dv6z-6c00 - WiFi Card Upgrade Options

[RandumbName]

I would like to upgrade my WiFi card in my dv6z laptop to something with 5G capabaility.  I wanted to know what specifications I need to keep in mind when choosing a suitable replcacement.  I have seen a post WiFi Card Upgrade which gives quite a few suggestions but says I cant use an AC card because I only have one antenna so a second part to my query would be can I run a second antenna inside my case?

I am running Windows 10 64 Bit.

Thank you.

[old_geekster · Accepted solution]

@RandumbName, welcome to the forum.

Here is the Maintenance and Service Guide for the laptop.  In Chapter 1, Page 6, there is a list of compatible wireless adapters.  Since the laptop is older and you want a Dual band AC adapter, I suggest using a USB wireless adapter.  This will make it much easier than opening the case of the laptop.  Here is just one example of what is available:

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-USB-WiFi-Adapter-High-Gain/dp/B07B7GD9WG/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid...

There are many other brands and styles if you don't like this one.  I chose it because it has a fast speed.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @RandumbName

Your notebook has two antennas attached to the current wifi adapter. 

1 x 1 means that the wifi adapter is only capable of one data stream down and one data stream up (72 MBPS max), not the number of antenna wires connected to the wifi adapter.

On your model, the antennas are the same for single band (b/g/n) cards or dual band (a/b/g/n/ac) cards.

Only on some of the newer models made from about 2014 onward, have one antenna connected to the single band wifi adapters.

Your model series has a bigger issue, and that is something called a BIOS whitelist.

A BIOS whitelist prevents any unsupported internal wifi adapter from working in your notebook.

You can only install one of the supported wifi adapters listed in the service manual that the old_geekster posted, and they must have the HP part number on them, or they will not work.

The notebook will not even boot up until the unsupported wifi adapter is removed.

None of the adapters listed in the manual will give you dual band capability.

So if you want wireless AC speeds, your only option would be to purchase an external USB wifi adapter as the old_geekster recommended.