Question Wi-fi card antenna connectors

GPag

Member
Mar 14, 2020
31
2
71
I am replacing the WiFi card in my laptop and am having problems connecting the antenna connectors to the card. Is there some sort of trick to this? The photos show the old card, the new card and the antenna connectors.
The connectors on the two cards look different. The connectors on the new card have an outer metal ring, the old card does not. Is it possible that when I removed the antennas from the old card that ring was pulled off and is stuck inside the antenna connector?
Short of buying new antenna wires, is there a way to fix this?
I really hate these fragile connectors.
Thanks
 

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manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
12,186
3,108
136
It's hard to tell, but yeah you probably yanked some "material" off the old M.2 card. That happened to me in 2017 when I replaced a Killer card with an Intel one. I'm lucky the only thing I damaged was the old card. IIRC I used an X-Acto knife to pry bits away, but it's been a long time.
 
Reactions: mindless1

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
8,412
1,586
126
Agreed, looks like the ring tore off both of those connectors on the card and now need gently pried off the antenna connector.
 

GPag

Member
Mar 14, 2020
31
2
71
Not having any luck so far prying off the ring from the connector on the antenna wire. Any ideas on how to do this? I think I see a fine seam at the bottom of the connector. If so, I’m assuming that is the piece from the old card that needs to be removed.
If I need to replace the connectors on the antenna wire, would that detune the antennas and affect Wi-Fi performance?
How can I tell what size connector to buy?
 

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
8,412
1,586
126
You can measure the connector with a caliper, but you can also look at the connectors in high res pictures to get a better idea of what is stuck on there that needs popped off.

It does not de-tune or anything like that, to replace the connector, but by the time you get decent connector and shipping, a whole new antenna might be near the same cost. IDK, just guessing.
 

GPag

Member
Mar 14, 2020
31
2
71
I’m using a lighted magnifying glass stand to work on the connectors so I can see the connector but the old part is not just popping off.
I have been thinking about just getting a new dual antenna. Is the length and type of connector the only thing I need to specify?
Thanks
 

Fallen Kell

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,114
475
126
If getting a new dual antenna, you typically need to match it to the laptop model as it will need to fit in the same space with the same folds, etc...

For instance, on a Dell XPS 15 9520 you need part number N4HD5. Need to know the specific laptop to typically find this information.

Looking at a pic of the old WiFi card and comparing against what the card is supposed to look like, it is clear that some of the metal grounding/shielding came off the card's connector. Here is what the card is supposed to look like:



What you need is something like this (typically called a "parts puller"), but designed/sized for small electronics (this image is for one sized for car/truck bearings and will apply upwards of 7tons of force):


You can try using a metal workers bench vice, but my guess is that will still have too much slop in the clamping distances to let you push/pull only the shield that came off the old WiFi card and not clamp down on the male end of that connector and bend it out of shape.

You might be better off trying to use knife sharpening stones/diamond plate/sandpaper to hand sand through a small section of that outer shield (and not the inner shield) so you can then use picks to pry it off. With how thin that material is and that it is probably copper, it will get cut through very quickly even with just 400-600 grit sandpaper. You should only need to sand through a single small section (not the entire piece) to let you then use the metal picks to get a better purchase on that shield and spin it/pry it up and get something else to be able to get a grip on it to pull it off.

Another thought would be to put it in the freezer for 30-45 minutes to get it nice and cold and then bring it out and try and warm up just that outer shield (a quick pass over a candle or heatgun). The heat would "expand" the outer metal shield compared to the inner shield, helping to separate the parts a little (this needs to be quick as the heat will get conducted from that outer shield to the inner part and that will also start expanding).

That all said, if you don't already own those kinds of tools, it would probably be cheaper to just buy a replacement antenna, but investing in the tools would be worth it over time since there are other things you can fix.
 
Last edited:

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
8,412
1,586
126
I was thinking if an x-acto knife doesn't work, then just *gently* secure the back half of the connector in a vice (if it has metal jaws, better to use a softer rubber/plastic/wood shims to grip it between the jaws, then grab it at nearly halfway across the stuck ring with a pair of flush cut wire snips, then wiggle/pry slightly. Might not hurt to briefly touch a non-plated soldering iron tip to the stuck on ring to expand it slightly.
 
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