Replacing wifi card

[Preludes20]

I have an older HP ENVY 17tn100. I noticed that the REaltek wifi card wont connect to my wireless "5" network and its getting a weak signal. Can I replace this card with an upadted card and which one? Thanks! 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Please post the product number for your model.

The product number can be found on the same label as the serial number.

Please do not post the serial number.

I'm seeing a service manual for a 17-n100 model series, but those aren't that old being that they have the Intel 6th gen core processors...

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-envy-17-n100-notebook-pc/8499288/model/8949605/manuals

[Preludes20]

N0U68AV

I cant tell which wireless card it has but its getting a weak signal - and it cant connect to the "5" part of my netowrk just the 2.4 

Thanks! 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Thanks.

The product number you posted confirms that the above service manual is the correct one.

Here is the parts list for your notebook's product number...

http://partsurfer.hp.com/Search.aspx?searchText=N0U68AV

Your model has the Realtek RTL8723BE 802.11b/g/n 1x1 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 combination WLAN adapter, correct?

Because your model is a CTO (configured to order) model, other wifi cards are listed.

Here is the problem you have with upgrading to an AC wifi card...

The dual band wifi cards listed on the parts list above, all require two antenna cables be connected to the card in order for it to run correctly.

Your notebook only has one antenna cable connected to the Realtek wifi card.

So...if you want to take a $22.00 gamble, Intel just came out with this new model AC card that works with only one antenna cable.   The gamble being that the card will be a direct swap of the Realtek one, but I have no idea if it will work in your notebook, since it is not listed as a supported wifi card.  I think it will, but what I think and what will be, are two different things.

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9461 802.11 AC 1×1 WiFi + Bluetooth 5 Combo Adapter (non-vPro) (MU-MIMO supported)

HP part number L25889-005.

You can buy it directly from HP for $22.00

https://parts.hp.com/hpparts/Search_Results.aspx?mscssid=96EF4BD576A24FCFB4B8C415D394831E&SearchIn=P...

You can also find it on eBay for a bit less...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/L25889-005-9461NGW-HP-WIRELESS-BLUETOOTH-CARD-15-BS-15-BS212WM-CA72/2736108...

That would be your only option.

This card will have a maximum throughput of 433 MBPS on the 5.0 GHz AC band.

You can use the service manual from the model I posted above for the wifi card R & R procedures.

[Preludes20]

Hi Paul-

    The new card only has 1 plug - my old card has 2. I installed the new card but it doesnt work. Im guessing since there are 2 lead from my laptop to the card I need a card with 2 leads. The computer didnt recognize the card at all. Any other suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

Dr. Jerald Thompson

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Sorry that card didn't work for you.

Your notebook has two antenna cables you can connect to the wifi card?

I thought it only had one antenna cable present.

If your notebook has two antenna cables you can connect to the two terminals, then you should be able to install this wifi card...

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 802.11 ac 2x2 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.0 Combo Adapter (non vPRO)     HP part # 793840-005

https://www.ebay.com/itm/793840-005-Hp-Wireless-Card-13-4103DX13-4103DX-15-AP012DX-m3-u103dx/1532495...