Wifi keeps dropping in Windows 10 (BootCamp) on new tbMBP 15"

jasondunn wrote:

Does anyone know how to get the newest bootcamp drivers for the trackpad onto my MacBook without installing the networking drivers? Looking on Apple's site for the drivers, I couldn't find ones for individual pieces of hardware. If you download the full driver kit, do you get the option to only install certain ones?

Look in Bootcamp -> Drivers on the USB to where you download these drivers and run individual executables as desired. You can also look in Bootcamp.xml for detailed versions and driver files.

I've been meaning to write up a full step by step about this, because I solved the problem, but since I haven't finished that yet, here's the solution: when you first install Bootcamp, and it boots into Windows 10 for the first time, the Apple bootcamp software will start to install. You'll see security prompt to install the Broadcomm device software. Click DON'T INSTALL. This will skip installing the Apple-provided WiFi adaptors, and after a reboot, Windows 10 will use its own drivers. After doing this, I have 100% stable WiFi on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands. I've run all the Windows updates, and everything is fast and stable.

If you've already installed Windows 10, here's the good news: you can boot into macOS, use Bootcamp to wipe out the Windows partition and start over, and Windows 10 will activate without issue because it's the same hardware.

I tried other ways of fixing this - using Windows 10's reset feature to roll back all changes, which got me stable WiFi but then I had no bootcamp software and thus no touchbar controls, trackpad controls, or the ability to get future updates. I fussed around a bit with manually trying to install specific drivers but it was a mess - the drivers I thought should work wouldn't install. Apple, in their typical way, made things work well if you do it exactly the way they expect (letting Bootcamp do all the work) but it's a disaster if you try to go your own way.

So, even if it's a bit of extra work to re-install Windows 10 and re-set things up, it's what I'd reccomend.

jasondunn wrote:

Under device manager, for the Broadcomm 802.11ac Network Adaptor, the driver version I have is 7.35.118.68. I didn't get a similar screenshot after the Apple driver was installed.

This is the Apple Broadcom driver.

OK, I'm going to humour you 🙂 by running the ping test for at least 20 minutes. If one 32 byte packet happens to drop, however, out of hundreds of pings, how does that equate to the crippling WiFi problems (huge packet loss, 30% of my normal speed, constant time-outs, etc.) I was seeing when I first installed the .64 driver? How could you even tell if 0.1% of packets are being dropped? Colour me a bit skeptical here.

<comes back an hour later>

I ran the test (pinging google.com at 216.58.193.110) for about 50 minutes, and the results are shown here:

3 packets lost out of 3371 sent. Effectively 0% loss.

Now are you more convinced that I have a stable WiFi connection? 😉

Hi. I am not sure if your wifi issue has been resolved.

My situation. 15" Touch Bar MacBook Pro. Wifi works flawlessly under Sierra. Installed Windows 10 through external SSD vis Bootcamp. Everything works except wifi under Windows. I abandoned it for weeks and last night decided to try to resolve the wifi issues.

I opened Device Manager

Opened Properties for my Broadcom Adapter. It is .68 if anyone is wondering.

Under the Advanced tab, I selected Bandwidth Capability. It was set to "None". So, my laptop was not able to connect.

Once I switched to 11a/b/g: 20/40MHz, my Windows 10 MacBook Pro automatically connected to my Wifi.

I hope this works for you.

Unfortunately I dont have a solution, I am just adding myself to the list.
My current machine is latest macbook pro 15

Router settings:

Tests:

macOS Sierra:

- Ping www.google.com

--- www.google.com ping statistics ---

50 packets transmitted, 50 packets received, 0.0% packet loss

round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 12.976/16.391/35.277/5.426 ms

- Internet speed test

- Wireless connection

WINDOWS 10

- ping www.google.com

Packets: Sent = 50, Received = 49, Lost = 1 (2% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 12ms, Maximum = 864ms, Average = 65ms

- Internet speed test

- Wireless connection

Its clear that windows have issues... no matter how many changes I do to the router...
APPLE PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!

I have installed W10 (1607) on a tbMBP 2016 and can connect to 802.11n 5G and 802.11ac 5G without any issues using the .64 drivers. All my Access Points are Apple (mix of Express, Extreme, Time Capsules) running the latest firmware in a roaming network with ethernet bridging to the ISP gateway.

I downloaded the latest Broadcom driver over the Apple Software Updater.

Version: 7.35.118.68 from 11/26/2016

Today I had an appointment on the GeniusBar in Berlin and gave them my tbMBP 15" to repair. I have some popping sounds coming from the machine and the "B" key sometimes don't work.
For the meantime (because repair will take 7-10 days) I bought me a new tbMBP 15". My Bootcamp installation is on a external SSD so I'm using WindowsToGo and I have to say the Wifi works normal on the new machine.

