates

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

sh-o — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:15:23 GMT

Yes, I did that with different devices, but the result was the same.

Re: Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Connecting Only with Wi-Fi 5

Rich R — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:11:31 GMT

- Use Radioactive Trace (client debug) as directed by @Mark Elsen above

- Check your WLC config using the Config Analyzer (link below) using the output from "show tech wireless" (not just show tech)

- Check your environment for wireless interferers.