How to Connect to 5GHz Wifi on Windows 7/8 and 10

With the constant change of standards and speeds, a lot of users have found themselves confused with the sheer number of available options for wireless connectivity. One of the most confusing issues is the dual band problem, specifically concerning wireless networks that emit at 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

This issue means that even though your router is able to emit at both frequencies, and you have it set up so it does (or the faster, 5GHz one only), you can’t find the network on your computer. This may be confusing, but the letters in the name of your router and wireless adapter after the 802.11 standard have an important role here. There are routers and adapters that can only work on 2.4GHz, and there are some that work with both.

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To solve this issue, there are a few things that you should do. Keep in mind, however, that it is possible that you need to buy new hardware if for any reason you are dead set on using 5GHz.

Method 1: Check if your router and wireless adapter support 5GHz wireless

To do this, you will be required to do a bit of online research for your specific model. Follow the instructions to see if your router and adapter even support this frequency.

Take a look at your router and see the model. Do a quick search online for that router, which should land you on the manufacturer’s website. What you’re looking for is either supported frequencies or supported radio bands. If the router supports a 5GHz wireless network, it will be stated in its specifications. If you can’t find such a thing, look for the letters after 802.11, and use the following information to figure out if you can use the 5GHz frequency:

  • the adapter supports 802.11a 5GHz
  • the adapter supports 802.11b 2.4GHz
  • the adapter supports 802.11g 2.4GHz
  • the adapter may support both 802.11n 2.4GHz, and 5GHz, but not necessarily
  • the adapter supports 802.11c 5GHz

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Generally, a router that states it’s 802.11a/g/n, or 802.11ac will work at 5GHz. However, a router that is 802.11b/g/n has a slim chance of supporting that frequency, and you may need to upgrade.

If your router supports 5GHz connectivity, the next thing to do is to check your adapter. Open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard, typing Device Manager and opening the result.

From the list of drivers, you see in the Device Manager, expand Network Adapters and locate your wireless adapter. See its name, and see whether it says anything about the radio bands it supports. If it doesn’t say anything, use your favorite search engine to get to the manufacturer’s website, from where you can see whether it supports 5GHz using the guide mentioned in the first step.

If your adapter supports 5GHz bandwidth, you can move on to the next method, which deals with issues with compatible hardware. If not, you will need to change the adapter on your computer in order to get your wireless working at 5GHz.

Another way to check if your adapter has 5GHz capability is through the command prompt. Press Windows + R and type “cmd“. Once the command prompt comes forth, type “netsh wlan show drivers“.

Method 2: Enable 802.11n mode on your adapter

If your hardware is compatible with 5GHz bandwidth, but you still can’t use it, it might be simply disabled, in which case you will need to manually enable it.

  1. Using the Device Manager as mentioned previously, locate your wireless adapter.
  2. Right-click it, and select Properties from the dropdown menu.
  3. Within the Advanced tab, click 802.11n mode. To the right, set the value to Enable.

When you’ve done this, click OK and restart your computer. You should now be able to see your 5GHz network.

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All things considered, it is fairly easy to get lost in the sea of standards currently available. However, following the aforementioned methods will give you a fully functional 5GHz network in no time, provided you have compatible hardware.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.