How to Force 5GHz WiFi on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Summary of Key Takeaways

Windows 11 laptops and PCs support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands (if your router and network card support it).
The 5GHz band is faster and less congested but has a shorter range compared to 2.4GHz.
You can force your device to prefer 5GHz using Device Manager, Network Settings, or your router configuration.
Common issues like 5GHz not showing up can be fixed by updating drivers or checking router settings.

Introduction

Have you ever noticed your Windows 11 laptop sticking to the slower 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band even when your router supports 5GHz? It’s frustrating, especially if you’re streaming, gaming, or downloading large files.

The good news is that you can force Windows 11 to use 5GHz Wi-Fi with just a few simple tweaks. In this guide, we’ll cover everything: what 5GHz Wi-Fi is, why it’s better in many cases, and step-by-step instructions to make your PC always choose the faster band.

What’s the Difference Between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi?

Feature	2.4GHz	5GHz
Speed	Slower (up to ~300 Mbps)	Faster (up to several Gbps)
Range	Longer (covers bigger area)	Shorter (best in the same room)
Interference	More interference (microwaves, Bluetooth, etc.)	Less interference
Best For	Browsing, email, smart devices	Gaming, 4K streaming, video calls

👉 If speed and stability matter, 5GHz is usually the better choice.

Method 1: Force 5GHz Wi-Fi via Device Manager

This is the most direct way to make your Wi-Fi adapter prefer 5GHz.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter (e.g., Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165) → Click Properties.
Go to the Advanced tab.
Under Property, look for:
- Preferred Band or
- Wireless Mode / Band (depends on your adapter).
Set the value to Prefer 5GHz or 5GHz only.
Click OK, then restart your laptop.

👉 Now, your system will try to connect only to 5GHz networks whenever available.

Method 2: Connect Manually to a 5GHz Network

If your router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz under different names (SSIDs), you can manually select the 5GHz one.

Steps:

Click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar.
Select your 5GHz Wi-Fi network name (often ends with “5G”).
Enter your password and connect.
Check connection speed by pressing Windows + I > Network & Internet > Properties.

Method 3: Configure Router to Prefer 5GHz

Sometimes your router automatically shifts between bands. You can change that.

Steps:

Open your router’s admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser).
Log in with admin credentials.
Go to Wireless Settings.
Ensure 5GHz band is enabled.
(Optional) Give the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands different names so you can select 5GHz easily.
Save and restart your router.

👉 Now, Windows 11 can connect directly to the 5GHz SSID.

Method 4: Set Preferred Network in Windows 11

You can make Windows forget 2.4GHz and only use 5GHz.

Steps:

Press Windows + I → Go to Network & Internet.
Click Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
Select your 2.4GHz network → Click Forget.
Connect only to the 5GHz version of your Wi-Fi.

Troubleshooting: 5GHz Wi-Fi Not Showing on Windows 11

If you don’t see the 5GHz option, try these fixes:

1. Check If Your Adapter Supports 5GHz

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
Type:

netsh wlan show drivers
Look for Radio types supported.
- If it lists 802.11a/n/ac/ax, your adapter supports 5GHz.
- If only 802.11b/g/n, it’s limited to 2.4GHz.

2. Update Wi-Fi Drivers

Open Device Manager.
Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter → Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.

3. Enable 5GHz in Router Settings

Log into your router admin panel.
Ensure 5GHz is enabled (some older routers disable it by default).

4. Change Wi-Fi Channel

In router settings, change 5GHz channel to 36, 40, 44, or 48 for better compatibility.

Pros and Cons of Forcing 5GHz Wi-Fi

Pros	Cons
Faster internet speeds	Shorter range than 2.4GHz
Less network interference	Older devices may not support it
Great for streaming and gaming	Signal weaker through walls

Pro Tips for Best Wi-Fi Performance

Keep your laptop close to the router for the best 5GHz speeds.
Use a Wi-Fi range extender if your 5GHz signal is weak.
Consider upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router for top performance.
If you live in a crowded area, use manual channel selection to avoid interference.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly how to force 5GHz Wi-Fi on Windows 11 step by step. By tweaking Device Manager settings, manually connecting to the right network, or adjusting your router, you can enjoy faster speeds, smoother streaming, and lag-free gaming.

Just remember: 5GHz works best in the same room or within close range of the router. For longer distances, 2.4GHz may still be more stable.

FAQs

1. Why doesn’t my laptop show 5GHz Wi-Fi?
Your Wi-Fi adapter or router may not support 5GHz. Check using netsh wlan show drivers.

2. Can I disable 2.4GHz Wi-Fi completely?
Yes, in your router’s settings you can turn off 2.4GHz broadcasting.

3. Is 5GHz Wi-Fi always better than 2.4GHz?
Not always. 5GHz is faster but 2.4GHz has better range through walls.

4. Do all Windows 11 laptops support 5GHz Wi-Fi?
No. Older laptops with only 802.11b/g/n adapters can’t use 5GHz.

5. How do I know if I’m connected to 5GHz on Windows 11?
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Properties → Look for Network band: 5GHz.