It has happened to us: you turn on your computer or mobile and, when you expect to connect to the 5 GHz Wi -Fi to enjoy that extra speed that promises with respect to the 2.4GHz band, the network does not appear anywhere. This problem, although frustrating, is more common than it seems, and often has simpler solutions than you imagine. We are going to talk about the most common causes and, above all, how to solve them so you can make your connection to the fullest.
Have you ever wondered why your 5 GHz Wi -Fi network does not appear just when you need it most? This problem is quite common, and it is not a problem of your Wi-Fi customers, but the router you use and how your firmware is scheduled to manage the 5GHz band channels.
Why does the Wi -Fi 5 GHz network take to appear?
Although the 5GHz Wi -Fi is ideal for rapid and stable connections, it is not exempt from problems. This frequency offers more speed, but has a more limited range and is more sensitive to obstacles such as thick walls or interference from other devices. The main reason why your Wi -Fi customers are not able to detect the network, is for the router and how it manages the DFS channels (Dynamic Freuency Selection).
The 5GHz band is shared with meteorological and even military radars, this makes most channels in this band have the DFS functionality. The regulations require that, if the router detects a radar around, I automatically stop broadcasting in the 5GHz band in that specific channel, and another interference is automatically changed to avoiding such interference. Routers manufacturers have implemented different ways to avoid these interference:
- There are routers that need up to 10 minutes to broadcast in the 5GHz band, depending on the channel and channel width configuration. For this reason, since we turn on the router until the 5GHz band is available, they can pass up to 10 minutes.
- Other Wi-Fi routers have the Zero-Wait DFS function, this function allows you to broad Around, then they already use any DFS channel with the 80MHz or 160MHz channel width.
Once the Wi-Fi router is in operation, if a radar is detected, it will automatically change to the channels that are not DFS, that is, the network should not disappear and wait for the corresponding 10 minutes.
Of course, we must also take into account other reasons why the 5GHz network does not appear to connect:
- Device compatibility: Not all devices admit 5 GHz networks. For example, some old or laptops with outdated network adapters are not prepared for this frequency.
- Router configuration: Sometimes, the 5 GHz band is not activated in the router or is not correctly configured. This can happen after a reset of the device or a firmware update.
- Interferences and scope: If you are too far from the router, the 5 GHz signal can be too weak to appear on your list of available networks.
- Deturred controllers: In computers, network controllers must be updated to guarantee a stable connection. If they are not, problems with the detection of networks may arise.
Practical solutions to recover your 5 GHz wifi
The first is not to panic. These types of problems usually have a quick and effective solution. The most normal thing is that, after 10 minutes since the router has been restarted, let’s start to see the 5GHz network without problems, if this does not work and you still can see it, here are some recommendations that can help you:
- Check the compatibility of your device: if you do not see the 5 GHz network at any time, verify that your device supports it. On a computer, you can do it by executing the «Netsh Wlan Show drivers» command from the Windows terminal. If “802.11ac” or “802.11n” appears among the options, you will need an updated network adapter.
- Configure your router correctly: Access the router configuration panel (normally introducing 192,168.1.1 in your browser). Make sure the 5GHz band is enabled and select an optimal channel to avoid interference and DFS. In some models, this configuration is in the “Advanced” or “Dual Band” section.
- Come to the router: If the problem is the distance, try to approach the router with the device. Remember that the frequency of 5 GHz has less scope than 2.4 GHz, so the closer you are, the better the connection will be.
- Update the controllers of your network adapter: In the case of computers, look for your network adapter and select the option to update the controller. If this does not work, download the latest version from the official website of the manufacturer.
- Restart your router and your devices: it looks like a simple solution, but many times a restart of both the router and the device can solve connection problems.
Some final tips to optimize your wifi connection
If you have already achieved that your 5 GHz network appears and works, here are some tricks to get the most out of it:
- Avoid saturating the router: if you have many connected devices, consider prioritizing the most important in router configuration.
- Use a wifi repeater or extensor: if your house is large or have thick walls. This will help you improve coverage in remote areas.
- Keep your updated router: firmware updates not only improve security, but also optimize performance.
With these steps, you can enjoy a quick and stable connection on your 5 GHz Wi -Fi network. If you still have problems, contact your Internet provider to rule out service failures. And remember, a good configuration and adequate maintenance are key to avoiding these headaches in the future.