Right now I'm now using my Wifi Dongle. Just tried to connect to my FritzBox 7490 and it worked perfectly. No Settings changed. Just a brandnew machine.

I need to apologize. Now I'm using again my Wifi dongle because the signal to my router dropped and I can not connect to it anymore. It *****. Really.

ToPur wrote:

It's a driver problem, but it seems like you can't do anything about it, but to change your routers Wi-Fi to use 20 MHz bandwidth instead of 40 MHz, we all know the macs hardware is capable to choose between those two, but nobody practically takes responsibility about the sh*tty driver on Boot Camped Windows. Not the hardware manufacturer nor Apple or Microsoft.

My router had 20/40 setting so I locked it at 20 MHz and it magically worked.

Be careful with such sweeping statements. Here is an example which does not seem to corroborate your conclusion.

08:fa is 2.4G/20Mhz and 08:fb is 5G/80Mhz .

Windows 10 on a 2012 MBP connects (notice the driver version) to the 80Mhz channels.

C:\Windows\system32>netsh wlan show all

Wireless System Information Summary

(Time: 7/30/2017 3:46:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time)

=======================================================================

============================== SHOW DRIVERS ===========================

=======================================================================

Interface name: Wi-Fi

Driver : Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter

Vendor : Broadcom

Provider : Broadcom

Date : 7/24/2015

Version : 7.35.118.40

INF file : C:\Windows\INF\oem21.inf

Files : 3 total

C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\BCMWL63a.SYS

C:\Windows\system32\bcmihvsrv64.dll

C:\Windows\system32\bcmihvui64.dll

Type : Native Wi-Fi Driver

Radio types supported : 802.11n 802.11a 802.11g 802.11b

FIPS 140-2 mode supported : Yes

802.11w Management Frame Protection supported : Yes

Hosted network supported : Yes

Authentication and cipher supported in infrastructure mode:

Open None

Open WEP

WPA-Enterprise TKIP

WPA-Enterprise CCMP

WPA-Personal TKIP

WPA-Personal CCMP

WPA2-Enterprise TKIP

WPA2-Enterprise CCMP

WPA2-Personal TKIP

WPA2-Personal CCMP

Vendor defined Vendor defined

Vendor defined Vendor defined

Authentication and cipher supported in ad-hoc mode:

Open None

Open WEP

WPA2-Personal CCMP

IHV service present : Yes

IHV adapter OUI : [00 10 18], type: [00]

IHV extensibility DLL path: C:\Windows\System32\bcmihvsrv64.dll

IHV UI extensibility ClSID: {aaa6dee9-31b9-4f18-ab39-82ef9b06eb73}

IHV diagnostics CLSID : {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

Wireless Display Supported: Yes (Graphics Driver: Yes, Wi-Fi Driver: Yes)

=======================================================================

============================= SHOW INTERFACES =========================

=======================================================================

There is 1 interface on the system:

Name : Wi-Fi

Description : Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter

GUID : b6e4b48f-9ff6-42ce-bd0c-d7645569dd7a

Physical address : 5c:96:9d:8d:89:53

State : connected

SSID : Apple Network Clarity

BSSID : 34:12:98:0c:08:fb

Network type : Infrastructure

Radio type : 802.11n

Authentication : WPA2-Personal

Cipher : CCMP

Connection mode : Auto Connect

Channel : 0

Receive rate (Mbps) : 450

Transmit rate (Mbps) : 450

Signal : 83%

Profile : Apple Network Clarity

Hosted network status : Not available

The Card settings are...

Using a rMBP 2013 with a 802.11ac adapter (notice the driver version), the connection is

C:\Windows\system32>netsh wlan show all

Wireless System Information Summary

(Time: 7/30/2017 4:01:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time)

=======================================================================

============================== SHOW DRIVERS ===========================

=======================================================================

Interface name: Wi-Fi

Driver : Broadcom 802.11ac Network Adapter

Vendor : Broadcom

Provider : Broadcom

Date : 9/15/2016

Version : 7.35.118.64

INF file : ????

