How do I get laptop to recoginize 5G wireless?

[netscape404]

I have a 17" laptop and want to connect to 5G but it is not an option in my wireless connections and cable company technician said HP can tell you how to get that setting turned on but cannot find any help.

Maybe you can tell me what I need to do.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

If you cannot connect to the 5.0 GHz wifi band, most likely your PC's wifi adapter is only a single band model.

Not all wifi adapters are dual band.

If you let me know what model wifi adapter your notebook has, I will confirm my suspicions.

If you don't know, go to the device manager, click to expand the Network Adapters device manager category, and there you will find the name and model number of the wireless network adapter.

[netscape404]

It is a REALTEC RTL8273DE 11b/g/n PCIe Adapter

I thought it worked in dual mode before the cable company switched out the modem and router but not sure.

[netscape404]

Sorry it is a RealTec RTL8723DE 11b/g/n PCIe Adapter

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Unfortunately that model is only a single band wifi adapter.  It could never connect to the 5.0 Ghz wifi band.

I don't know what exact model notebook you have, but you could replace that card with this one. 

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

The card has been on back order from HP for eons now, but you can find one for sale on eBay.

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

It will work exactly the same as the Realtek wifi card you have in there now on the 2.4 GHz wifi band (72 MBPS max throughput), and on the 5.0 GHz wifi band it will have a maximum throughput of 433 MBPS with an AC router, and 150 MBPS with a dual band N router.

However, it is not an easy thing to do.  You can check your specific HP 17 model notebook's service manual for the wifi card R & R procedure.

[netscape404]

Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.