How do you know if your Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?

You've connected to Wi-Fi, but you don't know if the network is working at the frequency you're using. 2.4 GHz or 5 GHzThis information is critical if your device doesn't support 5 GHz, the signal is constantly dropping, or the speed is lower than expected. For example, older smartphones, smart light bulbs, or printers may only work on 2.4 GHz, and modern routers often broadcast on both bands under a single network name.

In this article we will analyze All current methods for checking Wi-Fi frequency From standard Windows and Android settings to hidden router commands and specialized utilities, you'll learn how to distinguish between bands without technical knowledge, why a network sometimes "jumps" between frequencies, and what to do if your device can't detect 5 GHz. Let's start with the simplest methods!

1. How to determine the Wi-Fi frequency through Windows settings

If you are connected to the network from a laptop or PC Windows 10/11You can find out the frequency in 30 seconds—without any third-party software. This method works even on older versions of the system, but the interface may differ slightly.

Open Control Panel (click Win + R, enter control and press Enter). Go to the section Network and Internet → Network and Sharing CenterNext to your active connection, click on the name of your Wi-Fi network. In the window that opens, select Intelligence.

In the column Speed The current value will be displayed. It's important to pay attention to the numbers here:

  • 🔹 Up to 150–300 Mbps - almost always 2.4 GHz (802.11n/g standards).
  • 🔹 From 433 Mbps and above - more likely 5 GHz (802.11ac/ax).
  • 🔹 866 Mbps, 1.3 Gbps — exactly 5 GHz (dual-band routers with MU-MIMO).
⚠️ Warning: This method shows current connection frequency, not all available ranges of the router. If the network is operating in Smart Connect (automatic switching between 2.4 and 5 GHz), the displayed speed may vary.

For more accurate information, please use command line:

netsh wlan show interfaces

Find the line in the results Radio type (Radio Type). It will be indicated there 802.11n (can be 2.4 or 5 GHz), 802.11ac (5 GHz only) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6, supports both ranges).

📊 How often do you check your Wi-Fi frequency?
Never checked
Only if there are speed problems
I monitor it regularly
I don't know what this is

2. Checking the frequency on Android and iOS

On smartphones, the default settings usually do not show the Wi-Fi frequency, but there are workarounds. Android (version 9 and later) you can use the hidden developer menu or third-party applications.

Method 1: Via the app WiFi Analyzer (recommended)

  • 📱 Install WiFi Analyzer (from farproc) from Google Play.
  • 📊 Open the tab List of access points.
  • 🔍 Find your network in the column Frequency will be indicated 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
  • 📶 Tap a network to see additional details (channel, bandwidth, signal strength).

Method 2: On iPhone (no jailbreak)

Apple hides frequency information in the standard interface, but it can be found through Wi-Fi analytics:

  1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi and connect to the network.
  2. Click on the symbol i next to the network name.
  3. Remember Router IP address (For example, 192.168.1.1).
  4. Install the application AirPort Utility (official from Apple).
  5. In the app, click Wi-Fi Scan → Scan and find your network in the column Band there will be a range.
⚠️ Note: On a non-jailbroken iPhone, you can't see the current connection frequency—only a list of available networks. If your router uses the same name for both bands (e.g., MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5G merged into MyWiFi), iPhone will automatically switch between them.

3. How to check the Wi-Fi frequency on a router

The most reliable way is to access the router's web interface. It displays not only the current band but also all wireless network settings, including channel width and standard (802.11n/ac/ax).

Instructions for most routers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, Xiaomi):

  1. Connect to the router via Wi-Fi or cable.
  2. Open your browser and enter the router's IP address (usually 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.8.1).
  3. Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or indicated on the router sticker).
  4. Go to the section Wireless network (Wireless), Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi settings.

Further the interface may differ:

Router manufacturer Path to frequency settings What to look for
TP-Link Basic → Wireless Field Band or Channel (For example, 2.4GHz (Channel 6))
ASUS Wireless → General Tabs 2.4GHz And 5GHz (if both are active)
Keenetic Wi-Fi → Hotspot Field Range (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz)
Xiaomi Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Settings Switch Frequency (May be Auto)

If the mode is specified in the settings Auto or Smart ConnectThe router automatically selects the band depending on the device. In this case, the current frequency can only be determined from the client (laptop, phone).

What should I do if my router doesn't have separate settings for 2.4 and 5 GHz?

If your router does not separate networks by range (for example, you have one network MyWiFi without suffixes _2G/_5G), then the mode is on Smart Connect or Band SteeringIn this case:

  • 🔄 The router automatically switches devices between 2.4 and 5 GHz.
  • 📱 To force a connection to 2.4 GHz, disable 5 GHz in your router settings (or vice versa).
  • 🔧 On some models (for example, ASUS RT-AX88U) you can set the range priority for specific devices by MAC address.

4. Determining the frequency via the command line (Windows/macOS/Linux)

For experienced users, there is a universal method - checking through command line or terminalThis method works on all platforms and does not require software installation.

On Windows:

netsh wlan show interfaces | findstr "Frequency"

Or for the English version:

netsh wlan show interfaces | findstr "Channel"

The results will contain a line like Channel : 6 (2.4 GHz) or Channel : 36 (5 GHz). Channels 1–14 are 2.4 GHz, and 36–165 are 5 GHz.

On macOS/Linux:

iwlist wlan0 frequency

Or for modern systems:

iw dev wlan0 info | grep "channel"

The output will indicate the current channel, which can be used to determine the range.

