Hi everyone! I'm trying to install a PCIe WLAN adapter on my B550M DS3H motherboard because I don't have a LAN connection available. The issue is that the appropriate PCIe slot for the adapter is currently blocked by my graphics card, which is a Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 5600 XT, and an SSD installed in the M.2 slot. Is there any workaround to install the Wi-Fi adapter without using a USB dongle? Appreciate any help!
4 Answers
You nailed it about your motherboard. You'll want to use a PCIe x1 slot for your Wi-Fi adapter if it's available. If not, and the GPU is in the way, sticking with a USB adapter might honestly be your easiest bet.
If your GPU is blocking both available slots, you're probably going to need to either move the GPU or consider a USB Wi-Fi adapter as a last resort. But if you really want to use a PCIe card, a riser cable could help, although it might complicate things under the GPU.
For your motherboard, you can definitely use a PCIe x1 card in an x16 slot. If that's blocked too, you're kind of limited. I’d recommend checking if you can get a small PCIe card or adapting an M.2 to PCIe. Just remember, most M.2 slots on your board are not designed for Wi-Fi.
Have you checked if the bottom PCIe x16 slot is free? You might be able to fit the WLAN adapter there if your GPU isn't covering it completely.
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