Compatible adapters with RTL8821CE

[Natik1]

Hi, all,
I would like to replace RTL8821CE with something more modern. I tried the mt7921 card from another HP laptop. But in the device manager there is only bluetooth.

I also tried the Intel AX210 card - only Bluetooth is displayed.

Please can anyone tell me the compatible part numbers/items to purchase?
Thanks, regards,

(OS Windows 10: hp 15-eh1106ua, AMD)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

If you tried those cards and they didn't work, most likely your notebook has a BIOS whitelist.

There's only one other wifi 6 card that I know of that you can try, and if supported, the wifi and bluetooth work with the single antenna wire your notebook comes with.

Realtek Wi-Fi 6 RTL8852BE-VS + Bluetooth 5.3   HP part #N26166-005

If that doesn't work either, you won't be able to upgrade the wifi adapter.

I have found that this small dual band USB wifi 6 adapter with Bluetooth works very well.

Works in a notebook PC's USB port as well.

Amazon.com: TP-Link Nano 2-in-1 AX900 USB WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.3 Adapter for Desktop PC | USB 2.0 Adap...

[Natik1]

ok. I will try to find and buy the card "HP part #N26166-005", but the number of offers is very small.

I will definitely leave a feedback.

P.S. I looked at my laptop's bios and found the following card models: 

- Intel Stone Peak 2 USB of WLAN card
- Intel WLAN 8260NGW MNV Snowfield Peak ac 2x2
- Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9560 802.11 AC 2x2 WiFi
- Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz
- Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz
- Realtek RTL8822CE 802.11 ac 2x2 WiFi
- Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11 ac PCIe
- Realtek RTL8852BE 802.11 ac PCIe

So, is there a whitelist in my laptop?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I don't know why your notebook's BIOS would have any of the following cards:

- Intel WLAN 8260NGW MNV Snowfield Peak ac 2x2 -- a very old card that would never have come with your notebook

-Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9560 802.11 AC 2x2 WiFi -- a CNVi card, not supported in your notebook
- Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz - a CNVi card not supported in your notebook.

Info on Intel CNVi

What Are the Intel® Integrated Connectivity (CNVi) and Companion RF...

The following cards would work; however you would have to add a second antenna wire in order to have Bluetooth reception.

- Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz

Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 ax 2×2 + Bluetooth 5.0 MU-MIMO M.2 2230 non-vPro   HP part # L35282-005

- Realtek RTL8822CE 802.11 ac 2x2 Wi-Fi

WLAN RT 11AC 2X2 +BT5 M.2 2230  HP part # L44796-005

- Realtek RTL8852BE 802.11 ac PCIe - not sure why it indicates ac. That model is a Wi-Fi 6 card.  Should be ax, not ac

The parts list for the 15-eh1xxx model series shows this card was an option, but it also needs two antenna wires in order to work.

SKO-WLAN 6 RTK ax 2x2+BT RTL8852AE   HP part # M34027-005

If you want to add a second antenna wire, I would go with the Intel AX200 which shows as a supported card in the 15-eh0xxx model series.  Chapter 3, page 17 of the service manual.

It would be a lot of work to add a second antenna wire.

You can download the service manual from the link below:

HP Pavilion PC 15-eh0000 | Maintenance and Service Guide

[Natik1]

Thank you for the quick response.

Since I couldn't find the Realtek Wi-Fi 6 RTL8852BE-VS on sale, I ordered the AX200 (HP part # L35282-005).

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The Wi-Fi should work OK, but without another antenna wire, no Bluetooth reception.

The auxiliary terminal on the Wi-Fi card controls the Bluetooth reception.

Not sure if it also helps the Wi-Fi reception.