Type : Native Wi-Fi Driver

Radio types supported : 802.11ac 802.11a 802.11n 802.11g 802.11b

FIPS 140-2 mode supported : Yes

802.11w Management Frame Protection supported : Yes

Hosted network supported : Yes

Authentication and cipher supported in infrastructure mode:

Open None

Open WEP

WPA-Enterprise TKIP

WPA-Enterprise CCMP

WPA-Personal TKIP

WPA-Personal CCMP

WPA2-Enterprise TKIP

WPA2-Enterprise CCMP

WPA2-Personal TKIP

WPA2-Personal CCMP

Vendor defined Vendor defined

Vendor defined Vendor defined

Authentication and cipher supported in ad-hoc mode:

Open None

Open WEP

WPA2-Personal CCMP

IHV service present : Yes

IHV adapter OUI : [00 10 18], type: [00]

IHV extensibility DLL path: C:\Windows\System32\bcmihvsrv64.dll

IHV UI extensibility ClSID: {aaa6dee9-31b9-4f18-ab39-82ef9b06eb73}

IHV diagnostics CLSID : {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

Wireless Display Supported: Yes (Graphics Driver: Yes, Wi-Fi Driver: Yes)

=======================================================================

============================= SHOW INTERFACES =========================

=======================================================================

There is 1 interface on the system:

Name : Wi-Fi

Description : Broadcom 802.11ac Network Adapter

GUID : d0669c48-32db-414a-be6f-605e61922df6

Physical address : 78:4f:43:8c:65:03

State : connected

SSID : Apple Network Clarity

BSSID : 34:12:98:0c:08:fb

Network type : Infrastructure

Radio type : 802.11ac

Authentication : WPA2-Personal

Cipher : CCMP

Connection mode : Profile

Channel : 0

Receive rate (Mbps) : 1300

Transmit rate (Mbps) : 1300

Signal : 84%

Profile : Apple Network Clarity

Hosted network status : Not available

Using How to identify MacBook Pro models - Apple Support, the 2016 Model identifiers are 13,x (where x=1,2,3). 13,1 and 13,2 are the 13-in models, while 13,3 is the 15-in model.

On the first page of this discussion, I posted the Broadcom version - 7.35.118.64 - which came from Bootcamp.xml with Product Version (downloaded on 11/23/2016) for Model 13,3 (15-in)

<ProductManufacturer>Apple Inc.</ProductManufacturer>

<ProductVersion>6.1.6655</ProductVersion>

<ProductCode>{FCFFE6B6-BAE8-490E-88D0-097A9DA1C43D}</ProductCode>

The package for 13,1 and 13,2 models is identical using Brigadier, downloaded today.

./brigadier -m MacBookPro13,1 -o Bootcamp-MBP13.1

Using Mac model: MacBookPro13,1.

Model supported in package distribution file at http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/62/12/031-92173/3wq0wswa9q3pcyydhjtfyga m4cpw76ammq/031-92173.English.dist.

Distribution 031-92173 supports the following models: MacBookPro13,1, MacBookPro13,2.

Making directory Bootcamp-MBP13.1/BootCamp-031-92173..

Fetching Boot Camp product at URL http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/62/12/031-92173/3wq0wswa9q3pcyydhjtfyga m4cpw76ammq/BootCampESD.pkg.

100.0% 353181696 / 353176979 bytes

Expanding flat package...

The Product Version is

<ProductManufacturer>Apple Inc.</ProductManufacturer>

<ProductVersion>6.1.6660</ProductVersion>

<ProductCode>{FCFFE6B6-BAE8-490E-88D0-097A9DA1C43D}</ProductCode>

The package offered is

<Name>Broadcom 802.11 SDIO Network Adapter Driver

<InfName>bcmwl63.inf</InfName>

<Class> Net</Class>

<ClassGUID> {4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}</ClassGUID>

<CatalogFile>BCM43XX64.CAT</CatalogFile>

<Provider>Broadcom</Provider>

<DriverVer>09/15/2016, 7.35.118.64</DriverVer>

<ServiceBinary>bcmwlhighsd5.sys</ServiceBinary>

<HardwareID></HardwareID>

<isX64>Both</isX64>

</Name>

If you run Apple Software Update on the Windows side or Windows update, you should get .68 as noted in Re: Wifi keeps dropping in Windows 10 (BootCamp) on new tbMBP 15" on page 10.

TiagoSa wrote:

Its clear that windows have issues... no matter how many changes I do to the router...

1. Please remove 'mixed' mode of 802.11b/g/n and try with 5G/n Only.

2. Does your AP support 802.11ac?

3. Does OS X have any issues?

APPLE PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!

Please file a bug-report at https://bugreport.apple.com/logon using your AppleID.

Hi everyone here,
I am having the same problem, and I have tried everything mentioned in this and in other discussions, but no success.

I am connected to 2.4 ghz wireless, dont have dual band router, and I am not planning to buy another one because this one (technicolor tv788ivn v2) works great with all other devices, also with my old late 2011 macbook pro.

