Surface RT: Wireless/WiFi Can’t Connect – Workaround

We have been having WiFi connectivity issues with both Surface RT units since the December updates.

Prior to that we were connecting flawlessly no matter where we were with them.

A workaround for now is to do the following:

1. Open RegEdit
2. Navigate to Computer\HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class
• 
3. Search for AutoUse40MHz
• Change from “1” to “0”
4. Change Band from “6” to “4”.
5. Reboot.

When the Surface RT finishes its reboot it will be forced to B/G only:

Considering file copies to USB run around 5MB/Second or thereabouts running at 54Mbps on the WiFi is not a really big hit in “performance” on the Surface RT.

To date, once we made these two changes the units have not had a WiFi problem.

• Microsoft Answers Forum: wifi on the windows surface (sic)
• About half way down on page 2 reply by vland.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

Windows Live Writer