⚠️ Note: On Linux, the interface name may be different (e.g. wlp3s0 instead of wlan0). To find out the exact name, enter the command ip a and find the network adapter with the status UP.

Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi

Open Command Prompt/Terminal as Administrator

Enter the command for your OS

Check the output for the presence of a channel (Channel)

Compare the channel number with the band table (1-14 = 2.4 GHz, 36+ = 5 GHz)-->

5. Why the device does not see 5 GHz: common reasons

If your smartphone, TV, or printer isn't detecting a 5GHz network, the problem could be due to one of the following factors:

  • 📵 The device does not support 5 GHzFor example, old models Samsung Galaxy S3, iPhone 4S, most smart light bulbs (Xiaomi Yeelight, TP-Link Tapo) and printers (Canon MG2540) work only at 2.4 GHz.
  • 🔌 5 GHz is disabled in the router settings.Check if the access point is enabled for this range.
  • 📡 The distance to the router is too greatThe 5 GHz band has a smaller coverage area and is less able to penetrate walls.
  • 🔒 Incompatible security settingsSome devices do not support WPA3 on 5 GHz - try changing the encryption type to WPA2-PSK.
  • 🌐 Regional restrictionsIn some countries (such as Japan), 5 GHz channels may be blocked by default.

To determine if your device supports 5 GHz, check its specifications on the manufacturer's official website. For example, for smartphones, look for lines like:

  • 📱 Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5GHz) - supports both ranges.
  • 📱 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac - supports 5 GHz (letters a And ac indicate 5 GHz).
  • 📱 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n - only 2.4 GHz.

6. How to force a connection to 2.4 or 5 GHz

If the router broadcasts both networks under one name (mode Smart Connect), you can't select a range when connecting. In this case, there are two solutions:

Method 1: Separate networks in the router settings

  1. Log into your router's web interface.
  2. Go to the section Wi-Fi or Wireless network.
  3. Disable the feature Smart Connect (may be called Band Steering or Auto range selection).
  4. Give different names to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks (e.g. MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5G).
  5. Save the settings and reconnect the devices.

Method 2: Disable the unnecessary range

If you only need 2.4 GHz (for example, for a smart home), you can disable 5 GHz completely:

  • 🔌 Find the option in your router settings Enable 5GHz and uncheck the box.
  • 🔄 Reboot your router.
  • 📱 Now all devices will only connect to 2.4 GHz.
⚠️ Note: Disabling 5 GHz will reduce your maximum network speed. If performance is important to you (for example, for 4K streaming or online gaming), it's better to separate networks by name rather than disabling the band entirely.

7. Checking the frequency on Smart TVs, printers, and other devices

Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony), printers and other gadgets often don't display the Wi-Fi frequency in the interface. Here's how to find it:

On Smart TV:

  • 📺 Log in Settings → Network → Network Status.
  • 🔍 Look for lines like Frequency, Channel or Speed.
  • 📋 On Samsung TV you can click 1-2-3-4-5 on the remote control in the Wi-Fi menu to open the service menu with detailed information.

On printers (HP, Canon, Epson):

  • 🖨️ Print it out Network report or Self-Test (usually on the menu Settings → Network).
  • 📄 The report will indicate the frequency or channel.
  • 🔧 If your printer doesn't connect to 5 GHz, check if it supports this range (most budget models don't).

On gaming consoles (PS4/PS5, Xbox):

  • 🎮 Go to Settings → Network → View connection status.
  • 🔍 Details will be provided Frequency range (Frequency Band).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Wi-Fi Frequencies

Can one device use 2.4 and 5 GHz at the same time?

No, one device can only connect to one band at a time. However, some routers (with Band Steering) can automatically switch your device between 2.4 and 5 GHz to optimize speed and stability.

Which band is better for online gaming: 2.4 or 5 GHz?

For gaming it is preferable 5 GHz, as this band is less crowded and provides lower ping. However, if the router is located far away or there are many walls between it and the device, 2.4 GHz may be more stable (despite the higher ping).

Why is my 5GHz network slower than 2.4GHz?

This can happen for several reasons:

  • 📶 Weak 5 GHz signal (this range penetrates obstacles worse).
  • 🔌 Overloaded channel (check the channel load in WiFi Analyzer).
  • 🔧 Suboptimal router settings (80 MHz channel width may interfere with other networks).
  • 🖥️ Outdated Wi-Fi adapter in the device (e.g. 802.11n instead of 802.11ac).

Try changing the channel to 5 GHz in your router settings or reducing the channel width to 40 MHz.

Is it possible to increase the range of 5GHz?

The 5 GHz range is limited by physical laws, but it can be improved a little:

  • 📡 Use a router with external antennas and point them vertically.
  • 🔄 Install a repeater with 5 GHz support.
  • 🔌 Connect devices via Mesh system (For example, TP-Link Deco or Google Nest WiFi).
  • 📶 Reduce the channel width to 20 or 40 MHz (wide channels 80/160 MHz are more susceptible to interference).

However, it is impossible to completely equalize the coverage of 5 GHz with 2.4 GHz.

Which 5GHz channels are less crowded?

In the 5 GHz band, channels 36-48 and 149-165 are generally less used because they require support DFS (dynamic frequency selection). Channels 100–140 can be occupied by radar, so routers avoid them. To minimize interference, select channels manually in your router settings.

📖 Read also

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