Replacing the MediaTek WI-Fi adapter in my HP Omen 16-n0000 with an Intel AX200 one

[X_m7]

This isn't really a question as much as it is a "success" story, apologies if this isn't the right place.

My Omen 16-n0067AX (R7 6800H + RX 6650M) comes with the MediaTek MT7921 Wi-Fi 6 adapter. While it seems to work fine with Wi-Fi 5 it does not do well when connected to a Wi-Fi 6 network, its upload speed is fine but the download speed is extremely slow and unreliable, to the point where even forcing 2.4GHz ends up providing a better connection (on Linux the driver for MediaTek Wi-Fi does not support limiting connection speeds to Wi-Fi 5), so I figured I might as well try swapping out the Wi-Fi adapter since I'm getting a second M.2 SSD anyway.

While I found some posts reporting that the laptop refuses to recognise the Wi-Fi card after it's installed, some stuff about needing the HP certified part, etc etc, I decided I'd get the Intel AX200 desktop M.2 2230 kit (product code AX200.NGWG.DTK, with a retail box and all) since the local computer shop I'm buying the SSD from also sells that, with the expectation that it'd either not work and I'd have a cautionary tale on my hands or it'd actually work and then other people suffering with the MT7921 can just buy that retail AX200 kit and not have to pray that Amazon or whatever has the special HP approved variant.

So, with the AX200 on hand plus some tools from iFixit I cracked open my Omen, with the help of the service manual (https://kaas.hpcloud.hp.com/pdf-public/pdf_5947650_en-US-1.pdf) as well as the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1c3422Y2wA), unplugged the battery, replaced the Wi-Fi card, installed the new SSD in the second M.2 slot, and closed the system back up. Turning on the system, the laptop said it was updating firmware for whatever reason, then reported a CMOS reset, but after that it booted into my Linux install, and fortunately the AX200 did get recognised, in fact the system even auto connected to my Wi-Fi network like nothing happened, and Bluetooth looks like it worked too. I also tried rebooting to the stock Windows 11 install (dual booted with my Linux install), and it too auto detected the AX200, without my having installed any drivers manually or anything like that. I haven't actually tested its Wi-Fi 6 capability, so no idea if it actually fixed my original problem or not, but I'm glad to see that I didn't completely waste $30 on that AX200 lol.

So, in summary I was able to replace the MT7921 Wi-Fi adapter with an AX200 on my HP Omen 16-n0000 without a hitch, and I can happily report that my specific Omen at least does not appear to be limited to the MT7921 or MT7922 Wi-Fi adapters listed in the service manual. Also, kudos to HP for not only providing the service manual but also a video tutorial on disassembling the laptop, plus using plain old Phillips screws instead of whatever proprietary screws, and also leaving in support for upgradable memory, SSDs and Wi-Fi adapter, very much appreciated!

[Raj_05]

Hi @X_m7,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Due to limited support, I would request you contact our HP Support and our Support Engineers should be able to sort this out. HP Support can be reached by clicking on the following link.

https://www.hp.com/contacthp/

Please feel free to contact us here anytime you need any further assistance.

Have a great day!

Alden4
HP Support