Have You Installed the December 2023 Windows 11 Update? Here’s How It Affects Wi-Fi Networks
If you’ve installed the December 2023 Windows 11 update, you might notice that it causes issues with Wi-Fi connectivity. Keep reading to understand these problems and learn how to fix broken Wi-Fi networks in Windows 11.
What’s in the December 2023 Windows 11 Update?
This update includes new Intel, AMD, and Realtek drivers. However, the patch notes lack detailed explanations of these changes, leaving many tech professionals speculating about their impact. If you don’t require the graphics driver updates, it may be wise to delay this update to avoid potential Wi-Fi issues.
That said, the update also includes some security improvements. Microsoft refers to these updates as “miscellaneous” but does not provide specifics in the documentation.
Wi-Fi Problems Caused by the Update
The update affects your adapter’s ability to connect to Wi-Fi networks, but the issues aren’t uniform across all networks. For example, while you might connect to your home Wi-Fi without trouble, your adapter may struggle on enterprise, public, or educational networks.
The problem is particularly pronounced for networks using 802.1x authentication, a common standard in enterprise and institutional environments. Many professionals suspect the root cause lies with outdated Qualcomm wireless adapters, widely used in devices in educational institutions and public organizations.
Fixing Windows 11 Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues
If you encounter Wi-Fi problems after the update, try these two troubleshooting methods:
1. Disable 802.11r
The 802.11r feature allows faster roaming between networks when signals drop. However, it appears linked to the connectivity problems caused by the December update. Disabling 802.11r on affected networks may resolve the issue.
Keep in mind: Disabling 802.11r can cause other problems, such as poor roaming performance on mobile devices. Given the minor improvements it offers in this situation, this solution is not ideal.
2. Use Known Issue Rollback (KIR)
Microsoft offers a better solution through its Known Issue Rollback (KIR) feature, designed to address non-security bugs introduced by updates.
How KIR works:
- KIR stores the previous version’s code, allowing Windows to revert to it if issues arise.
- The system dynamically determines whether to use the old or new code based on updated policies.
For end users, this process happens automatically: Microsoft updates the settings in the cloud, and the fix is applied the next time you restart your computer. Note that the rollback may take up to 24 hours to fully resolve the issue.
For enterprise users: Administrators can deploy a special group configuration to expedite the resolution.
Conclusion
Although the December 2023 Windows 11 update introduces Wi-Fi issues, these problems can be resolved. You can disable 802.11r for a quick but imperfect fix, or rely on Microsoft’s Known Issue Rollback feature for a more robust solution. A simple system restart, with some patience, should restore your Wi-Fi connectivity.