What is this part in my laptop screen?
So recently the hinges of my laptop broke, and while fixing it I came across the following component.
My laptop is an Asus VivoBook S551LB-CJ046H. It's at the bottom of my screen, and is normally hidden by a cover. I think that it is part of the Wi-Fi antenna. Initially there were two cables leading to it, however one of the cables has broken. Surprisingly my Wi-Fi is still working fine. Taking the component off of the screen there are two small metallic blocks that come in contact with the screen backcover.
This has generated two questions:
- Am I right in assuming that it is part of the Wi-Fi module?
- What would happen if I disconnected the remaining cable from this component?
Would it diminish the signal significantly?
network-adapter hardware-detection
edited Dec 10 '18 at 22:05
K7AAY
3,62321438
asked Dec 10 '18 at 21:08
Bart van Ingen
132
add a comment |
So recently the hinges of my laptop broke, and while fixing it I came across the following component.
My laptop is an Asus VivoBook S551LB-CJ046H. It's at the bottom of my screen, and is normally hidden by a cover. I think that it is part of the Wi-Fi antenna. Initially there were two cables leading to it, however one of the cables has broken. Surprisingly my Wi-Fi is still working fine. Taking the component off of the screen there are two small metallic blocks that come in contact with the screen backcover.
This has generated two questions:
- Am I right in assuming that it is part of the Wi-Fi module?
- What would happen if I disconnected the remaining cable from this component?
Would it diminish the signal significantly?
network-adapter hardware-detection
edited Dec 10 '18 at 22:05
K7AAY
3,62321438
asked Dec 10 '18 at 21:08
Bart van Ingen
132
What color was the second one?
– Pancakedinner
Dec 10 '18 at 21:18
3
I couldn't make out much from your pic, but very often a laptop will have multiple antennas for WIFI (to handle differential signaling/mimo/corridors and/or multiple bands). It can still work with degraded performance - which could be invisible save that it's slower/less sensitive.
– davidgo
Dec 10 '18 at 21:22
add a comment |
So recently the hinges of my laptop broke, and while fixing it I came across the following component.
My laptop is an Asus VivoBook S551LB-CJ046H. It's at the bottom of my screen, and is normally hidden by a cover. I think that it is part of the Wi-Fi antenna. Initially there were two cables leading to it, however one of the cables has broken. Surprisingly my Wi-Fi is still working fine. Taking the component off of the screen there are two small metallic blocks that come in contact with the screen backcover.
This has generated two questions:
- Am I right in assuming that it is part of the Wi-Fi module?
- What would happen if I disconnected the remaining cable from this component?
Would it diminish the signal significantly?
network-adapter hardware-detection
edited Dec 10 '18 at 22:05
K7AAY
3,62321438
asked Dec 10 '18 at 21:08
Bart van Ingen
132
So recently the hinges of my laptop broke, and while fixing it I came across the following component.
My laptop is an Asus VivoBook S551LB-CJ046H. It's at the bottom of my screen, and is normally hidden by a cover. I think that it is part of the Wi-Fi antenna. Initially there were two cables leading to it, however one of the cables has broken. Surprisingly my Wi-Fi is still working fine. Taking the component off of the screen there are two small metallic blocks that come in contact with the screen backcover.
This has generated two questions:
- Am I right in assuming that it is part of the Wi-Fi module?
- What would happen if I disconnected the remaining cable from this component?
Would it diminish the signal significantly?
network-adapter hardware-detection
network-adapter hardware-detection
edited Dec 10 '18 at 22:05
K7AAY
3,62321438
asked Dec 10 '18 at 21:08
Bart van Ingen
132
edited Dec 10 '18 at 22:05
K7AAY
3,62321438
asked Dec 10 '18 at 21:08
Bart van Ingen
132
edited Dec 10 '18 at 22:05
K7AAY
3,62321438
edited Dec 10 '18 at 22:05
K7AAY
3,62321438
edited Dec 10 '18 at 22:05
K7AAY
3,62321438
3,62321438
asked Dec 10 '18 at 21:08
Bart van Ingen
132
asked Dec 10 '18 at 21:08
Bart van Ingen
132
asked Dec 10 '18 at 21:08
Bart van Ingen
132
132
What color was the second one?
