Upgrading wifi card on HP 15-BA079DX

[l_23]

Hi all,

I have the HP 15-ba079dx laptop. I upgraded my internet at home recently, and since then, I've been getting good speeds on devices that do support 5 ghz bands. However, this laptop has a wifi card that limits it's speed (I think it tops off at around 72 mpbs) because it only allows for 2.4 ghz frequencies. I checked the manual to see if I can find a replacement card that allows for perhaps dual band support but I'm not too sure which is the supported replacement for my specific model. I don't want to get a card that won't work.

Can anyone help me figure out which card upgrade is supported on my specific model, and the instructions for replacing it?

Thanks in advance!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

There is only one model wifi card you can upgrade to and that is this one...

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

The only place I have been able to find this model is on eBay.

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

The card has the same throughput as the RTL8723 on the 2.4 GHz wifi band, but on the 5.0 GHz wifi band with an AC router, it has a maximum throughput of 433 MBPS.

On a dual band wireless N router, it would have a maximum throughput of 150 MBPS on the 5.0 GHz wifi band.

[l_23]

Thanks for responding! I see quite a few on eBay so thank you for that. As for installing it, where can I find instructions for removing the old card and putting in the new one specific to my model? 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Below is the link to the service manual, where you can find the wifi card removal and replacement procedure (chapter 6).

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05227786

[l_23]

Perfect! I also didn't realize it is coupled with bluetooth, which is a nice bonus.

Thanks for all your help!

[l_23]

One last question, do I need to purchase a grounding strap for this swap? I don't want to cause any electrical damage. I see a few people are saying it isn't necessary as long as you avoid carpets and rugs, others say it is...

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I've never used any grounding equipment in my life of taking notebook and desktop PC's apart.

Never had an issue with shorting anything out.

Maybe I have been lucky all these years.

You must ensure that you remove the main battery and disconnect the PC from A/C power though.

Do not take any shortcuts there.

Don't shuffle your feet over any carpeted surfaces, and after you remove the battery and a/c power, press the power button and hold it for a few seconds to drain any residual current from the motherboard.

If you take those precautions, you should be fine.

I didn't check the specs on your notebook.

I assumed it had the Realtek RTL8723BE wifi card with bluetooth.

Yours must have the RTL8188EE card if it doesn't have bluetooth.

So, you are getting a double upgrade for just a few dollars.

Here are the links to the latest wifi and bluetooth drivers for the 8821CE wifi card.

This package contains the DCHU driver installation package for the Realtek RTL8188EE, RTL8723BE, RTL8723DE, RTL8821CE, RTL8822BE, and RTL8822CE wireless LAN Controller in the supported notebook and desktop models running a supported Windows 10 or Windows 10 Cloud operating system.

Mar 2, 2020

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp101501-102000/sp101799.exe

This package contains the driver installation package for the Realtek Bluetooth in the supported notebook/laptop models that are running a supported Microsoft Windows 10 or Windows 10 Cloud operating system.

Dec 6, 2019

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp100501-101000/sp100556.exe

Please post back and let us know how your wifi card upgrade project went.

[l_23]

Will do. And should I install these drivers before or after the actual swap? Or does it not matter?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You could install the wifi driver now, since it works for the card you have in there now, but you can't install the bluetooth driver until after you install the new card.

[l_23]

Thanks for clearing that up.

I'll post back here once I complete the swap.