How to find your Wi-Fi hertz: Checking the network frequency on all devices

Have you ever wondered why your Wi-Fi is always sluggish and slow like an old tram? The reason could be network frequency — those same "hertz" numbers that determine the frequency range your router operates on. 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz aren't just numbers, but two fundamentally different worlds with their own pros and cons. One can penetrate walls but get clogged by neighboring networks, while the other is lightning fast but can't even penetrate drywall.

The problem is that most users don't even know what frequency their devices are connected to. And that's a shame! It affects internet speed, connection stability, and even battery life laptop or smartphone. In this article, we'll look at how Find out Wi-Fi hertz on any device - from Windows 11 to Android 14, and why it's more important than it seems.

What are "hertz" in Wi-Fi and why should you test them?

When people talk about "hertz" in the context of Wi-Fi, they actually mean gigahertz (GHz) — units of measurement for the radio frequency used by a wireless network. Today, there are two main bands:

• 📡 2.4 GHz — an "old man" with a long range, but low speed and high interference. Works on almost all devices, even those released in 1999.
• ⚡ 5 GHz — a modern range with high speed and minimal interference, but poor obstacle penetration. Supported by devices manufactured in 2012-2013 or later.
• 🆕 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) is the newest range, available only on flagship devices since 2020. It's still relatively new for home networks.

Why is this important? Think of 2.4 GHz as a congested highway during rush hour, where everyone is driving in a single lane, and 5 GHz as a multi-lane highway with minimal traffic. If your router supports both bands (and 90% of modern models do), but you don't know which one you're connected to, you could spend years using the "congested highway" without even realizing the "highway" exists.

In addition, some devices (eg, smart light bulbs or old printers) are working only on 2.4 GHzIf your smartphone is connected to 5 GHz, you simply won't be able to configure them—the system won't see these devices on the network.

How to check Wi-Fi hertz on Windows 10 and 11

If you are using a laptop or PC with Windows, there are at least three ways to check your connection frequency. The first and easiest is through Network Control Center.

Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center. Find your active connection (usually it is Wi-Fi or the name of your network) and click on it. In the window that opens, look at the line Radiotype - it will be indicated there 802.11n, 802.11ac or 802.11axHere's what it means:

• 🔄 802.11b/g/n — the network operates on 2.4 GHz (maximum speed up to 600 Mbps).
• ⚡ 802.11a/n/ac/ax — the network operates on 5 GHz (speed from 866 Mbps to 9.6 Gbps).

The second way is through command line. Open it (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter) and run the command:

netsh wlan show interfaces

Find the line in the results Radio module type. The protocol will be indicated there (for example, 802.11ac), by which the frequency can be determined, as in the first method.

⚠️ Attention: If you see in the command line results 802.11n, this doesn't always mean 2.4 GHz. This standard works on both bands! To find out the exact frequency, use a third method: specialized utilities.

The third way is programs like WiFi Analyzer or inSSIDer. They show not only the frequency of your connection, but also channel congestion, signal strength and even models of neighboring routersFor example, in inSSIDer the frequency is displayed in the column Channel — channels 1-14 belong to 2.4 GHz, and 36-165 belong to 5 GHz.

Determining Wi-Fi Hertz on an Android Smartphone

On Android The situation is more complicated—the default settings often don't show the network frequency. But there are workarounds.

Method 1: via router settings (if you have access). Open your browser, enter the router's IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and find the section Wireless network or Wi-FiThe range for each network will be listed there.

Method 2: Analyzer apps. The most popular ones are:

• 📊 WiFi Analyzer (from farproc) - shows the frequency in the section AP list (column Freq.).
• 🔍 Network Analyzer — tab Wi-Fi → Channel (channels 1-14 = 2.4 GHz, others = 5 GHz).
• 📱 Fing — indicates in the network information Channel Frequency.

Method 3: hidden developer settingsOn some smartphones (for example, Samsung or Xiaomi) you can enable developer mode (Settings → About phone → Build number — tap 7 times) and find the Wi-Fi information there. The path may vary, but look for a section like Wi-Fi frequency or Connection info.

⚠️ Attention: On iPhone (iOS) Find out your Wi-Fi frequency using standard tools it is forbiddenApple hides this information "to simplify the interface." The only solution is to use external network analyzers (for example, AirPort Utility in mode Wi-Fi Scanner) or look into the router settings.

Checking the Wi-Fi frequency on a router

The most reliable way is to look into router web interfaceTo do this:

1. Connect to the router's network (via Wi-Fi or cable).
2. Open your browser and enter the IP address of your device (usually found on a sticker on the bottom).
3. Log in (default logins: admin/admin or admin/password).
4. Find the section Wireless, Wi-Fi or Wireless network.

Depending on the router model, the interface may differ, but the essence is the same: look for the settings for 2.4GHz And 5GHz (Sometimes they are divided into two different sections). For example:

• 📶 On TP-Link: Wireless → Wireless Settings → drop-down list Band.
• 🔗 On ASUS: Wireless Network → General → Frequency range.
• 🌐 On Keenetic: Wi-Fi → Hotspot → Range.

If you have dual-band router, it can broadcast two networks with the same name (eg MyWiFi And MyWiFi_5G) or one "smart" network that chooses the range itself (Smart Connect at ASUS, Band Steering at TP-Link). In the latter case, the connection frequency can only be determined on the client device (see previous sections).

⚠️ Attention: On some routers (for example, Zyxel Keenetic or MikroTik) 5 GHz settings may be hidden if the region has limited transmit power. In this case, the band may appear as 5GHz (n/ac) or a/n/ac.

