How to Check Which Wi-Fi Types Your Windows 11 Computer Supports
Common Wi-Fi Types You Might See
Common Wi-Fi types you’ll find on a Windows 11 computer include 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac. These types dictate the maximum speeds and signal distances, directly affecting how fast and reliable your internet connection is.| Wi-Fi Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 802.11a | 802.11a Works on 5 GHz band. Speed up to 54 Mbps. Has shorter range than 2.4 GHz types. |
| 802.11b | 802.11b Works on 2.4 GHz band. Speed up to 11 Mbps. Good range and can go through walls. |
| 802.11g | 802.11g Also 2.4 GHz. Faster, up to 54 Mbps. Compatible with 802.11b. |
| 802.11n | 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) Works on 2.4 & 5 GHz. Speeds up to 600 Mbps. Better range and speed. |
| 802.11ac | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) Mainly 5 GHz. Speeds over 1 Gbps. Supports many devices at once. |
| 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 / 6E) Works on 2.4, 5 & 6 GHz (6E only). Speeds up to 9.6 Gbps. Great for busy networks. |
| 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) | 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) Upcoming standard. Super fast (up to 46 Gbps). Can use multiple bands at once. |
How to Check Your Wi-Fi Types on 🪟 Windows 11
Follow these steps:
Step 1Open Windows Terminal
- Click the Start button (Windows icon) or press the Win.
- Type
Windows Terminal. - Click on Windows Terminal to open it.
Step 2Choose PowerShell or Command Prompt
Step 3Run the Command
Type this command and press Enter:
netsh wlan show driversThis command displays information about your wireless adapter.
Step 4Look for Radio Types Supported
Find the line that says “Radio types supported.” It lists all the Wi-Fi types your computer’s adapter can use.
Example:
Summary
Checking these standards reveals what speeds and features your hardware handles. Newer iterations like Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 manage heavy device traffic much better than older hardware.- Wi-Fi types are different versions of Wi-Fi technology with different speeds and ranges.
- Newer Wi-Fi types like Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 are faster and better for many devices.
- Your computer might support several Wi-Fi types. Checking helps you know what speeds and features you can get.
- You can easily check this using a simple command in Windows Terminal.
- Future Wi-Fi types like Wi-Fi 8 are coming with even more improvements.
- Knowing your Wi-Fi types can help you decide if you need a new router or adapter for faster internet.
More Info
Learn more about Wi-Fi standards on Wikipedia - IEEE 802.11
Or explore Wi-Fi technologies at the Wi-Fi Alliance website
What Wi-Fi is supported by 🪟 Windows 11?
Windows 11 supports the latest wireless standards from the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA), such as Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7, and WPA3. Wi-Fi 6 is the sixth generation of Wi-Fi that improves efficiency, flexibility, and scalability, providing higher speeds and capacity for modern applications.
What are the four types of Wi-Fi?
There are four main categories of wireless networks: Wireless LAN, Wireless MAN, Wireless PAN, and Wireless WAN. Each has its own range and connectivity needs, making them suitable for different situations.
Knowing your computer's wireless limits helps troubleshoot slow connections. This guide walks through checking exactly which Wi-Fi standards your Windows 11 or Windows 10 adapter supports.
Open Windows Terminal and run the command netsh wlan show drivers. Look for the "Radio types supported" line to see all the Wi-Fi versions your computer's adapter can use.
What is Wi-Fi Radio Type?
Your computer's Wi-Fi radio type determines which versions of Wi-Fi technology it can use to connect online. These types influence your internet speed, Wi-Fi signal range, and other connection features.
Think of radio types as the underlying generation of wireless technology your hardware handles. These dictate max speeds and signal distances through designations like 802.11a, b, g, n, ac, ax, and be.
Common Wi-Fi Types You Might See
Common Wi-Fi types you'll find on a Windows 11 computer include 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac. These types dictate the maximum speeds and signal distances, directly affecting how fast and reliable your internet connection is.| Wi-Fi Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 802.11a | 802.11a Works on 5 GHz band. Speed up to 54 Mbps. Has shorter range than 2.4 GHz types. |
| 802.11b | 802.11b Works on 2.4 GHz band. Speed up to 11 Mbps. Good range and can go through walls. |
| 802.11g | 802.11g Also 2.4 GHz. Faster, up to 54 Mbps. Compatible with 802.11b. |
| 802.11n | 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) Works on 2.4 & 5 GHz. Speeds up to 600 Mbps. Better range and speed. |
| 802.11ac | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) Mainly 5 GHz. Speeds over 1 Gbps. Supports many devices at once. |
| 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 / 6E) Works on 2.4, 5 & 6 GHz (6E only). Speeds up to 9.6 Gbps. Great for busy networks. |
| 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) | 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) Upcoming standard. Super fast (up to 46 Gbps). Can use multiple bands at once. |
How to Check Your Wi-Fi Types on 🪟 Windows 11
Follow these steps:
Step 1Open Windows Terminal
- Click the Start button (Windows icon) or press the Win key.
- Type
Windows Terminal. - Click on Windows Terminal to open it.
Step 2Choose PowerShell or Command Prompt
In Windows Terminal, click the down arrow next to the tab and pick Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.
Step 3Run the Command
Type this command and press Enter:
netsh wlan show driversThis command displays information about your wireless adapter.
Step 4Look for Radio Types Supported
Find the line that says "Radio types supported." It lists all the Wi-Fi types your computer's adapter can use.
Example:
Summary
Checking these standards reveals what speeds and features your hardware handles. Newer iterations like Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 manage heavy device traffic much better than older hardware.- Wi-Fi types are different versions of Wi-Fi technology with different speeds and ranges.
- Newer Wi-Fi types like Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 are faster and better for many devices.
- Your computer might support several Wi-Fi types. Checking helps you know what speeds and features you can get.
- You can easily check this using a simple command in Windows Terminal.
- Future Wi-Fi types like Wi-Fi 8 are coming with even more improvements.
- Knowing your Wi-Fi types can help you decide if you need a new router or adapter for faster internet.
More Info
Learn more about Wi-Fi standards on Wikipedia - IEEE 802.11
Or explore Wi-Fi technologies at the Wi-Fi Alliance website
What Wi-Fi is supported by 🪟 Windows 11?
Windows 11 supports the latest wireless standards from the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA), such as Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7, and WPA3. Wi-Fi 6 is the sixth generation of Wi-Fi that improves efficiency, flexibility, and scalability, providing higher speeds and capacity for modern applications.
What are the four types of Wi-Fi?
There are four main categories of wireless networks: Wireless LAN, Wireless MAN, Wireless PAN, and Wireless WAN. Each has its own range and connectivity needs, making them suitable for different situations.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
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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