How to view Wi-Fi adapter specifications: from model to connection speed

Have you ever encountered a situation where Wi-Fi is slow and you don’t know if your adapter supports modern standards? Wi-Fi 6 or limited by obsolete 802.11n? Or maybe you want to know at what frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) Is your device working to optimize the network? In this article, we'll look at 5 proven methods Get full specifications of your Wi-Fi adapter—from basic information to hidden parameters not shown by standard system tools.

It doesn't matter if you use it Windows 10/11, macOS or Linux — there is a method for each platform. And if you are planning a network upgrade (for example, buying a router with Wi-Fi 6E), knowing the capabilities of your adapter will help you avoid incompatibilities. For example, an adapter Intel AX200 supports 160 MHz And MU-MIMO, and budget Realtek RTL8188EU — No. These nuances directly affect the speed and stability of the connection.

Let us warn you in advance: some parameters (for example, maximum theoretical speed) are often quoted by the manufacturer based on ideal conditions. In reality, speed is affected by interference, distance to the router, and even wall materials. But knowing your hardware is the first step to optimization.

1. View characteristics through Device Manager (Windows)

The easiest way for users Windows - use built-in device ManagerIt will show the adapter model, but not all the technical details. Here's how:

1. Click Win + X and select device Manager.
2. Expand the section Network adapters.
3. Find the device with the words Wireless, Wi-Fi or 802.11 in the title (for example, Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz).

If the adapter name is non-informative (for example, Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4A), copy it and look for the specifications on the manufacturer's website. Please note: in Device Manager parameters such as supported frequencies are not displayed (2.4/5/6 GHz) or standards (Wi-Fi 4/5/6). For this, other methods will be needed.

To find out Equipment ID (useful for searching drivers):

1. Right-click on the adapter → Properties → tab Intelligence.
2. From the drop-down menu, select Equipment ID.
3. Copy the first line (eg. PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2723).

⚠️ Attention: If in Device Manager If an exclamation mark appears next to the adapter, this indicates a driver issue. Install the latest version from the laptop or chip manufacturer's website (e.g. Intel, Broadcom, Realtek).

2. Command line: detailed information about the Wi-Fi adapter

For those who prefer console commands, Windows offers a utility netsh, which displays advanced information about the wireless adapter, including supported standards and current network settings.

Open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter) and run:

netsh wlan show drivers

In the results, pay attention to the following lines:

• 🔹 Radio type (Radio types supported) - shows supported frequencies: 802.11a (5 GHz), 802.11b/g (2.4 GHz), 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6).
• 🔹 802.11w support — protection against evil twin (PMF) attacks.
• 🔹 Hosted network support — the ability to distribute Wi-Fi from a PC.

To view your current connection (including speed and standard), use:

netsh wlan show interfaces

The key parameters here are: BSSID (MAC address of the router), Radio type (frequency) and Reception/transmission speed (V Mbps). For example, if the speed is limited 72 Mbps, your adapter or router is operating in mode 802.11n on frequency 2.4 GHz.

3. Specialized utilities: from AIDA64 to WiFi Info View

Standard Windows tools provide limited information. For a more in-depth diagnosis, it's best to use third-party programs. Let's look at the top three utilities:

Let's look at an example AIDA64:

1. Download and install the program (there is a portable version).
2. Go to the section Network → Network Devices.
3. Select your Wi-Fi adapter.

The window will display:

• 🔹 Hardware ID (For example, PCI\VEN_14E4&DEV_43A0 For Broadcom).
• 🔹 Maximum speed (For example, 1.73 Gbps For Wi-Fi 6 With 160 MHz).
• 🔹 Supported modes (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax).
• 🔹 Chip manufacturer (Intel, Qualcomm, Realtek and others).

What does PHY Mode mean in macOS?

In macOS, the PHY Mode parameter displays the adapter's current operating mode. For example:

- 802.11ax — Wi-Fi 6

- 802.11ac — Wi-Fi 5 (max. speed up to 1.3 Gbps)

- 802.11n — Wi-Fi 4 (up to 600 Mbps)

If specified here 802.11n, but your router supports 802.11ac, check the channel settings in the router or update the adapter driver.

For Linux the utility will do lspci (for PCI adapters) or lsusb (for USB):

lspci -v | grep -i network

Or for more detailed information:

iwconfig

4. Checking macOS Performance: System Report and Terminal

On MacBook or iMac You can get information about your Wi-Fi adapter without third-party programs. Here are two ways:

Method 1: System Report

1. Click on the Apple logo (☰) → About this Mac → System report.
2. In the left menu, select Network → Wi-Fi.

Here you will see:

• 🔹 Interface (For example, en0).
• 🔹 Chip model (For example, Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0).
• 🔹 Supported PHY modes (standards 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax).
• 🔹 Current channel and width (For example, Channel: 36 (5 GHz), Width: 80 MHz).

Method 2: Terminal Commands

Open Terminal (via Spotlight or Applications → Utilities) and run:

networksetup -listallhardwareports

Find the section Wi-Fi - it will be indicated there Device (For example, en0) And Ethernet Address (MAC address).

For detailed information about the current connection:

airport -I

Key parameters in the output:

• 🔹 agrCtlRSSI — signal level (for example, -60 dBm - a good signal).
• 🔹 channel — current channel (for example, 149.5 GHz).
• 🔹 maxRate — maximum speed (for example, 1300 Mbps For Wi-Fi 5).

5. Linux: Commands for Diagnosing a Wi-Fi Adapter

IN Linux (For example, Ubuntu, Debian, Arch) Information about the Wi-Fi adapter can be obtained through the terminal. Basic commands:

1. View adapter model

lspci -knn | grep -iA3 network

Example output:

03:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Intel Corporation Wi-Fi 6 AX200 [8086:2723] (rev 1a)
Subsystem: Intel Corporation Wi-Fi 6 AX200NGW [8086:0024]
Kernel driver in use: iwlwifi
Kernel modules: iwlwifi

Here:

• 🔹 Intel Corporation Wi-Fi 6 AX200 — adapter model.
• 🔹 [8086:2723] — Vendor:Device ID (useful for searching drivers).
• 🔹 iwlwifi — the driver used.

2. Current connection settings

iwconfig

Look for the section with your adapter (for example, wlp3s0). Key parameters:

• 🔹 IEEE 802.11 — supported standards (for example, ac).
• 🔹 Frequency:5.18 GHz — current frequency.
• 🔹 Bit Rate=866.7 Mb/s — current speed.

3. Detailed driver information

dmesg | grep iwlwifi

This command will display the driver loading logs, including supported modes and possible errors.

⚠️ Note: In some distributions (for example, Ubuntu 22.04+) adapters Realtek (For example, RTL8821CE) may require manual installation of drivers from repositories. If the speed is lower after connecting to the network 100 Mbps, check the command output dmesg | grep -i firmware for firmware loading errors.

6. How to find out the specifications of a USB Wi-Fi adapter

USB adapters (eg TP-Link TL-WN823N or ASUS USB-AC68) are checked similarly to the built-in ones, but there are some nuances. Firstly, their model is often not displayed in Device Manager - instead you will see a generic name like Realtek RTL8192EU Wireless LAN 802.11n USB 2.0 Network Adapter.

Secondly, USB adapters 2.0 physically limited by speed 480 Mbps, so even if the chip supports Wi-Fi 5 (to 867 Mbps), the actual speed will be lower. For full Wi-Fi 6 needed USB 3.0 (blue connector).

To find out the exact model:

1. Open device Manager → Network adapters.
2. Right-click on the USB adapter → Properties → tab Intelligence.
3. Select Equipment ID and copy the value (for example, USB\VID_2357&PID_010C).
4. Look up this meaning on the website DeviceHunt or on Google.

To check the speed, connect the adapter to the port USB 3.0 and execute in Command line:

netsh wlan show interfaces

If in the line Reception speed the value below is indicated 300 Mbps, the adapter operates in mode 802.11n (or limited to USB 2.0).

7. Online services for checking adapter and router compatibility

If you're planning to upgrade your router or adapter, it's a good idea to check compatibility beforehand. Several online services help you compare specifications:

• 🔹 Wi-Fi Alliance (wi-fi.org) - a database of certified devices with support Wi-Fi 6/6E, WPA3 and other standards.
• 🔹 RouterCheck — analyzes your router settings and suggests optimizations (including channel selection for the adapter).
• 🔹 Speedtest.net (tab Wi-Fi Analysis) - shows channel load and recommended settings.

Example: If your adapter supports 160 MHz (For example, Intel AX200), and the router is only 80 MHz, the maximum speed will be limited ~1.2 Gbps instead of possible 2.4 GbpsThis is important to consider when choosing equipment.

⚠️ Please note: Some manufacturers (eg. TP-Link or ASUS) in the characteristics of the adapters indicate theoretical speed (For example, 1300 Mbps For Wi-Fi 5). In real-world conditions, due to interference, distance, and protocol limitations, the speed will be 30-50% lower. Always use the practice tests (for example, through iPerf3 or Speedtest).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi adapter specifications

My adapter supports Wi-Fi 6, but the speed doesn't exceed 300 Mbps. What's the problem?

There are several reasons:

1. The router is running in compatibility mode (802.11n). Go to your router settings and turn it on. 802.11ac/ax.
2. The adapter is connected to the port. USB 2.0 (Max. 480 Mbps). Connect to USB 3.0 (blue connector).
3. Channel width is limited 20 MHz. Set it in the router settings. 40 MHz or 80 MHz (For Wi-Fi 5/6).
4. The driver is out of date. Update the driver from the manufacturer's website (for example, Intel or Realtek).

How do I know if my adapter supports 6GHz (Wi-Fi 6E)?

Frequency 6 GHz supported only by adapters with chips Wi-Fi 6E (For example, Intel AX210, Qualcomm FastConnect 6900). Check:

1. IN Windows: open device Manager, find the adapter and check its model. If the name contains 6E or AX210 — supported.
2. IN Linux: do it iw list | grep "6 GHz"If the output is not empty, there is support.
3. Look for the mention in the specifications on the manufacturer's website 6 GHz or Wi-Fi 6E.

Important: Even if the adapter supports 6 GHz, the router must also be compatible with Wi-Fi 6E (for example, ASUS RT-AX89X or Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500).

Is it possible to increase the transmission power of a Wi-Fi adapter?

Yes, but with some reservations:

• 🔹 In Windows you can change the parameter Transmit Power through Registry Editor (path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}). However, this may violate local laws on transmitter power (for example, in the EU the limit is 100 mW).
• 🔹 In Linux use the command:

  iwconfig wlan0 txpower 20

  Where 20 — power in dBm (maximum depends on the chip).

• 🔹 For USB adapters with external antennas (e.g. Alfa AWUS1900) you can replace the antenna with a more powerful one (for example, 9 dBi), but this increases the coverage area, not the speed.

⚠️ Exceeding the permitted power may result in interference with other devices and fines from regulators (for example, Federal Service for Supervision of Communications in Russia).

How do I check if my adapter supports MU-MIMO?

MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO) allows a router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously. Check:

1. IN Windows: use AIDA64 (chapter Network → Network Devices). Look for the line MU-MIMO or VHT MU-MIMO.
2. IN Linux: execute:

   iw list | grep "MU-MIMO"

   If the output contains suported — there is support.

3. Look for the mention in the specifications on the manufacturer's website MU-MIMO or Multi-User MIMO.

Please note: MU-MIMO only works in the network. Wi-Fi 5/6 and requires support from the router.

My adapter isn't detecting 5 GHz networks. What should I do?

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔹 The adapter does not support 5 GHz. Check the specifications (e.g. adapters Realtek RTL8188EU work only on 2.4 GHz).
• 🔹 The driver is out of date. Update it from the manufacturer's website.
• 🔹 The mode is disabled in the router settings 802.11a/n/acEnable it in the router's web interface.
• 🔹 In some countries (for example, in Russia until 2021) frequencies 5.15–5.35 GHz were prohibited. Update your router firmware.
• 🔹 In Windows Check your adapter settings:
  1. Open device Manager → adapter properties → tab Additionally.
  2. Find the parameter Wireless Mode or 802.11n/ac Wireless Mode and set the value Auto or 802.11a.