I recently replaced my old computer with a system using an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, ASRock B550M-C motherboard, RTX 3060, 16 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage. My old PC had a strong internet connection in the same location, but the connection on this new PC is unreliable or very slow. I'm currently using Wi‑Fi because Ethernet isn't an option, with a Cox router and a D-Link device. Other devices work normally, so I'm trying to figure out whether the issue is the PC, its Wi‑Fi hardware, or the network setup.
2 Answers
Look at the back of the computer for two small screw-on antenna connectors. If they’re there, the antennas may be missing or disconnected, which can make Wi‑Fi extremely weak. If there are no antenna connectors or a visible wireless adapter, the PC probably needs a USB or PCIe Wi‑Fi adapter; the router itself is less likely to be the problem if your other devices work well.
Check whether the new PC actually has Wi‑Fi hardware installed. That motherboard may not include built-in wireless, so you might need a compatible USB Wi‑Fi adapter or a PCIe Wi‑Fi card. If it uses external antennas, make sure both antennas are connected and positioned upright. Also install the correct motherboard and wireless adapter drivers rather than relying only on Windows Update.
The drivers are up to date, but I didn’t install a dongle because my old PC didn’t need one. I’ll check whether this system actually has built-in Wi‑Fi or needs an adapter.