How to find out all the properties of a Wi-Fi network: from SSID to channel frequency

Have you ever encountered a situation where you urgently need to know the name of your Wi-Fi network or password from her, but don't have the router sticker handy? Or tried to optimize your internet speed but didn't know how much. frequency your Wi-Fi operates (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz)? These and dozens of other parameters - from communication channel to encryption type — are hidden in the device settings, but they can be easily found if you know where to look.

In this article we will look at all possible ways to obtain Wi-Fi network properties — both through standard operating system tools and with specialized utilities. You'll learn how to check SSID, MAC address of the router, signal level and even hidden parameters like channel width or Wi-Fi standard (802.11n/ac/ax). The instructions are suitable for Windows 10/11, macOS, Android, iOS and directly himself router.

We will pay special attention to diagnostic tools - they will help not only to see the current settings, but also to identify problems: why speed is lower than expected, why devices disconnect from the network or why Some gadgets don't see your Wi-Fi.All methods have been tested on current OS and hardware versions (at the time of publication).

1. How to check Wi-Fi properties on Windows 10 and 11

Operating systems Windows 10 And Windows 11 provide several built-in ways to view connection parameters. The fastest ones are via control Panel And command lineLet's consider both options.

To get started, open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-FiHere you will see network name (SSID), to which you're connected, and brief information about the connection status. But for detailed information, you need to dig deeper.

• 📋 Through the Network and Sharing Center: Right-click on the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray → "Open network and Internet settings" → "Advanced network settings" → "Advanced properties". This will display IPv4 address, DNS servers And gateway (router address).
• 🔍 Via the command line: Run cmd as administrator and enter:

  netsh wlan show interfaces

  You will find it in the answer SSID, BSSID (MAC address of the router), radio type (2.4 or 5 GHz), channel and even connection speed in Mbps.

• 🔐 Viewing saved password: In the same command line, run:

  netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear

  In the section Key Content The password will be displayed (if you have administrator rights).

If you need extended data - For example, signal level in dBm or list of all available networks with their channels - use the command:

netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid

This command will output a table with all the networks in range, their channels, authentication types (WPA2-PSK, WPA3) and signal level.

2. Checking Wi-Fi settings on macOS (Ventura, Sonoma, and later)

On MacBook or iMac Obtaining Wi-Fi network information is even easier than on Windows. Apple provides a user-friendly graphical interface and a hidden utility. Wireless Diagnostics, which will show even optimization recommendations.

Method 1: Hold down the key Option (Alt) and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. An expanded window with the following data will appear:

• 📡 SSID (network name)
• 🔗 BSSID (MAC address of the router)
• 📶 RSSI (signal level in dBm)
• 🔄 Channel And channel width (for example, 40 MHz)
• 🔒 Security type (WPA2/WPA3 Personal)
• 🌐 IP address your Mac on the network

Method 2: Run Wireless DiagnosticsTo do this:

1. Hold Option (Alt) and click on the Wi-Fi icon → "Open Wi-Fi diagnostics".
2. Enter the administrator password (if required).
3. In the main window, select Window → Utilities (or click Cmd + 2).
4. In the tab Wi-Fi Scan click Scan Now — get a complete list of networks with detailed parameters, including noise level And channel blocking.

Method 3: Through Terminal. Run the command:

/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -I

The answer will be current channel, channel width, MAC address of the router and even country, for which Wi-Fi is configured (this affects the available channels).

3. Find Wi-Fi properties on Android (including hidden settings)

On smartphones and tablets running Android (from version 8 to 14) Wi-Fi network data can be obtained both through standard settings and using third-party applications. However, Not all manufacturers provide complete information. - for example, on some devices Xiaomi or Samsung There may be no channel or channel width display.

Method 1: Standard settings.

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the name of your network (don't disconnect!).
3. In some firmware (for example, stock Android or Pixel) will be indicated here frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), connection speed And MAC address of the router.

Method 2: Application WiFi Analyzer (or similar: NetSpot, Fing).

• 📊 Shows channel load chart in real time.
• 🔍 Displays SSID, BSSID, signal level (in dBm), channel And channel width.
• 🔄 Allows you to see which networks block your channel and interfere with a stable connection.

Method 3: Hidden engineering settings menu (for advanced users). On some devices (such as Samsung), you can access service information by entering a code into the phone dialer. #0011# or ##4636##*.

