5GHz Wi-Fi Not Showing Up [Suggested Fixes]

Having access to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network provides a blazing fast internet connection for your devices. But what’s the point of having it if it won’t show up on your device’s list of available networks? It can be even more frustrating if you can’t find the option in your router’s settings either.

If you’re struggling with this issue, you’re not alone. It’s a relatively common problem, and most people don’t know how to fix it.

In this tutorial, we’ll provide you with tips and tricks to help you fix the problem so you can get back to work or watching your favorite TV show or movie uninterrupted.

A Few Reasons Why 5GHZ Wi-Fi Might Not Show Up

There are several reasons why 5GHz Wi-Fi might not show up in your list of available networks:

• Your computer or smartphone may not be compatible with 5GHz networks.
• Your hardware, including your router, may not be compatible with 5GHz networks.
• Access to 5GHz networks may not be properly set up in your device or router.
• Your drivers may be outdated or corrupted.

How to Fix 5 GHz Wi-Fi Not Showing Up in Windows 10

It’s not always easy to find 5GHz Wi-Fi on your computer. Let’s examine several troubleshooting methods worth trying out:

Method 1: Check Whether Your Computer Supports 5GHz Wi-Fi

Before trying anything complex, you should first establish whether your computer is compatible with 5GHz networks. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Open the Run command box by pressing the Windows key + R key simultaneously. You can also do so by typing “Run” in the Windows search box located in the bottom left corner of your screen.
   
2. Type “cmd” in the Run box, this should launch Windows 10 command prompt.
   
3. Enter the following in the command prompt: netsh wlan show drivers
   After that, press Enter. if you have the correct access levels, you should see the properties of your computer’s Wi-Fi Lan driver.
   
4. Check the Radio types supported section.
   
5. You’ll most likely see one of three possible network modes as follows:
   
   1. 11g 802.11n: This shows that your computer is compatible only with 2.4GHz networks.
   2. 11n 802.11g 802.11b: This shows that your computer is compatible only with 2.4GHz networks.
   3. 11a 802.11g 802.11n: This shows your computer supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks.

If the third network mode above is present, then your computer is 5G enabled. This shows that the connection problem lies not in the network adapter of your device. It’s something to do with your settings, and you should be good to go as soon as you correct that. However, if you see one of the first two network modes, you’ll need to get an updated network adapter that supports the 5GHz bandwidth.

Method 2: Check Whether Your Wi-Fi Router Supports the 5GHz Bandwidth

To find out if your router supports the 5G bandwidth, you will have to do some research.

First, check out your router’s instructions manual. Most manufacturers will include that information somewhere in that document. Alternatively, you could check whether compatibility information is printed on the box in which the router came.

If your search is unsuccessful, the manufacturer’s official website might help. You’ll be looking for a product with the same model name as your router. Once you find it, check whether it supports 5GHz networks. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to go out and buy a new 5G-capable router.

Method 3: Enable the 802.11n Mode on Your Computer’s Wi-Fi Adapter

The other possibility is that your computer’s network adapter settings are not configured correctly. For example, the 5GHz wireless adapter mode may not be enabled. Luckily, you can quickly fix this. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + X key at the same time to launch windows Device Manager.
   
2. Now, click on Network adapters.
   
3. From the dropdown list, right-click on your wireless adapter and then click on Properties.
   
4. Select the 802.11n mode.
   
5. Within the Value dropdown menu on the right, select Enabled.
   
6. Click on Ok to save your new settings.
   

To find out whether the problem is resolved, reboot your computer and then check whether 5G is on the list of the available Wi-Fi connections.

Method 4: Set Bandwidth to 5GHz via Device Manager

If the problem persists, it might be time to set the bandwidth to 5GHz Wi-Fi using the device manager. Here are the steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X key at the same time to launch windows Device Manager.
   
2. Click on Network adapters.
   
3. Again, right-click on your wireless adapter and then click on Properties.
   
4. Click on Advanced and then select Preferred Band.
   
5. Now, within the Value dropdown menu on the right, select 5G first.
   
6. Click on Ok to save your new settings.
   

If this method still doesn’t work, you’ll need to update your Wi-Fi drivers.

Method 5: Update Your Wi-Fi Driver

Connecting to the 5GHz bandwidth is nearly impossible if your drivers are not up-to-date. Luckily, you can update them in just a few steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X key at the same time to launch windows Device Manager.
   
2. Click on Network adapters.
   
3. From the dropdown list, right-click on your wireless adapter and then click on Update driver. This should launch a new window where you’ll be prompted to choose whether to search automatically for the driver software or browse your computer.
   
