8086:08b1 (rev 6b) [Dell XPS 13 9333] iwlwifi regularly loses connection/becomes unusable on Intel 7260

This change was made by a bot.

The new BIOS info:

A04
03/19/2014

I am running the new BIOS now, and will report back as to condition changes.

No change with the new BIOS.

Ethan Blanton, could you please test the latest upstream kernel available (not the daily folder) following https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds ? It will allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue. Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please comment on which kernel version specifically you tested. If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tags:
kernel-fixed-upstream
kernel-fixed-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

where VERSION-NUMBER is the version number of the kernel you tested. For example:
kernel-fixed-upstream-3.15-rc3

This can be done by clicking on the yellow circle with a black pencil icon next to the word Tags located at the bottom of the bug description. As well, please remove the tag:
needs-upstream-testing

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the following tags:
kernel-bug-exists-upstream
kernel-bug-exists-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

As well, please remove the tag:
needs-upstream-testing

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug's Status as Confirmed. Please let us know your results. Thank you for your understanding.

It will take some time to know for sure as the problem is intermittent, so I'm not going to update tags just yet, but I have been on 3.15.0-031500rc3-generic for about 24h now with no dropouts or slowdowns. This kernel is looking promising.

Unfortunately it has a regression in that the touchpad doesn't multitouch, but I guess we'll address that separately if it becomes necessary. I don't know if that's due to missing ubuntu patches or driver changes or what.

This problem appears to be fixed in 3.15.0-rc3. I have not had a wifi drop in more than 36 hours. Additionally, the reported wireless signal strength doesn't bounce around wildly.

I just tried with 3.15.0-rc4 and the problem is still there. Wifi dropped out 1% into 20MB wget test.

Youresorock, thank you for your comment. So your hardware and problem may be tracked, could you please file a new report with Ubuntu by executing the following in a terminal while booted into a Ubuntu repository kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
Ubuntu Community: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs

Christopher, I ended up installing 3.11 mainline: http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.11.10.9-saucy/

This solved the issue entirely. I had to uninstall the ubuntu 3.13 kernel to ensure the system won't default back, so I won't be able to run that report. I didn't try 3.12 because I knew the system worked fine on 3.11 previously and I ran out of time.

Youresorock, one may report a new bug report via a Live environment. Please make any further comments in the new bug report you make.

Thank you for your understanding.

Since Youresorock reported problems with 3.15.0rc4, I tried it on my laptop -- it seems to work as well as 3.15.0rc3.

I may try a saucy kernel if it also works, because the lack of multitouch on the trackpad in 3.15 is maddening!

I put 14.04 on my HP Pavilion DM1 and noticed this failure immediately. I'll try the different kernel versions mentioned in this thread and report results.

no luck for linux-image-3.11.10-03111009-generic and linux-image-3.15.0-031500rc2-generic.

tested on Lenovo IdeaPad U330P.

there is a firmware for 3.14+ kernel :
(iwlwifi-7260-ucode-22.212.9.0.tgz)

http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/iwlwifi

tested on linux-image-3.15.0-031500rc2-generic with Lenovo IdeaPad U330P, not working.

Benjamin Winston / Sam Lin, thank you for your comment. So your hardware and problem may be tracked, could you please file a new report with Ubuntu by executing the following in a terminal while booted into a Ubuntu repository kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
Ubuntu Community: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs

Hi Chris, I submitted the bug, and attached it to the existing bug. Let me
know if I can help out.

