Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Realtek 8821CE appears
| Problem | Solution | |---------|----------| | Wi-Fi disconnects randomly | Disable in Power Management (Device Manager → Adapter → Properties → Power Management) | | Bluetooth not finding devices | Uninstall driver → restart → let Windows reinstall. Also check Bluetooth service is running ( services.msc ) | | No 5 GHz networks visible | Go to Device Manager → Adapter → Advanced → Preferred Band → set to Prefer 5 GHz | | Code 10 / Code 43 error | Use HP Diagnostics UEFI → Network test. If failed, reseat or replace card. | | Linux no Wi-Fi | Install firmware-realtek package (Debian/Ubuntu) or update kernel to 5.10+ | hp 3168ngw drivers
This story outlines a common scenario involving the Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 (HP 3168NGW) card, which is a frequent culprit for connectivity issues in HP laptops. HP Support Community +1 The Case of the Disappearing Wi-Fi: A 3168NGW Story The Problem: Marcus was in the middle of a crucial Zoom call on his HP 250 G6 laptop when his internet abruptly dropped. The Wi-Fi icon vanished, replaced by an airplane icon. Restarting didn't work. Device Manager showed the "Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168" adapter with a yellow exclamation mark, displaying an "Error Code 10" or "Error Code 43". YouTube The Attempted Fixes (The Wrong Way): Marcus tried to update the driver through Windows Device Manager, but it kept saying "The best drivers are already installed," which was false. He then downloaded a generic driver from the web, which caused the Bluetooth to stop working, and the Wi-Fi still didn't connect. Intel Community The Solution (The Right Way): Marcus needed to follow the official, clean installation path for his Intel 3168NGW adapter: Get Connected: Since he had no Wi-Fi, he used an Ethernet cable to get internet access, or used a different computer to download the driver onto a USB drive. Download the Right Driver: Instead of a generic driver, he went to the Official HP Driver Support Page and entered his specific laptop model (e.g., HP 250 G6 or HP Pavilion 14). Uninstall the Old/Corrupt Driver: He opened Device Manager, right-clicked the Intel AC 3168 adapter, and selected Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi →
Note: If your device is a specialized industrial unit or a whitebox laptop, please check the underside sticker for a different Product Number (e.g., starting with '2VQ' or similar) for exact results. | | Linux no Wi-Fi | Install firmware-realtek
hardware. It is important to clarify that "3168NGW" is not actually a laptop model name; it is the regulatory model number for the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card often found in devices like the HP Pavilion 15 or Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Where to Download HP 3168NGW Drivers