How to Change Preferred Band for Wi-Fi adapter in Windows 11
This tutorial will show you how to change the preferred band (6GHz, 5GHz, or 2.4GHz) for your Wi-Fi adapter in Windows 11.
Open Settings, navigate to Network & internet, then Wi-Fi, and click Hardware properties. Select Edit under More adapter options, click Configure, go to the Advanced tab, and choose your preferred band from the Value dropdown.
Why Change Your Wi-Fi Band?
You may want to change your Wi-Fi band in Windows 11 because the automatic setting doesn’t always choose the fastest connection. Windows usually picks the strongest signal, but that’s not always the quickest one. Sometimes it defaults to the older 2.4GHz band instead of a faster 5GHz or 6GHz option.
When you connect to a Wi-Fi network that offers multiple frequency bands (like 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz), Windows automatically connects to the one with the strongest signal. However, this isn’t always the best choice. You might end up connected to the slower 2.4GHz band instead of a faster 5GHz or 6GHz band.
Setting a preferred Wi-Fi band tells your Windows 11 adapter which frequency to prioritize. This can boost your internet speed and connection stability, for instance, by ensuring it uses the 5GHz band over the slower 2.4GHz band when both are available, especially during video streaming.
Preferred Wi-Fi band settings do not guarantee a device will always connect to the chosen band. Only one of the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands can be preferred. To ensure a device uses a specific Wi-Fi band, users must configure their Wi-Fi router to broadcast only individual bands, not combined multiband signals. This allows direct connection to a specific network name associated with the desired band.
Understanding the Three Bands
2.4GHz
The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band offers speeds up to 100 Mbps and uses older technology. This band provides a longer wireless range and passes through walls better than newer bands, but the limited number of channels can slow down speeds.
The 2.4 GHz band can typically deliver speeds up to 100 Mbps. Though it uses older technology and is slower than the 5 GHz band, it offers the longest wireless range and better penetration through walls.
5GHz
The 5 GHz Wi-Fi band offers faster internet speeds, potentially up to 1 Gbps, because it uses wider and more channels than the 2.4 GHz band. While the 5 GHz band gives you more speed, some 5 GHz channels can get interference from weather or radar, which might stop you from always getting the fastest speeds.
5 GHz can deliver up to 1 Gbps.
6GHz
The 6 GHz Wi-Fi band is the newest and fastest option, offering speeds up to 2 Gbps. This band is only on newer devices that support Wi-Fi 6E. It offers the highest possible speeds and uses the latest technology for wireless connections.
6 GHz can deliver up to 2 Gbps.
Reference:
2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz vs. 6 GHz: What's the Difference? - Intel We examine the differences between 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequencies and which is best suited to different scenarios.
Option 1Change Preferred Band Using Settings
To ensure faster Wi-Fi speeds, you can adjust your adapter's preferred band in Windows 11 using the Settings app. Press Win+I to open Settings, then go to Network & internet, and then click on Wi-Fi. You'll find the option to select your preferred band by clicking on Hardware properties.
- Open Settings by pressing Win+I on your keyboard.
- Click or tap on Network & internet on the left side. Then click or tap on Wi-Fi on the right side. (See screenshot below)
- Click or tap on Hardware properties.
- Click or tap on the Edit button for More adapter options.
- Click or tap on the Configure button.
- Follow these steps to set a preferred band for your Wi-Fi adapter:
- Click or tap on the Advanced tab.
- Click or tap on Preferred band in the left "Property" pane.
- Select a band you prefer in the right "Value" dropdown menu. Only bands supported by your Wi-Fi adapter will be listed.
- Click or tap on OK.
Option 2Change Preferred Band Using Device Manager
Changing your Wi-Fi adapter's preferred band using Device Manager in Windows 11 gives you direct control over your network. Open Device Manager by typing devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog. Expand Network adapters, then double-click your wireless adapter to find the advanced settings for choosing your preferred band.
- Open Device Manager by typing
devmgmt.mscin the Run dialog. - Expand Network adapters in Device Manager. Double click or tap on your wireless network adapter.
- Follow these steps to set a preferred band for your Wi-Fi adapter:
- Click or tap on the Advanced tab.
- Click or tap on Preferred band in the left "Property" pane.
- Select a band you prefer in the right "Value" dropdown menu. Only bands supported by your Wi-Fi adapter will be listed.
- Click or tap on OK.
Option 3Change Preferred Band Using Network and Sharing Center
You can change your Wi-Fi adapter's preferred band in Windows using the older Network and Sharing Center, which is in the Control Panel. Open the Control Panel, click Network and Sharing Center, then choose Change adapter settings. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties to find the advanced settings.
- Open Control Panel (icons view). Click or tap on the Network and Sharing Center icon.
- Click or tap on the Change adapter settings link on the left side of Network and Sharing Center.
- Right click on the Wi-Fi adapter you want. Click or tap on Properties.
- Click or tap on the Configure button.
- Follow these steps to set a preferred band for your Wi-Fi adapter:
- Click or tap on the Advanced tab.
- Click or tap on Preferred band in the left "Property" pane.
- Select a band you prefer in the right "Value" dropdown menu. Only bands supported by your Wi-Fi adapter will be listed.
- Click or tap on OK.
Summary
You've learned three ways to change your Wi-Fi adapter's preferred band in Windows 11: through Settings, Device Manager, or Network and Sharing Center. Selecting the appropriate band—2.4GHz for extended range, 5GHz for a balance of speed and range, or 6GHz for maximum speed—can significantly improve your connection.
How to change preferred Wi-Fi band in 🪟 Windows 11?
To change your preferred Wi-Fi band in Windows 11, open Device Manager and go to your wireless adapter's Properties. Under the Advanced tab, find 'Preferred Band' and choose 5GHz or 6GHz from the list. Save your changes, and your computer will try to use that band.
How do I force my WiFi adapter to use 5GHZ 🪟 Windows 11?
To encourage your Windows 11 Wi-Fi adapter to use 5GHz, go to Device Manager, right-click your adapter, and select Properties. On the Advanced tab, set 'Preferred Band' to 'Prefer 5GHz band.' For a guaranteed 5GHz connection, you might need to set up separate network names on your router.
Is 20MHz or 40MHz better for 2.4 GHz?
For the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band, using a 20MHz channel is usually better and more stable than 40MHz. While 40MHz can be faster, it causes more interference in crowded areas because it takes up more space, making 20MHz a more reliable choice.
How do I manually change Wi-Fi between 2.4 and 5GHZ?
The most effective way to manually switch between bands is to configure your router to broadcast separate network names (SSIDs) for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Once separated, you can then select the specific network name in your Windows 11 Wi-Fi settings to force your device onto the desired frequency.
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About the Author
Richard
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Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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