Wifi networking issue and the task manager says everything is working properly

[vegasslims]

I have an old hp laptop hp envy 17 notebook pc. It has a split channel wireless adapter intel centrino wireless-n 2230.  I only get the 2.4 hertz channel to connect to. The other network band disappeared shortly after I bought the laptop! Device manager says everything is working properly. I have tried to update the driver multiple times yet I get only one network band the 2.4! Updating the driver , rolling it back, nothing changes. I tried network reset , no luck  I have tried to select the preference of what band for it to connect and the option is not there in advanced properties . It has disappeared off the choices as well . I have a router that broadcasts both channels and can easily connect other equipment to it no problem. I have windows 10 pro running with no problems . All updates are installed no problem. I guess this is the case of the missing 5hertz channel.

[willson2]

It seems your Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230 adapter only supports the 2.4 GHz band, which is why you're not seeing the 5 GHz option. Unfortunately, this adapter doesn't support 5 GHz, and updating drivers or resetting the network won't change that. You may need to upgrade to a dual-band wireless adapter that supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz if you want to connect to the faster band.

[vegasslims]

The thing is when I first got the computer I easily connected to the 5 GHz band,no problem. Then a few months in, I disconnected for some reason and BAM,no 5 GHz to reconnect to and it has been that way ever since. It is just a mystery that is knawing at me!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

@vegasslims :

As @willson2 replied, the Intel Centrino wireless-n 2230 could never connect to the 5.0 GHz wireless band.

Here's the Intel specs on the card:  2.4 GHz only.

Intel Centrino WirelessN 2230 Single Band Product Specifications

If you want a dual band card, you can replace the Intel card with this one:

Broadcom BCM4352 802.11ac 2x2 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.0 combo   HP part # 724935-001

You can find this model card on eBay.  Search by the HP part number.

Below is the link to the service manual:

c04091762.pdf (hp.com)

Before installing a new Wi-Fi adapter, uninstall the Intel Centrino Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices and drivers in the device manager and check the Uninstall driver box.

Then shut down the PC and replace the Wi-Fi card.