Some worrying WiFi issues and a question

[JSil317]

Yesterday my laptop, Omen 17-db1000, was having some issues connecting to the router it was fixed by rebooting everything. Then just now I was telling a friend about it and looked down and noticed my laptop had dropped connection (I'm at his so it's a different network). I clicked on it and it said it couldn't find any networks when there are 5/6 viewable from his place, it fixed itself about a minute later to I googled the WiFi card, Realtek 8852BE-VT, and the top result was this forum from back in August saying the only fix for WiFi issues, at that time, was just to replace the card (https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Wireless-and-Networking/Realtek-8852BE-VT-Wireless-LAN-Wifi-d...).

I've just gone to my device's dashboard to download and update all WiFi and Bluetooth drivers hoping that'll fix the issue but if it doesn't I have three questions. If I need to replace the WiFi card are the antenna's just snap on? If I'm already replacing the card would it be better to future proof and get a WiFi 7 card instead of a 6E that is already installed? If yes to the last question are there any recommendations for one for my laptop as all the ones I've seen don't look they'd fit in the slot? (As the one that is listed on the same Amazon UK page that I saw the replacement card linked in the previously mentioned thread on literally says it doesn't support AMD).

[Paul_Tikkanen]

The latest driver HP currently has for that model Wi-Fi adapter is this one:

Version 6101.19.133.0

sp165794.exe

The service manual does not list any Wi-Fi 7 cards that were supported in the model series.

Maintenance and Service Guide OMEN 17.3 inch Gaming Laptop PC Model numbers: 17-db1xxx

The last time I checked, Intel Wi-Fi 7 cards won't work in an AMD notebook, so you would have to experiment with a different brand Wi-Fi 7 such as the MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 MT7925 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4 wireless card.

The HP part number for that card is N98232-001.

There is no guarantee the card will work in your notebook.

Yes, the antenna wires snap off and on, but it is not as easy as you think to work with the very thin and delicate M.2 antenna wires.

Some folks, myself included, have managed to break the terminal off the Wi-Fi card, leaving it stuck inside of the small connector and in my situation, it took me at least an hour to carefully dig out the broken antenna terminal from the antenna wire connector.

I did this on a desktop PCIe x1 adapter where I wanted to remove the existing card and upgrade it with a better one.  I had no instructions to do that, so I winged it by just using my fingers as I had done on many HMC mini-PCIe Wi-Fi cards in the past that have larger antenna wires and connectors. Bad idea.

In addition to the service manual, your notebook has a service teardown video which provides guidance on how to properly remove and replace the antenna wires when removing and replacing the Wi-Fi card.

Removing & replacing parts | OMEN 17-db0000 Gaming Laptop PC | HP Computer Service

[JSil317]

Yeah that is the driver version I'm currently on according to the Properties of the adapter in Device Manager but I'm still getting random drops when anything else connected to the WiFi is still connected perfectly fine, like over the past hour it randomly dropped for like a minute or two 3 times and nothing else did.

I did realise when looking at all the WiFi 7 cards, included the one you mentioned they have different keys (at least that is what they are called in SSDs) to the WiFi 6 cards so upgrading might be impossible(?)

Thanks for all the extra info.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome  

There's only one key in the slot, and any model wifi card with one or two notches will fit in the slot. 

Whether or not the card will work is unknown. 

[JSil317]

OK, thanks for that information too. I just leave the experimentation for a later date when hopefully the prices of the WiFi 7s are closer to the WiFi 6s lol.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.