The most common Wi-Fi bands used by routers are 2.4GHz and 5GHz. While most computers readily detect both of these bands, some may fail to detect a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection.
So, if your router’s 5GHz connection is not showing up on your computer, here are some fixes you can try to eliminate the problem once and for all.
Why is Windows 11 showing no 5GHz Wi-Fi connection?
The 5GHz band provides higher speeds and lets you connect more devices. But sometimes, Windows 11 may fail to detect 5GHz Wi-Fi connection. This is mainly due to the following reasons.
Now that you know all the primary culprits behind this problem let’s dive into working fixes.
1. Make sure your computer supports the 5GHz Wi-Fi band
Before going into advanced troubleshooting, make sure that your computer is compatible with 5GHz connections. As it turns out, if your device doesn’t support the 5GHz band, it has no chance of detection.
If this section shows both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, it indicates that your computer is compatible with the 5GHz band. But if it only shows 2.4GHz, it means that your device does not support 5GHz connection.
If the radio type shows 802.11a 802.11g 802.11n, your computer is compatible with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections. But if it shows 802.11g 802.11n or 802.11n 802.11g 802.11b as available network modes, then your device only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band.
2. Restart your router
If there is something wrong with your router, your computer may fail to detect the 5GHz connection. Restarting the router is the best way you can try to get rid of most network issues, including this one. So, check out our guide on how to restart your router and check if that makes a difference.
3. Manually Enable the 5GHz Wi-Fi Band
Windows lets you manually enable or disable the 5GHz Wi-Fi band on your computer. You can do this with the help of Device Manager.
4. Disable and re-enable the Wi-Fi adapter
A Wi-Fi adapter is an important component that allows your device to connect to a network. Sometimes a temporary glitch with the Wi-Fi adapter can prevent Windows from recognizing a particular band.
That’s it. Now check if your computer is showing 5GHz connection.
5. Run Internet Connection Troubleshooter
Windows 11 comes with various troubleshooters that you can use to get rid of most system-level problems. If the problem is caused by an issue with your network adapter, you can run the Internet Connection Troubleshooter.
The troubleshooter will scan your network adapter for problems. If it finds any, follow the on-screen instructions to apply the recommended fixes.
6. Download the Latest Network Driver Updates
If you last updated the network driver a long time ago then you might be facing this problem. To download the latest network driver update on your computer, follow the steps below.
Windows will now find and download the latest network driver updates to your computer. After that, restart your device and check for the issue.
7. Reset TCP/IP and Flush DNS Cache
The next solution on the list is to reset TCP/IP and then flush the DNS cache.
Reboot your computer after executing the above command.
Get faster transfer speeds with a 5GHz connection
There’s nothing more frustrating than having to settle for 2.4GHz if you know your computer is compatible with 5GHz connections. The problem is mainly caused by corruption in the network adapter. Luckily, you can fix the problem quickly by following the solutions.
But in the worst case scenario, if the problem persists, you may want to consider resetting your network settings.
Network problem is terrible because you can’t be online to check for help. Everyone knows the infuriating scene of no connection, followed by hasty troubleshooting to isolate the problem.
We’ve shared simple steps to diagnose network issues and the best tools to help with networking problems. If you still can’t figure out your problem after applying that advice, there’s a new Windows 10 feature that can help you get a fresh start.
Of course, you shouldn’t use this solution until you’ve tried everything else. This option is great if your networking settings are in a mess that can’t be fixed, but chances are you can fix your connection problems in a somewhat less drastic way.
Performing this reset doesn’t remove as much as a full Windows reset, so you won’t lose much. But if you can’t figure out your problem and don’t want to spend time troubleshooting, this reset quickly cuts the solution.