In the menu that opens, select Wi-Fi information — there will be here current channel, signal level and even number of packet retransmissions (retransmissions), which will help diagnose interference problems.

What should I do if my Wi-Fi password isn't displayed on Android?

On most Android devices, the password for a saved network cannot be viewed through the default settings (unlike on Windows or macOS). Solutions:

1. View the password on another device connected to this network.

2. Go to the router settings (via a browser at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

3. Use root access and specialized applications like WiFi Password Viewer (requires superuser rights).

4. View Wi-Fi settings on iPhone and iPad

iOS traditionally limits users' access to system information, but even here there are ways to find out the basic properties of a Wi-Fi network. However, without jailbreak You won't see the channel or channel width - just the basic data.

Method 1: Via iPhone settings.

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the symbol i next to the name of your network.
3. There will be here IP address devices, MAC address of the router (field "Router") and DNS servers.

⚠️ Note: Cannot be seen on iPhone Wi-Fi password or channel No additional utilities required. You'll need a macOS or Windows computer connected to the same network.

Method 2: Application AirPort Utility (official from Apple).

• Download it from App Store (for free).
• Launch the utility and tap on Wi-Fi Scan in the top menu.
• You will receive a list of networks with the following information: channel, signal level And type of security.

Method 3: Through modem mode (if you need to know the password).

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer via USB.
2. On your computer, open Network connections (Windows) or System Preferences → Network (macOS).
3. Find the connection via iPhone and look at the properties - sometimes the password for the Wi-Fi your phone is connected to is displayed here.

5. Checking Wi-Fi properties directly on the router

The most reliable way to get all possible Wi-Fi parameters — Log into your router's web interface. Here you'll see not only the current settings but also be able to change them to optimize your network. These instructions apply to most models: TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik and others.

Step 1: Connect to the router.

• 🌐 Open your browser and enter in the address bar 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.8.1 (depending on the model).
• 🔐 Enter your login and password (usually admin/admin or indicated on the router sticker).

Step 2: Find the Wi-Fi settings section.

• U TP-Link: Basic → Wireless.
• U ASUS: Wireless Network → General.
• U Keenetic: Wi-Fi → Hotspot.

Here you will see:

Step 3: View the list of connected devices. DHCP → DHCP Clients or Wireless Network → Client List.

Here you will see:

• 📱 MAC addresses all connected gadgets.
• 🕒 Connection time And IP addresses.
• 📶 Signal level (in some firmware versions).

Make sure the channel is not congested (use 1, 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz)

Enable 40 MHz channel width for 5 GHz (if devices support it)

Update your router firmware to the latest version

Disable WPS (security vulnerability)

Check that the security type is WPA2/WPA3 (not WEP!)

-->

6. Specialized utilities for Wi-Fi analysis

If the built-in OS or router tools aren't enough, third-party programs can help. They'll not only show all network properties, but will also help you find optimal settings to maximize speed and stability.

Top 5 Wi-Fi Diagnostic Utilities:

• 📊 NetSpot (Windows/macOS) — Builds a heat map of coverage and analyzes channel overlap.
• 🔍 Wireshark (cross-platform) - intercepts packets and displays detailed traffic statistics.
• 📡 inSSIDer (Windows/macOS) - professional network analyzer with 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) support.
• 🛠️ Acrylic Wi-Fi (Windows) - Shows hidden networks, noise levels, and recommended channels.
• 📱 WiFi Analyzer (Android) - a free application for quick scanning of the airwaves.

Example of use NetSpot:

1. Download and install the program from official website.
2. Select mode Discover to scan available networks.
3. In the results you will see:
   • Channel And channel width for each network.
   • Signal level in dBm and percent.
   • Security type And Wi-Fi standard (802.11n/ac/ax).
   • Channel occlusion - what networks interfere with yours.

Switch to mode Surveyto create a heat map of the coverage (useful for larger homes or offices).

Example of use Wireshark for advanced diagnostics:

1. Launch the program and select the network interface (Wi-Fi adapter).
2. Start capturing packets (Start).
3. Enter in the filter wlanto display only Wi-Fi traffic.
4. Analyze packets:
   • Beacon frames — contain information about the network (SSID, channel, encryption type).
   • Probe Request/Response — show which devices are searching for networks.
   • Data frames — actual traffic with transmission speed indicated.

⚠️ Attention: Wireshark requires knowledge of network protocols. Misinterpretation of the data can lead to erroneous conclusions. For basic diagnostics, it is better to use NetSpot or inSSIDer.

