Upgrading WIFI card to WIFI 6 (AX)

[Benson_ph]

Hi,

Thinking of upgrading the existing wifi Intel® 802.11ac (2x2) Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® 4.2 Combo (Miracast compatible) of my HP Pavilion 15-bc018tx to wifi 6(ax).  May I know if this is possible?  

Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

As far as I know, there shouldn't be a problem, but I cannot 100% guarantee it will work.

Just make sure you get the non-vPro model of the card.

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Network-AX200-NGWG-NV-AX2002230-Retail/dp/B07ZVYKRW9

[Benson_ph]

Thanks Paul_Tikkanen!

Looks like I've found a local online shop that sells the exact same model (although it doesn't specify non vpro).

https://shopee.ph/Dual-Band-AX200NGW-2.4Gbps-802.11Ax-Wireless-Intel-AX200-WiFi-Card-Bluetooth-5.0-i...

Do you need to download any drivers prior to unmounting the old wifi card and installing the new one?  Or will Windows automatically detect the new hardware once you boot with the new card installed?  Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You can find the latest W10 drivers for the AX 200 below.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29520/Windows-10-Wi-Fi-Drivers-for-Intel-Wireless-Adapters...

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29538/Intel-Wireless-Bluetooth-for-Windows-10?product=1893...

Uninstall the old intel wifi and bluetooth adapters and drivers first before installing the new card.

[Benson_ph]

Thanks Paul_Tikkanen. 

Just an additional question.  I know it would make sense to use a wifi 6 (ax) router along with this but wanted to confirm that this wifi card can still connect to an AC router right? (i.e. backward compatible).

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Coincidentally, I have a new HP notebook with an AX 200, but I only have an AC router.

The card is currently connected to my router's 5.0 GHz band at 867 MBPS.

[Benson_ph]

Thanks!  Your last post has finally convinced me.  I am just hoping that the link below is the non vpro model although everything (front and back) looks exactly the same as the link you posted from Amazon.

https://shopee.ph/Dual-Band-AX200NGW-2.4Gbps-802.11Ax-Wireless-Intel-AX200-WiFi-Card-Bluetooth-5.0-i...

For the old drivers of my realtec wifi card, should this be uninstalled prior to installing the actual ax200 wifi card?  Or would it be safe to just leave it as I'm removing the wifi card anyway?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The product specs for your notebook indicate that it comes with an Intel 2x2 AC wifi adapter.

https://support.hp.com/ph-en/document/c05182160

So does the parts list...

https://partsurfer.hp.com/Search.aspx?searchText=X3C06PA

But you are asking about uninstalling Realtek wifi drivers.

What model wifi adapter does your notebook actually have installed?

[Benson_ph]

You're right.  It says in the device manager "Intel Dual Band Wireless - AC7265.

Do I have to uninstall its drivers before installing the Intel AX200 card?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I would.

The AX 200 will use a newer version of the driver.