Realtek RTL8821CE issues - Code 10 errors / device not started

[Annoyed1Now]

I posted about the same issues back in early 2021 and unfortunately I got nowhere. I did BIOS updates and other stuff but it seems that the issues either never went away or have returned (It's my daughters laptop and she only told me about the problems remaining today).

Basically the wifi adapter stops working and we cannot connect to wifi. Having bought this laptop from a UK tech shop (PCWorld) then support is provided by them. Frankly they are useless and so I never bothered.  As I say I thought it was sorted with the various things I have tried.

I've tired the usual stuff like updating drivers but I get the usual "you have the latest driver already" messages. I'm currently running driver version 2024.0.10.220. HP doesn't report any updated drivers for this although I have seen some posts by @paul_tikkanen suggesting there is a vV221 driver. I've downloaded it but not installed as yet.

I'm on the cusp of ripping this pile of crap card out and replacing with something else.

Can anyone offer any other advice please?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The only suggestion I can offer would be to try the latest driver, which is now version .223.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp121001-121500/sp121426.exe

Since your notebook only has one wifi antenna wire connected to the Realtek wifi card, and all other dual band cards would require two antenna wires, upgrading the internal wifi card is not an option unless you want to do very extensive disassembly and add a second antenna wire.

You'd be better off buying a USB dual band AC wifi adapter.  They make them pretty small nowadays.

[Annoyed1Now]

Thanks for the advice Paul and super fast reply. Really appreciate it. Couple of questions:

1/. How do you find out if there's updated drivers such as the one you linked to? Is there a catalog or something you look at?

2/. If I wanted to rip the laptop down to replace anything like the Realtek card is there a manual that details that? I've thought about allow updating the RAM but not sure how it comes apart and what I can/ cannot do to it.

One thing I forgot to mention was that I found something about disabling the "Allow  the computer to turn off this device to save power" option under Power Management. I did this previously and this may have helped... I noticed that this had been turned back on again, possibly during one of Windows updates.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes there is a service manual for your notebook, but it only covers the model numbers through the 14-ce2999 series.

I would assume since that is the manual liked on the 14-ce3xxx support page, that much of the information applies to your model notebook as well.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06248869.pdf

You can check for updated drivers by using the HP support assistant software, or you can check your notebook's support page for the latest drivers, however the support page has older drivers...still at v.220.

HP Pavilion 14-ce3000 Laptop PC series Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Customer Support

So what I do is look for the newest HP PC's that are out and check the drivers from their support page, which is how I knew that there is a 2024.0.10.223 driver version out there.

I have version .223 on both of my HP 255 G7 notebooks with the RTL8821CE wifi adapters.

I am one of the lucky folks so far that have not experienced any problems with those infamous Wifi adapters, no matter what driver was installed.

Knock on wood.

[Annoyed1Now]

Cheers again Paul. I'll have a look at those links you posted. Fingers crossed between the driver update and me resetting the powersave setting it should sort it....

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime. 

Glad to have been of assistance. 

Cheers!

[Annoyed1Now]

Hey Paul,

It seems that both the driver update and disabling the power save feature didn't work as the problem returned yesterday. This is getting tiresome!

Do you have any idea how I can contact HP tech support as it seems I'm supposed to go through PC World / Currys tech support and I'm out of warranty. This issues has been causing me problems for about a year now but I would rather speak with HP if its at all possible.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi; sorry that didn't work for you.

You can try to contact HP in the UK by starting at the link below...

Contact HP | HP® United Kingdom

If that doesn't work, you can contact the HP executive team at the link below for further assistance.

Executive Team: CEO email | HP® Official Site

[Annoyed1Now]

Thanks Paul,

No need to apologise its not your fault. I'll give those contact links a go.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Hopefully, HP will be able to help you out.

Cheers,

Paul