Eventual disconnect on WiFi with Intel 7260 NIC

[MarkFrancis905]

Hello all,

I having issues with disconnects after a while. I'm running Ubuntu 14.04 (same issues with 13.10, which I hoped would be fixed via the update).

I can connect to a WifF point fine, it will work for about 20-30 mins and then disconnect. The WiFi access point is no longer listed as available. I know it is because I have other connected devices (android phone).

Im not sure where to start, I have the "iwlwifi-7260-8.ucode" driver in /lib/firmware but I'm not sure where else to look to start troubleshooting.

All forum posts I can find don't describe my problem. I can work on WiFi fine for a set amount of time, then is drops. Any help would be great.

[chili555]

Which firmware is actually being loaded?

dmesg | grep iwl

Also please show us:

ls -al /lib/firmware | grep 7260
lspci -nn | grep 0280

Thanks.

[MarkFrancis905]

Thanks for your help, heres the output you have asked for:

mark@UbuntuLaptop:/root$ dmesg | grep iwl
[   12.256760] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: enabling device (0000 -> 0002)
[   12.256973] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: irq 52 for MSI/MSI-X
[   12.262778] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: loaded firmware version 22.24.8.0 op_mode iwlmvm
[   12.320792] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: Detected Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless AC 7260, REV=0x144
[   12.323103] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: L1 Enabled; Disabling L0S
[   12.323358] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: L1 Enabled; Disabling L0S
[   12.524644] ieee80211 phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'iwl-mvm-rs'
[   12.626020] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: L1 Enabled; Disabling L0S
[   12.626273] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: L1 Enabled; Disabling L0S

mark@UbuntuLaptop:/root$ sudo ls -al /lib/firmware | grep 7260
-rw-r--r--  1 root root  679780 Mar  5 15:45 iwlwifi-7260-8.ucode

mark@UbuntuLaptop:/root$ lspci -nn | grep 0280
06:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Intel Corporation Wireless 7260 [8086:08b1] (rev 6b)

[chili555]

It is, obviously, loading the only firmware you have:

iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: loaded firmware version 22.24.8.0 op_mode iwlmvm

Mysteriously, the driver thinks it wants -7:

$ modinfo iwlwifi
filename:       /lib/modules/3.13.0-24-generic/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwlwifi.ko
license:        GPL
author:         Copyright(c) 2003-2013 Intel Corporation <ilw@linux.intel.com>
version:        in-tree:
description:    Intel(R) Wireless WiFi driver for Linux
<snip>
firmware:       iwlwifi-7260-7.ucode
srcversion:     1E6912E109D5A43B310FB34
<snip>

That may be a typo in the driver code. It would be interesting to see what might happen if the -7 code were available. Would it load in preference to the -8? Would it be stable? Before we try that, here are some other things you might try.

First, check the settings in the router. WPA2-AES is preferred; not any WPA and WPA2 mixed mode and certainly not TKIP. Second, if your router is capable of N speeds, I have better luck with a channel width of 20 MHz in the 2.4 GHz band instead of automatic 20/40 MHz. I also have better luck with a fixed channel, either 1, 6 or 11, rather than automatic channel selection. After making these changes, reboot the router.

Next, I recommend that your regulatory domain be set explicitly. Check yours:

sudo iw reg get

If you get 00, that is a one-size-maybe-fits-all setting. Find yours here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-1_alpha-2 Then set it temporarily:

sudo iw reg set IS

Of course, substitute your country code if not Iceland. Set it permanently:

gksudo gedit /etc/rc.local

Right above the line exit 0, add the line:

iw reg set IS

Proofread carefully, save and close gedit.

Is stability improved?

[MarkFrancis905]

My apologies but I forgot I did certain things when troubleshooting. I noticed I had -7 and -8 versions of the code. I removed -7 from /lib/firmware, which I have now replaced. I also blacklisted 802.11n in the iwlwifi.config file. I have also reverted this. Now we should be on a default config.
I have set my router to 802.11b/g as apposed to b/g/n. It's also set to WPA2 only instead of WPA/WPA2 mixed and the channel to 6. That's all I can configure on this device. (ISP provided router, one day I will set up a dedicated pfSence box, but that's a story for another day ).

I have set my country code, rebooted (in-case the previous changes need applying).

