If you are troubleshooting your wireless network, you may wonder why your router is not showing 5G. The best routers, after all, should easily connect to both 2.4GHz bands and 5GHz bands. Keep reading to troubleshoot this common problem.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- If your 5GHz connection is not showing up, make sure you are using a gadget that supports 5G, looking under wireless settings
- Also, restart your router and download any necessary updates, such as firmware, and look over network modes.
- Contact your ISP and make sure your WiFi router is a dual-band model that allows for a 5GHz connection. Do the same for any network adapters and wireless adapters.
Why Do Routers Not Show 5G Connections?
There are many reasons why a router may not show a 5GHz connection, so you’ll have to do some troubleshooting, though these steps will not be as intensive as, say, learning how to enable DHCP on a router.
Check for Support
The first thing to do is to check your router to ensure it supports the 5GHz band. Look over the instructions and the router itself, checking for terms such as “dual-band.” Occasionally routers are sold as being dual-band models but in actuality, they are just 2.4GHz band models. Once you have verified that your router has been designed to support 5G, you can move on to the next troubleshooting step.
Check Your Device
Not all devices support a 5GHz connection. keep in mind, that this is different than LTE routers. Some older smartphones, gaming consoles, smart appliances, and many other gadgets are completely tied to the 2.4GHz connection. So, in other words, it could be your device and not your router. Simply try another device, such as a modern smartphone or computer, before trying something drastic like learning how to cascade routers, or deleting a WiFi network, or even limiting data usage on a router.
Check the Modem
The issue could lay not with your router, but with your modem. In other words, you may not have an active Internet connection at all. Test this by plugging something directly into the modem via an Ethernet port to look for an Internet connection. If everything goes swimmingly, you’ll have to head back to your router for further troubleshooting.
Insider Tip
When in doubt, always restart the router, as this ends up solving a lot of potential problems. You can do this even without downloading and installing new firmware.
Contact Your ISP
There could be something wrong with your 5GHz band and your Internet service provider may have the answer. Give them a call and ask about any issues with 5GHz connections in your area.
Download Firmware and Restart
When all fails, look for a firmware update, install it, and restart the router. Keep the router unplugged for around a minute before powering it back on. After the firmware has successfully been installed, try to connect to your wireless network via a 5GHz connection.
F.A.Q.S
How to fix Ethernet not working issues on Windows 10 and 7?
This depends on your computer. Try to type cmd and enter the settings menu, looking for network modes, network adapter settings, and any settings related to the 5GHz network or 5ghZ Wi-Fi.
What is the difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi?
This refers to bands and radio types. 2.4GHz is an older wireless standard, while 5GHz is a newer wireless channel. A modern WiFi router should connect to both without the need for a WiFi adapter.
How to enable 5GHz Wi-Fi on your laptop?
The process of connecting with a 5GHz network to enable 5GHz Wi-Fi on a laptop will depend on its make and model.
STAT: Intermittent extender connections to the 5GHz wireless band can be caused by improper placement. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Routers/5G-Stopped-appearing-on-my-devices-as-an-available-network-5g/td-p/1643239
- https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-fix-5ghz-wifi-not-showing-up-in-windows-10/6816f4d1-9886-472a-9568-4ff6be7f6d66
- https://support.flashrouters.com/troubleshooting/wifi-connectivity/my-5-0ghz-network-is-not-showing-up/r
- https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2989/
- https://kb.netgear.com/25057/NETGEAR-Range-Extender-is-not-detecting-the-5GHz-wireless-band-of-the-NETGEAR-router-or-the-5GHz-connection-is-intermittent
