How to Switch from 2.4GHz to 5GHz in Windows 11: A Quick Guide

By / October 12, 2025

Are you tired of slow Wi-Fi speeds or constant buffering on your Windows 11 laptop or PC? If your router supports dual-band networks, switching from 2.4GHz to 5GHz can make a huge difference in your internet performance.

In this quick yet comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to switch from 2.4GHz to 5GHz in Windows 11, explain what the difference really means, and show you how to make the most of your wireless connection.

What Does 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz Mean?

In simple terms, 2.4GHz and 5GHz refer to two different Wi-Fi frequency bands your router can use to connect devices.

  • 2.4GHz: Older, slower, but has a longer range.

  • 5GHz: Newer, faster, but works best over shorter distances.

Think of it like roads:

  • The 2.4GHz band is a busy highway — everyone’s on it, so it’s crowded.

  • The 5GHz band is a newer express lane — faster, smoother, and less congested.

2. Why Should You Switch to 5GHz?

If you’re streaming, gaming, or downloading large files, 5GHz can make a world of difference.

Here’s why:

Feature 2.4GHz 5GHz
Speed Slower (up to ~450 Mbps) Faster (up to ~1300 Mbps)
Range Longer distance Shorter distance
Interference High (microwaves, Bluetooth) Low
Ideal For Browsing, IoT devices Gaming, HD streaming, video calls

In short:
✅ Use 5GHz for performance.
✅ Use 2.4GHz for range.

3. What You’ll Need Before Switching

Before switching from 2.4GHz to 5GHz in Windows 11, ensure the following:

  • Your router supports 5GHz (dual-band or tri-band).

  • Your Wi-Fi adapter or network card supports 5GHz.

  • You are within range of your router’s 5GHz signal.

Let’s confirm your PC can handle it next.

4. How to Check If Your PC Supports 5GHz Wi-Fi

Follow these quick steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.

  2. Type cmd and press Enter.

  3. In Command Prompt, type:

    netsh wlan show drivers

  4. Press Enter.

Now look for the line:

Radio types supported:

You’ll see something like:

  • 802.11b 802.11g 802.11n → Only supports 2.4GHz

  • 802.11a 802.11n 802.11ac or 802.11ax → Supports 5GHz

If you see “ac” or “ax,” congratulations — your device supports 5GHz.

5. How to Check If Your Router Supports 5GHz

  1. Look at the model number printed on your router.

  2. Search the model online to confirm it’s dual-band or 5GHz capable.

  3. Alternatively, log into your router’s admin panel (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and check Wireless Settings.

If you see separate options for 2.4GHz and 5GHz, your router supports both.

6. How to Switch from 2.4GHz to 5GHz in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)

Now let’s get to the main part — switching from 2.4GHz to 5GHz.
Here are several methods you can use.

🧩 Method 1: Through Device Manager

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

  2. Expand Network adapters.

  3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Properties.

  4. Go to the Advanced tab.

  5. Under Property, find Preferred Band or Band Selection.

  6. Set the Value to 5GHz or Prefer 5GHz band.

  7. Click OK, then restart your PC.

Your Wi-Fi adapter will now prioritize the 5GHz network automatically.

🌐 Method 2: Through Wi-Fi Network Settings

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon on your taskbar.

  2. Select your 5GHz network name (SSID).

  3. Click Connect and enter your password.

  4. If you only see one network, your router might be set to broadcast a combined SSID — you’ll fix that in the router settings (see Method 5).

💻 Method 3: Manually Select the 5GHz Network

If your router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz under separate names (like “MyWiFi_2.4G” and “MyWiFi_5G”), do this:

  1. Click the Network icon.

  2. Choose the 5GHz version (it often has “5G” in the name).

  3. Enter your Wi-Fi password.

You’re now connected to 5GHz.

⚙️ Method 4: Using Command Prompt

You can also enforce 5GHz through commands.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

  2. Type the following to see your wireless networks:

    netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid

  3. Find your 5GHz network name (SSID).

  4. Connect using:

    netsh wlan connect name="Your_5GHz_SSID"

If your adapter supports it, Windows will switch immediately.

📡 Method 5: Through Your Router Settings

If your PC still connects to 2.4GHz automatically, tweak your router settings.

  1. Open your browser and go to 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.

  2. Log in with your router credentials.

  3. Go to Wireless Settings or Advanced Settings.

  4. Enable 5GHz Wi-Fi if disabled.

  5. Rename your 5GHz SSID (e.g., “HomeNetwork_5G”).

  6. Save changes and reconnect your PC to this new 5GHz network.

7. How to Verify You’re Connected to 5GHz

To confirm your connection:

  1. Press Windows + R → type cmd → press Enter.

  2. Type:

    netsh wlan show interfaces

  3. Look for the Radio type line:

    • If it says 802.11ac or 802.11ax → You’re on 5GHz.

