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Optimize Wi-Fi connectivity on Surface devices

  • Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11

Surface devices are designed to maintain seamless connectivity and optimize power consumption to support all-day productivity. This article provides guidance on optimizing Wi-Fi performance and outlines the key settings to ensure uninterrupted wireless connectivity across different environments.

Recommendations for IT admins

To ensure your organization’s Surface devices benefit from the latest wireless optimization, follow these key recommendations:

  • Install the latest drivers and firmware: Use Windows Update or the Surface Driver and Firmware MSI to ensure Surface devices are up to date. Installing the latest updates improves performance, stability, and connectivity.
  • Configure access points for fast roaming: Enable protocols like 802.11k, 802.11v, and 802.11r to enhance roaming capabilities. These protocols allow Surface devices to transition smoothly between access points, reducing disruptions as users move between coverage areas.
  • Avoid custom configurations: Maintain default Wi-Fi settings where possible to leverage the optimized factory configurations on Surface devices. These settings balance performance and power efficiency, ensuring reliability in typical usage scenarios.

Configuring access points for optimal roaming capabilities

If you're managing wireless networks accessed by Surface devices, it's recommended to enable 802.11k, 802.11v, and 802.11r protocols for seamless roaming. These protocols improve how Surface devices connect to the best available access points:

  • 802.11r (Fast BSS Transition): Reduces handoff times between access points by minimizing authentication steps.
  • 802.11k (Neighbor Reports): Provides the device with detailed information about nearby access points to optimize handoff decisions.
  • 802.11v (BSS Transition Management Frames): Helps devices choose access points based on real-time conditions beyond signal strength, such as network congestion.

Supported devices: Most recent Surface devices, including Surface Pro 7 and later, Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Pro X, and Surface Go models, fully support these protocols.

Managing wireless settings on Surface devices

In most cases, default wireless settings provide optimal performance. However, in complex network environments or in cases where users experience disruptions, IT admins can adjust key settings to improve Wi-Fi performance.

  1. Roaming aggressiveness: You can configure the threshold at which Surface devices search for a new access point when the signal weakens.
    • Default: Medium (72% signal strength).
    • Recommendation: Increase roaming aggressiveness only if needed for environments with dense Wi-Fi networks.

Note

Increasing roaming aggressiveness improves connectivity but can lead to faster battery depletion.

  1. Dual-band Wi-Fi capability: By default, Surface devices dynamically switch between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands based on network availability and signal quality.

Tip

Avoid forcing the device to connect only to the 5 GHz band, as many public Wi-Fi hotspots still use 2.4 GHz networks.

To configure Wi-Fi settings:

  1. Open Start > Device Manager.
  2. Under Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties.
  3. Select the Advanced tab to adjust settings like Roaming Aggressiveness and Preferred Band.

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi performance

Check for firmware and driver updates

Surface devices rely on the latest Wi-Fi driver and firmware updates for optimal performance. Ensure your devices stay updated by following the steps in Manage and deploy Surface driver and firmware updates.

Minimize signal interference

Wireless performance can be impacted by environmental factors such as thick walls or metal obstructions. Encourage users to:

  • Avoid blocking the top of the Surface Pro or Surface Go, where the Wi-Fi radio receiver is located.
  • Use the device in areas with strong signal coverage and minimal interference.

Tip

When working in areas with many overlapping Wi-Fi networks (like apartment buildings), setting Surface devices to use the 5 GHz band temporarily can reduce interference.

Optimize performance with Surface tools

For IT admins, the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit can be used to identify and resolve common connectivity issues on Surface devices.

Summary

Surface devices are designed to offer optimized wireless connectivity out of the box, with default Wi-Fi settings balancing performance and power consumption. By keeping devices updated with the latest firmware and drivers, enabling fast-roaming protocols, and using recommended configurations, organizations can ensure reliable connectivity and seamless productivity for their users.

For more information, see: