How to Change Wi-Fi Bandwidth on Your Computer: A Step-by-Step Guide

The speed of the Internet on your computer depends not only on the provider's tariff, but also on Wi-Fi frequencies, on which the network operates. Ranges 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz There are fundamental differences: the former provides greater range but is susceptible to interference from neighboring networks, while the latter offers high speeds but is less effective at penetrating walls. If you notice your internet connection is slow or drops frequently, it might be time to switch frequency bands.

In this article we will look at how manually switch Wi-Fi frequency on a computer with Windows 10/11, configure your router to support both bands, and select the optimal mode. You'll learn which parameters affect connection stability, how to check the current frequency, and what to do if the desired band isn't displayed in the list of networks. These instructions are suitable for most modern adapters (Intel, Realtek, Broadcom) and routers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic and others).

Why you might need to change your Wi-Fi frequency

The main reason is - 2.4 GHz band congestionIn apartment buildings, dozens of routers, microwaves, cordless phones, and other devices operate simultaneously on this frequency. This creates interference, which causes speed drops and ping fluctuations during games or video calls. Switching to 5 GHz solves the problem, but only if:

• 📡 Does your router support dual mode (simultaneously 2.4 and 5 GHz).
• 💻 Your computer's network adapter is compatible with 5 GHz (check in Device Manager).
• 🏠 The distance to the router does not exceed 10-15 meters (concrete walls weaken the 5 GHz signal more).

The opposite situation: if you are connected to 5 GHz, but the signal is weak (for example, in another room), switch to 2.4 GHz can improve stability, albeit at the cost of reduced speed. Also, some older devices (printers, IP cameras) only work on 2.4 GHz - in this case, changing the frequency on the PC will help synchronize them with the same network.

How to check your computer's current Wi-Fi frequency

Before changing settings, check the wireless band your PC is connected to. You can do this without third-party software:

1. Click Win + X and select Network Settings (or open Start → Settings → Network & Internet).
2. Go to the section «Wi-Fi» and click on the name of your network.
3. Scroll down to the block "Properties" - there will be a line Network frequency (Network band).

If this item is not present, use command line:

netsh wlan show interfaces

Find the line in the results Channel (channel) and Type (radio type). Channels 1–13 are 2.4 GHz, and 36–165 — to 5 GHz. Also type 802.11n or 802.11ac/ax may indicate support 5 GHz.

Router Setup: Enable Both Bands

So that the computer can choose between 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz, the router must broadcast both networks. If you only see one in the list of available networks (for example, MyWiFi), then the second range is disabled. You can enable it through the router's web interface:

1. Open your browser and enter the router's IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). The default login and password are indicated on the device sticker.
2. Go to the section Wireless Network (or Wireless). On TP-Link This Basic → Wireless, on ASUS — Wireless → General.
3. Find the option Wireless Network Mode (Wireless Mode) and select 802.11a/n/ac (for 5 GHz) or 802.11b/g/n (for 2.4 GHz). To use both bands simultaneously, activate the option Enable 5GHz (or Enable 5GHz).
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

After this, two networks with the same name but different suffixes will appear in the list of networks (for example, MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5G). If there are no names, check the settings SSID - perhaps they match, and Windows automatically connects to a higher-priority network.

Make sure your router supports 5 GHz (check the model number on the router case) | Check if 802.11ac/ax mode is enabled in the settings | Separate the SSID for 2.4 and 5 GHz (if they are the same) | Save the settings and reboot the router -->

Manually change Wi-Fi frequency in Windows

If your router broadcasts both ranges, but Windows automatically connects to the wrong one, you can force frequency selectionTo do this:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Managing Known Networks and select your network.
3. Click "Properties", then scroll to Network Settings.
4. In the section Wireless Network Settings find Network frequency and select 2.4 GHz only or 5 GHz only.
5. Save your changes and reconnect.

If there is no frequency selection option, you will have to set the priority manually via device Manager:

1. Click Win + X → "Device Manager".
2. Expand the branch Network Adapters, find your Wi-Fi adapter (for example, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200) and open its properties.
3. Go to the tab "Additionally" and find the parameter «Preferred Band» or «Wireless Mode».
4. From the drop-down menu, select:
   • 🔄 No preference — automatic selection;
   • 📶 Prefer 2.4GHz band — 2.4 GHz priority;
   • ⚡ Prefer 5GHz band — 5 GHz priority.

Problems and solutions when changing frequency

Sometimes, after changing settings, Wi-Fi stops working or the speed doesn't improve. Let's look at some common situations and how to fix them:

⚠️ Attention: If you use mesh system (For example, Google Nest Wi-Fi or TP-Link Deco), changing the frequency on one node can lead to a loss of connection between points. In this case, configure the band priority in the main system application, not on the computer.

Optimizing channels for stable operation

Even after changing the frequency, the speed may remain low due to congested channels. In the range 2.4 GHz There are only 13 channels available, of which only 1, 6 and 11 actually do not overlap. 5 GHz There are more channels, but they may also be occupied. To choose the optimal one:

1. Download a Wi-Fi analysis utility, for example, Wi-Fi Analyzer (for Android) or NetSpot (for PC).
2. Run a scan and see which channels are the least loaded.
3. Go to the router settings and manually set a free channel (in the section Wireless Network → Channel).

For 2.4 GHz It is recommended to use channels 1, 6 or 11. For 5 GHz select channels from the range 36–48 (lower part) or 149–165 (The upper part is usually less crowded). Also note the channel width:

• 📌 20 MHz - the most stable, but slow;
• 📌 40 MHz — balance of speed and stability;
• 📌 80 MHz or 160 MHz - maximum speed, but sensitive to interference.

If your router supports DFSS (dynamic frequency selection), turn on this option - it automatically switches channels 5 GHzto avoid interference from radar systems.

Additional settings to improve the signal

If changing the frequency does not produce the expected effect, try the following measures:

• 🔄 Update your router firmwareManufacturers regularly release updates to improve Wi-Fi stability. Check the latest version on the brand's website.
• 📡 Change the location of the routerThe optimal position is in the center of the apartment, at a height of 1–1.5 meters, away from metal objects and household appliances.
• 🔌 Use a repeater or mesh system, if the signal is weak in some rooms. Modern repeaters (for example, TP-Link RE605X) support both ranges.
• 🛡️ Disable power saving for your Wi-Fi adapterIn Windows, go to Device Manager → Network Adapters → Adapter Properties → Power Management and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

If your computer is connected to the router via a USB adapter (for example, TP-Link TL-WN823N), try using a USB 3.0 port (blue connector) - this may increase the speed by 5 GHz due to better throughput.

⚠️ Attention: Some providers (especially when connecting via technology PON) limit the speed at 5 GHz. Check with technical support if the speed hasn't improved after switching.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing Wi-Fi frequencies

networksetup -setpreferredwirelessband networkinterface 5GHz