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- HP Community
- Notebooks
- Notebook Wireless and Networking
- Upgrade Wi-Fi card on my HP 15AY035NL

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08-30-2023 07:06 AM
I need to upgrade the Wi-Fi card on my laptop, find the model in the thread title. I have done operations before by upgrading RAM and HDD in my PC, so I more or less know what it looks like inside.
What I am not very knowledgeable about is compatibility. I've seen that certain Wi-Fi cards (which also have Bluetooth, like the one I have now) are not compatible with all PCs, or at least you have to have a certain CPU generation.
Right now on my laptop I have an Intel i7 6500U (oldie but still does the job) and the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card I use (according to Windows Device Manager) is a Broadcom BCM43142.
I was wondering, what is the most powerful network card that my processor can support? I don't think it can handle Wi-Fi 6, however, I wanted to put the best available since I'm doing this upgrade.
Thanks!
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08-31-2023 06:54 AM
You're very welcome,
That is correct.
I was trying to find a post where someone installed the RTL8821CE and reported it to be working, but I can't find any right now.
But I'm sure it will work because I have recommended that card to many other forum members.
Some marked my recommendation as solved but did not provide a specific reply that it worked, such as these.
Solved: Wifi cards compatible with HP15 - HP Support Community - 7670970
Solved: Realtek RTL8723BE to dual band Wi-Fi card upgrade - HP Support Community - 8701011
Solved: Upgrading WIFI card from RTL 8723BE - HP Support Community - 8664438
Solved: HP Notebook - 15-ay010nt Upgrading Tips - HP Support Community - 8557473
I wish I could have found a reply where someone actually reported the card worked in a 15-ayXXX notebook.
I always like to provide some concrete evidence.
08-30-2023 08:11 AM
Hi:
I believe that your notebook only has one Wi-Fi antenna wire attached to the Wi-Fi card your notebook has, and there would be only one model card you can easily upgrade to if that is the case:
Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11 ac 1x1 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter (MU-MIMO supported) HP part # L17365-005.
The card has a maximum throughput of 433 MBPS on the 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi band with an AC router and an excellent signal.
You can find this model on eBay, or Ali Express.
I see some Intel 3165 cards listed on the eBay listings, so don't buy those.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=L17365-005&_sacat=0&_sop=15
RTL8821CE - Buy RTL8821CE with free shipping on AliExpress
On the Ali Express listings, make sure the card has the HP Part # of 915620-001.
You can also check your local PC repair shops in the area to see if they have any of that model card they will sell you.
Below is the link to the service manual:
Installing a better card than that one would entail extensive disassembly of the notebook and ordering the dual antenna kit listed in chapter 3 of the manual to install the missing second antenna wire.
08-31-2023 06:13 AM
You're very welcome.
Your notebook shouldn't have a BIOS whitelist.
If you buy the card with the part numbers I posted, it will work.
If you buy any of the Intel dual band cards listed in the service manual, they require two antenna wires and they may not get good Wi-Fi reception with one antenna, and you will definitely have no Bluetooth since that runs off the auxiliary antenna wire which is probably not there.
You can open up the notebook first and confirm how many antenna wires are attached to the Wi-Fi card before buying the Realtek card.
Now if you want to go through the trouble to add a second antenna wire if yours only has one, you can upgrade to the Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 card mentioned in this discussion.
08-31-2023 06:42 AM
Thank you for the continuous support I appreciate it!
I opened the computer today and also took the opportunity to clean it a bit. I confirm that the card has only one cable.
Being a secondary laptop and for basic mobile use, I don't think I will add a second cable.
So ultimately the best card (with 1 cable) that I can use is the Realtek RTL8821CE right?
Thanks
08-31-2023 06:54 AM
You're very welcome,
That is correct.
I was trying to find a post where someone installed the RTL8821CE and reported it to be working, but I can't find any right now.
But I'm sure it will work because I have recommended that card to many other forum members.
Some marked my recommendation as solved but did not provide a specific reply that it worked, such as these.
Solved: Wifi cards compatible with HP15 - HP Support Community - 7670970
Solved: Realtek RTL8723BE to dual band Wi-Fi card upgrade - HP Support Community - 8701011
Solved: Upgrading WIFI card from RTL 8723BE - HP Support Community - 8664438
Solved: HP Notebook - 15-ay010nt Upgrading Tips - HP Support Community - 8557473
I wish I could have found a reply where someone actually reported the card worked in a 15-ayXXX notebook.
I always like to provide some concrete evidence.