laptop wifi only close to router--wifi card or antenna causing problem?

mephitis · Dec 30, 2016

I can only get wireless on my laptop when it's within a few feet of the router. My smartphone gets wireless throughout the house so the router seems ok. How do I know if the problem with getting wireless on my laptop is because of the wifi card or the wifi antenna?
The laptop is HP Notebook - 15-r132wm Model #: K7W77UA

Barty1884 · Dec 30, 2016

If your phone is connecting throughout, it's likely an issue with the laptop.

You have 802.11n in the laptop, so range should be pretty solid on the 2.4GHz signal. Are your drivers up to date?

Which router do you have?

bignastyid · Dec 30, 2016

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Question from mephitis : "laptop wifi only close to router--wifi card or antenna causing problem?"

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lisajordan759 · Dec 30, 2016

I was also having same problem with my belkin wireless router. so i just reset my router and update the firmware. this is working fine now. hope this will help you as well.

Solandri · Dec 30, 2016

Yeah that does sound like broken/disconnected antennas. Laptops have two antennas connected to the WiFi module, so it's rare for this to happen (if one antenna dies, the other one still allows connectivity, so you have to lose both antennas to experience the symptoms you're seeing). But I've seen it happen so it's not *that* rare. The most common reason is pretty simple to fix - the antenna leads have popped off the WiFi module.

Unfortunately, your model laptop is one of the annoying ones which opens from the top. To access the WiFi module, you'll have to first remove the keyboard. Service manual here; WiFi (WLAN) module access instructions are on page 61.
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04409502

The WiFi antennas have a round plug which simply presses into one of two round sockets on the WiFi card. They're held on by friction, so it's not unheard of for one or both to pop off. When both come off, the symptoms are exactly as you describe. Simply place the plug over the socket and press it back on. If it feels loose and you're afraid it might come off again, you can use a piece of electrical tape to hold it in place.

http://www.insidemylaptop.com/images/Dell-Inspion-N5110-disassembly/Dell-Inspiron-N5110-disassembly-22.jpg

Edit: Found a better pic which shows what the WLAN card looks like with and without antennas attached. The antennas are the black and grey cables.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachments/to-nettverkskort_72359a-jpg.109957/

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laptop wifi only close to router--wifi card or antenna causing problem?

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