One of the essential things in our lives is a Wi-Fi connection. Today, devices and routers you can find on the market have two different Wi-Fi frequencies bands. The first one is a 2.4 GHz frequency, and the second one is a 5ghz frequency band.
To start- Can 2.4 GHz devices connect to 5ghz? A 2.4 GHz device can connect to 5 GHz if the router has a dual-band. But, what to do if there is not a dual-band? Can you make 2.4 GHz devices connect to 5ghz in some other way? In this article, we will help you clear out these questions. Let’s dive right into it!
The Difference Between 2.4ghz and 5ghz
The two frequency bands, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz have many differences. The fundamental differences are speed and range.
First of all, the 2.4 GHz frequency band is used for connecting devices for low activity. This frequency band is the main, and it provides the most coverage.
For example, you can use it in your house and the area around. But, the 2.4ghz has a slower download speed and lower data rate. The device’s frequency band is switched to 2.4 GHz by default because this is the older band.
On the other hand, 5ghz is a frequency that has a shorter signal and range of coverage. Whereas the speed with this frequency band is faster and the data rate is higher. The 5 GHz is used for streaming, transferring, and downloading data.
Further, it’s important to point out that 2.4 GHz has a network speed of around 450Mbps or 600Mbps and 5ghz has a network speed of around 1300Mbps. Keep in mind that it doesn’t mean that you can increase speed if you are using the dual simultaneous router.
Moreover, devices manually switch to the preferred network. You can see which band your device is connected to in the device’s performance.
How to set your device from 2.4 GHz to 5ghz?
Today, most new devices support both frequency bands, 2.4 GHz and 5ghz. You can connect 2.4ghz devices to 5ghz only if the device supports dual-band.
On the flip side, more of today’s devices with 5ghz can keep and connect to 2.4ghz. So, you can set the band in the performances menu of the device.
On the other hand, there are some new devices, such as tablets and smartwatches. They are programmed on 5ghz and can be used only on this frequency band. If you have an older device, such as an older phone or laptop, that supports only 2.4 GHz, you need to update your wireless card with a 5ghz frequency band.
Undoubtedly, we can say that changing from 2.4ghz to 5ghz desires planning. Also, it would help if you discovered which frequency band your device switches.
Windows
If you are using Windows, you can change the 2.4ghz device to 5ghz. But first, you need to check if your computer supports 5ghz. You can check this in the “Start” menu (command prompt) and select “Run” as administrator.
There you write netsh WLAN show drivers and push Enter. You can see the values, if they are below 802.11a or 802.11ac, then your device supports 5 GHz, and you can make the change. Secondly, you need to go to the “Start” menu and find the “Device Manager.”
You need to select “View” ( ‘Show hidden devices’) and find the Network adapters list. Here, choose the Wi-Fi adapter and open the “Advanced” tab. In this tab, you should press the “Property,” and in “Value”, select “5 GHz.”
Android
If you want to set your Android device from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz, you must open your device settings menu. There is a Wi-Fi part, and in the right corner, you can see three dots and press on them.
After that, you should press “Advanced” and tap the Wi-Fi frequency band. Once you connect to 2.4 GHz in the radio band, you can switch to 5 GHz.
Mac
Switching your device from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz on a Mac is not complicated. You need to tap on the “System Preferences” on the Apple icon. Then, you should press Network and go to Advanced. You should take the 5 Ghz, put it on the top of the list, and click “OK.”
Dual Frequency Band Networking
Having the dual-frequency band provides the best results in networking. The option to control the network cards or switch the bands to your access points is the best choice.
You can use these dual bands together or separately. You can use 2.4 GHz if you browse some data on the Network. Moreover, if you are streaming some movies on Netflix, having a video call, or playing online games, you can switch to 5 GHz. So, it depends on your activity and what frequency band you will use.
If you want to switch or choose between the bands, you can make this directly on your router. First of all, you need to write the IP address 192.168.0.1 in the Internet browser. You don’t write anything in the user field, and in the password, you put admin.
After that, you can see the 802.11 band selection, and here you can choose between 2.4ghz and 5ghz. If you want to save the selected band, you need to press “Apply.”
It’s crucial to know that if you’re going to use the 5ghz frequency band, you need to use the SSID and the following password, which you can find on your modem.
Furthermore, using the dual-frequency band will provide excellent coverage and speed. This combination of 2.4ghz and 5ghz frequency bands is ideal for the new modern technology world.
Cost
According to the access points, we can say that the cost for devices using 5 GHz is higher than the devices using the 2.4 GHz band. Usually, this is a result of the fact that 5 Ghz provides better network speed and is newer on the market.
If you want to connect to it, you must update your SSID card, which can cost more than the basic modem with 2.4GHz. On the other hand, most new devices with 5 GHz support the 2.4 GHz frequency band, so additional costs are unnecessary. But, the fact is that dual frequency bands are more expensive than 2.4 GHz.
Summary
Choosing between the 2.4 GHz and 5Ghz frequency bands is not easy. There are so many pros and cons. After comparing these two frequency bands, we can conclude that they have separately good characteristics.
So, using the dual-frequency band networking is the best option. In other words, with the dual-frequency bands, you will have the SSIDs that will develop on your network list.
Also, this is the only way where you can 2.4 GHz devices connect to 5 GHz. This superb coverage and fast-speed combination are all you need for having excellent everyday or business network usage.