Bluetooth

[ibshamelessone]

I have the HP 17-x116dx notebook but can't establish Bluetooth at all. Is there a work around this? I've seen suggestions to switch out the adapter from Realtek RTL8188EE 802.11 bgn Wi-Fi Adapter To Intel. Is that an option on this model?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

If your goal is to upgrade the wifi card to an AC model with Bluetooth, you only have one option since your PC only has one antenna connected to the RTL8188EE 802.11 bgn Wi-Fi Adapter, and that is this one...

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

Unfortunately, that card has been on back order for months at the HP Parts Store, but you can find several of them listed for sale on eBay.

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

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

Wifi: 2024.0.8.107/2024.0.4 Jun 5, 2019

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp96501-97000/sp96885.exe

Bluetooth: 1.6.1015.3008 Jun 28, 2019

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp98001-98500/sp98235.exe

Here is the link to the service manual for your notebook.  The wifi adapter R & R procedure can be found in chapter 6.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05122688

[ibshamelessone]

Thank you Paul. You have been extremely helpful. I guess for the time being I will purchase one of those Bluetooth dongles and hope it covers my Bluetooth absence from this notebook until such a time as to when I decide to update my notebook to a newer one with Bluetooth equipped. A lot of things about this model make me wish I hadn't purchased it in the first place. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, that will work too.

I have this model on two of my HP desktop PC's,  Works great and hardly sticks out of the USB port.

https://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-USB-Bluetooth-4-0-Compatible/dp/B007Q45EF4

[ibshamelessone]

I just ordered this one. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B071WKP37Q/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm hoping it will work well for that price. 

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hopefully it will work just fine.

The Kinovo one I have has the reliable and common Broadcom Bluetooth radio.

You don't even need drivers for it.  W10 installs them automatically.

[ibshamelessone]

If the one I ordered doesn't provide me with what I am looking for, then I will fall back on the one you recommended. Again, Thanks so much for your help and knowledge. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.