How Can I Add Wi-Fi to My Desktop Computer?
Not all desktops come with built-in Wi-Fi, which makes sense – why not just use an Ethernet connection for a system that will mostly sit under (or on) your desk? It’s still good to have options, especially if your desktop is in an area that’s difficult (or annoying) to access with a cable, and it’s easy to add Wi-Fi to a system that doesn’t have it.
You have several options for connecting your desktop PC to a wireless network: you can use a USB Wi-Fi adapter, install a dedicated Wi-Fi PCIe card, or upgrade to a new motherboard with built-in Wi-Fi. (We suspect that most people will go for the simplest options, numbers one and two.)
Convenient option: USB Wi-Fi adapters
A USB Wi-Fi adapter couldn’t be easier to use, provided there is no problem with how your operating system recognizes or uses the device. Just plug it into your desktop or laptop. You may need to install some drivers to get it up and running, but after that, giving your system wireless capabilities should be a simple plug-and-play procedure.
Since it is a USB adapter, you can plug it into any working USB port on your system — on the front or back of your system, or to USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. (Although you can try USB 2.0 if you’re having problems with the USB 3.0 port on your old desktop computer.)
The downside to USB Wi-Fi dongle is that you can end up offline if your system goes to sleep. You will want to play around with Windows ‘ hibernation settings (sometimes the answer may not be so obvious ). You may even have to go into your motherboard BIOS to make sure there are no settings that trigger your USB devices when your system is in sleep mode. You can also disable hibernation completely, which is not a bad idea.
Plus, USB Wi-Fi adapters can be amazed at their performance . Make sure everything you buy is at least rated for the speed supported by your router – don’t buy a cheap wireless-n adapter if you’ve just purchased a new AC1200 router, for example. And be aware that the adapter is not a warranty; you may still have an unstable connection wherever you try to connect your system, or the adapter may not be as strong as it seems on paper.
If you know that your system will always need Wi-Fi access, you might be better off purchasing a PCIe adapter with dedicated antennas. While they are not guaranteed to always outperform USB adapters in every situation, chances are good that you will encounter faster speeds and lower latency (at least compared to a tiny USB 2.0 adapter).
Best for Connectivity: PCIe Wi-Fi Adapters
Wi-Fi PCIe adapters offer the same connectivity options found on motherboards with built-in Wi-Fi. They generally perform better than USB adapters – at least tiny ones – providing more stable connections over long distances (and better bandwidth). They are also great if you know you will need to use most (or all) of your system’s USB connections. Unload the wireless adapter elsewhere so you have enough room for that stick, gaming mouse, or dog .
There are only three real drawbacks to PCIe Wi-Fi adapters, and they are relatively minor. For one, these devices can be slightly more expensive than USB Wi-Fi adapters, depending on what capabilities you want. Secondly, you will need to install them on your system. This shouldn’t be a problem for most people, but for beginners it can be difficult. Finally, depending on your motherboard configuration and the amount of other hardware you put on your system, you might not have enough room for a dedicated Wi-Fi PCIe adapter. If so, then for you it is again a USB adapter.
Best if you are already updating your PC: Wi-Fi enabled motherboard
If you are planning to upgrade your computer anyway and suspect that you might need a wireless connection at some point – even if it’s just a simple backup solution, if your Ethernet connection ever becomes unstable – consider buying a motherboard with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. inch. Some may even come with external antennas that plug into the back of the motherboard and allow them to be placed anywhere (like on a desk) instead of firing directly from the back of the desktop. This is a minor point, but it might give you a slightly stronger signal (or better for your desktop setup).
This article was originally published in April 2014 and has been updated on 12/05/19 with more detailed and up-to-date information.