Modern smartphones such as Honor 10i, are equipped with advanced wireless modules capable of operating in two frequency bands. However, users often encounter a situation where the device only sees 2.4 GHz networks, ignoring the faster 5 GHz band. This can be caused by software limitations, specific settings of the router or the phone itself. Understanding the operating principles frequency ranges will help you achieve maximum internet speed.
In this article we will take a detailed look at why Honor 10i may not see the 5G network, and what steps need to be taken to activate this mode. We'll cover not only the standard settings, but also hidden engineering menus and driver features. Wi-Fi moduleProper configuration will significantly reduce ping in games and increase file download speeds.
It's worth noting that the absence of a frequency selection tab in the standard menu doesn't always indicate a malfunction. Often, the problem lies in the smartphone automatically selecting a band based on signal strength. If you're far from the router, the device may forcefully switch to 2.4 GHz to ensure a stable connection. It is critical to understand that the 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard operates exclusively at 5 GHz., so support of this standard by the phone is a must.
Honor 10i Wi-Fi Module Specifications
First, we need to understand the hardware part of the issue. Smartphone Honor 10i, released in 2019, is based on the processor HiSilicon Kirin 710This chipset theoretically supports operation in two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. However, the frequency support implementation may vary depending on the regional firmware version and the specific communication module installed by the manufacturer.
Technology MIMO The Multiple Input Multiple Output (Multiple Input/Output) technology used in this device allows for the simultaneous transmission and reception of multiple data streams. This significantly increases channel throughput, but only when connected to a 5 GHz network. In the 2.4 GHz band, speed is often limited by interference from nearby networks and household appliances, such as microwave ovens or Bluetooth headsets.
⚠️ Note: In some budget modifications or regional versions Honor 10i The manufacturer may limit 5 GHz support via software or hardware. Always check the specifications for your specific model on the official website or in the device box.
Below is a comparison table of the specifications of the two ranges so you can understand the difference in performance:
| Parameter | 2.4 GHz band | 5 GHz band |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed | up to 150-450 Mbit/s | up to 866 Mbps and higher |
| Penetration ability | High (better through walls) | Low (attenuates strongly through obstacles) |
| Interference level | High (many neighboring networks) | Low (pure ether) |
| Honor 10i Support | Full | Depends on the module version |
Why isn't my Honor 10i detecting the 5GHz network?
There are several common reasons why your Honor 10i may ignore 5G networks. The first and most common cause is the router's settings. If frequency aggregation (Smart Connect) is enabled in the router, the phone may see a single network with a common name but connect to it using the older standard. In this case, manually separating the bands on the router often solves the problem.
The second reason lies in the choice of broadcast channel. Protocol 802.11ac Requires the 5 GHz channel to be set to a value between 36 and 64, or higher than 100, depending on regional restrictions. If the router is configured for a channel that is not supported in the region where your smartphone is sold (for example, some DFS channels are prohibited in Russia), Honor 10i simply “will not notice” this network in the list of available ones.
What are DFS channels?
DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) is a mechanism that allows Wi-Fi devices to operate on frequencies also used by radar (such as weather radar). If a router detects radar, it is required to change channels. Some smartphones do not scan DFS channels to save power or due to regional restrictions.
Distance is also worth considering. The 5 GHz signal has a shorter wavelength, making it more susceptible to obstacles. If you're in another room behind a thick concrete wall, your phone may automatically disconnect from 5G and switch to 2.4G, even if the "Prefer 5 GHz" switch in settings is set to "Prefer 5 GHz."
Configuring a router to work with the Honor 10i
To force Honor 10i To see and connect to a 5 GHz network, you often need to properly configure the access point. Go to your router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and find the wireless network settings section. Wireless or Wi-FiHere you need to find the settings for the 5GHz range.
First, make sure the 5GHz function is activated. Then, pay attention to the setting Channel Width (Channel Width). For maximum speed, we recommend setting it to 80 MHz. If the connection is unstable, try lowering it to 40 MHz or 20 MHz, although this will reduce the maximum speed. It's also important to select a static channel instead of "Auto" to prevent your phone from losing network connectivity when reconnecting.
