Question WI-FI adapter compatability

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Sub-arctic

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)
 
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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lantis3 said:
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
Click to expand...
Physically replacing the Wifi card is easy, I just need to know what will work. I appreciate the input, but no maybe for me.
dwd999 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
lantis3 said:
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
Click to expand...
Dell Latitude 5491, CPU = Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8400H CPU @ 2500GHz
 
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lantis3 said:
8400H does not have CNVi feature
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...-8400h-processor-8m-cache-up-to-4-20-ghz.html

Dell 5491 WiFi card info P.22. Wait for other members to confirm whether my list is compatible

https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/latitude-14-5491-laptop_service-manual_en-us.pdf

If the 3 adapters you listed are really on the compatibility list and you don't want any risk, then just take those.
Click to expand...
I bought a USB network adapter to get me going again, now I have time to order an internal adapter card and wait to get it.
Just to make sure I'm with you on this, the Intel AC 8265 should work, and I shouldn't worry about the NGW and NGFF stuff.
 
I would really recommend you look at a intel based card that uses AX210. This is wifi6e.

For some strange reason the very new cards cost the same and in some cases less than older wifi cards. Wifi7 is still about $10 more.

The only issue would be if you had a very old laptop especially one that did not come with windows 10 already. Mostly there are issues with drivers and old OS levels.

The second concern would be that there is some kind of BIOS white/black list to prevent some third party hardware. Other than apple who still does this you do not see it much in consumer laptops. You do still see it in DELL and HP laptops sold to larger enterprise installs. This is partially a requirement from the IT departments so they laptop all stay the same and makes their support job easier rather than a "smart" employee upgrading the company laptop. These laptops have different part numbers than the ones you buy though the retail chain.

Key here is look at the photo. If the card is same size and has the same type of slot it will likely work.
 
bill001g said:
I would really recommend you look at a intel based card that uses AX210. This is wifi6e.

For some strange reason the very new cards cost the same and in some cases less than older wifi cards. Wifi7 is still about $10 more.

The only issue would be if you had a very old laptop especially one that did not come with windows 10 already. Mostly there are issues with drivers and old OS levels.

The second concern would be that there is some kind of BIOS white/black list to prevent some third party hardware. Other than apple who still does this you do not see it much in consumer laptops. You do still see it in DELL and HP laptops sold to larger enterprise installs. This is partially a requirement from the IT departments so they laptop all stay the same and makes their support job easier rather than a "smart" employee upgrading the company laptop. These laptops have different part numbers than the ones you buy though the retail chain.

Key here is look at the photo. If the card is same size and has the same type of slot it will likely work.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. According to Lantis reply, I can't use the AXxxx cards. This is a secondary laptop for me, a low cost laptop that I take it out to the shop, so I don't have to move my expensive laptop. Just looking to keep it running. I'll probably order the 8265. If it works I'll use it, if not I'll just keep using the USB network adapter.
 
You misunderstood what I said. What I said was AXxx1 (ends with "1") adapters only work with CNVi CPUs.

Your CPU however is not CNVi capable, so it should work with AXxx0 (ends with "0") cards.

Anyway, since it's second laptop and you are satisfied with AC8265's spec and price, just go for it.
 
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lantis3 said:
You misunderstood what I said. What I said was AXxx1 (ends with "1") adapters only work with CNVi CPUs.

Your CPU however is not CNVi capable, so it should work with AXxx0 (ends with "0") cards.

Anyway, since it's second laptop and you are satisfied with AC8265's spec and price, just go for it.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the clarification and the help.
 
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