Normally your computer has a Wi-Fi network card. It’s good at times, has a decent top speed and adequate coverage. On other occasions, however, it may have many limitations. It is in this last case when it may be interesting to change it, but be careful that it will not always solve your problems.
Whether or not to change the network card
First of all, you must analyze what the problem is of your connection. Is this a speed problem? Is the coverage very bad? It may or may not be the fault of the Wi-Fi network card, so we recommend that you run tests to rule out problems. Something basic is to take your laptop next to the router and see if the speed and quality of the signal improves.
You can also try use another device in the place where you have the computer with, supposedly, a network card in bad condition. You could use your cell phone, for example. You do a speed test again and check if the signal that reaches you is adequate or, on the contrary, is weak.
If after this you verify that you need a network card, the following would be buy one of guarantees. Be careful with this, since there is no point in buying just any card that does not improve what you already have. It is interesting that it has current protocols, such as Wi-Fi 6 or WPA3. You should also find out if it offers good coverage and thus avoid problems.
You will find many Wi-Fi cards. There are some that are internal, which can be a little more complex to install on a laptop, but also external. The latter are connected through the USB port, as if it were a pendrive. You will be able to take it anywhere and it will also be easy to use it on other devices.
Detect the underlying problem
However, it is normal that there is an underlying problem. Regardless of whether you use a good or bad Wi-Fi card on your laptop, there is always some problem that will cause limitations. For example, you could have interference and that will make the signal weaker and you will not be able to connect.
Another problem that may exist is that there is a network saturation that prevents the signal from reaching well. You may even have the router located incorrectly, which will affect not only your laptop, but also any other device that you need to connect to the wireless network.
We recommend that you locate your devices very well. On the one hand, place the router in a central area of the home, away from any interference that may exist and from thick walls or walls. Do the same with your computer, since you should keep it away from sources that generate interference, such as Bluetooth devices and similar. In addition, changing the Wi-Fi channel can avoid saturation.
If you see that the problem is that the signal does not reach well, regardless of the device you use, you can always buy a device to improve it. For example, you could use a repeater, a Mesh system, or PLC devices.
In short, changing the laptop’s Wi-Fi card may be necessary, but in certain cases it is not necessary at all. It is advisable that you check what the problem is, analyze your connection and see if you really need to change it. Sometimes, just by changing the location of the router and your devices, you could get good results.