7. Diagnosing problems using Wi-Fi properties

Knowing the network parameters will not only help satisfy your curiosity, but also identify the causes of poor Wi-Fi performanceThe problems considered and their signs in the properties of the network.

Problem 1: Slow internet speed.

• 📉 Signs in properties:
  • Connection speed (in netsh wlan show interfaces) below 100 Mbps on 5 GHz.
  • The channel width in the router is set to 20 MHz instead of 40/80 MHz.
  • The channel is overloaded (in WiFi Analyzer You can see many networks on the same channel).
• 🔧 Solutions:
  • Change the channel to a less crowded one (use 1, 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz).
  • Increase the channel width to 40 MHz (for 5 GHz).
  • Update your router firmware and Wi-Fi adapter drivers.

Problem 2: Frequent connection drops.

• 🔌 Signs in properties:
  • High level retransmissions (packet retransmissions) in the Android engineering menu.
  • Weak signal (below -70 dBm in NetSpot).
  • Frequent channel change (if the router is in the mode Auto).
• 🛠️ Solutions:
  • Move the router closer to the devices or use repeater.
  • Disable the feature Auto Channel in the router and select the channel manually.
  • Check for interference from other devices (microwaves, cordless phones).

Problem 3: Some devices do not see the network.

• 👓 Signs in properties:
  • The network operates at a frequency of 5 GHz, but the device only supports 2.4 GHz (check the gadget specifications).
  • The mode is enabled in the router settings 802.11r (Fast Transition), which is not supported by older devices.
  • Hidden SSID (optional) Hide SSID included).
• 🔄 Solutions:
  • Turn on 2.4 GHz support on the router (if it is disabled).
  • Turn it off 802.11r And 802.11k in the Wi-Fi settings.
  • Disable the option Hide SSID (hiding the network name).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi properties

How do I know which frequency (2.4 or 5 GHz) my network operates on?

The methods depend on the device:

• Windows: Enter in the command line netsh wlan show interfaces and find the line Radio type.
• macOS: Hold Option and click on the Wi-Fi icon - the frequency will be indicated next to the network name.
• Android: In most firmware, the frequency is displayed in the Wi-Fi settings (tap on network).
• Router: In the web interface, find the section Wireless — usually there are separate settings for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

If the network is operating in mode Auto (2.4 + 5 GHz under one SSID), the current frequency can only be determined through an analyzer like WiFi Analyzer.

Is it possible to find out a Wi-Fi password if it is not saved on any device?

Yes, but you need access to the router:

1. Connect to the router via cable (Ethernet).
2. Open the web interface (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
3. Go to the section Wireless → Security (or similar).
4. The password will be in the field Password, Key or Passphrase.

If you don’t know the login/password for the router, try the standard combinations (admin/admin or admin/empty password). The sticker with the data is usually located on the bottom of the device.

Why is my network on channel 6 even though I manually set it to channel 11?

This is a typical problem if:

• The router is in the enabled mode Auto Channel - it ignores manual settings.
• The router firmware has a bug (update it to the latest version).
• Channel 11 is blocked in your country (for example, in some regions of Europe). Check the region settings on your router (Wireless → Country/Region).

Solution: Turn it off Auto Channel, update the firmware and make sure the correct region is selected.

How do I check which devices are connected to my Wi-Fi?

Methods:

• Via a router: Go to the web interface and find the section DHCP Clients, Connected Devices or Wireless Clients.
• Via a mobile app: Many manufacturers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic) offer applications for managing the router.
• Through third-party utilities: Fing (Android/iOS) or Advanced IP Scanner (Windows) scan the local network and show all connected gadgets.

If you find an unfamiliar device, change the Wi-Fi password and turn it on MAC filtering in the router settings.

What is "channel width" and what value should I choose for maximum speed?

Channel width Determines how much frequency range your Wi-Fi takes up:

• 20 MHz: The most stable, but slow. Suitable for 2.4 GHz in apartment buildings (less interference).
• 40 MHz: Increases speed up to 2x, but may interfere with neighboring networks. Optimal for 5 GHz.
• 80 MHz And 160 MHz: Maximum speed, but requires clear air (suitable for offices or private homes).

Recommendations:

• For 2.4 GHz leave 20 MHz (due to range congestion).
• For 5 GHz choose 40 MHz or 80 MHz (if devices support it).
• For Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) can be used 160 MHz, but only if there are no other networks nearby.