# On the uConsole why can't you use the built in wifi module on the cm4? **URL:** \ **Category:** uConsole\ **Created:** [September 24, 2025, 10:50am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/on-the-uconsole-why-cant-you-use-the-built-in-wifi-module-on-the-cm4/19853 "2025-09-24T10:50:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Astrox](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/astrox/32/13039_2.png) [@Astrox](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Astrox)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 10:50am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/on-the-uconsole-why-cant-you-use-the-built-in-wifi-module-on-the-cm4/19853/1 "2025-09-24T10:50:14Z")
Like, why do you have to use the external one that clockworkpi gives you? ---
**Author:** ![white-round-square](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/white-round-square/32/10385_2.png) [@white-round-square](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/white-round-square)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 11:11am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/on-the-uconsole-why-cant-you-use-the-built-in-wifi-module-on-the-cm4/19853/2 "2025-09-24T11:11:56Z")
you have to use wifi on cm4, external one won’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 11:24am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/on-the-uconsole-why-cant-you-use-the-built-in-wifi-module-on-the-cm4/19853/3 "2025-09-24T11:24:10Z")
The wifi on the main board is not physically wired to the CM4. It’s there for when the mainboard was used for the CM3 and Clockwork’s in house cores. ---
**Author:** ![Astrox](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/astrox/32/13039_2.png) [@Astrox](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Astrox)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 11:46am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/on-the-uconsole-why-cant-you-use-the-built-in-wifi-module-on-the-cm4/19853/4 "2025-09-24T11:46:52Z")
So is it necessary to have it? Or can I just not have it on a uConsole and the wifi would work fine? ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/on-the-uconsole-why-cant-you-use-the-built-in-wifi-module-on-the-cm4/19853/5 "2025-09-24T11:49:01Z")
have what? the main board wifi? that’s built in and is not an option. you still need to get a wifi cm4/5 to be able to use wifi. ---
**Author:** ![Astrox](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/astrox/32/13039_2.png) [@Astrox](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Astrox)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/on-the-uconsole-why-cant-you-use-the-built-in-wifi-module-on-the-cm4/19853/6 "2025-09-24T11:57:40Z")
No I’m talking about the external antenna, if I dont attach it, is it fine? And will it use the built in wifi on the cm4? ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 11:59am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/on-the-uconsole-why-cant-you-use-the-built-in-wifi-module-on-the-cm4/19853/7 "2025-09-24T11:59:32Z")
depends all my images use the external antenna, you can disable it and use the antenna built into the pcb of the CM4 but you will have horrible wifi signal. wifi doesn’t like being inside a metal box. ---
**Author:** ![strt\_fnst](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/strt_fnst/32/14111_2.png) [@strt\_fnst](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/strt_fnst)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/on-the-uconsole-why-cant-you-use-the-built-in-wifi-module-on-the-cm4/19853/8 "2025-09-24T14:17:57Z")
If you dont attach it. You dont use a antenna so you get a worse signal. Dont get the point why to overcomplicate things. 😅 ---
**Author:** ![trinity](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/trinity/32/16167_2.png) [@trinity](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/trinity)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 2:37am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/on-the-uconsole-why-cant-you-use-the-built-in-wifi-module-on-the-cm4/19853/9 "2025-09-26T02:37:48Z")
Rex is correct. The all-aluminum case design of the uConsole forms a makeshift [Faraday cage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage) which physically prevents your 2.4GHz WiFi signal from escaping. This makes an antenna a non-option; there has to be some way for the signal on the outside to get in, and some sort of antenna, even the (bad) sticker included in the box, is necessary to pick up the signal and carry it in via a cable.