Here are the previous outputs now all changes you recommended have been applied:

mark@UbuntuLaptop:~$ dmesg | grep iwl[   42.938434] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: enabling device (0000 -> 0002)
[   42.939773] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: irq 52 for MSI/MSI-X
[   42.943996] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: loaded firmware version 22.24.8.0 op_mode iwlmvm
[   42.969241] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: Detected Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless AC 7260, REV=0x144
[   42.969327] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: L1 Enabled; Disabling L0S
[   42.969603] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: L1 Enabled; Disabling L0S
[   43.177776] ieee80211 phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'iwl-mvm-rs'
[   43.326649] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: L1 Enabled; Disabling L0S
[   43.326902] iwlwifi 0000:06:00.0: L1 Enabled; Disabling L0S


mark@UbuntuLaptop:~$ ls -al /lib/firmware/ | grep 7260
-rw-r--r--  1 root root  683236 Mar  5 15:45 iwlwifi-7260-7.ucode
-rw-r--r--  1 root root  679780 Mar  5 15:45 iwlwifi-7260-8.ucode


mark@UbuntuLaptop:~$ lspci -nn | grep 0280
06:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Intel Corporation Wireless 7260 [8086:08b1] (rev 6b)

My issue is disconnects after a while, so I will try to simulate this. I will update with my findings. Thank you again for your help.

[MarkFrancis905]

Update: I got disconnected within 100 pings, prompted for a password and connected again.

[chili555]

Update: I got disconnected within 100 pings, prompted for a password and connected again.

Is power management on or off?

iwconfig

Does the syslog hold any clues?

cat /var/log/syslog | grep -e iwl -e 80211 | tail -n25

Ideally run just after a disconnect.

It seems that, even in the presence of the -7 firmware, the driver grabs -8.

[MarkFrancis905]

As soon as I stopped the pings to run the commands, I was prompted for the password for my wifi again. It's still populated with the correct one, and clicking connect reconnects it. I'm not sure if that information is any help, but the more you know the better.

Power management is off.

I may need to expand the amount of lines i pull from the logs, but below are the significant information I managed to pull back. Is this any help?

UbuntuLaptop dbus[596]: [system] Successfully activated service 'org.freedesktop.nm_dispatcher'$
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> inactive$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <warn> No agents were available for this request.$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: need-auth -> failed (reason 'no-secrets') [60 120 7]$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> NetworkManager state is now DISCONNECTED$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> Marking connection 'BTHub3-8HJJ 1' invalid.$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <warn> Activation (wlan0) failed for connection 'BTHub3-8HJJ 1'$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: failed -> disconnected (reason 'none') [120 30 0]$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): deactivating device (reason 'none') [0]$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): canceled DHCP transaction, DHCP client pid 4423$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Withdrawing address record for fe80::7e7a:91ff:fe27:c03b on wlan0.$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Leaving mDNS multicast group on interface wlan0.IPv6 with address fe80::7e7a:91ff:fe27:c03b.$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Interface wlan0.IPv6 no longer relevant for mDNS.$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2775.903156] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Withdrawing address record for 192.168.1.101 on wlan0.$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Leaving mDNS multicast group on interface wlan0.IPv4 with address 192.168.1.101.$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Interface wlan0.IPv4 no longer relevant for mDNS.$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <warn> DNS: plugin dnsmasq update failed$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> Removing DNS information from /sbin/resolvconf$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop dnsmasq[2098]: setting upstream servers from DBus$
Apr 18 17:59:59 UbuntuLaptop wpa_supplicant[1111]: wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-STARTED $


mark@UbuntuLaptop:~$ cat /var/log/syslog | grep -e iwl -e 80211 | tail -n25
Apr 18 17:57:55 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2651.247571] cfg80211:   (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:55 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2651.247595] cfg80211: Calling CRDA for country: GB
Apr 18 17:57:55 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2651.253011] cfg80211: Regulatory domain changed to country: GB
Apr 18 17:57:55 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2651.253019] cfg80211:   (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp)
Apr 18 17:57:55 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2651.253024] cfg80211:   (2402000 KHz - 2482000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:55 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2651.253027] cfg80211:   (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:55 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2651.253031] cfg80211:   (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:55 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2651.253034] cfg80211:   (5490000 KHz - 5710000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2700 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:55 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2651.253037] cfg80211:   (57240000 KHz - 65880000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 4000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.545950] cfg80211: Calling CRDA to update world regulatory domain
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.553352] cfg80211: World regulatory domain updated:
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.553359] cfg80211:   (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.553364] cfg80211:   (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.553368] cfg80211:   (2457000 KHz - 2482000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.553372] cfg80211:   (2474000 KHz - 2494000 KHz @ 20000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.553375] cfg80211:   (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.553378] cfg80211:   (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.553410] cfg80211: Calling CRDA for country: GB
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.560765] cfg80211: Regulatory domain changed to country: GB
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.560773] cfg80211:   (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.560777] cfg80211:   (2402000 KHz - 2482000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.560781] cfg80211:   (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.560785] cfg80211:   (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.560788] cfg80211:   (5490000 KHz - 5710000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2700 mBm)
Apr 18 17:57:59 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2655.560791] cfg80211:   (57240000 KHz - 65880000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 4000 mBm)


