How to check your Wi-Fi network: a complete guide to checking all parameters

Have you ever experienced a slow internet connection and been unable to figure out what's causing the problem? It could be your Wi-Fi network settings: a suboptimal frequency, an outdated standard 802.11n instead of Wi-Fi 6, or neighboring networks are creating interference on the same channel. To accurately diagnose the problem, you need to find out the characteristics of your Wi-Fi network — from speed and frequency to encryption type and channel load.

In this article we will look at all available methods checking Wi-Fi parameters on different devices: computers with Windows And macOS, smartphones Android And iOS, as well as directly through the router settings. You'll learn how to determine:

• 📶 Wi-Fi standard (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) and supported frequencies (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz)
• 🔒 Encryption type (WPA3, WPA2, WEP) and security vulnerabilities
• 📊 Actual connection speed (not the one the provider promises)
• 🎯 Busy channels and the level of interference from neighboring networks
• 📡 Signal strength (dBm) and connection quality

It doesn't matter if you just want Optimize your home network for online gaming or 4K streamingWhether you need professional diagnostics for office infrastructure issues, this guide will help you get the full picture without unnecessary technical complications.

1. How to find out Wi-Fi specifications on Windows (without third-party programs)

If you are using a laptop or PC with Windows 10/11Most Wi-Fi network data is accessible through the system's standard tools. You don't need to install any additional software—a few clicks is all it takes.

The fastest way to view basic parameters:

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the lower right corner of the taskbar (next to the clock).
2. Select your network and click Properties (or Network parameters in Windows 11).

Here you will see:

• 🔗 Security protocol (For example, WPA2-Personal or WPA3)
• 📡 Network type (usually Infrastructure for home routers)
• 📶 Frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) - but only if the network broadcasts on both frequencies.

For more detailed information, please open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and run the command:

netsh wlan show interfaces

In the results, pay attention to the lines:

• Radio type — will show 802.11n, 802.11ac or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6).
• Channel — channel number (for example, 6 for 2.4 GHz or 36 for 5 GHz).
• Upload/download speed — current speed in Mbps (not to be confused with the provider's tariff!).

⚠️ Attention: If you see in the command output Radio type: 802.11n, but your router supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), check your network settings - legacy compatibility mode may be enabled.

2. View Wi-Fi characteristics on macOS (MacBook, iMac)

On devices Apple Getting Wi-Fi network information is even easier than on Windows. macOS provides advanced information through a built-in utility. Wireless Diagnostics.

To open it:

1. Hold down the key Option (Alt) and click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
2. From the drop-down menu, select Open Wi-Fi diagnostics.
3. In the window that appears, click Window → Utilities (or immediately ⌘ + 2).

Here you will find:

• 📡 PHY Mode — Wi-Fi standard (802.11ax for Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ac for Wi-Fi 5).
• 🔗 Security — encryption type (WPA3 Personal, WPA2 Personal etc.).
• 📶 Channel — channel number and its width (20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz).
• 📊 RSSI — signal level in dBm (the closer to 0, the better; -70 dBm and above - weak signal).

To quickly view your current connection speed:

1. Open System Preferences → Network.
2. Select an active Wi-Fi connection and click Additionally.
3. On the tab Wi-Fi look at the field Transfer speed (For example, 866 Mbps).

3. Checking Wi-Fi on Android: Hidden Settings and Apps

On smartphones and tablets with Android The default settings show minimal Wi-Fi information. However, there are several ways to get more comprehensive data.

Method 1: Hidden engineering settings menu

Many devices on Qualcomm Snapdragon or Mediatek have a hidden menu that displays technical parameters. To access it:

1. Open the app Telephone and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. Select Wi-Fi information (or Wi-Fi Information).

Here you will see:

• 📶 Wi-Fi frequency — frequency (24xx MHz for 2.4 GHz, 5xx MHz for 5 GHz).
• 🔗 Link speed — current connection speed.
• 📊 Signal strength — signal level in dBm.
• 🎯 Channel width — channel width (20/40/80 MHz).

Method 2: Wi-Fi Analysis Apps

If the hidden menu is not available, install one of these apps (free versions are sufficient):

• 📱 WiFi Analyzer (from farproc) - shows occupied channels and signal level.
• 📊 NetSpot - visualizes network coverage and interference.
• 🔍 WiFi Scanner — displays the Wi-Fi standard, encryption, and MAC addresses of devices.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (eg. Xiaomi or Samsung with shell One UIThe engineering menu may be blocked by the manufacturer. In this case, use third-party apps.