Ben

On Fri, May 9, 2014 at 6:22 PM, Christopher M. Penalver <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Benjamin Winston / Sam Lin, thank you for your comment. So your hardware
> and problem may be tracked, could you please file a new report with Ubuntu
> by executing the following in a terminal while booted into a Ubuntu
> repository kernel (not a mainline one) via:
> ubuntu-bug linux
>
> For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
> Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad:
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
> Ubuntu Kernel Team:
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
> Ubuntu Community:
> https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette
>
> When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.
>
> Thank you for your understanding.
>
> Helpful bug reporting tips:
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1315221
>
> Title:
> 8086:08b1 [Dell XPS 13 9333] iwlwifi regularly loses
> connection/becomes unusable on Intel 7260
>
> Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu:
> Confirmed
>
> Bug description:
> My Intel 7260 network card regularly shows very poor performance
> and/or loses its connection entirely. On several occasions I have been
> unable to reestablish an association with the AP without rebooting.
> This occurs even if the laptop is within a few feet of the AP. I did
> not have this problem on 12.04 with a quantal backport kernel.
>
> ProblemType: Bug
> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
> Package: linux-image-3.13.0-24-generic 3.13.0-24.46
> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-24.46-generic 3.13.9
> Uname: Linux 3.13.0-24-generic x86_64
> ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3
> Architecture: amd64
> Date: Thu May 1 22:59:32 2014
> HibernationDevice: RESUME=/dev/mapper/cswap0
> InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-04-25 (6 days ago)
> InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64
> (20140417)
> MachineType: Dell Inc. XPS13 9333
> ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
> ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic
> root=/dev/mapper/root ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
> RelatedPackageVersions:
> linux-restricted-modules-3.13.0-24-generic N/A
> linux-backports-modules-3.13.0-24-generic N/A
> linux-firmware 1.127
> SourcePackage: linux
> UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
> dmi.bios.date: 12/11/2013
> dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
> dmi.bios.version: A02
> dmi.board.name: 0GFTRT
> dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
> dmi.board.version: A00
> dmi.chassis.type: 8
> dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
> dmi.chassis.version: 0.1
> dmi.modalias:
> dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA02:bd12/11/2013:svnDellInc.:pnXPS139333:pvr:rvnDellInc.:rn0GFTRT:rvrA00:cvnDellInc.:ct8:cvr0.1:
> dmi.product.name: XPS13 9333
> dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.
>
> To manage notifications abou...

I'm also having this problem and found a matching bug over on the kernel bug tracker:
https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=72601

Emmanuel Grumbach (Intel wifi driver maintainer) is helping with the issue.

Craig, thank you for your comment. So your hardware and problem may be tracked, could you please file a new report with Ubuntu by executing the following in a terminal while booted into a Ubuntu repository kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
Ubuntu Community: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs

XPS13 wifi behaviour seems to be much better on Linux kernel 3.15.2 from the mainline ubuntu ppa: I was working for 2 hours and had only one disconnection. http://www.yourownlinux.com/2014/06/how-to-install-upgrade-to-linux-kernel-3-15-2-in-linux.html

Running 3.15.3 gave me no disconnections but very low bandwidth (might be just by chance, only tested for 30 mins, very far away from the router).

Note 1: In exchange for better wifi, I lost touch gestures on the touchpad (https://bugs.archlinux.org/task/40921?project=1&openedfrom=-1+week), as "blacklist i2c_hid" had to be removed in order for it to be detected (both on 3.15.2 and 3.15.3). Maybe testing on the latest 3.14 kernel might be good to have reliable wifi plus full touchpad support. I jumped directly to 3.15.2 so I cannot report on it.

asala, thank you for your comment. So your hardware and problem may be tracked, could you please file a new report with Ubuntu by executing the following in a terminal while booted into a Ubuntu repository kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
Ubuntu Community: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs

Ethan Blanton, the next step is to fully reverse bisect the kernel in order to identify the fix commit. Could you please do this following https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/KernelBisection#How_do_I_reverse_bisect_the_upstream_kernel.3F ?

I can. This will take me some time, as the problem does not necessarily show up immediately. It is also somewhat better (though not entirely fixed) in 3.13.0-30 compared to 3.13.0-24, under which this was reported. (The connection still drops frequently, but it seems to recover much more quickly, and I have not had to reboot due to a total failure to recover in quite some time.)

I believe the bisection will be between 3.8 and 3.13, so there are quite a few kernels to cover in between.

From the upstream kernel bug, it seems that fixes for bad iwlwifi 7260 behaviour upstream are in 3.14.6
 https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=72601#c92
and, a second fix in https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=42978#c29
will land upstream shortly.
If these fixes are causing xps 13 wifi issues, it does not seem that bisecting 3.13 will be too helpful.
Anyway, I'm not too knowledgeable on bisection and patch backporting.

asala: While it's known that there are forward fixes, it also worked in an earlier kernel. This means that there is previous breakage, as well. The fixes may be for that same breakage, I haven't looked into that.

I believe 3.16 is fixed, as well.

Ethan: We recently incorporated some updates in 14.04 specifically for disconnection issues with Intel 7260 wireless. Could you ensure your system is fully up to date, reboot (ensuring that you use the official 3.13 kernel for trusty and not any newer version you installed for testing), and let me know if the situation improves? If not we can start trying to figure out what changes from newer kernel versions fix your issues.

Everyone else: unless you have the exact same machine as Ethan has, please file a new bug report if you haven't already by running 'ubuntu-bug linux' from a terminal. Feel free to subscribe me to your bug reports.

