How to Force 5GHz WiFi on Windows 11
Getting Windows 11 to connect to a 5GHz WiFi network can sometimes feel like trying to crack the Papunya code. It sounds straightforward, but coaxing that faster speed you’re after can take a bit of fiddling. This isn’t just for tech whizzes; it can seriously change the game if your connection’s acting up and dragging you down. Here’s how to nudge your PC to pick that speedy 5GHz band when it’s around.
First things first, open up the Device Manager. Right-click on the Start button—yeah, that one—and select “Device Manager.” It’s basically where all your hardware lives. Don’t stress if it looks a bit intimidating; it’s just a list, kinda like your Netflix queue but less fun.
Next up, look for “Network adapters.” Sometimes it’s already expanded, but if not, give that little arrow next to it a click. This is where the WiFi magic happens. Find your WiFi adapter; it might say “Intel Dual Band Wireless” or something similar. Make sure you grab the right one — no one wants to wrestle with the wrong device.
Right-click on your WiFi adapter and select “Properties.” Now you’re in the spot where some settings can make all the difference. It might seem a bit overwhelming—lots of tabs and options like a menu on a pizza. But don’t worry; we’re after the good stuff.
Head over to the “Advanced” tab. Here’s where it gets a tad nerdy. You’ll see all sorts of options that often sound like they come from a sci-fi flick. Look for something like “Preferred Band.” If it’s there, great! Change it to “5GHz” or “Prefer 5GHz.” Think of it as installing a speed limit sign for your internet. After that, click OK or Apply—that button’s hiding in plain sight, of course. A quick reboot will make sure the change sticks, because Windows can be a bit temperamental sometimes.
While you’re at it, check that your network profile is set to play nice with 5GHz too. Head over to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, select your network, and make sure “Connect automatically” is toggled on. To be extra sure, run this in your Command Prompt:
netsh wlan show profilesThis shows your WiFi profiles. If you want to be really picky about the 5GHz preference, you might need to tweak your router settings or create a new WiFi profile altogether.
If things are still sluggish, updating your WiFi driver is a good shout. Sometimes manufacturers roll out new features or support for faster bands. Grab the driver from their website or check for updates via:
Settings > Windows Update > Check for updatesOne last thing: double-check that your router actually supports 5GHz. Some folks assume because their device lists the bands, it’s good to go — but not every gadget can handle that 5GHz firepower. And if you’re far from your router, that signal can play hide and seek, which can be a pain.
If “Preferred Band” isn’t an option, your WiFi adapter might not be top-notch. Updating the driver might help, but sometimes it’s just time to upgrade. A proper dual-band adapter can really make a difference.
And remember, if forcing 5GHz still feels slow, it could be due to distance or network congestion. Sometimes, just moving a few metres closer can get things humming nicely—who knew WiFi involved a bit of geometry?
If none of these tricks work out and your PC isn’t feeling the 5GHz love, don’t freak out. It’ll still fall back to 2.4GHz when the signal’s weak, so you’re not totally stranded.
To sum it up, here’s the quick rundown of making Windows 11 favour 5GHz:
1. Open Device Manager.
2. Find Network Adapters.
3. Right-click your WiFi adapter and pick Properties.
4. Head over to Advanced Settings.
5. Set Preferred Band to 5GHz (if that option’s there).
6. Keep your network settings fresh or update if needed.
Checklist to give it a go:
- Open Device Manager like a pro.
- Locate Network Adapters and get familiar.
- Experiment with the Properties settings.
- Restart and hope for a speed boost.
Just a few tweaks can make a real difference. And if even one person out there nabs faster WiFi thanks to this, it’s a win. Happy browsing, mate!