Wireless networks have become an integral part of modern life, but few users consider the specific technology that connects their smartphones and laptops to the internet. Situations often arise where the speed advertised by the provider isn't achieved, and high-definition video constantly buffers, even though the data plan offers high speeds. This may be because your equipment is running an outdated protocol that's physically incapable of handling large data flows.
Understanding that, What is the WiFi standard? is currently used, is a key skill for diagnosing connection speed and stability issues. Different generations of wireless networks have significant differences in throughput, frequency range, and the number of simultaneous clients they can support. If you're unsure whether your router supports a modern 802.11ac or is he still working on the ancient one 802.11g, you will not be able to set up your home network effectively.
In this article, we'll detail methods for determining the Wi-Fi version on various devices, explain the differences between wireless generations, and provide tools for independently analyzing your network. You'll learn to distinguish marketing names from technical specifications and understand why your new phone may be running slowly on an older router.
Major generations of wireless communication standards
The history of WiFi development spans over two decades, and during this time, the technology has come a long way from the first tentative attempts at data transmission to ultra-high-speed highways. All these technologies are governed by a family of standards. IEEE 802.11, each generation of which brought improvements in speed, range, and reliability. Early versions, such as 802.11b, provided speeds of only up to 11 Mbps, which seems laughable today, but was revolutionary back then.
With the advent of the standard 802.11n, also known as WiFi 4, the network switched to MIMO technology, which allows multiple data streams to be transmitted simultaneously through different antennas. This significantly increased performance and coverage. However, the real leap came with the introduction of 802.11ac (WiFi 5), which brought operation in the 5 GHz range and wide data transmission channels.
⚠️ Please note: The marketing name "WiFi 6" corresponds to the technical standard 802.11ax. If you see these designations in your router's specifications, you should know that they are referring to the same modern protocol.
Today comes to replace WiFi 6 and 6E, which are optimized for densely populated areas and large numbers of connected devices. Understanding the evolution of these standards helps you choose the right equipment to avoid bottlenecking your internet connection.
How to check the WiFi standard on Windows
Windows users have several ways to obtain detailed information about their current connection. The fastest and most reliable method is to use the command line, which provides a detailed report on the wireless adapter's status. This method doesn't require any additional software and works on all versions of the operating system, starting with Windows 7.
You need to open the command prompt by typing cmd in the Start menu search and run it as administrator. After the black console window appears, enter the command netsh wlan show interfacesIn the list that opens, find the line "Standard" or "Protocol", where the current active connection will be indicated, for example, 802.11ac or 802.11n.
netsh wlan show interfacesYou can also use the graphical interface. To do this, click Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter. In the Network Connections window that opens, double-click the wireless network icon, then click "Details." The "Transfer Speed" line can be used to indirectly determine the standard: if the speed is around 54 Mbps, it's an older standard. 802.11gIf it's above 400 Mbps, it's probably working. 802.11ac.
Determining the protocol version on macOS and Linux
Apple computer users can also easily check their connection details using the system's built-in utilities. In macOS, this information is hidden in the diagnostics menu, accessible by holding down the Option key. This allows you to see not only the standard but also the signal level, noise level, and channel the network is operating on.
Click on the WiFi icon in the top menu bar while holding down the key Option on the keyboard. In the drop-down menu, select "Open Wireless Network Diagnostics" or just look at the extended information, where the "PHY Mode" line will be listed. Values like 802.11ac or 802.11ax will indicate the protocol being used. For a more in-depth analysis, you can run "Wireless Network Diagnostics" via Spotlight and go to "Window" -> "Summary."
In Linux, particularly distributions with the GNOME or KDE desktop environment, information is often available through the network settings. However, the most accurate data is provided by the terminal. Using the utility iwconfig or more modern iw, you can get a technical summary. Enter the command iw dev wlan0 link (replacing wlan0 with the name of your interface) to see the "tx bitrate" line and the protocol standard.
iw dev wlan0 link⚠️ Note: Interfaces in Linux can have different names (wlan0, wlp2s0, etc.). Use the command ip linkto find out the exact name of your wireless adapter before entering your query.
Checking the WiFi Standard on Android and iOS Smartphones
Mobile operating systems often hide technical information from the average user to avoid cluttering the interface. However, on Android, this data can be accessed through settings or dedicated apps. On iOS, the situation is more complex, and Apple doesn't provide direct information about the standard in the settings, requiring the use of third-party utilities.
On Android, go to Settings → Connections → WiFiClick on the name of your current network or the gear icon next to it. The "Network Information" or "Advanced" section will often list "Security Protocol" and "Standard." If it says 802.11ax, then you are using the latest WiFi 6. If you don’t have this information, you can install a free application like WiFi Analyzer, which will show a detailed technical summary.
For iPhone and iPad owners, the only reliable way is to install the app AirPort Utility From Apple itself. After installation, go to your phone's settings, find AirPort Utility, and turn on the "WiFi Scanner" toggle switch. Then, open the app and tap "Scan." You'll see a list of networks, with the standard listed in the "Protocol" column, for example, 802.11ac.
