Solved My laptop can't access the 5.0 GHz band in its usual location


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BruceUK

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I have a new laptop, which I use plugged in and in a different room from my Wifi router. I've discovered that it is using the 2.4 GHz band with a speed of only 144/144. If I switch it on in the same room as the router, it uses the 5.0 GHz band with a much higher speed, and keeps that band if I then bring it back (while still switched on) to its usual location!

Is there any way I can make it use the 5.0 band when switched on in its normal location? Any suggestions gratefully received!
 
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Go into the WiFi adapter settings and check for a setting called "Preferred band". Set this to 5GHz.
 

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Most routers allow you to split 2.4 and 5 GHZ band as separate SSIDs.

Then connect to 5GHZ SSID setting auto connection.

You may need to forget 2.4GHZ connection.
 

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This tutorial may help to set which Wi-Fi band is "preferred"--> Change Wi-Fi Network Connection Priority Order in Windows 11 Tutorial

However, since this is radio, one must consider the environment's effect on radio propagation through the walls, surfaces, et cetera in your home. The 2.4 GHz band will penetrate walls and go further in distance than the 5GHz band signal.

It can be helpful to use a wi-fi signal strength application to determine what is going on in your environment. Look in the Microsoft Store for Wi-Fi Analyzer. This tool can provide a diagram of the radio signal fabric within your home.

Hope this helps.
 

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Thanks for all the suggestions. In fact when I switched the laptop on this morning, I found it's using the 5 GHz band! So I'm quite puzzled. Can it vary from day to day, depending on prevailing environmental factors?
 

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Yes, environmental factors regarding radio signal can vary from day to day. One other thing to mention is that some home routers actually have a setting which allows the client device, in tandem with the routers RF signal strength readings, to select the most appropriate radio band based upon what is best at the time. This setting is known as "Smart Connect" on my router (see image). One can enable or disable this behavior as desired.
 

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If you're keen on using only 5Ghz band - you can even prioritize 2.4 Ghz

Win + R > ncpa.cpl

Right Click on Wi-Fi -> Properties -> Configure -> Advanced and set 802 11a/b/g Wireless Mode -> 5 Ghz 802 11a (instead of Dual Band - which is Default)

You could also set it as priority: Preferred Band - > 5 Ghz Band

5 Ghz obviously has higher speeds - but not as good as 2.4 Ghz in terms of coverage (especially if you have thick walls and you move to a different room - than the one where the Rooter is in). If you can access the Router (if it's private that is - or depends on ISP) - you can also increase the Strength of the Signal (tho, depends where you life - if in an apartment - i wouldn't recommend it, if in a house with a large enough yard/distance from your neighbors - then sure). Modern routers also come with features like Beamforming+ which can help in this regard as well.
 

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Thanks for your suggestions, but I'm afraid my router doesn't have the features you are describing!

Also I can't find any option called 'Preferred band' in the settings.
 

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Windows 1116 GBIntel
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Windows 11
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BruceUK said:
Also I can't find any option called 'Preferred band' in the settings.
Click to expand...
That setting is not a router setting. It is a setting for the WiFi adapter itself.
 

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BruceUK said:
Thanks for your suggestions, but I'm afraid my router doesn't have the features you are describing!

Also I can't find any option called 'Preferred band' in the settings.
Click to expand...
You have to go to device manager, click on network settings for your network card and the on properties you can change network properties accordingly.

Anyway as I said earlier, your laptop behaviour is typical of a router that uses smart wifi as it always tries to select strongest signal. However the strongest signal is not always the fastest.

Most routers have the ability to send separate SSIDs for the 5 and 2.4 GHZ bands.

I always turn off smart wifi (I call it thick as a plank wifi), separate the ssids, then auto connect to 5GHZ only. I do not enter a password for 2.4 ghz on laptop, so my pc always connects to 5GHZ band.

This is easier than messing around with network settings which are not always as effective as one would like.
 

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Yep, got one
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Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
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Built in UK keybd
Mouse
Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
Internet Speed
900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

Macrium Reflect Home V8
Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
OK, I found the 'Preferred band' setting for the Wifi adapter. It's currently set to 'No preference' with options to change it to '5 GHz first' or '2.4 GHz first'. I've kept it at 'No preference' for now but at least I know how to set the other options if necessary. My laptop is using the 5 GHz band again this morning so I'll continue to monitor my website access speeds.

Thanks for all your help, guys. :-)
 

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Windows 1116 GBIntel
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BruceUK said:
OK, I found the 'Preferred band' setting for the Wifi adapter. It's currently set to 'No preference' with options to change it to '5 GHz first' or '2.4 GHz first'. I've kept it at 'No preference' for now but at least I know how to set the other options if necessary. My laptop is using the 5 GHz band again this morning so I'll continue to monitor my website access speeds.

Thanks for all your help, guys. :-)
Click to expand...
Remember, that setting is merely a preference. It in no way limits the ability to connect to the other band. It simply says that if both bands are available, then give preference to the band you select.
 

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I have discovered that in some routers and access points setting the country to EU automatically limits the signal strength due probably to some regulations. If you lie and set it to USA then it gives you the maximum possible signal. Also performance is affected by the wireless drivers. Have you updated the drivers from manufacturer's site? If you just let Windows Update take care of it, then a less appropriate driver can limit performance. I always prefer the official driver in all my devices to maximize performance and compatibility. I never trust Windows Update to update them.
 

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    OS
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)Intel i7-1255U16 GBIntel Iris Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
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