If you want to have Wireless capabilities in your ASRock motherboard, you need to install a WiFi card on the motherboard. You will also need to install the antennas as well to be able to catch the wireless signals properly. Otherwise, the signal that the card will catch will not be enough.
If the Wi-Fi card comes pre-installed with your motherboard, you only need to connect the antenna to the motherboard’s connectors. Otherwise, you need to install the card, attach the antenna connectors to the motherboard’s I/O shield or back panel and then connect the antennas.
The built-in WiFi card on my ASRock motherboard stopped working after a couple of years. So, I installed a PCIe x1 WiFi card. you may also use a M.2 WiFi card if you have a corresponding slot on your motherboard. I will guide you through the necessary steps.
Installing WiFi Card on ASRock Motherboard
Some ASRock motherboard can come with M.2 Key E for WiFi. In such casese, you may install an M.2 WiFi card on the motherboard. Otherwise, you need to use a PCIe x1 WiFi card.
Both devices perform similarly if they have similar specifications, so it’s only a matter of which one your motherboard has. If it has both, it’s better to utilize the M.2 key one as you may be able to use the PCIe x1 slot for other purposes in the future.
You need to buy the corresponding WiFi card and then perform the steps below to connect it to your motherboard depending on the card.
Warning: ensure to wear an anti-static band toground yourselfand prevent any damage to the electronic components due to electrostatic damage. you may also periodically touch metal surfaces to discharge any built-up static charge from your body.
Otherwise, you should only touch the edges of the circuit boards or metal/plastic surfaces on the computer.
ForPCIe x1 WiFi Card,
Connecting WiFi Antenna to Pre-Installed WiFi card
Some ASRock motherboards come with a pre-installed Wi-Fi card. If you have such motherboards, you should see two antenna connectors on the I/O shield.
Here, you only need to connect the antennas to these connectors. Align them properly and turn them in clockwise direction to screw them securely.
ensure that you may turn the antenna or antenna cable easily. If you encounter any resistance and attempt to force it, it can damage the screw threads. You should remove the antenna, align the connectors properly and try again in such cases.
Also, most antenna sticks only swivel about 90°. If you attempt to force it, the connectors might get dislocated.