Apr 18 17:53:57 UbuntuLaptop wpa_supplicant[1111]: wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-STARTED $
Apr 18 17:53:57 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop wpa_supplicant[1111]: wlan0: SME: Trying to authenticate with 00:03:d8:06:d9:3a (SSID='BTHub3-8HJJ' freq=2437 MHz)$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2416.194225] wlan0: authenticate with 00:03:d8:06:d9:3a$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2416.195862] wlan0: send auth to 00:03:d8:06:d9:3a (try 1/3)$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop wpa_supplicant[1111]: wlan0: Trying to associate with 00:03:d8:06:d9:3a (SSID='BTHub3-8HJJ' freq=2437 MHz)$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2416.197818] wlan0: authenticated$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2416.200626] wlan0: associate with 00:03:d8:06:d9:3a (try 1/3)$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> associating$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2416.209722] wlan0: RX AssocResp from 00:03:d8:06:d9:3a (capab=0x431 status=0 aid=2)$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 2416.210950] wlan0: associated$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop wpa_supplicant[1111]: wlan0: Associated with 00:03:d8:06:d9:3a$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: associating -> associated$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: associated -> 4-way handshake$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop wpa_supplicant[1111]: wlan0: WPA: Key negotiation completed with 00:03:d8:06:d9:3a [PTK=CCMP GTK=TKIP]$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop wpa_supplicant[1111]: wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-CONNECTED - Connection to 00:03:d8:06:d9:3a completed [id=0 id_str=]$
Apr 18 17:54:00 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: 4-way handshake -> completed$

[MarkFrancis905]

Here are some more logs right after a disconnect, bolded are things I think look significant:

UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning$Apr 18 19:17:01 UbuntuLaptop CRON[5146]: (root) CMD (   cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.hourly)$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <warn> (wlan0): link timed out.$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: activated -> failed (reason 'SSID not found') [100 120 53]$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> NetworkManager state is now DISCONNECTED$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <warn> Activation (wlan0) failed for connection 'BTHub3-8HJJ 1'$
Apr 18 19:16:13 UbuntuLaptop whoopsie[1287]: online$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop whoopsie[1287]: offline$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop dbus[596]: [system] Activating service name='org.freedesktop.nm_dispatcher' (using servicehelper)$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: failed -> disconnected (reason 'none') [120 30 0]$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): deactivating device (reason 'none') [0]$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop dbus[596]: [system] Successfully activated service 'org.freedesktop.nm_dispatcher'$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> (wlan0): canceled DHCP transaction, DHCP client pid 5003$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Withdrawing address record for fe80::7e7a:91ff:fe27:c03b on wlan0.$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Leaving mDNS multicast group on interface wlan0.IPv6 with address fe80::7e7a:91ff:fe27:c03b.$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Interface wlan0.IPv6 no longer relevant for mDNS.$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Withdrawing address record for 192.168.1.101 on wlan0.$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Leaving mDNS multicast group on interface wlan0.IPv4 with address 192.168.1.101.$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop avahi-daemon[731]: Interface wlan0.IPv4 no longer relevant for mDNS.$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <warn> DNS: plugin dnsmasq update failed$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <info> Removing DNS information from /sbin/resolvconf$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop dnsmasq[2098]: setting upstream servers from DBus$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop kernel: [ 7403.998547] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready$
Apr 18 19:17:03 UbuntuLaptop NetworkManager[1007]: <warn> Couldn't disconnect supplicant interface: This interface is not connected.$

[chili555]

I think your observation is correct. This suggests that the wireless radio in your computer could no longer hear a beacon response from the wireless router and disconnected. There are a few things you can do at the router and a few things you can do at the driver.

Some routers allow for changes to transmit power. Please see attached. You may have some luck increasing the power just a bit. Be careful as increasing the power excessively increases heat and reduces life expectancy. Second, you might experiment with the orientation of the router. Sometimes, a move a few inches left or right, front or back or even orienting the router vertically or at an angle can be helpful. After experimenting with a change, check:

iwconfig

wlan0 IEEE 802.11abgn ESSID:"GBR1"
Mode:Managed Frequency:5.805 GHz Access Point: xx:D7:19:41:54:xx
Bit Rate=6 Mb/s Tx-Power=15 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:off
Link Quality=52/70 Signal level=-58 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0

Next, we can ask the driver suite to wait a bit longer before giving up and hanging up:

sudo -i
echo "options mac80211 probe_wait_ms=3000"  >  /etc/modprobe.d/mac80211.conf
echo "options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1"  >>  /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf
exit

Reboot and tell us if there is any improvement.

We notice that your SSID name has a space in it:

Activation (wlan0) failed for connection 'BTHub3-8HJJ 1'

If BT allows you to make a change in the device, you might change it to something a bit simpler, like 'ilovecoldbeer.'

The 7260 is a very new device and there have already been three firmware updates so this is very much experimental. Thank you for being a helpful tester.