trouble with wireless internet connection

[Zagfan]

I just upgraded my home wifi due to connectivity issues in a bedroom which I have turned in to an office (phones, etc. were also having connectivity issues).  My phone and laptop will recognize the stronger wifi signal (5 ghz) but this computer will only recognize the 2.4 ghz signal and will only get a signal strength of about 30-40% which frequently drops to 0%.  Speedtest on it is running 7.7 download / 1.21 upload and if I disable the firewall I get 12.14/1.2.  My laptop on the other hand (also an HP product on Windows 10) will regularly get 11+/1+ and will maintain the connection.  If I can connect to the 5ghz signal (which my other devices can in this same room) then all those devices are running in excess of 62 upload / 5 download consistently.

I have tried moving the computer out of the desk cubby so it had zero obstruction (but the only place to set it then is on the floor) and that does not improve connectivity.  My only other thought is that perhaps I need to replace the wireless antenna or get an external.  Any other suggestions?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

See if updating the wifi card driver helps any.

2024.0.10.103/2024.0.4.108 Aug 22, 2019

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp98501-99000/sp98918.exe

If that doesn't help, you can replace the current internal card with this dual band wifi card that works with the one antenna cable your PC has...

Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11 ac 1×1 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter (MU-MIMO supported)
HP part # L17365-005

The card has been on back order for ages at the HP parts store, but there are plenty of them for sale on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=L17365-005&_sacat=0&_sop=15

Or you can go with your other idea and purchase an external USB dual band wifi adapter.