I have a hp 17 by1053dx laptop. My antenna became unsnapped from the wifi card, twice. After many failed attempts, I was finally able to snap them back together so they stay together but still have no wireless connections available. How can I know if the card or the antenna has failed?
-
What do you mean by “unsnapped”? Typically an RF antenna is either screwed in (with an appropriate RF connector) or there is a wire connected to the adapter and a receiver. It’s not clear how an antenna would be “unsnapped”– RamhoundCommented Aug 5, 2023 at 1:01
-
Thanks for that point. The antenna wire(s) has (have) little plugs that attach to the card. I made that clear.– anonCommented Aug 5, 2023 at 1:22
-
This is the message I got when checking the Realtech RTL8821CC 802.11ac PCLe adapter. This device cannot start. (Code 10). What is code 10? {Operation Failed} The requested operation was unsuccessful. I am going to try snapping them together again. Not sure why it is so difficult. Maybe some part of the connection got slightly bent or something.– Rodney HarrierCommented Aug 5, 2023 at 1:49
-
Rambound, as John says, they are little plugs and they do fit together like a snap. That's why I used that word. They somehow became unplugged. This is the second wifi card I have had where the antenna came unplugged. This laptop only has one antenna– Rodney HarrierCommented Aug 5, 2023 at 1:52
-
Two things, code 10 is IIRC a driver issue, and the antennas have a limited attach/detach cycle life, and need a lot more force than one expects to install them– Journeyman Geek ♦Commented Aug 5, 2023 at 2:25
|
Show 4 more comments
1 Answer
The card is a device whereas the antenna is a wire attached to the device.
Look in Device Manager at the wireless card.
(1) If the entry is normal and the tab says the device is working properly, reinstall the driver and test. If still not working, then likely the antenna and / or connection stub on the card (that is, the antenna wire with a tiny plug has not properly been attached to the card). There also may be two antenna wires.
(This is how it appears on my laptops and matches your description of snapping in).
(2) If the entry in Device Manager has a red X (not working) then it well may be the card that is defective.
If you have an issue connecting the Antenna wire and are unsure, you might consider taking the laptop to a local shop, have them connect and test.
I can connect these pesky wires and on an older ThinkPad, I was able to ascertain the card needed replacing as the Antennae appeared good.