Thanks!

Seth: I am currently running, and have been running for a couple of days, linux-image-3.13.0-32-generic and linux-firmware 1.127.5. I was in fact going to post here that performance seems to be *worse* than it had been for some time; three times recently my laptop has lost its wifi association and been unable to reassociate with *any* AP until it has been rebooted.

Regarding the upstream kernels (from a previous thread of inquiry), I have confirmed that no kernels older than 3.10 work at all, and it appears that all kernels newer than 3.10.47 and older than 3.15 display this problem in some fashion or another. I haven't yet tested 3.10.0 through 3.10.46 to determine if any of them work properly. It looks like my 12.04 + backports maybe only worked due to patches(?).

Thanks for the update. I've got a couple things I'd like you to try next.

First, when you've booted to 3.13.0-32, wait until you are no longer able to associate. Then if you have access to a wired connection, run 'apport-collect 1315221' to attach logs from that kernel. If you don't have a wired connection, try running 'sudo modprobe -r iwlwifi; modprobe iwlwifi' and see if you can associate. If your connection is working, run apport-collect. Otherwise reboot and run apport-collect before your connection gets bad.

Then I'd like to narrow down where before 3.14 and 3.15 your problems are fixed. Please try the 3.15-rc mainline builds and let me know which is the first one that fixes your problems. I know this is kind of a pain, but if the problem is already fixed in newer kernels the easiest thing to do is usually figure out what change fixes it.

Thanks!

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@gianluca,

It seems that you are using a preloaded Ubuntu system.
What is your hardware vendor and preloaded Ubuntu series?
Did you ever upgrade the system from Ubuntu 12.04 to Ubuntu 14.04?

hello fourdollars,

thanks for the reply.

The machine is a Dell XPS. I bought it with ubuntu 12.04 on it and the very first operation I did has been an update to 14.04

To be honest, I do not remember if the problem arose also with the 12.04 version.

g.

@gianluca,

Could you also provide the list of `dkms status`?

here we are:

oem-audio-hda-daily-lts-quantal, 0.201308192259~precise1, 3.5.0-56-generic, x86_64: installed
oem-wireless-bluetooth-intel-7260, 3.10.20130828, 3.5.0-56-generic, x86_64: installed
virtualbox, 4.3.10, 3.13.0-39-generic, x86_64: installed
virtualbox, 4.3.10, 3.13.0-40-generic, x86_64: installed
virtualbox, 4.3.10, 3.13.0-43-generic, x86_64: installed
virtualbox, 4.3.10, 3.5.0-56-generic, x86_64: installed

best,
g.

@gianluca,

If you are using the Linux kernel from Ubuntu 14.04, such as 3.13.0-{39,40,43}-generic, those DKMS packages should not affect your system.
You can remove them by `sudo apt-get purge oem-audio-hda-daily-lts-quantal oem-wireless-bluetooth-intel-7260` if you think they are redundant.
`uname -r` can check the kernel version.

BTW, `ubuntu-drivers devices` may also provide the helpful information.

@fourdollars

i removed those packages and, as you anticipated, the problem still is there.

thanks for your help, waiting (impatiently), the issue to evolve...

best,
g.

Seth Forshee, Ethan Blanton has provided the requested information as per https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1315221/comments/75 . Given you are the only one with access to the requested logs, what would you like to have done now?

Just FYI, there is an updated bios for this hardware (A06) posted on December 22 2014. I don't believe it would influence this bug though. The fixes, as listed here: http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=TDWHX

"Fixes
- Add code to prevent incorrect characters (2/4/6/8) appear if slide direction key quickly.

Enhancements
- Not Applicable. "

Hoping these wifi issues get addressed soon in the LTS kernel as I am also affected on the same hardware (Dell XPS 13 9333).

sticks, what impact a BIOS update for Ubuntu may have is typically not captured in vendor release notes as outlined in https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Hardware_bug_reports_.28linux_kernel.2C_xorg.2C_sound.2C_etc..29 .

However, so your problem and hardware may be tracked, could you please file a new report with Ubuntu by executing the following in a terminal while booted into the default Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/Policies/DuplicateBugs
Ubuntu Community: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

As well, please do not announce in this report you created a new bug report.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs

I am now running BIOS A06 and Ubuntu 14.10 due to a mainboard failure on the laptop necessitating repair by Dell. I will update here if there appear to be any substantial improvements/regressions. I apologize if this loses track of the state for LTS, but as this is a machine I need for daily use I thought it best to take advantage of the enforced reinstall to update to 14.10.

