How To Tell if My Computer Can Connect to 5 GHz

According to statistics, there are more than five billion internet users worldwide. For domestic users, 5 GHz provides the fastest speed with minimum interference. To get this luxury, your computer should be 5 GHz supported. However, most people can’t tell if their computer can connect to 5 GHz.

5 GHz is a short-range networking system that operates in a five-gigahertz radio band. The system has been around since 1999, but it rose to popularity after the release of home routers in 2009. The home networks primarily use 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. The 2.4 GHz band gets crowded and provides low speeds. 

So, 5 GHz is the way to go for a home network. After reading this article, you can determine if your computer can support 5GHz.

How To Tell if My Computer Can Connect to 5GHz

The compatibility of your computer with 5GHz depends upon your radio line type. The radio line connects two devices at fixed positions through electromagnetic waves using radio frequencies.

The main line used for Local Area Networks is 802.11. It includes a set of technological standards by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). These standards describe the design and internet communication of wireless devices. All the devices are regulated under these protocols.

The sub-families of 802.11 determine the internet capability of your network. The protocol 802.11 governs access to 5GHz bandwidth internet. The operating system used by most people is Windows 7 or above. 

Here, we shall explain the procedure to tell if a computer can connect to 5 GHz on these operating systems. It involves the following steps.

Step #1: Open the Run Dialog Box

On your keyboard, press the Windows + R keys. It will direct you to run the dialogue box.

Step #2: Type “cmd” To Open a Command Prompt

In the dialogue box, type “cmd” and press Enter. It will open the Command Prompt window.

Step #3: Enter “netsh wlan show drivers”

Write netsh wlan show drivers on the Command Prompt window and press the Enter key to execute the command. The system will start analyzing the networking capabilities of your device. After that, the computer generates a report.

Make sure to write it correctly so the computer can recognize it and work accordingly. An incorrect command will only be a waste of time.

Step #4: Enter “Find Radio Supported Line”

In the generated computer report, locate the radio-supported line. This line determines the network adaptability of your system. 

There can be three scenarios while reading these lines.

• If the radio-supported line shows 802.11g and 802.11n network modes, your PC only supports 2.4 GHz capacity. It is the necessary bandwidth; all wireless systems have it in default settings.
• If radio supported line displays 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n network modes along with other modes, then your PC has 2.4 GHz. There is no room for advanced technology. 
• If the radio-supported line displays 802.11a, 802.11g, and 802.11n, your computer has 2.4 and 5 GHz capabilities. In other words, your computer can connect with 5 Hz. You can enjoy fast Internet with no hiccups and minimum downtime.

The Bottom Line

5 GHz is the ideal networking system for domestic users. It provides fast internet speed with no interference over a short range. If you are performing online activities requiring high bandwidth, such as gaming and design software, we recommend using 5 GHz. For that, you first determine whether your device can connect to 5 GHz or not.

To find that, press the Windows key + R to open a run dialogue box. Type “cmd” in it to access the Command Prompt. Enter netsh wlan show drivers in the Command Prompt to see the network capability report. In the report, look for radio types supported lines. If the line displays 802.11a, your network can connect to 5GHz.

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