Bluetooth interferes with Wifi - very slow

[ggee1]

Hello,

I own an 15' HP Envy x360 (Ryzen machine) - 15m-cp0011dx. I was having issues with the stability and speed of my Wifi connection. I saw so many wifi issues posted here on the forum that ultimately have to do with the wifi card (hardware) on these machines. There is a legitimate issues of reliability with non-Intel based wifi cards. My machine comes with a Realtek RTL8822BE 802.11ac (dual band 2x2 + bluetooth 4.2 PCIe). The part number is 924813-855, per the service manual - and is connected to a dedicated M.2 slot on the mother board.

Many have had better success just swapping out their wifi card for a better compatible Intel based wifi card. Can someone please let me know which Intel based wifi card is compatible with my machine (remembering that it's a Ryzen)? I do not want to purchase the wrong one and fry my machine.

Anyways, I finally discovered the issue is the Bluetooth interfering with the Wifi - due to both sharing the same 2.4GHz band. There are also many issues posted on this. When my machine's bluetooth is OFF, the wifi speed tests are great. When I turn it ON (with no devices connected), the wifi speed test drops about 10-15%. When I connect my Logitech M557 bluetooth 3.0 mouse, the wifi speed test comes to a crawl. Speeds come back as I step through turning things OFF again. Speeds are much better when I'm connected to a 5Ghz wifi, since the frequency bands do not interfere with eachother. But this can not be the best possible solution all the time, since it's not guaranteed any location will have a 5Ghz wifi access point. Other have the same issue when connecting their bluetooth speakers, or headphones (interference).

Therefore, swaping out my Realtek RTL8822BE 802.11ac PCIe wifi card - for a better reliable, and compatible Intel version should help enough. Please let me know the compatible Intel wifi card for my 15m-cp0011dx machine.

Thanks,

[BrianTan]

There's no limitation from Intel to use Intel wifi card on AMD/Ryzen based platforms. Any genuine Intel wifi card with M.2 2230 form factor and 2 antennas should work. HP might not install Bluetooth driver. Download Intel Driver & Support Assistant to get latest wifi and bluetooth drivers.

HP ENVY x360 15 Convertible PC - Maintenance and Service Guide

[ggee1]

Problem solved.

I looked up a very similar Intel CPU model (15t-cn000). The service manual had Intel wifi cards, as well as the same Realtek wifi card I had as listed parts. So this confirmed in my mind that the Intel wifi card would be compatible with my machine. I choose the Intel 9260AC, because it has very good reviews and around $20 (an updated version of the prior 8260AC - which was a very good card).

Before I started, I downloaded the drivers directly from the Intel website, and also the HP versions for the model I used as reference (as a second option). I saved them on my machines desktop to find them easily for later. You must do this first, because you will temporarily loose wifi connectivity - so do thtis first before you start. I knew exactly were the wifi card was located because I had already previously opened my machine when I upgraded the RAM and added an NVMe M.2 SSD.

1- Turn off wifi and bluetooth (Airplane mode). From the Control Panel/Device Manager - disable both the wifi card and bluetooth functions (Properties), then uninstall each device making sure to check-box the "uninstall any related driver/software". Note - do both without Restarting the machine.

2- From the Control Panel/Programs & Features - look for any driver/software related to the Realtek card and uninstall it.

3- From Start/Settings/Network & Internet/Status - click on Network Reset and say Yes to the prompts. Then Shut Down the machine.

4- Begin the "operation" and open up the back of your machine. Located the wifi card and carefully disconnect the two antenna wires (make note of which ones are the Main, and the Aux). If you're not sure follow the instructions from your Service Manual.

5- Remove the old Realtek wifi card by removing the screw, and install the new Intel wifi card in the same position. Carefully re-attach the two antenna wires by clicking them on (again, noting which one is the Main, and the Aux). Make sure you do this without touching anything else, in order to avoid damaging or short circuiting anything.

6- Loosely close the back of your machine in case you need to get back in for anything, and turn it on - let it fully boot. Remeber, you will have no wifi connection at all.

7- Choose whether you want to install the Intel drivers or HP drivers (do not mis-match). First, fully install the wifi driver first and Restart. Second, install the bluetooth drive and Restart (I choose the HP drivers because I had better results).

8- Go back to the Control Panel/Device Manager - and check that there are no issues/conflicts or warnings for the wifi and bluetooth devices. If there are issues, resolve them by either uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers, or rechecking you steps.

9- Allow the machine to recognize the new wifi card, and turn on the wifi and bluetooth (Airplane mode off, if it's still on).

10 - Try connecting to your wifi network and bluetooth devices. You might need to do it a few times in the beginning to get it to "stick" - or click Network Reset again, Restart, and re-connect (I also had to pair each of my bluetooth devices again). But it all worked fine after a few tries. Also, make sure you wifi connections are set to the same setting you had before (ex. Public or Private network..., etc.).

My speeds are definately better, and the wifi card is solid as a rock stable, and the interference from the bluetooth on 2.4Ghz wifi signal is much better. I made sure to record my speeds before and after (with bluetooth Off and On). Much much better.

I hope this helps some one else in the future. See the list of compatible wifi cards from HP parts list, and my before-and-after speed tests from speedtest.net (Ping / Download / Upload)

15t-cn000: (Intel laptop)
Intel 9260 ac 2×2 + Bluetooth 5 M.2 2230 non-vPro PCI-e+USB world-wide with 2 antennas (Part# L16647-005)

Intel D1 7265 ac 2×2 + Bluetooth 4.2 LE M.2 non-vPro PCI-e+USB world-wide with 2 antennas (Part# 901229-855)
Intel 9560 ac 2×2 + Bluetooth 5 M.2 2230 non-vPro PCI-e+USB world-wide with 2 antennas (Part# L22634-005)
Realtek ac 2×2 + Bluetooth 4.2 LE M.2 2230 PCI-e+USB world-wide with 2 antennas (Part# 924813-855)

Speed test (before):

Realtek (wifi)
5.0Ghz 802.11ac = 12 / 177.32 / 5.47
2.4Ghz 802.11n = 28 / 86.97 / 5.43

Realtek (wifi+BT)
5.0Ghz 802.11ac = 12 / 178.59 / 4.60
2.4Ghz 802.11n = 20 / 22.04 / 5.58

Speed test (after):

Intel (wifi)

5.0Ghz 802.11ac = 11 / 180.31 / 5.75
2.4Ghz 802.11n = 19 / 100.57 / 5.63

Intel (wifi+BT)
5.0Ghz 802.11ac = 12 / 175.75 / 5.64
2.4Ghz 802.11n = 26 / 94.86 / 5.61