– Pancakedinner
Dec 10 '18 at 21:18
3
I couldn't make out much from your pic, but very often a laptop will have multiple antennas for WIFI (to handle differential signaling/mimo/corridors and/or multiple bands). It can still work with degraded performance - which could be invisible save that it's slower/less sensitive.
– davidgo
Dec 10 '18 at 21:22
add a comment |
What color was the second one?
– Pancakedinner
Dec 10 '18 at 21:18
3
I couldn't make out much from your pic, but very often a laptop will have multiple antennas for WIFI (to handle differential signaling/mimo/corridors and/or multiple bands). It can still work with degraded performance - which could be invisible save that it's slower/less sensitive.
– davidgo
Dec 10 '18 at 21:22
What color was the second one?
– Pancakedinner
Dec 10 '18 at 21:18
What color was the second one?
– Pancakedinner
Dec 10 '18 at 21:18
3
3
I couldn't make out much from your pic, but very often a laptop will have multiple antennas for WIFI (to handle differential signaling/mimo/corridors and/or multiple bands). It can still work with degraded performance - which could be invisible save that it's slower/less sensitive.
– davidgo
Dec 10 '18 at 21:22
I couldn't make out much from your pic, but very often a laptop will have multiple antennas for WIFI (to handle differential signaling/mimo/corridors and/or multiple bands). It can still work with degraded performance - which could be invisible save that it's slower/less sensitive.
– davidgo
Dec 10 '18 at 21:22
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
The "metallic blocks" you describe are the Wi-Fi antennas. The cables connect them to the wireless adapter located in the laptop base.
On many laptops, the Wi-Fi antenna is located above or below the display. Systems with all-metal chassis often have a visible "antenna line" similar to what you might see on a metal smartphone to allow signals through; if such a line is present, that's where the actual antennas are located. That cable connects the wireless network adapter (often a small M.2 card, type 2230, with older systems typically using mPCIe) to an antenna. This is what an antenna line may look like on a laptop:
If you have two antenna cables, disconnecting one of them will reduce signal strength and range, and limit your Wi-Fi to single-stream, or 1x1, operation (most better laptops have dual-stream or 2x2 Wi-Fi). If the other cable is disconnected, you'll lose all wireless connectivity.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:56
bwDraco
36.5k36135177
add a comment |
WiFi module, no: WiFi antenna, yes. That's one of the two antennas commonly found on the back of laptop screens, which run to snap-on connectors on the WiFi Module. The module looks at signal from both and uses the better one. Don't disconnect the other, else WiFi reception will greatly suffer.
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:03
K7AAY
3,62321438
add a comment |
This laptop is similar to yours https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=w95gpUxIp7Y.
It also has two wires, One White and one Black, They are both connected to the Wifi adapter card.
Like Davidgo said, Your wifi might still work, but with a loss of range or speed. Some Wifi cards are different, but normally they use two antennas (I believe 3 usually means 5GHz).
One to send and one to receive (Pretty much 2x faster than having it share one antenna to send and receive), I guess the Adapter knows its missing one and switches to 1 radio (Obviously slower).
You might find this interesting https://www.quora.com/What-happens-when-you-exchange-the-black-and-white-antenna-cables-main-and-aux-that-attach-to-the-WiFi-adapter-card-in-laptops
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:20
Pancakedinner
1975
add a comment |
You would be right assuming that it is a wifi antenna. My old HP 2000-299wm laptop is very similar, except my laptop's antenna runs to the top of the screen.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:27
KALI99
335
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The "metallic blocks" you describe are the Wi-Fi antennas. The cables connect them to the wireless adapter located in the laptop base.
On many laptops, the Wi-Fi antenna is located above or below the display. Systems with all-metal chassis often have a visible "antenna line" similar to what you might see on a metal smartphone to allow signals through; if such a line is present, that's where the actual antennas are located. That cable connects the wireless network adapter (often a small M.2 card, type 2230, with older systems typically using mPCIe) to an antenna. This is what an antenna line may look like on a laptop:
If you have two antenna cables, disconnecting one of them will reduce signal strength and range, and limit your Wi-Fi to single-stream, or 1x1, operation (most better laptops have dual-stream or 2x2 Wi-Fi). If the other cable is disconnected, you'll lose all wireless connectivity.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:56
bwDraco
36.5k36135177
add a comment |
The "metallic blocks" you describe are the Wi-Fi antennas. The cables connect them to the wireless adapter located in the laptop base.