    • If it says 802.11n → You’re on 2.4GHz.

Alternatively, you can open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Properties and check the Network band.

8. What If You Don’t See a 5GHz Network?

If 5GHz doesn’t appear, here’s what might be happening:

  • Your router’s 5GHz band is turned off.

  • Your Wi-Fi adapter doesn’t support 5GHz.

  • You’re too far from the router (5GHz has a shorter range).

  • Drivers are outdated.

Quick Fix:

  1. Move closer to the router.

  2. Restart your router.

  3. Update Wi-Fi drivers:

    • Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Network adapters → Right-click → Update driver.

  4. Reboot your PC.

9. How to Enable 5GHz Wi-Fi Adapter Support

If your adapter doesn’t show 5GHz, check this:

  1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager.

  2. Expand Network adapters.

  3. Right-click your wireless adapter → Properties → Advanced tab.

  4. Set:

    • Preferred Band: 5GHz

    • Wireless Mode: 802.11a/n/ac

    • Channel Width: Auto or 20/40/80 MHz

Click OK, restart your PC, and reconnect.

10. Troubleshooting Common Connection Problems

Here are some typical issues (and quick fixes):

Issue Cause Solution
5GHz not visible Router disabled or not broadcasting Enable 5GHz in router settings
Connection drops frequently Weak signal Move closer or change Wi-Fi channel
Slow speed on 5GHz Interference or wrong channel Change to channel 36 or 44
No internet access IP conflict Restart router and PC

11. Difference Between 2.4GHz and 5GHz (Comparison Table)

Feature 2.4GHz 5GHz
Speed Up to 450 Mbps Up to 1300 Mbps
Range ~150 feet indoors ~50 feet indoors
Penetration Better through walls Weaker through obstacles
Interference Higher Lower
Use Case Long range, IoT Gaming, streaming, productivity

12. Tips for Better 5GHz Performance

Want the best speeds? Try these:

  • Place your router in an open area, not behind furniture.

  • Keep it off the floor and away from microwaves.

  • Use Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) routers for better stability.

  • Update router firmware regularly.

  • Avoid connecting too many devices to one band.

13. How to Automatically Prefer 5GHz in Windows 11

If your PC keeps switching back to 2.4GHz, force it to prefer 5GHz.

Steps:

  1. Open Device Manager → Network adapters.

  2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter → Properties → Advanced tab.

  3. Find Preferred Band.

  4. Choose Prefer 5GHz band.

  5. Click OK.

This ensures Windows always prioritizes 5GHz when available.

14. When Should You Stick to 2.4GHz Instead?

While 5GHz is faster, it’s not always better.

Use 2.4GHz if:

  • You’re far from the router (like in another room or floor).

  • You’re using smart home devices (many only support 2.4GHz).

  • Your router is older or has limited range.

In those cases, 2.4GHz provides more consistent connectivity.

15. Conclusion

Switching from 2.4GHz to 5GHz in Windows 11 is one of the easiest ways to boost your Wi-Fi speed instantly.

By following the methods above — whether through Device Manager, Network Settings, or Router Configuration — you can ensure your PC stays connected to the fastest band available.

Just remember:

  • Check hardware compatibility first.

  • Update drivers regularly.

  • Keep close to your router for maximum speed.

Once configured, you’ll enjoy faster downloads, smoother streaming, and lag-free gaming — all thanks to 5GHz.

16. FAQs

1. How do I know if my Wi-Fi supports 5GHz?
Run netsh wlan show drivers in Command Prompt and look for “802.11ac” or “802.11ax” in supported types.

2. Why can’t my laptop detect 5GHz?
Your network card might not support it, or the 5GHz band could be disabled on your router.

3. Is 5GHz better than 2.4GHz for gaming?
Yes — it offers lower latency and higher speeds, ideal for gaming and streaming.

4. Will switching to 5GHz increase range?
No. 5GHz offers higher speed but shorter range compared to 2.4GHz.

5. Can I use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz simultaneously?
Yes, most dual-band routers allow multiple devices to use both frequencies at once.

17. Summary: Key Takeaways

  • 2.4GHz = longer range, slower speed.

  • 5GHz = shorter range, faster speed.

  • Check adapter and router compatibility before switching.

  • You can switch using Device Manager, Wi-Fi Settings, or Router Settings.

  • Prefer 5GHz for gaming, streaming, and multitasking.

  • Use 2.4GHz for better coverage in larger areas.

Final Tip:
Once you’ve made the switch, run a quick internet speed test — you’ll instantly notice the difference. Faster browsing, smoother streams, and quicker downloads — all from one simple Wi-Fi tweak.

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