Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe adapter issue [disappears intermitently]

[avantgardeanuj]

Wifi on my laptop keeps dropping. I started to face this issue from last couple of months. Everytime I restart my laptop, Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe adapter do not get appear in Network adaptor in Device Manager. It shows there is no wireless connectivity in the laptop. Usual checks are done - wifi is enabled, works with ethernet but no option to select the home wifi network.

Can you please help?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Unfortunately, that is a very lousy wifi card that has multitudes of problems such as what you are experiencing now.

I don't know why HP uses this model card in any of their notebooks.

The only suggestion I can offer, if you have not done so already, would be to update both the wifi and bluetooth drivers to their latest versions, and restart the PC.

WiFi:  2024.0.10.220 

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp111001-111500/sp111389.exe

Bluetooth:  1.8.1030.3010

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp110501-111000/sp110502.exe

I have two 255 G7's with the same model wifi adapter, and knock on wood, I have not had any issues with either of mine.

I'm using the latest drivers I posted above.

[avantgardeanuj]

Thanks for your prompt. Unfortunately it did not work.

I reset the windows 10 and installed the drivers (both wifi and bluetooth) as per your advise but wifi is still not working,

ComputerName : LAPTOP-BCV38NJR
InterfaceAlias : WiFi
InterfaceIndex : 2
InterfaceDescription : Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Adapter
NetCompartment.CompartmentId : 1
NetCompartment.CompartmentDescription : Default Compartment
NetAdapter.LinkLayerAddress : 48-5F-99-50-39-27
NetAdapter.Status : Disconnected

ComputerName : LAPTOP-BCV38NJR
InterfaceAlias : Bluetooth Network Connection
InterfaceIndex : 7
InterfaceDescription : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
NetCompartment.CompartmentId : 1
NetCompartment.CompartmentDescription : Default Compartment
NetAdapter.LinkLayerAddress : 48-5F-99-50-39-28
NetAdapter.Status : Disconnected

It says the network adapter status is disconnected.

What else I should try now?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Sorry that didn't work.

Unfortunately, I don't have any other suggestions you can try.

Normally, I would recommend that you replace the wifi card with a different model but since your notebook only has one antenna wire connected to the Realtek card, any other dual band AC card would require two antenna wires be connected in order to have both the wifi and Bluetooth to work.

If your notebook is still under warranty, I suggest that you contact HP technical support and submit a support case under the warranty.

If your notebook is not under warranty, and you can live without Bluetooth, then see if you can get this card, which as the same specs as the Realtek card.

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 802.11 ac 1x1 WiFi + BT 4.2 Combo Adapter HP part # 863934-855

You should be able to find this model card on eBay.  Search by the HP part number, not the model of the wifi card.

You connect the single antenna to the wifi card's Main antenna terminal and the wifi should work just fine, but since you don't have two wifi antenna cables, the Bluetooth will not have enough reception to work properly if at all.

Below is the link to the service manual, where you can find the wifi card removal and replacement procedure.

Maintenance and Service Guide HP 250 G7 Notebook PC

There is also a service video gallery...

HP Support - YouTube

Or, you can just use an external USB dual band wifi adapter.

They make some nano-sized ones that hardly stick out of the USB port.

[avantgardeanuj]

thanks Paul, much appreciated.

HP laptop is no longer in warranty now. 

when I restart my laptop, WiFi gets enabled for 30 seconds and then it vanishes and no WiFi network is detected. It’s like something is forcing to get disabled.

I believe best bet is to buy an external WiFi adapter.

is this one right for me -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Wireless-External-Antenna-OS10-6-10-12/dp/B019SRBUNG

USB Wifi Adapter 600Mbps Wireless Network Adapter with Dual Band 2.4GHz/150Mbps+5Ghz/433Mbps 2DBI Antenna for Desktop Windows XP/Vista/7/8.1/10 Mac 10.7-10.14 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B019SRBUNG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VRPRFJW6KB5XFNT9X29A

or preferred tried and tested you can recommend that would be great.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, those would work but if you just want one that isn't so big, you can try one of these.

This one does not have Bluetooth...

Foktech Wifi Dongle, AC600 802.11ac Dual Band 5GHz Mini Wireless Network USB Wifi Adapter for PC Des...

This one has wifi and bluetooth.  Would be a good choice if the Realtek Bluetooth has also disappeared from the device manager.

XVZ USB WiFi bluetooth dongle, 600mbps dual band 2.4G/5G wireless Wi-Fi adapter network card for lap...

[avantgardeanuj]

Received the external wifi adapter now. It is working fine now 

Thanks Paul, you are a problem solver, much appreciared.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.