[Solved] - Framework 13 RZ717 Wifi poor range

Community Support
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1

Hi,

Long time Framework enjoyer here. I just got the new Ryzen AI model with the new display. It’s all great except for the wifi range and a minor cursor rendering issue on chrome based browsers (cursor is clear white instead of black in the research bar). It’s the worst wifi range I ever got from a laptop.

I’m losing the wifi connectivity with the new Framework where it’s still working fine (not full speed thought) with my other devices (smartphone, tablet, Framework 13th gen intel wifi, even the TV).

I had to install a TP link AX1800 nano dongle (wifi 6) to combat this issue. This little usb dongle manage to stay connected with decent speeds (250 down /150 up Mbps) where the integrated AMD module won’t even connect to the network. It’s very disappointing to get a brand new wifi 7 (!!) module that has terrible range and connectivity and gets beaten by a cheap usb wifi adapter.

Is there something to be done ? Wait for a driver update ? Get rid of the AMD module and install an Intel one ?

Wifi module: AMD RZ717 wifi 7
Router at home: Wifi 6E with a Bell GigaHub (fiber)

OS: Windows 11 pro (Beta channel)
Framework laptop 13 ryzen AI 5 340 (WD Black SN7100 2Tb + crucial DDR5 64Gb) with 2.8k display
AMD adrenaline: latest drivers
Bios: 3.04

Thanks !

2

Found this great post: How to fix buggy MediaTek RZ717 drivers in Windows

I upgraded the driver from version 5.5.0.3366 to 5.6.0.3906

The laptop managed to connect to the wifi, this is an improvement. The strength of the signal seems weaker than with the TP link dongle.

3

There are a number of users who are having issues with the RZ717 card. I think the jury is out still on whether it is a driver, firmware, or driver & firmware issue with this card.

Others have switched to the Intel AX210 card and while it may not have as fast of speeds, it was consistently more reliable.

I finally changed to the AX210 card in my Framework Laptop 16 and everything is much happier. I especially do not miss the bluetooth dropping out randomly.

Sorry to hear of the new machine’s poor WiFi performance out of the box.

4

It’s fine with the new driver, at least in my specific case.

5

I’m one of those users that put the Intel AX210 card in. It did resolve the reliability issue, but now I have the power-drain issue (tl;dr if you do not turn off wifi when you put the laptop to sleep you will wake up to a drained battery).

6

It is not necessarily putting the WiFi to sleep. On the Windows side of things it is “modern standby" that is a high schooler at their first party with alcohol. It drunkenly saps power until it passes out.

Hibernation solves those issues but has to be turned on first!