Question WI-FI adapter compatability

Sep 15, 2024
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One of my laptops quit seeing available networks. "No Wi-fi networks found". I've tried numerous things to fix it, no joy so far. Device manager says the card is working, but I'm not sure I believe that. All my other devices see and connect to the network.
I think I am down to trying a new card, or getting a dongle. I would like to get the laptop working with an internal adapter.
I checked the Dell website for compatible devices. Below is what I came up with. My laptop has the first adapter listed. There are lots of Intel cards available, but the descriptions include things like NGW and NGFF. I have no idea what is compatible and what is not.
Any help would be appreciated.
  • Qualcomm QCA61x4A 802.11ac Dual Band (2x2) Wireless Adapter+ Bluetooth 4.1
  • Qualcomm QCA61x4A Extended Range 802.11ac MU-MINO Dual Band (2x2) Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.1 LE
  • Intel Dual-Band Wireless-AC 8265 Wi-Fi + BT 4.2 Wireless Card (2x2) ( Bluetooth Optional)
 

lantis3

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Nov 5, 2015
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CPU and Dell model?

Maybe Wifi 6E/7 cards can work too. Disassembling laptop is not easy though.

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Tri-Band-5400Mbps-Network/dp/B09WQSNMCT
https://www.amazon.com/QFly-Wireless-Bluetooth-5800Mbps-Motherboards/dp/B0CQ7WT1QJ

NGW probably doesn't mean much. all I can find
https://www.allacronyms.com/NGW/wireless

NGFF = Next Gen Form Factor = M.2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2

You can't buy Intel wifi cards that with part number AXnn1, like AX201 or AX411 that will require INTEL CPU with CNVi feature.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNVi
 
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Having used Windows for over 30 years I would not assume its a hardware issue. My first question would be when was the last complete reinstall of Windows? I would also try booting the computer from a usb with a Linux distro to see if that recognizes the wifi adapter. And I would not consider another Qualcomm adapter since the drivers are so old; at least with Intel you get more recent drivers.
 
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Sep 15, 2024
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Physically replacing the Wifi card is easy, I just need to know what will work. I appreciate the input, but no maybe for me.
Having used Windows for over 30 years I would not assume its a hardware issue. My first question would be when was the last complete reinstall of Windows? I would also try booting the computer from a usb with a Linux distro to see if that recognizes the wifi adapter. And I would not consider another Qualcomm adapter since the drivers are so old; at least with Intel you get more recent drivers.
I won't bore you with all of the tings I tried. I tried reloading drivers, I tried resetting the laptop. Yesterday the laptop wouldn't see the network, then it did. I think I restarted the computer, I don't recall for sure. Since then it's been a hard fail. The intel cards are readily available if the NGW, NGFF things don't matter, and cheap enough I'd be willing to give it a try.
 
Sep 15, 2024
3
0
10
CPU and Dell model?

Maybe Wifi 6E/7 cards can work too. Disassembling laptop is not easy though.

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Tri-Band-5400Mbps-Network/dp/B09WQSNMCT
https://www.amazon.com/QFly-Wireless-Bluetooth-5800Mbps-Motherboards/dp/B0CQ7WT1QJ

NGW probably doesn't mean much. all I can find
https://www.allacronyms.com/NGW/wireless

NGFF = Next Gen Form Factor = M.2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2

You can't buy Intel wifi cards that with part number AXnn1, like AX201 or AX411 that will require INTEL CPU with CNVi feature.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNVi
Dell Latitude 5491, CPU = Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8400H CPU @ 2500GHz