A06
11/07/2014

ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.6
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC1: isvoboda 2158 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: isvoboda 2158 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/pcmC0D0p: isvoboda 2158 F...m pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: XFCE
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-09-30 (108 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Xubuntu 14.04.1 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20140723)
MachineType: MSI MS-7851
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcFB: 0 EFI VGA
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-40-generic.efi.signed root=UUID=b6e4afa1-c663-4dd8-98fc-69d94dcae276 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-40.69-generic 3.13.11.10
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.13.0-40-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.13.0-40-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.127.11
Tags: trusty
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-40-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip lpadmin plugdev sambashare sudo
_MarkForUpload: True
dmi.bios.date: 11/21/2014
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: V5.5
dmi.board.asset.tag: To be filled by O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: H97I AC (MS-7851)
dmi.board.vendor: MSI
dmi.board.version: 1.0
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: To be filled by O.E.M.
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: MSI
dmi.chassis.version: 1.0
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvrV5.5:bd11/21/2014:svnMSI:pnMS-7851:pvr1.0:rvnMSI:rnH97IAC(MS-7851):rvr1.0:cvnMSI:ct3:cvr1.0:
dmi.product.name: MS-7851
dmi.product.version: 1.0
dmi.sys.vendor: MSI

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Hi I am runing Xubuntu 14.04.1 with the same wifi card (ntel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260). I have the latest bios. The problem with the unstable wifi connection (wpa2, 2.4GHz) appears in kernels > 3.0.13-40. ie 3.0.13.40 works well while the actual 13.0.13.44 suffers with the connection problem.
In my case I am running the desktop with the msi H97I AC motherboard.

Pavel, it would be most helpful if you filed a new report (not apport-collect to another report) via a terminal:
ubuntu-bug linux

Sure, sorry for the mess.

OK. 3.16.0-29 seems to be much better, but I just experienced the same symptoms as for the logs (I believe) referred to in comment 77 above; specifically, the machine lost association with the AP and could not reestablish. Removing and reinserting the iwlmvm and iwlwifi modules fixed the problem and I was able to reassociate (using Network Manager) immediately.

Seth, I took a wifi-debug dump during the period when it would not reassociate, let me know if you want it.

Hello,

I filled an apport bug in another topic: #1426259

imho this should linked with this one but i'm not sure on how to proceed.

i'm sorry to bother with chat-like questions, if this is not the correct place just let me know:

- is this bug affecting all distro? i'm often abroad and a laptop without wifi is quite limiting...

- in case no, anyone that already tested a working one?

- in case i will wait for the bug to be solved is there any schedule?

thanks a lot for any reply,
g.

Hello,

I solved the problem. Actually, I do not know how so, in order to be useful to someone, I share the operations made:

- I updated the BIOS of my Dell XPS 13 from A05 to A06 as suggested in #1426259. The following weeks I then verified that it worked "most of the times". I traveled and, let me say that it worked with 8 different networks on 10;

- For another reason (noise from the audio system), Dell changed my motherboard.

Since then, the wifi works regularly but the BIOS is the previous one, A05.

Best,
g.

I'm now on 15.04, BIOS A06, kernel 3.19.0-25, and I still have intermittent problems, although things are better than they were at their worst. When I do have problems, removing and reinserting iwlmvm/iwlwifi fixes it.

15.10 and 16.04 both appear to be much improved. I haven't been running 16.04 long enough to be sure, but 15.10 probably required reinsertion of the drivers no more than 2-3 times over the six months I ran it.

What I do find is that the wireless card is often (but not always) disabled after wake from sleep regardless of its state prior to sleep. This is of minimal consequence as it is easily remedied by right-clicking on nm-applet.

This just happened again, linux-image-4.4.0-31-generic 4.4.0-31.50, 16.04. It certainly happens less often with 16.04 than it did in 15.04 and previous.

Yes, I am running A06. However, a) the A08 update does not indicate anything but a touchpad fix for Windows 10 32-bit (I realize this can be unreliable) and b) since the A06 update I have been unable to successfully boot a FreeDOS image to update my BIOS.

If you have any information on how to successfully update to A08 without an installed Windows OS, I'd be happy to hear it.

This problem went away some time between 16.04 and 19.10 (I went from 16.04 to 18.04 some time ago, and I believe it disappeared in that jump); I no longer have a way to test it on 16.04.