Replace Wi-Fi Module

[ZenZendra]

Hi,

I wanted to upgrade my old notebooks wifi module, so I took it apart and changed the modules.

I bought this one:

Intel Wireless-AC 9461

link: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/dual-band-wireless-ac-9461-brief.html

I was hoping that the notebook would recognize it, bit it doesn't.

Is there any way that I could make it to work?

I have the latest bios and the latest drivers for this module.

Can you please recommend me another wifi module that would work in this notebook?

The newest model that will work, that has decent speed, wifi 5ghz etc....as the one that is installed has really slow speeds.

Thank you  in advance

[banhien]

@ZenZendra 

That one should work. Please use the following one which is listed on the manual

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

Regards.

[ZenZendra]

Hello and thank you for such a lightning fast reply!

Can you tell me is this module a significant upgrade?

I mean, if there is no other module that it can be installed. If no, I am happy that I have any kind of replacement.

Also, can you help me with the manual for this laptop, as I can't find it in the download area.

Thank you again

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @ZenZendra :

If you bought that model card because your notebook only has one wifi antenna cable, you made a mistake, that cannot be corrected by any means.

The Intel Wireless-AC 9461 card is a CRF (companion RF) card and only works with Intel notebooks with specific Intel processors, and the card had to come with the notebook originally.

The Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 must have two wifi antenna cables connected to it in order for both the wifi and Bluetooth to work.

This is the only dual band AC M.2 wifi card that you can upgrade to in a notebook with one antenna wire...

Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11 ac 1x1 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter (MU-MIMO supported) HP part # L17365-005.

You can find this model on eBay, or Ali Express,

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

The card will have the same 72 MBPS throughput as the original Broadcom wifi card on the 2.4 GHz wifi band, but on the 5.0 GHz wifi band, it will have a max throughput of 433 MBPS when you have an AC router with an excellent wifi signal strength.

it would have the same performance specs as the Intel Wireless-AC 9461, Intel 3165 or Intel 3168.

Below is the link to the service manual...Both of the Intel wifi cards listed in chapter 3 must have two antenna wires in order for the wifi and bluetooth to work.

HP Notebook PC (AMD)Models: HP 17-y000 – 17-y099 Maintenance and Service Guide

[ZenZendra]

HI,

thank you for your reply.

I am a bit confused, so for Intel card I can have one antenna, but then only wifi will work, but not bluetooth?

I can actually be without bluetooth, if Intel is much better then Realtek card, I would sacrifise it, what do you recommend?

Is this the correct Intel card:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Intel-Dual-Band-Wireless-AC3165-Model-3165NGW-433Mbps-BT4-0-M-2-NGFF-0MHK36/...

And also is this a correct Realtek card:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Realtek-RTL8188EE-Wireless-Mini-Card-792202-001-wi-fi-card/353268392504?hash...

For me I just want the best one regarding wifi, as I said, I don't have to have bluetooth.

Also if I can add another antenna by myself, if that will work, I can do that also.

Thanks again

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

If you want the intel card, get either one in the manual.  I would recommend the 3168 because it is newer than the 3165.

Search by the HP part number.

863934-855 | eBay

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

You connect the single antenna cable to the wifi card's Main antenna terminal to get wifi.

Since the Bluetooth works off the auxiliary terminal, you will not have enough reception for the Bluetooth to work unless you install a second antenna wire and transceiver.

To do that properly, you would have to order the antenna kit listed in chapter 3 of the manual, and you would need to completely disassemble the notebook including the display panel area to run the second antenna.

This is the correct Realtek AC wifi adapter.

L17365-005 | eBay

[ZenZendra]

Ok, I will then buy the newer one from Intel 3168.

Just one more question, do I really need to look by HP part number, aren't they all the same?

I mean, if I find somewhere else an Intel card by this name Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168, will it work?

Or only if I find by part number?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I recommend that you use the part number listed in the service manual for your notebook.

Intel cards can be tricky. 

Some are non-vPro, some are vPro (your notebook needs non-vPro),  and since your notebook has an AMD processor, some of the generic intel cards may not even work.

But that's up to you.

I'm just trying to help you avoid another disappointment.

[ZenZendra]

Ok, then I will use the one with part number.

Thank you very much for your help again, this is amazing customer service!

All the best

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

Please post back and let us know how your notebook's WiFi card upgrade project went.