Why might Android show slower speeds than PCs?

On smartphones, Wi-Fi speed is often limited by power saving. For example, Android may forcefully reduce bandwidth if the device is running on battery power rather than charging. Also, many budget smartphones only support 1x1 MIMO (one antenna), while laptops often have 2x2 MIMO, which increases the speed by 2 times.

4. How to check Wi-Fi on iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Apple severely limits access to technical Wi-Fi data on iPhone And iPadIn the default settings, you'll only see the network name, encryption type, and IP address. However, there are workarounds.

Method 1: Using apps

Install one of these apps from App Store:

• 📊 WiFi SweetSpots - shows signal level, channel and busy networks.
• 🔍 Network Analyzer — analyzes speed, ping and DNS.
• 📶 AirPort Utility (from Apple) - Allows you to enable channel scanning mode.

To activate hidden functions in AirPort Utility:

1. Install the app from App Store.
2. Go to Settings → AirPort Utility → Turn on Wi-Fi scanning.
3. Now when you open the application you will see a tab Scan, where all nearby networks will be displayed with details:

• 📡 Frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz)
• 🎯 Channel number and its width
• 🔒 Security type (WPA2, WPA3)
• 📶 Signal level (RSSI V dBm)

Method 2: Via a router (if you have Apple AirPort)

If you are using a router Apple AirPort, connect to it via AirPort Utility and check:

• 📡 Wireless network mode (802.11n/ac)
• 🔗 Channel and its width
• 🔒 Encryption type

⚠️ Attention: Starting from iOS 14Apple has removed the ability to view MAC addresses of devices on a local network through the default settings. This now requires special apps or access to the router.

5. View Wi-Fi characteristics through the router settings

The most reliable way to get full Wi-Fi network specifications — Log into your router's web interface. There, you'll see not only the current settings but also be able to adjust them for optimization.

How to access router settings:

1. Find out your router's IP address:
   • On Windows: run the command ipconfig V cmd and find the line Main gateway.
   • On macOS/Linux: enter netstat -nr | grep default V Terminal.
   • On Android/iOS: look in the Wi-Fi settings (section Router or Gateway).

Enter this IP into the address bar of your browser (usually 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.8.1).

Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or indicated on the router sticker).

Where to look for Wi-Fi specifications:

Please note:

• 📡 Wireless Mode - if it's worth it 11b/g/n, your network is running in legacy mode, which limits speed.
• 🎯 Channel Width — recommended for 5 GHz 40 MHz or 80 MHz (if there is no interference from neighboring networks).
• 🔒 Security - if specified WEP, change it urgently WPA2-PSK or WPA3!

⚠️ Attention: Router interface settings may vary depending on the model and firmware version. If you can't find the section you need, check the documentation on the manufacturer's official website.

Make sure 802.11ac/ax (Wi-Fi 5/6) is enabled

Select the least loaded channel (use in-app analysis)

Set channel width to 40/80 MHz for 5 GHz

Change the password if you are using WEP or WPA

Disable WPS (security vulnerability)

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6. How to find out your actual Wi-Fi speed (not what your provider promises)

Many people are confused connection speed to the router (For example, 866 Mbps) And real internet speed (For example, 100 Mbps (according to the tariff). The first depends on the Wi-Fi standard and the distance to the router, the second - on the provider.

How to check your router connection speed:

• 🖥 On Windows: open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center and click on your network. The speed is indicated in the field Speed.
• 📱 On Android: use the app WiFi Analyzer (tab Connection).
• 🍎 On macOS: hold Option and click on the Wi-Fi icon → take a look Tx Rate.

How to check your actual internet speed:

Use online services:

• 🌍 Speedtest.net (popular, but may inflate results)
• 📊 Fast.com (from Netflix, shows streaming speed)
• 🔍 Cloudflare Speed Test (minimalistic, without unnecessary fluff)

For an accurate test:

1. Connect your device to the router via cable (if possible) - this will eliminate the influence of Wi-Fi.
2. Close all programs except your browser.
3. Perform the test 2-3 times and average the results.

If your Wi-Fi speed is significantly lower than your cable speed, the problem is:

• 📡 Interference from neighboring networks (change the channel in the router settings).
• 🏠 Distance to the router or obstacles (walls, furniture).
• 🔄 Outdated Wi-Fi standard (update your router or device).

7. Analysis of busy channels and interference: how to choose the optimal channel

One of the main reasons for slow Wi-Fi is congested channelsIn apartment buildings, dozens of networks broadcast on the same frequencies, creating interference. To find a clear channel, conduct a broadcast analysis.

