
Double-tap or double-click the wireless adapter with the same Description as noted on the Change Wi-Fi Settings page.In the Device Manager window, click the arrow sign next to Network Adapters.Touch or click Device Manager (Control Panel).In the Search box, type Device Manager.When your computer still cannot connect to the Internet, refer to the Resolving Not Able to Get to the Internet tab and continue with Step 5.Save any data, close any open program(s) and restart the computer.Bookmark this article as a restart of the affected computer is needed at this time, and additional troubleshooting may be needed.Make sure the check box to the left of Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, is unchecked.Touch or click the Power Management tab.In the Property: box, touch or click Wireless Mode and select the highest number available from the drop-down menu under Value.If you have an AC router, for example, an AC-capable wireless network adapter will give you better speeds.Note: When you are not sure of what wireless networking standard(s) your router supports, select the option with the most listings, typically at the bottom of the list. TP-Link's AC1900, for example, has three antennas and is capable of 1,300 Mbps over 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi (your internet connection probably isn't that fast).īeyond dual-band capability and more antennas, your best bet is simply to look for a wireless solution from a reputable company that can handle the wireless standard of your router. If you do decide to go with a network card, three antennas are going to give you more power than two. You'll usually find dual-band capability prominently featured in the title. The TP-Link N300, for example, is 802.11n-capable and very affordable but single-band. While almost all PCI-e adapters are dual-band, not all USB adapters are. 2.4 GHz, while slower, is stronger and will penetrate walls and other obstacles more readily. Having the option to use the 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz transmission standards is helpful for getting the best reception.

If you buy a high-quality adapter that's capable of 802.11n, 802.11ac, or 802.11ax transmission and have a clear line between the adapter and the router, it's quite possible that you'll get very respectable Wi-Fi speeds.įor both types of adapters, dual-band capability is recommended. It likely depends on the quality of the adapter and the locations of the router and computer. That said, some people do find that they get very good speeds with USB wireless adapters. (That's the best case for any wireless adapter, but it's especially the case with USB.) Others have remotely wired antennas that allow you to move the antenna to an ideal spot for Wi-Fi reception.Ī USB adapter is best used when there's a straight, clear line from the adapter itself to the wireless router. And while this isn't much compared to the triple-antennaed PCI-e cards, it can definitely increase the receptivity of your USB adapter.

Some USB Wi-FI adapters do come with a single external antenna, like the TP-Link AC600 USB WiFi Adapter. They likely won't get as strong reception as PCI-e cards, and many people report that they see lower speeds with USB adapters as well.

Because most USB wireless adapters don't pack any external antennae, they're less powerful. Unfortunately, the convenience of small size comes with some drawbacks. Image credit: alice-photo via Shutterstock.
