Any data can be transmitted via wireless transmissions. They are just electromagnetic waves or the frequency at which a signal vibrates, moving through the atmosphere.
Every router is built to deliver a specific range of frequencies, so it’s important to consider which WiFi band and channel would best meet your demands and provide the best performance.
The primary factor is that WiFi speeds will vary based on the internet service speed customers pay. So, if you ever wondered how to tell if my WiFi is 2.4 or 5 GHz, continue reading this article.
How to Tell If My WiFi Is 2.4 or 5 GHz
You must follow a few easy steps to determine if your WiFi operates at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. You must locate the WiFi icon on the taskbar and click it to access it.
Afterward, locate “Properties” and click it. The information may be found by scrolling down in the new window and checking “Properties” and “Network Band”.
Nevertheless, depending on your system and device, there are other approaches you may take. So, let’s look at them.
Different Approaches Guide
For iOS
Since iOS lacks network band information, we advise you to check your network using a computer. View the guidelines for computers running on Windows or Apple. Here are various methods for determining your iOS network band if you don’t have a computer:
- Install an Apple Play WiFi analyzer app;
- Access the data using your router’s settings. Please check your unique router’s maker or user manual for more information on this procedure.
Apple computers
While pressing the “Option/Alt” key, click the “WiFi” symbol in the top navigation bar. You will notice specific details about your WiFi in gray. It will display the WiFi channel that is being used in the middle. Either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz will be shown under “Channel” in the brackets.
For Android
In the Notification panel, hold down the “WiFi” symbol until the WiFi settings screen appears. Tap the “Gear” or “Menu” icon to select the network properties. Based on the Android version you have, make sure:
- It says 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz in the “Frequency” setting;
- Read the “Network speed” setting; if it says 400 Mbps or more, your network is 5 GHz.
For Windows
- Access the WiFi network.
- Click the “WiFi” symbol in the bottom right to access your networks panel from your taskbar.
- On your WiFi network, select “Properties”.
- Scroll down to “Properties” in the newly opened window.
- Either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz is listed under “Network Band”.
The Difference Between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
Due to the use of the 2.4 GHz band by technologies other than WiFi, it is fairly packed. The 2.4 GHz band is frequently used by older cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors, and other gadgets.
The 2.4 GHz band’s longer waves are better suited for greater distances and transmission through solid objects like walls.
Therefore, it may be preferable if you require a greater range for your devices or if the places you require coverage include many walls or other objects.
So, many devices use the 2.4 GHz spectrum, and the resulting overcrowding might result in missed connections and slower-than-expected speeds.
On the other hand, since the 5 GHz spectrum is far less crowded, your connections should be more stable. You’ll notice faster speeds as well. However, the 5 GHz band’s shorter waves make it less able to pass through solid objects like walls.
It also has a less effective range than the 2.4 GHz band. Of course, you might be able to make up for that reduced range by using mesh WiFi networks or range extenders, but it will need a larger investment.
Read more: How to Control Devices Connected to Your WiFi
How to Change Frequency Settings
Make sure your modem/wireless router is turned on and set to use the same frequency, whether you select 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Check the compatibility and frequency capabilities of your router model.
You can configure a dual-band router to send data simultaneously over both frequencies. The two networks (SSIDs) in question often have the same names in your network list, except for a “5G” or “2.4G” at the end. The decision to join either network is up to each device.
You can find the ideal WiFi channel for your environment on the most recent modems. You can change the channel as necessary in the modem’s wireless settings. In this manner, you can fully utilize the various 2.4 GHz vs. 5GHz WiFi capabilities.
Which Frequency Should You Use?
While a 5 GHz connection offers greater speeds at a closer distance, a 2.4 GHz connection travels farther at slower rates. Depending on where and how you use your WiFi connection, you should choose between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
The 2.4 GHz frequency is used by many electrical gadgets and appliances, such as microwaves and security cameras. That 2.4 GHz band is probably crowded if you have many of these in your house or live in an apartment or condo, which might impair speed and signal quality.
5 GHz for a device closer to the router
To benefit from faster connections, 5 GHz is your best option if you can use most of your devices close to your router.
Similarly, if you frequently engage in high-bandwidth internet activities like gaming or video conferencing, it’s preferable to use this frequency and get as near the router as possible.
If, on the other hand, you’re in an apartment or condo with many surrounding units, 5 GHz will help you avoid wireless congestion.
2.4 GHz for a device further to the router
However, if you have a large home and a gadget like your smartphone that moves around a lot during the day, the 2.4 GHz frequency is your best chance.
This wavelength is suitable for devices that are moved from room to room or are farther away from the router because it has a longer range and can enter solid things more easily than the 5 GHz band.
The exception to this rule is more recent routers that use 5 GHz 802.11ac WiFi and can, under ideal circumstances, achieve range coverage equivalent to 2.4 GHz.
Also read: How to Change Name of Wi-Fi Network
Conclusion
Hopefully, we have provided enough helpful information, and you no longer have to ask, “how to tell if my WiFi is 2.4 or 5 GHz”.
As you can see, we explained the steps for every model of phone or computer. Follow the above-mentioned easy steps, and you’ll get your answer quickly.
Wi-Fi is constantly changing and will keep improving our capability to connect. One thing to ensure is that the modem or router and the device both need to be tuned to the same frequency to make the most efficient use of the available frequency bandwidth and ensure the highest possible level of performance from the wireless connection.