4. From here, select Search automatically for drivers.
   

Once the driver has been updated successfully, you should reboot your computer and then try to connect to the internet once again using the 5GHz bandwidth.

Method 6: Update the Wi-Fi Drivers Manually

If automatic driver update doesn’t work, you could opt to do it manually, here’s how:

1. Download Wi-Fi drivers from a reliable source, such as Windowsdrivers.org.
   
2. Press the Windows + X key at the same time to launch windows Device Manager.
   
3. Now, click on Network adapters.
   
4. From the dropdown list, select right-click on the wireless adapter and then click on Update driver.
   
5. Select Browse my computer for drivers.
   
6. Navigate to the drivers downloaded and then click on Install.

How to Fix 5 GHz Wi-Fi Not Showing Up on Android

Sometimes, 5GHz connection problems are also present in Android devices. You could get stuck browsing at a snail’s pace or you can lock in 5GHz and browse at lightning-fast speeds. If your browsing is crawling along, the culprit could be anything from incorrect settings, cache buildup, or even a router that doesn’t support the 5GHz bandwidth. If you’ve encountered this problem, you might want to try out the following troubleshooting methods:

Method 1: Reboot Your Device

Sometimes not all of your phone’s preinstalled programs will come alive when you boot your device. For this reason, you should always consider rebooting as a way to solve internet configuration issues. Rebooting is as simple as pressing the power button to switch off your device and then switching it back on after a minute or two.

Method 2: Adjust Your Phone’s Settings

Here’s how to set 5GHz as your preferred bandwidth on your phone:

1. Tap on Settings.
   
2. Then, tap on Connections > Wi-Fi. It may differ on your device.
   
3. Tap on the ellipsis (three small dots in the upper right).
   
4. Tap on Advanced.
   
5. Select Wi-Fi Frequency Band.
6. Select 5GHz and save your new settings.

It’s important to note that the specific steps you need to set 5GHz as the preferred bandwidth in your smartphone will differ slightly depending on the type of device you’re using.

Method 3: Check Whether Your Wi-Fi Router Supports the 5GHz Bandwidth

When your phone can’t find the 5GHz Wi-Fi connection at your home, there’s a possibility that your router doesn’t support that frequency. But there’s only one way to find out: you need to check your router’s user manual for compatibility information. As with a PC, you could also confirm whether the router supports 5GHz networks by checking out the manufacturer’s website.

Method 4: Adjust Your Adapter Settings

The Wi-Fi adapter is the heart of your wireless device. If the correct network mode has not been set, you’ll have trouble finding a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection. With the help of a Windows PC, you can adjust the settings and lock in the right network mode.

Follow the directions shown above in the Windows section to do so.

Method 5: Factory Reset

If none of the troubleshooting options we’ve outlined works for you, the last resort is doing a factory reset of your phone. It will erase all of your data from the phone – including any improper wireless configuration or other system settings that might be hindering your Wi-Fi connection to 5GHz – and restore the original factory settings. However, you should back up your data before initiating the reset.

There’s a small chance that 5GHz won’t show even after all these tweaks. If this happens, you’ll need to contact the manufacturer of your device for help.

Enabling 5GHz Wi-Fi on an iPhone

1. Tap on Settings.

2. Tap on Wi-Fi.

3. Tap on the name of the 5G network you’d like to join. You might be prompted to enter the network’s password.

FAQs

How Do I Adjust the Settings on My Router?

1. Connect your computer to your Wi-Fi network.

2. Copy the router’s IP address and paste it into your browser.

3. Enter the default login details to sign in.

4. Navigate to the configuration page and select your preferred network.

How Far Does 5GHz Wi-Fi Reach?

Wi-Fi routers that operate on the 5GHz band can only cover one-third of the distance covered by traditional 2.4GHz bands. Routers with an output of 2.4GHz are known to reach up to 300 feet (92 meters) indoors and 150 feet (46 m) outdoors, while 5GHz routers can only reach 100 feet (30 meters) indoors and 50 feet (15 meters) outdoors.

Transform Your Browsing Experience

The 5GHz Wi-Fi network presents a great way to cut through the congestion on your 2.4 GHz band and lock in faster browsing speeds on your device. But it doesn’t always show up automatically on the list of the available networks, a situation that can be quite frustrating. Thanks to this article, you now have several troubleshooting methods that will most likely solve the problem.

Have you been having any trouble connecting your device to the 5GHz frequency? Let us know in the comments below.