Analysis tools:

• 🖥 Windows: inSSIDer (paid) or WiFi Analyzer (free).
• 📱 Android: WiFi Analyzer (from farproc).
• 🍎 macOS: WiFi Explorer (paid, but with a trial version).
• 🌐 Router web interface: some models (eg ASUS) have a built-in analyzer.

How to choose the best channel:

For 2.4 GHz (13 channels, but only 3 non-overlapping: 1, 6, 11):

• If most networks are on Channel 6, select 1 or 11.
• Avoid channels 12–14 - they may be banned in your country.

For 5 GHz (up to 25 channels, width 20/40/80 MHz):

• Select channels marked DFS (For example, 50–144), if your router supports them, they are less loaded.
• For maximum speed, use channel width 80 MHz, but make sure that neighboring networks do not cause interference.

Example of optimal settings for 5 GHz:

• 🎯 Channel: 36 (or 149, if DFS is supported)
• 📶 Width: 80 MHz
• 🔄 Standard: 802.11ac or 802.11ax

⚠️ Attention: Channels DFS In the 5 GHz band, the router may temporarily turn off the radio if it detects radar signals (for example, from weather services). If stability is more important than speed, choose non-DFS channels (36–48, 149–165).

8. Checking additional parameters: MAC addresses, DNS, IP

In addition to the basic Wi-Fi characteristics, sometimes you need to know:

• 🆔 MAC address of the router (needed for linking devices or filtering).
• 🌐 DNS servers (may affect the loading speed of websites).
• 📡 Device IP address in the local network.

How to find out the MAC address of a router:

• On the router sticker (usually indicated as MAC or Wireless MAC).
• In the router's web interface (section Status or Network Map).
• Via command:
  • 🖥 Windows: arp -a (will show MAC of all devices on the network).
  • 🍎 macOS/Linux: arp -n.

How to check DNS servers:

• 🖥 Windows: ipconfig /all → lines DNS servers.
• 📱 Android/iOS: in Wi-Fi settings → DNS (or IP configuration).
• 🌐 In the router: section Internet or WAN.

If your ISP's DNS servers are slow, change them to:

• 🌍 8.8.8.8 And 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS)
• 🔒 1.1.1.1 And 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare DNS)

How to find your IP address on a local network:

• 🖥 Windows: ipconfig → IPv4 address.
• 🍎 macOS: ifconfig | grep "inet ".
• 📱 Android/iOS: Wi-Fi settings → network information.

Why might you need a router's MAC address?

MAC address is required for:

1. Bind devices in the router settings (allow connection only to certain gadgets).

2. Settings MAC filtering (although this is not a reliable method of protection).

3. Diagnosing connection problems (the provider may request a MAC address to bind the service).

4. Connections to some corporate networks (where device registration is required).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Wi-Fi Specifications

🔍 How do I know which Wi-Fi standard my smartphone or laptop supports?

For Android:

• Check the model specifications on the manufacturer's website (e.g. Samsung, Xiaomi).
• Use the app DevCheck → section Network.

For Windows/macOS:

• On Windows: netsh wlan show drivers → line Types of radio.
• On macOS: System Information → Network → Wi-Fi.

For iPhone/iPad:

• Apple does not disclose this information in the settings. Check the technical specifications of the model on Apple website.

📶 Why is my network running on 2.4 GHz instead of 5 GHz?

Possible reasons:

• Your router or device does not support 5GHz (check specifications).
• The 5 GHz band is disabled in the router settings (enable it and give the network a different name, for example MyWiFi_5G).
• The device automatically connects to 2.4 GHz due to the longer signal range (manually select 5 GHz network).

💡 Advice: If you have a dual-band router, name the networks differently (for example, Home_2G And Home_5G) to manage the connection.

🔒 What type of Wi-Fi encryption is the most secure?

In descending order of safety:

1. WPA3-Personal (the most modern, but not all devices support it).
2. WPA2-PSK (AES) (the most common and reliable).
3. WPA-PSK (outdated, vulnerable to attacks).
4. WEP (not secure at all, can be hacked in minutes).

🔧 Recommendation: Use WPA2-PSK with encryption AESIf all your devices support WPA3, go to it.

🎯 Which Wi-Fi channel is the fastest?

There's no universal "fastest" channel—it all depends on the airwaves in your region. General recommendations:

• For 2.4 GHz: choose 1, 6 or 11 (they do not intersect).
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