Why is my 2.4GHz not working but 5GHz is?

Answered by Randy McIntyre

There could be several reasons why your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network is not working while the 5 GHz network is functioning properly. One possible reason is that your device may have a setting that is preventing it from connecting to 2.4 GHz networks. This setting, often found in newer devices, is meant to optimize Wi-Fi performance by utilizing only the faster 5 GHz band. However, this means that your device will not be able to connect to the slower 2.4 GHz band.

To check if this setting is enabled on your device, you can follow these steps:

1. Go to the settings menu on your device. This can usually be found by swiping down from the top of the screen (on mobile devices) or by clicking on the Start button and then selecting the gear icon (on computers).
2. Look for the Wi-Fi or Network settings. It may be labeled differently depending on your device.
3. Within the Wi-Fi or Network settings, you should see an option to manage or configure your Wi-Fi connections. Click on this option.
4. Look for a setting that mentions 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz. It may be labeled as “Preferred Band” or “Network Mode.”
5. If you find this setting, check if it is set to 5 GHz only. If it is, you can try changing it to “Auto” or “Both Bands” to allow your device to connect to both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.

It’s worth noting that some devices, particularly older ones, may not support the 5 GHz band at all. In such cases, you won’t be able to connect to 5 GHz networks regardless of the settings on your device.

Another reason why your 2.4 GHz network may not be working could be due to interference. The 2.4 GHz band is more susceptible to interference from other devices such as cordless phones, microwave ovens, and Bluetooth devices. If you have any of these devices near your Wi-Fi router, try moving them away or turning them off temporarily to see if it improves the performance of your 2.4 GHz network.

Additionally, the range of the 2.4 GHz band is typically better than the 5 GHz band. If you are experiencing connectivity issues with your 2.4 GHz network, it could be due to a weak signal. Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or consider adding a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system to improve the coverage in your home or office.

In some cases, the issue may not lie with your device or network settings but rather with the router itself. If you have access to the router’s settings, you can try restarting it or performing a factory reset, which will restore the router to its default settings. However, be aware that performing a factory reset will erase any customizations you have made to the router’s settings, so make sure to note down any important configurations beforehand.

If your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network is not working while the 5 GHz network is functioning properly, it could be due to a setting on your device that is preventing it from connecting to 2.4 GHz networks. You can check and adjust this setting in your device’s Wi-Fi or Network settings. Other potential causes include interference from other devices and a weak signal. By troubleshooting these issues and making necessary adjustments, you should be able to resolve the problem and regain connectivity to your 2.4 GHz network.