EliteBook 820 G3 Wi-Fi card upgrading

[Orel6505]

Hello, I think about upgrading my Wi-Fi card on my EliteBook 820 G3, I heard some manufactures doesn't allow Wi-Fi card upgrading, I'm planning to upgrade from AC8260 to AX210, do you think it will work?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Either of these two cards have a good chance of working...

Intel AX210 Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX + Bluetooth 5.2 M.2 2230 non-vPro   HP part # M27269-005.

Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 ax 2×2 + Bluetooth 5.0 MU-MIMO M.2 2230 non-vPro    HP part #L35282-005.

Below is the link to the service manual where you can find the Wi-Fi card removal and replacement procedure.

h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04887199.pdf

[Orel6505]

Hi, thank you for replying, do you think it possible to also install non-HP specific Wi-Fi cards? If I'll buy one from Amazon/Aliexpress

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

As long as the SPS number on the card matches the HP part numbers I posted, it should work.

When you look at an ad for one of the cards on the white Intel label there will be some information.

The SPS number will be included.

For example, the SPS number on the card at the Amazon link below matches the HP part number of M27269-005.

The suffixes after the SPS # (0B, etc.) should not matter.

Amazon.com: WiFi 6E Wireless Card Intel AX210 NGW Bluetooth 5.3 Tri-Band 5400Mbps Network Adapter fo...

[Orel6505]

Thank you for replying again, I can't order the specifc adapter you send me because the seller doesn't ship to my location, so I found this one on AliExpress (it says it does support hp from 2016 while many other say they don't support at all) it should work right?

https://a.aliexpress.com/_oCjOoDi

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, it should work because the SPS # matches the HP part number.

The sellers are protecting themselves by issuing a blanket statement (HP not supported), because of the BIOS whitelist restriction HP had placed in notebook BIOS's in any model made in 2011 or earlier.

The whitelist was gradually phased out in most cases starting in 2012, more allowed in 2013, even more allowed in 2014 and virtually removed thereafter with very few exceptions.

Since the 820 G3 came out around 2015-2016, there should be no restrictions on what Wi-Fi cards you install unless you install the wrong type which would be a CNVi card.

The AX200 and AX210 are not CNVi cards.

More on that at the link below...

What Are the Intel® Integrated Connectivity (CNVi) and Companion...

[Orel6505]

Thank you 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

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

[Orel6505]

Hi, How are you? 

I'm back to tell you that my Wi-Fi upgrade project was successful! 

I got it few weeks ago and I wanted to test it to make sure it works...

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Happy New Year!

I'm doing fine and I hope you are too.

Thanks for letting us know that your notebook's Wi-Fi card upgrade project was a success.

Enjoy!