Get Connected With a USB Wireless Adapter
Whether you want to get rid of messy cords or move your computer to a location that can't be easily wired, a USB wireless adapter opens your computer to the world of your wireless home network anywhere within range. Find brand-new, used, or Certified Refurbished USB wireless adapters that fit your needs on eBay.
How Does a USB Wi-Fi Adapter Work?
Completely get rid of the cords and wires connecting to your home network with a USB Wi-Fi adapter and place your computer anywhere within your home. A Wi-Fi adapter receives signals from your wireless router or similar wireless network device and lets you access the internet on your computer from anywhere within range of your Wi-Fi hotspot or home network. Just plug it in, set it up, and you are ready to go wireless.
How Do You Install a USB Wireless Adapter?
Check the instruction manual of the USB Wi-Fi adapter you purchased to see if the device connects to your wireless network automatically. If it does not automatically connect to your network, follow the steps listed below:
- Install the driver software that was included with your wireless adapter
- Follow the instruction on your computer screen
- Select your wireless network from the on-screen list
- Enter your home network password
- Your wireless adapter should now connect to your network
What is a Dongle?
While the terms dongle and USB wireless adapter are often used interchangeably among manufacturers and customers alike, they are not actually one and the same thing. A USB wireless adapter allows a device that is not Wi-Fi enabled to connect to a wireless network as long as there is an existing wireless network in range for the device to connect to. A dongle, on the other hand, provides a wireless connection even when there are no available networks to be found. A dongle works in a similar fashion as cellular phone internet services by using a mobile broadband connection that you are required to pay a monthly service fee to access.
Do You Need a USB Wireless Adapter for Laptops?
Nearly all laptops come with built-in Wi-Fi due to the portability of their design and don't require additional hardware for wireless connection. If you have noticed a lag in your web pages loading or have sat waiting for Netflix to buffer, adding an external USB wireless adapter might be an easy solution to clean up your slow connection problems. At optimal performance, some internal wireless cards that lack an antenna simply don't get as strong of a connection as external options. When you are several rooms or even floors away from the wireless router, adding a USB wireless adapter to your laptop ought to give you a more reliable connection.
USB Wireless Adapters and Gaming
USB wireless adapters are excellent for PC gamers with computers lacking built-in Wi-Fi. With a USB wireless adapter, you can take your gaming online and compete with others in games like Apex Legends, Fortnite, Overwatch, League of Legends, Valorant, and more. Simply plug in the adapter, connect to your Wi-Fi network, and you're good to go!
Certified Refurbished USB Wireless Adapters
While eBay offers buyers the choice between both new and used items, there's also a third option that may interest you: Certified Refurbished. Certified Refurbished items are sold by eBay-approved sellers. Each of these USB wireless adapters comes with a like-new guarantee (including accessories, instruction manuals, and packaging), a free return/replacement policy (within 30 days of receiving the item), and a 2-year hassle-free warranty. Best of all, you can often find products at a significant savings over buying new. We also regularly monitor our sellers to ensure they're meeting our stringent quality control metrics, so buyers know they're only getting the best.