Question about wireless chipset on HP Pavilion 17

[DKettle]

Hi!

I own a HP Pavilion 17, which according to the specs supports 802.11b/g/n connectivity. My wireless router supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connections. However, the laptop only seems to recognize the 2.4 GHz network. 

I've installed some WiFi scanner software (https://www.vistumbler.net/) on both this laptop and another computer. On the other computer it detects both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz network, but on the laptop, it only detects the 2.4 GHz network.

Is the chipset in the Pavilion 17 supposed to support 5 GHz connections? Is there a hardware problem or a setup problem?

Thanks.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

What model wifi adapter does your notebook come with?

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.

Note:  Anytime you see a wireless N connectivity specification of 802.11b/g/n, that means the wifi adapter is a single band type that only operates on the 2.4 GHz wifi band.

Dual band wireless N adapters have suffixes that end in a/b/g/n, or a/g/n.

[DKettle]

Thanks. The adapter is an Ralink RT 3290 802.11bgn, so I think you've answered my question.

Would it be possible to add another network adapter that does support 5 GHz? Possibly one that connects to a USB port, although I only have USB 2.0 ports on the laptop, AFAIK. So I don't know if I'd see any benefit.

Edit: It has two USB 3.0 ports and one USB 2.0 port.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

What is the full model number or product number of your notebook?

Use this guide to find that information...please do not post the serial number.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

Once I have that info you may be able to upgrade the internal card to a dual band one provided your notebook has two antennas connected to the Ralink wifi card in there now.

[DKettle]

Seems that it's a HP Pavilion 17-e028ca Notebook PC. Here's the product page: 

https://support.hp.com/ca-en/product/hp-pavilion-17-e000-notebook-pc-series/5375409/model/6521465/pr... 

Actually, though, I'd prefer just to add a USB WiFi adapter, something like this one, instead of upgrading the internal card. It would probably be simpler and less expensive (I wouldn't want to attempt something like that myself, so I'd have to pay someone to do it).

OOWOLF WiFi USB Adapter 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, that would work.

That big antenna may be a bit distracting but if you don't move the notebook around much, I guess that would be fine.

They do make others that are smaller, are dual band AC and don't have that big antenna.

FWIW, here are two internal dual band wifi cards that would replace the internal Ralink card.

Dual band AC:  Has a max throughput of 867 MBPS on the 5.0 GHz wifi band with an AC router.

Broadcom BCM4352 802.11ac 2x2 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.0 combo     HP part # 724935-001

Dual band N:  Has a max throughput of 300 MBPS on the 5.0 GHz wifi band with a dual band N or AC router.

Broadcom BCM943228HMB WiDi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2x2 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.0 combo    HP part #730668-001

They probably cost between $20 and $30 dollars...you'd have to find one on eBay.

The process to change them is pretty simple on your model.

Below is the link to the service manual, where you can find the wifi card removal and replacement procedure.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04069163

[DKettle]

Yes, I saw some without an antenna, but I thought one with an antenna might work better. The antenna isn't really a problem for me.

Thanks for your help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.