"Prefer 5G Wi-Fi": What is this setting and how does it work?

Have you ever noticed a mysterious option in the Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone or laptop? «Prefer 5G» (or "Prefer 5 GHz")? This feature is becoming more and more common, but few people understand its purpose or how to use it correctly. Meanwhile, choosing the wrong band between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz can dramatically impact internet speed, connection stability, and even battery life.

In this article, we will figure out what is hidden behind the term 5G Wi-Fi (not to be confused with mobile 5G!), how the option works Prefer 5G on different devices, and when it should be enabled or disabled. You'll also learn how to check if your router supports dual-band mode and what to do if your 5 GHz network keeps dropping out.

What is "Prefer 5G" in Wi-Fi and how is it different from mobile 5G?

The first thing that confuses users is the name. 5G in the context of Wi-Fi has nothing to do with fifth-generation mobile communications (which are advertised by operators like MTS or Beeline). What we're talking about here is frequency of 5 GHz, which your home router can operate on. This is one of the two main Wi-Fi bands:

• 📡 2.4 GHz — the “good old” range that all devices support, but it is overloaded and prone to interference.
• 🚀 5 GHz - a more modern range with less interference, but with a shorter signal range.

Option Prefer 5G (or "Prefer 5 GHz") forces the device automatically connect to the 5 GHz network, if available, instead of the standard 2.4 GHz. This is relevant for routers with dual range (Dual-Band), which broadcast two networks simultaneously - for example, MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5G.

It is important not to confuse this with technology. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which can operate on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Even if your router supports Wi-Fi 6, the option Prefer 5G will only apply to the choice of frequency range, not to the communication standard.

The Pros and Cons of 5GHz: When to Enable "Prefer 5G"

To understand whether you need to activate this option, let's compare the key characteristics of the two ranges:

From the table it is clear that 5 GHz wins in speed and stability, but loses in range and energy efficiency. Option Prefer 5G It should be included in the following cases:

• 🎮 You play online games or watch videos in 4K/HDR — minimal delay is important here (ping).
• 🖥️ Your device is located close to the router (in the same room or behind a thin partition).
• 📱 There are many 2.4 GHz devices on your network (smartphones, smart bulbs, cameras) that are causing interference.

And here it is turn off 5 GHz is preferred if:

• 🔋 Battery life is critical for you (for example, on a laptop while traveling).
• 🏠 The router is far away, and the 5 GHz signal is constantly “breaking”.
• 📡 You have older devices (before 2015) that do not support 5 GHz.

How to enable or disable "Prefer 5G" on different devices

Let's look at step-by-step instructions for the most popular platforms. Let's start with Android, where this setting is most often hidden in the developer options.

📱 Android (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, etc.)

On most smartphones, this option is hidden in the developer menu. To activate it:

1. Open Settings → About phone.
2. Find the item Build number and tap on it 7 times until the notification “You are now a developer” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu and select System → Developer Options (or For developers).
4. Scroll down to the section Net and find the option Prefer 5G Wi-Fi or Prefer the 5 GHz band.
5. Turn on the switch and reconnect to the network.

On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi) this option may be called Wi-Fi frequency band with a choice Auto/5 GHz preferred.

Make sure your router supports 5GHz|Check that 5G is visible in the list of available networks|Disable your VPN (it may interfere with the connection)|Reboot your router before testing-->

💻 Windows 10 and 11

In Microsoft operating systems, the setting Prefer 5G is absent at the OS level, but it can be emulated through network priority:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Managing known networks.
3. Find the network with the suffix in the list _5G (For example, HomeWiFi_5G) and click on it.
4. Select Properties and check the box Connect automatically.
5. For 2.4 GHz network (HomeWiFi_2G) uncheck this box.

Now Windows will try to connect to 5 GHz first, and if that fails, to 2.4 GHz.

🖥️ macOS (MacBook, iMac)

There is no direct option on Apple devices Prefer 5G, but the system automatically selects the optimal range. If you need to force 5 GHz:

1. Open System Preferences → Network → Wi-Fi → Advanced.
2. On the list Preferred networks move the network from _5G in first place.
3. Remove or move down the 2.4 GHz network.

What if the "Prefer 5G" option is missing?

On some devices (especially budget ones), this feature may be blocked by the manufacturer. In this case, the only options are to manually connect to a 5G network or purchase a router with this technology. Band Steering, which itself distributes devices across ranges.

Why 5 GHz May Perform Worse Than 2.4 GHz: Common Problems and Solutions

Many users include Prefer 5G, expecting miracles, but encounter connection drops or slow speeds. Let's look at the main reasons:

⚠️ Attention: If your router is older than 2018, it may be using an outdated standard. 802.11n 5 GHz, which offers speeds no higher than 300 Mbps—comparable to 2.4 GHz. In this case, the preference for 5 GHz becomes pointless.

📶 Problem 1: Weak 5 GHz signal

The 5 GHz band has poorer penetration through walls and furniture. Solutions:

• 📍 Move the router to the center of the apartment or closer to the device.
• 🔄 Change the channel in the router settings (for example, from 36 on 48 or 149).
• 🛠️ Install repeater (repeater) with 5 GHz support or Mesh system.

⚡ Problem 2: Low speed despite 5 GHz

If the speed on 5 GHz is not different from 2.4 GHz, check:

• 🔧 Router settings: channel width should be 40 MHz or 80 MHz (and not 20 MHz).
• 📊 Channel load: use the app Wi-Fi Analyzer (Android) or NetSpot (Windows/macOS) to search for a free channel.
• 🔄 Wi-Fi standard: if the router supports it Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), please update the firmware.