On many laptops, the Wi-Fi antenna is located above or below the display. Systems with all-metal chassis often have a visible "antenna line" similar to what you might see on a metal smartphone to allow signals through; if such a line is present, that's where the actual antennas are located. That cable connects the wireless network adapter (often a small M.2 card, type 2230, with older systems typically using mPCIe) to an antenna. This is what an antenna line may look like on a laptop:
If you have two antenna cables, disconnecting one of them will reduce signal strength and range, and limit your Wi-Fi to single-stream, or 1x1, operation (most better laptops have dual-stream or 2x2 Wi-Fi). If the other cable is disconnected, you'll lose all wireless connectivity.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:56
bwDraco
36.5k36135177
add a comment |
The "metallic blocks" you describe are the Wi-Fi antennas. The cables connect them to the wireless adapter located in the laptop base.
On many laptops, the Wi-Fi antenna is located above or below the display. Systems with all-metal chassis often have a visible "antenna line" similar to what you might see on a metal smartphone to allow signals through; if such a line is present, that's where the actual antennas are located. That cable connects the wireless network adapter (often a small M.2 card, type 2230, with older systems typically using mPCIe) to an antenna. This is what an antenna line may look like on a laptop:
If you have two antenna cables, disconnecting one of them will reduce signal strength and range, and limit your Wi-Fi to single-stream, or 1x1, operation (most better laptops have dual-stream or 2x2 Wi-Fi). If the other cable is disconnected, you'll lose all wireless connectivity.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:56
bwDraco
36.5k36135177
The "metallic blocks" you describe are the Wi-Fi antennas. The cables connect them to the wireless adapter located in the laptop base.
On many laptops, the Wi-Fi antenna is located above or below the display. Systems with all-metal chassis often have a visible "antenna line" similar to what you might see on a metal smartphone to allow signals through; if such a line is present, that's where the actual antennas are located. That cable connects the wireless network adapter (often a small M.2 card, type 2230, with older systems typically using mPCIe) to an antenna. This is what an antenna line may look like on a laptop:
If you have two antenna cables, disconnecting one of them will reduce signal strength and range, and limit your Wi-Fi to single-stream, or 1x1, operation (most better laptops have dual-stream or 2x2 Wi-Fi). If the other cable is disconnected, you'll lose all wireless connectivity.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:56
bwDraco
36.5k36135177
edited Dec 11 '18 at 2:06
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:56
bwDraco
36.5k36135177
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:56
bwDraco
36.5k36135177
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:56
bwDraco
36.5k36135177
36.5k36135177
add a comment |
add a comment |
WiFi module, no: WiFi antenna, yes. That's one of the two antennas commonly found on the back of laptop screens, which run to snap-on connectors on the WiFi Module. The module looks at signal from both and uses the better one. Don't disconnect the other, else WiFi reception will greatly suffer.
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:03
K7AAY
3,62321438
add a comment |
WiFi module, no: WiFi antenna, yes. That's one of the two antennas commonly found on the back of laptop screens, which run to snap-on connectors on the WiFi Module. The module looks at signal from both and uses the better one. Don't disconnect the other, else WiFi reception will greatly suffer.
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:03
K7AAY
3,62321438
add a comment |
WiFi module, no: WiFi antenna, yes. That's one of the two antennas commonly found on the back of laptop screens, which run to snap-on connectors on the WiFi Module. The module looks at signal from both and uses the better one. Don't disconnect the other, else WiFi reception will greatly suffer.
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:03
K7AAY
3,62321438
WiFi module, no: WiFi antenna, yes. That's one of the two antennas commonly found on the back of laptop screens, which run to snap-on connectors on the WiFi Module. The module looks at signal from both and uses the better one. Don't disconnect the other, else WiFi reception will greatly suffer.
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:03
K7AAY
3,62321438
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:03
K7AAY
3,62321438
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:03
K7AAY
3,62321438
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:03
K7AAY
3,62321438
3,62321438
add a comment |
add a comment |
This laptop is similar to yours https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=w95gpUxIp7Y.
