Upgrade wifi card for HP Pavilion 17-e184ca

[brendanogo]

The network card I have on this machine is the Ralink RT3290. I want to replace it with a 5ghz card so I can fully utilize my wifi. Can someone help me with what to look for when shopping for a replacement? Or give me an example of a replacement card that I could install? Would be much appreciated.

[The_Fossette]

Hi @brendanogo

Welcome to the HP Forums!

Thank you for posting your query in this forum, it's a great place to find answers.

I reviewed your post and I understand that you want to upgrade the wireless card on your computer.

I’d love to help!

Refer to the below service manual (Page 28) where you can find the compatible wireless cards for your computer.  From the list, available in the manual I do not see any 5Ghz wireless card which is supported for your computer.

http://hp.care/2faKUDW

Hope that answers your question and you have a great day!

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles.

Take care.

Cheers!

[brendanogo]

Many thanks for your reply. So does this mean that 5ghz wifi is impossible with this machine? What is it that makes this machine unable to take a 5ghz card? The card in there now has 2 connectors to it - if that is relevant.

[DavidSMP · Accepted solution]

Hi @brendanogo,

I went through this response. Great deductions and analysis of the situation. Kudos to you for that. 🙂  Yes going by the product specifications and the service manual, the computer supports the list of wifi cards mentioned in it.

So if the 5GHz band is not listed, then the unit may not support it. However, If the unit has compatible slots that can slip in a wifi WLAN card that supports 5GHz, then this could do the trick for you. Please consult a Local best Buy or Staples technician, before venturing into it.

The other workaround would be is to get a USB wifi dongle that supports 5GHz band and plug it to one of the USB ports of the computer and then connect to the wifi router. You should be able to order one for a song. It is cost effective as well.

Please check this link that gives you useful information: http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Wireless-and-Networking/WiFi-Connections-HP-laptop-unable-to-f...

Hope this helps.  Let me know how this goes. I genuinely hope the issue gets resolved without hassles and the unit works great. 🙂  Please reach out for any issues and I'll be there to assist you. 🙂

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help.

If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles. 🙂

Take care now and have a splendid week ahead. 🙂

[brendanogo]

Thanks so much for your response! I'll try both options and report back.

[DavidSMP]

Hi @brendanogo,

I thank you greatly for accepting this as a solution. I genuinely hope the unit works great and stays healthy for a long time to come. It has been an absolute privilege to have shared this platform with you.Going by the troubleshooting and copious diagnosis and investigations conducted by you, I am sure Sherlock Holmes couldn't have done any  better. 🙂

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help.

Do take care, stay healthy, keep smiling big and do have a blessed year ahead.:)

[brendanogo]

Dropped into Best Buy and felt the best way to go was with a dongle. Went for the D-Link DWA-171 for 40 CAD. Dropped into a Starbucks to test it. On my regular wifi card I got 10mbs on a speed test. With the dongle - 40mps so big improvement. Just plugged it in and good to go (disabled the old card in Device Manager) and it's really small so it doesn't get in the way.

Thanks again for your help!

[DavidSMP]

Hi @brendanogo,

I am really happy for you that the issue has been resolved. So you are all set. Great news. 🙂 Please reach out anytime and I am there to assist you. 

It was fabulous to work with you and share this platform with you. Thanks for the privilege. 🙂

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. 

Take care and do have a splendid week ahead. 🙂

[brendanogo]

Just an update. Had to change a setting on dongle. In the advanced properties, changed the wifi mode to a/n/ac to access the 5ghz channel on the router. Was already seeing an improvement but with that change I'm now getting well over what I'm supposed to be getting speed wise.

[DavidSMP]

Hi @brendanogo,

Brilliant effort and kudos to you. 🙂 We worked in tandem as a team and ensured that we fixed the issue. thanks for your time.

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. 

Take care and do have a great year ahead. 🙂