This is link to my discussion about same problem and also about bluetooth lags with MX Anywhere 2.Wireless (Bootcamp) and Bluetooth (MX Anywhere 2) issues on MacBook Pro 13' 2016 w/TB

What I have noticed in windows is that if I turn off wifi, bluetooth mouse is working a lot better (not even close as good as with usb unifying receiver, but kind of usable). With wifi turned on, mouse is not at all usable, cursor jumps 5-10 cm when I move mouse. In macOS wireless works without any problem with max and stable speed, but mx anywhere 2 is having small lags and flickering when used with bluetooth. I have tried same mouse with Acer v nitro notebook, and it works a lot better.

I cant believe that for that high price, you get notebook without stable wireless and bluetooth connection.

Also I have talked to apple support, and they told me that they cant help me with the problems in windows because the problem is probably with drivers, and that Microsoft is the one who I should contact because they make the drivers. Is this true? Even if Apple gives you drivers through "Apple software update" app or Bootcamp windows support drivers, they don't have anything with those drivers, and we are left to wait for Microsoft to fix them??

They (Apple) agreed to try to help me with mouse problem, but I first need to try another bluetooth mouses to see if problem is only with mx anywhere (which I havent tried yet).

Does anyone have the same problem with bluetooth mouse (maybe same one - mx anywhere 2)?
Have anyone figured out a way to fix those wireless problems?

Thank you!

These are my replies to Internet connection issues

Re: Internet connection issues

"I just worked this out today to play PUBG on my MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, mid 2015)

It's a driver problem, but it seems like you can't do anything about it, but to change your routers Wi-Fi to use 20 MHz bandwidth instead of 40 MHz, we all know the macs hardware is capable to choose between those two, but nobody practically takes responsibility about the sh*tty driver on Boot Camped Windows. Not the hardware manufacturer nor Apple or Microsoft.

My router had 20/40 setting so I locked it at 20 MHz and it magically worked.

How I came to this conclusion:

I had the same issue that many of you seem to have so I resorted to using my iPhone SE as a hotspot and noticed internet connection was stable that way, so I figured out it had to have something to do with the router which I knew was working perfectly well.

I deduced that the iPhone is using some older kind of technology on that matter, I remembered the 20/40 setting from week ago when I configured my router, did some google searches and actually found a discussion about the same issue which proved I was right and decided to give it a try. And here we are.

System specs:

Boot Camp, Windows 10 Enterprise 64-bit, version 1607 (aka. anniversary update), build 14393.1480

Broadcom 802.11ac Network Adapter

Driver: Broadcom, 10/6/2015, v. 7.35.118.49"

Re: Internet connection issues

"Seems that people get these connection problems after using the Wi-Fi connection normally for a day or so.

Please read my answer from above and report back later if the driver roll back was/is only a temporary solution.

I was able to play PUBG yesterday, but today I couldn't even open a web page on any browser until now.

Hope this fix works for y'all 😎"

Never said it wouldn't work on 80 MHz,

Like you said it yourself in Re: Internet connection issues "Create a restore point, before you update. There are too many field variations to be able to test in the lab. There are several environmental factors as well."

And I think Broadcom might have changed something in their chips since 2012/2013 so I think the new drivers don't just necessarily work as universally as one would think they do.

And the statement about the responsibility comes from the known fact that Apple tends to say that Boot Camp problems aren't really their issue since Windows is a Microsoft product (though they help people to a certain point with their technical difficulties which is great 🙂), Microsoft says it's hardware manufacturers problem and hardware manufacturers say it's the software manufacturers problem and the circle goes on.

Perfectly understandable situation. This might get solved and probably will, but not maybe as fast as if the problem was on macOS side.

Personally I haven't ever had this much driver issues on Windows PC, but I knew what I was getting into when I was buying a Mac computer and everything I'm doing with it outside macOS is really just tinkering for my own amusement and not so much reason to complain. It's not like I need to use Windows for work.

Had the same issue, bootcamp in 15" tbMBP 2016 can connect to 802.11n/ac 5GHz wifi, but does not connect to 802.11g 2.4GHz wifi whatsoever. Too bad that iPhone personal hotspot is a 2.4GHz network, it means you can't tether an iPhone with windows bootcamp.

After reading this post I felt the issue could be with interference between the broadcom card's wifi and bluetooth part.

then I came across this post and the solution actually worked like magic:

Re: Wireless (Bootcamp) and Bluetooth (MX Anywhere 2) issues on MacBook Pro 13' 2016 w/TB

In short:

Type "device manager" in your search thingy in Windows taskbar and open it

Open "network adapters" dropdown menu

Double click your Broadcom 802.11

Click "advanced"

Select "Bluetooth Collaboration"

Change value to "Disabled"

Note: the method above was meant to fix bluetooth connection issue with tbMBP. However it fixed the wifi issue as well.

Turning off bluetooth collaboration did not disable bluetooth. I can use 2.4GHz wifi and my airpods at the same time with no issues.