It also has two wires, One White and one Black, They are both connected to the Wifi adapter card.
Like Davidgo said, Your wifi might still work, but with a loss of range or speed. Some Wifi cards are different, but normally they use two antennas (I believe 3 usually means 5GHz).
One to send and one to receive (Pretty much 2x faster than having it share one antenna to send and receive), I guess the Adapter knows its missing one and switches to 1 radio (Obviously slower).
You might find this interesting https://www.quora.com/What-happens-when-you-exchange-the-black-and-white-antenna-cables-main-and-aux-that-attach-to-the-WiFi-adapter-card-in-laptops
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:20
Pancakedinner
1975
add a comment |
This laptop is similar to yours https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=w95gpUxIp7Y.
It also has two wires, One White and one Black, They are both connected to the Wifi adapter card.
Like Davidgo said, Your wifi might still work, but with a loss of range or speed. Some Wifi cards are different, but normally they use two antennas (I believe 3 usually means 5GHz).
One to send and one to receive (Pretty much 2x faster than having it share one antenna to send and receive), I guess the Adapter knows its missing one and switches to 1 radio (Obviously slower).
You might find this interesting https://www.quora.com/What-happens-when-you-exchange-the-black-and-white-antenna-cables-main-and-aux-that-attach-to-the-WiFi-adapter-card-in-laptops
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:20
Pancakedinner
1975
add a comment |
This laptop is similar to yours https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=w95gpUxIp7Y.
It also has two wires, One White and one Black, They are both connected to the Wifi adapter card.
Like Davidgo said, Your wifi might still work, but with a loss of range or speed. Some Wifi cards are different, but normally they use two antennas (I believe 3 usually means 5GHz).
One to send and one to receive (Pretty much 2x faster than having it share one antenna to send and receive), I guess the Adapter knows its missing one and switches to 1 radio (Obviously slower).
You might find this interesting https://www.quora.com/What-happens-when-you-exchange-the-black-and-white-antenna-cables-main-and-aux-that-attach-to-the-WiFi-adapter-card-in-laptops
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:20
Pancakedinner
1975
This laptop is similar to yours https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=w95gpUxIp7Y.
It also has two wires, One White and one Black, They are both connected to the Wifi adapter card.
Like Davidgo said, Your wifi might still work, but with a loss of range or speed. Some Wifi cards are different, but normally they use two antennas (I believe 3 usually means 5GHz).
One to send and one to receive (Pretty much 2x faster than having it share one antenna to send and receive), I guess the Adapter knows its missing one and switches to 1 radio (Obviously slower).
You might find this interesting https://www.quora.com/What-happens-when-you-exchange-the-black-and-white-antenna-cables-main-and-aux-that-attach-to-the-WiFi-adapter-card-in-laptops
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:20
Pancakedinner
1975
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:20
Pancakedinner
1975
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:20
Pancakedinner
1975
answered Dec 10 '18 at 22:20
Pancakedinner
1975
1975
add a comment |
add a comment |
You would be right assuming that it is a wifi antenna. My old HP 2000-299wm laptop is very similar, except my laptop's antenna runs to the top of the screen.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:27
KALI99
335
add a comment |
You would be right assuming that it is a wifi antenna. My old HP 2000-299wm laptop is very similar, except my laptop's antenna runs to the top of the screen.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:27
KALI99
335
add a comment |
You would be right assuming that it is a wifi antenna. My old HP 2000-299wm laptop is very similar, except my laptop's antenna runs to the top of the screen.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:27
KALI99
335
You would be right assuming that it is a wifi antenna. My old HP 2000-299wm laptop is very similar, except my laptop's antenna runs to the top of the screen.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:27
KALI99
335
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:27
KALI99
335
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:27
KALI99
335
answered Dec 11 '18 at 1:27
KALI99
335
335
add a comment |
add a comment |
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What color was the second one?
– Pancakedinner
Dec 10 '18 at 21:18
3
I couldn't make out much from your pic, but very often a laptop will have multiple antennas for WIFI (to handle differential signaling/mimo/corridors and/or multiple bands). It can still work with degraded performance - which could be invisible save that it's slower/less sensitive.
– davidgo
Dec 10 '18 at 21:22