🔌 Problem 3: The device does not see the 5 GHz network

If there is no option in the list of available networks _5G:

• 🔍 Make sure your router is broadcasting 5 GHz (there may be a separate switch in the settings) Enable 5GHz).
• 📱 Check if your device supports 5 GHz (for example, older smartphones on Mediatek MT6572 or laptops before 2012 - no).
• 🔄 Reboot your router and device.

How to configure your router for optimal 5 GHz performance

Even if you turned it on Prefer 5G On the device, the router also needs to be configured correctly. Here are the key parameters to pay attention to (the instructions are universal for TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik and others):

1. Selecting a channel and width

Go to the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and find the section Wireless → 5GHz Settings. Install:

• Channel Width: 80 MHz (if there are few networks nearby) or 40 MHz (if there is interference).
• Channel: select manually (eg. 36, 40, 44, 48 (for Russia). Automatic selection is often wrong.

2. Transmission power

In some routers (for example, ASUS RT-AX88U) there is a setting Tx Power (transmission power). For 5 GHz, the recommended value is 75–100%, but if the network is “breaking”, try to reduce it to 50% - this will reduce interference.

3. Separate names for ranges (SSID)

If the router broadcasts one network for 2.4 and 5 GHz (technology Smart Connect), disable it and set different names, for example:

• MyWiFi_2G — for 2.4 GHz,
• MyWiFi_5G — for 5 GHz.

This will allow you to manually select a range and test the speed.

4. Firmware update

Outdated firmware may limit speeds to 5 GHz. Check the version in the section Administration → Firmware Upgrade and update if necessary.

⚠️ Attention: Channel settings and transmission power may be regulated by the laws of your country. In Russia, the following channels are permitted: 36–64 And 100–140 without a license, but in some countries (eg Japan) additional channels are available.

Speed ​​Test: How to Know if "Prefer 5G" is Working

To make sure the option Prefer 5G It really improves the connection, do a simple test:

1. Connect to a 2.4 GHz network and measure the speed on the website Speedtest or in the app Ookla.
2. Turn on Prefer 5G and connect to a 5 GHz network. Repeat the measurement.
3. Compare not only the download speed (download), but also ping (latency) - this is critical for games and video calls.

Example of results on Samsung Galaxy S22 (router ASUS RT-AX58U, tariff 500 Mbit/s):

If the speed difference is less than 20–30%, check your router settings—it may be limiting 5 GHz bandwidth.

Alternatives to "Prefer 5G": When is it better to use other solutions?

Option Prefer 5G — is not a panacea. In some cases, it's better to use other optimization methods:

• 🔄 Band Steering (in routers): automatically distributes devices across bands based on signal strength. Works better than manual selection.
• 📡 Mesh systems (For example, TP-Link Deco or Google Nest Wi-Fi): create a single network with smooth switching between 2.4 and 5 GHz.
• 🔌 Powerline adapters: If 5 GHz doesn't reach the far room, transmit the Internet through electrical wiring.

If your router does not support Band Steering, but you want automation, you can use third-party firmware like DD-WRT or OpenWRT (for experienced users).

⚠️ Attention: Third-party firmware may void your router's warranty and cause instability. Before installing, make a backup copy of the original firmware.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about "Prefer 5G Wi-Fi"

🔍 Why has my internet become slower after enabling "Prefer 5G"?

This can happen for several reasons:

• Your router automatically switched you to a congested 5 GHz channel. Check channel congestion in the app. Wi-Fi Analyzer and select a free one manually.
• The channel width is set to 20 MHz - change to 40 MHz or 80 MHz.
• The device is at the edge of the 5 GHz coverage area, and the signal is constantly breaking. Try returning it. Prefer 5G in a state Auto.

📱 How do I know which band (2.4 or 5 GHz) my device is connected to?

On Android:

1. Install the application Wi-Fi Analyzer or Network Analyzer.
2. Open the tab Connection — the frequency will be indicated there (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).

On Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt (Win + R → cmd).
2. Enter the command:

   netsh wlan show interfaces

3. Find the line Channel - if the number is greater than 14, it is 5 GHz.

🖧 Is it possible to enable "Prefer 5G" on iPhone?

There is no direct option on Apple devices Prefer 5G, but the system automatically selects the optimal range. If you need to force 5 GHz:

1. Forget the 2.4 GHz network in your Wi-Fi settings.
2. Connect only to the network with the suffix _5G.

iOS aggressively optimizes power consumption, so it can automatically switch to 2.4 GHz even if the 5 GHz signal is weaker.

🔧 What should I do if my router isn't broadcasting 5 GHz?

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔌 If your router is older than 2010, it likely doesn't support 5 GHz. Check the model on the manufacturer's website.
• ⚙️ The 5 GHz band is disabled in the router settings. Go to the web interface and find this option. Enable 5GHz or Wireless Mode (should be 802.11a/n/ac/ax).
• 📡 Your country has restricted 5 GHz channels. For example, in Russia, you can't use these channels. 120–128 without a license.

🎮 How does "Prefer 5G" affect online gaming?

For games, two parameters are critical: ping (delay) and connection stabilityThe 5 GHz band typically provides:

• ✅ Lower ping (by 10-50 ms compared to 2.4 GHz).
• ✅ Less interference from other devices.
• ❌ Risk of interruptions if the signal is weak.

Recommendation: Use Prefer 5G for gaming, but make sure the signal level is not lower -60 dBm (checked in Wi-Fi Analyzer).