Why doesn't the iPhone show the WiFi standard in settings?
Apple adheres to a minimalist interface philosophy, deeming technical details like 802.11ac/n redundant for the average user. Accessing this data requires a special debug mode via a third-party app, a unique solution in the industry.
Analysis via the router's web interface
The most reliable way to find out which standard your equipment supports is to look at the router's settings. This will give you an idea not only of what's currently in use but also what features are theoretically available. To access the control panel, you usually need to enter the gateway's IP address (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) in the browser's address bar.
After logging in (your login and password are often found on a sticker on the bottom of the device), go to the wireless network section. It may be called "Wireless," "WiFi Settings," or "Wireless Mode." There you'll see a mode switch listing the supported standards: 802.11 b/g/n/ac/ax mixedThis means that the router operates in mixed mode, supporting both old and new devices simultaneously.
Note the separation of bands. Often, settings for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are separated into separate sections. It's rare to find anything newer in the 2.4 GHz band. 802.11n, while 5 GHz is designed to work with 802.11ac And 802.11axIf you want maximum speed, make sure your devices are connected to the 5 GHz network.
☑️ Checking router settings
Comparative table of characteristics of standards
To systematize this knowledge and understand what to expect from different WiFi generations, it's helpful to use a comparison chart. It shows the evolution of speeds and the technologies underlying each standard. Please note that the speeds listed are theoretical maximums; in reality, they are always lower due to interference and protocol overhead.
| Standard (Generation) | Year of adoption | Frequency range | Max. speed (theoret.) | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11b (WiFi 1) | 1999 | 2.4 GHz | 11 Mbps | DSSS |
| 802.11g (WiFi 3) | 2003 | 2.4 GHz | 54 Mbps | OFDM |
| 802.11n (WiFi 4) | 2009 | 2.4 / 5 GHz | 600 Mbps | MIMO |
| 802.11ac (WiFi 5) | 2013 | 5 GHz | 6.9 Gbps | MU-MIMO |
| 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | 2019 | 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz | 9.6 Gbps | OFDMA |
The table shows that switching to new standards provides a significant performance boost. However, it's important to remember that 802.11ac or 802.11ax Both the router and the client device (laptop, phone) must support these standards. If one of the devices is older, the connection will be established using the lowest common denominator.
The impact of the standard on real internet speed
Many users mistakenly believe that having a modern router automatically guarantees high internet speeds. However, the Wi-Fi standard only measures the local connection speed between the device and the router. If your provider's plan offers 100 Mbps, then even on the fastest WiFi 6 You won't get more than 100 Mbps because the external channel is the limitation.
On the other hand, if you have a 500 Mbps tariff and your router operates at the standard 802.11g, you'll only be using a small fraction of your provider's capabilities. In this case, upgrading your equipment will yield significant results. It's also important to consider that older standards are highly susceptible to interference from microwaves, Bluetooth headsets, and neighboring networks, further reducing actual throughput.
To check your actual speed, use services like Speedtest or Fast.com. Compare the results for a cable connection and WiFi. If the difference between cable and WiFi is significant (more than 30-40%), your wireless adapter or router may be using an inefficient standard or operating in a noisy band.
⚠️ Please note: Provider interfaces and router settings may change after firmware updates. If you cannot find a specific setting, consult the official documentation from your equipment manufacturer or contact technical support.
Why does WiFi speed drop in the evening?
In the evening, when neighbors return home and turn on their routers, the 2.4 GHz band becomes heavily polluted. Older standards (b/g/n) struggle to cope with channel competition, which can cause speed drops even with a strong signal. Switching to 5 GHz (ac/ax) solves this problem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a WiFi 5 device connect to a WiFi 6 router?
Yes, WiFi standards are fully backward compatible. A device supporting 802.11ac (WiFi 5) will connect seamlessly to an 802.11ax (WiFi 6) router, but will operate at the maximum speed available for WiFi 5. You won't lose your connection, but you won't get the benefits of the new standard.
Why does my laptop show 54 Mbps even though the router is new?
A speed of 54 Mbps is typical for the 802.11g standard. This could be due to two reasons: either your laptop has a very old wireless module, or it's connected to the 2.4 GHz band in a highly interfered environment, and the router has automatically downgraded the connection to maintain stability. Try moving your device closer to the router or switching to a 5 GHz network.
How do I know if my phone supports WiFi 6?
For more information, please refer to the model's technical specifications on the manufacturer's official website. WiFi 6 (802.11ax) has generally been widely implemented in flagship smartphones released after 2019-2020 (e.g., iPhone 11 and later, Samsung Galaxy S10 and later).
Does WiFi standard affect ping in games?
Yes, it does have a significant impact. New standards, such as 802.11ac and 802.11ax, use technologies like OFDMA, which reduce latency and allow for faster transmission of small data packets, which is critical for online gaming. With older standards, ping can be unstable and high.