AC Wifi Adapter Upgrade for HP 15-ay196nr Notebook

[Zedd73]

I would like to upgrade from the stock wifi Realtek b/g/n wifi card to a 1x1 or 2x2 AC wifi and bluetooth card in my and my wife's 15-ay196nr Notebooks, but cannot seem to find the service manual listed cards available for sale anywhere online.

The service manual lists two 1x1 cards:

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 802.11 ac 1x1 WiFi + BT 4.2 Combo

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 802.11 ac 1x1 WiFi + BT 4.2 Combo Adapter

Again, would prefer to install compatible 2x2 cards to maximize the bandwidth capability through my AC router, but will settle for 1x1's if it will provide faster speeds than the stock Realtek RTL8723BE 802.11b/g/n 1x1 Wi-Fi + BT4.0 Combo Adapter.

Appreciate any help you can provide in finding a suitable solution!

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Zedd73

Thank you for posting on HP Forums,

The Riddle_Decipher is at your service.

As I Understand you want to upgrade your Wifi card,

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help you, although, to provide an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details to dissect your concern: 

Did you check the Intel website for details and differences of the two cards you've listed? if you haven't, here is a link: Click here

Also, I had a check and apart from the fact that the 3165 was released in 2015 and the 3168 was released in 2016, there's no other difference and as a result I personally suggest you could try an external USB WiFi dongle that supports 2x2 rather than investing on the above-listed cards, this way you would have a portable WiFi dongle/card and you will have the speed you prefer.
(i don't have any favorites as such, so you can check at the HP store or any local store for that matter and get the one that meets your preferences).

Keep me posted,

If the information I've provided was helpful, 

Give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, 

That'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[Zedd73]

Riddle_Decipher,

Thanks for the initial reply.

I would prefer to install an internal replacement, rather than eating up a USB port with a dongle-style wifi card.

That said, is it possible that the Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 card (which is a 2x2 card listed on that same page you linked me) would be compatible with my hardware?

I found a posting on Amazon stating that somoene had replaced an Intel 3165 with the 8260 and it worked great.  I figure since the 3165 is compatible with mine, then logically the 8260 should work as well, correct?

If not, I think I would be fine with the increased speed of the 1x1 card (3165 or 3168), as long as I knew for sure it would be compatible, since that still gets me to a higher throughput than the 100Mbps cabled connection to the computer that I am currently using.

Thanks again for any additional advice/information you can provide.

[Riddle_Decipher · Accepted solution]

@Zedd73

Thank you for the update,

I appreciate your time and efforts,

Like I mentioned earlier, there's hardly any difference between the 3165 & 3168,

Which is why I suggested the USB dongle as it's safe to replace and cheap.

That said, I'm afraid the WiFi cards compatible with your computer are as listed below:

Support for the following WLAN formats:

● Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 802.11bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi adapter

● Realtek RTL8188EE 802.11bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi adapter

● Realtek RT8723BE 802.11bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi+BT 4.0 Combo Adapter

● Broadcom BCM43142 802.11bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi + BT 4.0 HMC Combo Adapter

Although, replacing internal parts could be risky and we normally replace such parts at the HP repair center and if you feel comfortable replacing it on your own, 

You may do so, at your own discretion.

If you wish to get it replaced via HP, please give them a call:

Please use the following link to create yourself a case number, then call and it may help speed up the call process:

Step 1. Open link: www.hp.com/contacthp/

Step 2. Enter Product number or select to auto detect

Step 3. Scroll down to "Still need help? Complete the form to select your contact options"

Step 4. Scroll down and click: HP contact options - click on Get phone number to obtain a case along with the phone number.

They will be happy to assist you immediately.

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, 

Mark my post as Accepted Solution.

And click on the Purple Thumbs up icon at the bottom of my comment.

Regards,