I recently purchased a TP-Link Archer TX55E to add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to my PC, but I've run into some issues. No matter what I tried—installing various drivers, changing the PCIe slot, and even adjusting the slot speed in the BIOS—the card was detected only as a 'generic adapter' for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and I kept getting error code 10 when trying to install a driver manually. This card is based on the Intel AX200 chipset. After returning it, I'm considering another model, specifically one from Asus, but I'm unclear whether it has the Intel AX210 or a Mediatek chip instead. I'm also wondering if there might be compatibility issues with the PCIe lanes given my setup. For context, I have a Ryzen 5 9600X processor, a Radeon RX 9070 graphics card, and an Asrock B650m PG Riptide motherboard with both M.2 slots already occupied by SSDs (one Gen 4 and one Gen 3).
3 Answers
Did you connect the USB for Bluetooth functionality? Also, it might help to boot from a Linux live USB to test if the card shows up correctly using commands like lspci and lsusb. Your motherboard should have a total of 24 usable CPU lanes, plus 8 more from the B650 chipset. Double-check your motherboard's manual just to be sure. If you're really worried about compatibility, a USB Wi-Fi adapter could be a good backup option.
I’d be careful about the Asus option. The TP-Link card clearly has an Intel chip, but the Asus model seems to have mixed reviews regarding its chipset—some users report an Intel AX210 while others mention a Mediatek chip. This could vary based on different revisions or regions. Also, make sure your motherboard chipset drivers are fully updated, as outdated drivers can cause identification issues with devices.
The AX201 card only works with Intel systems due to its proprietary communication method. If that's the one you got, consider switching to a Qualcomm QCNCM865. It’s modern, compatible with Wi-Fi 7, and doesn't require a USB connection like the Intel cards. You can easily find it on AliExpress, and it works well. Just a heads-up to avoid Mediatek for Wi-Fi.
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