How to find Wi-Fi hertz on MacOS

On MacBook or iMac It's easier to check the connection frequency than on Windows. Hold down the key Option (⌥) and click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. A drop-down list will appear with more information, including the line Channel:

• 📌 Channels 1–14 - This 2.4 GHz.
• 📌 Channels 36–165 - This 5 GHz.

If this method doesn't work (for example, on older versions of macOS), open Terminal (Programs → Utilities → Terminal) and run the command:

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

Find the line in the results channel. For example, channel: 6 means 2.4 GHz, and channel: 44 — 5 GHz.

For users macOS Ventura and newer there is another way: open System Preferences → Network → Wi-Fi → AdvancedAt the bottom of the window there will be information about the current connection, including Channel And Wi-Fi standard (For example, 802.11ac means 5 GHz).

Why might 5GHz not be showing up on my Mac?

If your Mac can't see 5GHz networks, check:

1. Does your model support this range (for example, MacBook before 2012 does not).

2. Is 5 GHz enabled in the router settings (sometimes it is disabled by default).

3. Is there a 5 GHz limitation in your country (for example, in Russia, until 2016, certification was required for channels above 149).

The Difference Between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz: Which is Better?

Now that you know how to check frequency, the main question remains: Which range is better?The answer depends on your goals. Let's compare key parameters:

When to choose 2.4 GHz:

• 🏠 You need maximum coverage area (large house, office).
• 🔋 It is important to save battery power (laptops, tablets).
• 🕰️ You have old devices (printers, IP cameras, smart plugs).

When is it better? 5 GHz:

• ⚡ You need maximum speed (online gaming, 4K streaming).
• 🎮 Many devices on the network (5 GHz is less susceptible to interference).
• 🏢 You are in an apartment building with dozens of neighboring networks.

If your router supports both ranges, the optimal solution is to separate your devices: connect stationary devices (TVs, printers) to 2.4 GHz, and mobile devices (smartphones, laptops) to 5 GHz.

Common Mistakes and Myths About Wi-Fi Hertz

There are many myths surrounding Wi-Fi frequencies. Let's explore the most popular ones:

Myth 1: "5 GHz is always faster than 2.4 GHz."

❌ Reality: 5 GHz potentially Faster, but only if the signal is stable. Over long distances or through walls, speeds may drop below 2.4 GHz.

Myth 2: "There is no interference at 5 GHz."

❌ Reality: There is interference, but of a different kind. For example, weather radars or military equipment can operate in this range. Furthermore, some 5 GHz channels (e.g., 120-144) in Russia require certifications and can be disabled by default.

Myth 3: "2.4 GHz is obsolete and unnecessary."

❌ Reality: 2.4 GHz is still required for IoT devices (smart bulbs, sensors), many printers And IP camerasThere's no need to turn it off if you have such gadgets.

Error 1: Connecting to 5 GHz at a long distance from the router.

⚠️ Consequences: The signal will be unstable, the speed will be low, and the device may constantly reconnect. Solution: Use 2.4 GHz or install repeater (repeater).

Error 2: Using automatic channel selection on a busy network.

⚠️ Consequences: The router may select a congested channel, which will lead to slowdowns. Solution: Manually select the least congested channel (programs like WiFi Analyzer).

Error 3: Disabling 2.4GHz in hopes of speeding up 5GHz.

⚠️ Consequences: Older devices will lose connection, and some smart gadgets will stop working. Solution: Leave both bands enabled, but separate devices into networks.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

My router broadcasts two networks: MyWiFi And MyWiFi_5GHow do I know which one I'm connected to?

On Windows And Mac The network name is displayed in the connection properties. Android Check your Wi-Fi settings - there may be a mark next to the network name 5G or 5 GHzIf not, use analyzer applications (see the section about Android).

My laptop can't see the 5 GHz network. What should I do?

Possible reasons:

1. Your Wi-Fi adapter does not support 5 GHz (check model specifications).
2. The adapter driver is out of date (update via device Manager).
3. The 5 GHz band is disabled in the router (go to settings and enable it).
4. Some 5 GHz channels are restricted in your country (try changing the channel in your router settings).

How to force connect to 5GHz if the device automatically selects 2.4GHz?

There are several ways:

• 🔄 Disable 2.4 GHz in the router settings (but then older devices will lose connection).
• 📵 Forget the network on the device and reconnect by selecting manually MyWiFi_5G (if the router broadcasts two networks).
• 🛠️ Set the priority in the Wi-Fi driver (on Windows: Device Manager → Adapter Properties → Advanced → parameter Preferred Band).

Is it true that 5 GHz is harmful to health?

No, that's a myth. The radiated power of routers at 5 GHz belowthan 2.4 GHz (due to the propagation characteristics of radio waves). In addition, both ranges are non-ionizing radiation, which poses no health risks during household use. For comparison, a microwave oven emits radiation 1,000 times stronger than a Wi-Fi router.

Is it possible to increase the range of 5GHz?

Increasing the 5 GHz range is difficult due to physical limitations, but there are a few life hacks:

• 📡 Use directional antennas (For example, TP-Link TL-ANT2408CL).
• 🔄 Install repeater (repeater) with 5 GHz support (for example, Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Repeater Pro).
• 🏠 Change channel to a less busy one (for example, 36 or 149).
• 🛡️ Reduce transmit power to 2.4 GHz so that devices prefer 5 GHz.

Radical solution - pave network cable to a remote point and place a second router there in mode access points.