Modify Laptop To Enable Access To Wifi 5ghz Connection?

System: Windows 10 Home version 1909
HP laptop 17-by1xx
Laptop WiFi device: Realtek RTL8723DE 802.11b/g/n PCIe Adapter (from Device Mgr)

I connect to the Internet via Cox cable. My cable modem has two WiFi connections: 2.4GHz & 5GHz. My Windows 10 laptop & Realtek adapter can only see the 2.4GHz connection. While not mandatory, I would like the ability to connect to either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz connection. From the Realtek web site: "The Realtek RTL8723DE-CG is an 802.11bgn 2.4G single-chip that integrates Wireless LAN (WLAN) and a network PCIe interface controller..." Is there a way to enable the laptop to enable it to connect to the 5GHz channel? I am guessing the answer is no but I thought I'd ask anyway.

 

With that existing adapter, you are right the answer is "no". But you could always get a USB Wifi Adapter like this to access 5GHz networks.

However, without knowing what it really is you are trying to accomplish, I doubt you will see any benefit.

5GHz is a great band but it has one major drawback - it has very limited range. 5GHz works best if you are in the same room as the WAP (wireless access point - often integrated with wireless routers). Once you start moving away, and/or start putting barriers (walls, floors, or ceilings) between you and the WAP, the advantages of 5Hz quickly fade and the advantages of 2.4GHz start to shine.

I must also point out that to take advantage of the 5GHz band, your WAP device must also support 5GHz.

 

Thank you for the quick reply - much appreciated.

In live in a condo and I have had conflict with neighbor wifi signals so having an option to use either channel might help.

 

Do not confuse "channel" with "band". They are two different things with important distinctions - that do apply here. The bands refer to the the "frequency" band of the wifi and come in either 2.4GHz or 5GHz. When you hear of a "dual-band" router, for example, that means it supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

Channels refer to how the band is divided and that may play a significant role in resolving your problem here. In crowed wifi environments, like large apartment or condo environments, it is not uncommon for multiple wifi networks to be using the same channel in the 2.4GHz band. But it typically is easy to change channels.

What you need to do is use a wifi "sniffer" to see what wifi networks and channels are being used in neighborhood, then change your network to an unused (or less crowded) channel.

I use XIRRUS WiFi Inspector to see what wireless channels are in use and available. NirSoft's WifiInfoView is another good one. Also popular is inSSIDer. You install one of these on your wireless device, then simply walk around your home to where you normally use your computer. And check out the signal strength of your your wifi and the surrounding wifi networks. Determine the channels being used.

The best solution is to pick a channel that is unused and has no adjacent channels in use. If your wifi environment is very crowded and there are no free channels, then at the very least, pick a channel the the least number of networks and with the weakest signals (which suggests they are farther away, and not next door).

Once you determine the best channel for your wireless network, you simply enter the Admin menu of your WAP/wireless router and check the wifi configuration settings. There typically is a setting to select the channel you want.

From there, you normally do NOT have to do anything with your wireless devices - except, maybe, reboot to get them to connect to the new channel.

If the 2.4GHz frequency "band" is just too crowded and there are no free "channels", your only option may be to go to the 5GHz band. But again, that will require a "dual-band" wireless router too. That said, depending on your current wireless router - just upgrading to a better router may solve your problems too.

 

According to the "HP 17 Laptop PC Maintenance and Service Guide", the WiFi adapter is in an M.2 slot (scroll down to the "Wireless networking" section on page 3). The laptop is shipped with one of these adapters:

• Realtek RTL8723DE 802.11 bgn 1×1 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter
• Realtek RTL8822BE 802.11 ac 2×2 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter (MU-MIMO supported)
• Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11 ac 1×1 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter (MU-MIMO supported)
• Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9461 802.11 AC 1×1 WiFi + BT5 Combo Adapter (non-vPro) (MU-MIMO supported)

You should be able to remove the existing WiFi adapter and install a dual-band adapter (see the "Illustrated parts catalog", item 13 on page 16 and 18). If HP hasn't done something restrictive in the BIOS/UEFI, then you should be able to install any compatible WiFi adapter in that slot.

 

Thank you both for the information. Very much appreciated. I'll follow Digerati's advice.
Thanks again.