☑️ Router setup checklist
Pay special attention to security. The encryption protocol must be set to WPA2-PSK (AES)Using mixed modes (TKIP+AES) or the old WPA protocol can result in modern smartphones, including Honor 10i, will refuse to connect to the 5 GHz network or will work unstably.
⚠️ Note: Router interfaces from different manufacturers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik) may vary. Look for sections containing the words "5G," "Wireless AC," or "Dual Band." If you're unsure of your settings, it's best to reset your router to factory defaults and set it up again.
Instructions: Enabling 5GHz in Android Settings
In the Android operating system, which is installed on Honor 10i (EMUI shell), there's no direct "Enable 5 GHz" button in the regular menu. The system automatically decides which network to use based on signal strength. However, there are ways to influence this choice through hidden settings or resetting the network configuration.
The first step is to reset your network settings. This won't delete your photos or contacts, but it will forget all your Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings. Go to Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settingsAfter rebooting, try connecting to the 5 GHz network again. This sometimes clears the connection error cache.
For more advanced users, there's a method via the engineering menu. Enter the code on your phone. ##2846579##In the ProjectMenu menu that opens, go to Network Setting → WiFi frequency bandHere you can try to force the mode selection 5G band preferredIf this option is missing or inactive, it means the phone driver does not allow manual frequency control at the software level.
Using hidden menus and DNS
Sometimes the problem is solved not by switching frequencies, but by changing DNS settings, which indirectly affects the response speed on the 5 GHz network. In the Wi-Fi settings on Honor 10i Click on your network name and select "Edit Network" or "DNS Settings." Switch the mode from "Automatic" to "Manual."
In the DNS 1 and DNS 2 fields, enter the addresses of fast servers, for example, from Google (8.8.8.8 And 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1). This will not enable 5 GHz directly, but will optimize the traffic route, which is especially noticeable at the high speeds provided by this range.
There are also third-party apps from the Play Market, such as "WiFi Analyzer," that can show whether your phone is seeing physical 5 GHz channels even if it's not connected to them. If the app shows the presence of 5 GHz networks, but Android ignores them, the problem lies with the phone's software or regional restrictions.
Diagnosing and resolving connection problems
If none of the above methods help, you need to run a thorough diagnosis. It's possible that the antenna module in your Honor 10i The phone is physically damaged (for example, after a fall) or the cable has come loose. In this case, the phone will see 2.4 GHz networks, but 5 GHz networks will remain invisible.
Check your firmware version. Go to Settings → System → Software UpdateHuawei and Honor regularly release patches to fix communication module issues. Outdated versions of EMUI may contain bugs that block access to certain Wi-Fi channels.
- 📡 Check if other devices (laptop, tablet) can see the 5 GHz network. If not, the problem is with the router.
- 🔄 Perform a full reset of your phone (hard reset) only if other methods fail. Don't forget to back up your phone!
- 🔌 Try connecting to a different 5 GHz network (for example, via an access point on another smartphone) to rule out a faulty Wi-Fi module in the Honor 10i.
⚠️ Caution: If your phone doesn't detect 5 GHz networks anywhere (at home, in the office, or at a friend's house), but other devices are working fine, there's a high probability of a hardware fault with the antenna unit. In this case, diagnostics at a service center are required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to unlock 5GHz software if the phone does not support it?
No, if the hardware (Wi-Fi module) doesn't support 5 GHz or it's disabled in the regional firmware without the ability to switch, software methods (apps from the Play Market) won't help. Reflashing to the global ROM is required, but this is risky and may void the warranty.
Why is the speed on the Honor 10i lower than stated by the provider?
Speed depends on many factors, including channel congestion, distance to the router, and interference. On the 2.4 GHz band, actual speeds rarely exceed 40-50 Mbps due to standard limitations. To achieve speeds of 100+ Mbps, using the 5 GHz band is essential.
Does the case affect 5GHz signal reception?
Yes, metal cases or cases with magnetic closures can shield the signal. Since 5 GHz is less able to penetrate obstacles, even a thick silicone case can reduce the signal strength by 1-2 bars, resulting in a drop in speed.
Is it safe to use the engineering menu to set up Wi-Fi?
Using the engineering menu (##2846579##) is safe if you're only changing frequency band settings. However, changing other settings (screen calibration, battery tests) without understanding the process can lead to unstable device operation.