How to Optimize Wi-Fi on Windows Using Preferred Band Settings

Wi-Fi networks typically operate on two frequency bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Here's how to choose between them.

How are 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands different?

The main differences between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands lie in range, speed, and interference.

Both bands work well for the average user, but each has its own strengths and limitations. Depending on the situation, switching to a particular band can improve your Wi-Fi performance.

The 2.4GHz band provides wider coverage, better wall and obstacle penetration, making it ideal for maintaining stable connections over longer distances.

The 5GHz band, on the other hand, has a shorter range and is less effective at penetrating walls and obstacles, but is less susceptible to interference. This is because many household appliances, such as microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones, operate on the 2.4GHz frequency. This makes it more susceptible to interference, while the 5GHz band is less susceptible to interference due to fewer devices using it.

This means you can generally rely on the 5GHz band to provide a more stable connection, as long as there aren't many walls or obstacles between your router  and your device.

The 5GHz band also supports faster data transmission speeds due to less interference. However, the 2.4GHz band is slower due to congestion from other devices.

When should you use 2.4GHz vs 5GHz?

Based on how the bands work, you should choose the 2.4GHz band if you need Wi-Fi to cover a larger area. This is ideal if your device is far away from the router, there are many walls or obstacles between the router and your computer, or you only use the Internet for basic tasks like browsing the web or checking email.

Avoid using the 2.4GHz band if you have other devices nearby that operate on the same frequency, as they may cause interference.

The 5GHz band is better if your device is close to the router with few barriers in between. It allows you to maintain a more stable connection and avoid interference from 2.4GHz devices. This band is also ideal for activities that require faster speeds, like gaming, streaming HD video, or transferring large files.

How to set preferred band in Windows

By default, the network adapter will automatically select the band with the best signal based on your distance from the router and other factors.

However, if you've determined which band suits your needs and the layout of your home or office, you can easily switch to your preferred band on Windows in just a few steps:

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager .
  2. Expand the Network adapters category and locate your network adapter.
  3. Right-click on your network adapter and select Properties .
  4. In the Properties window , go to the Advanced tab .
  5. Look for an option labeled Preferred Band or Band in the Property list.
  6. In the Value drop-down list , you can see the option is set to No Preference .
  7. Select the desired band, 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz , based on your needs, click OK and reboot the device to apply the changes.
How to Optimize Wi-Fi on Windows Using Preferred Band Settings
Change frequency in network adapter properties settings on Windows.

Keep your band set to No Preference if you frequently move your laptop between rooms and each band works better in different areas.

No band is perfect for every situation. You should try both bands to find the one that best suits your situation and needs. This will keep you from constantly switching bands. However, when you need faster speeds or a more stable connection, switching to a specific band will give you better performance.

Switching bands can improve both connection stability and speed, but tweaking other Wi-Fi settings is just as important for getting the best performance.

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

How to fix “Well Need Your Current Windows Password” error on Windows 10/11

How to fix “Well Need Your Current Windows Password” error on Windows 10/11

Are you getting the “We'll need your current Windows password one last time” error? This annoying pop-up can prevent you from getting things done.

Quickly fix Unmountable Boot Volume error on Windows 10/11

Quickly fix Unmountable Boot Volume error on Windows 10/11

The Unmountable Boot Volume error occurs due to some installed software conflicting with the operating system or due to the computer suddenly shutting down,... In the article below, WebTech360 will guide you through some ways to fix this error.

How to Fix Clipboard History Error in Windows 11 Latest Update

How to Fix Clipboard History Error in Windows 11 Latest Update

If you use Clipboard History to store data for later use, there is a small chance that the data will remain empty no matter what you try.

How to remove Copilot and other AI features in Windows

How to remove Copilot and other AI features in Windows

If you don't care about having extra bloatware on your system, there are ways to remove or disable Windows Copilot on Windows 11.

Why is the laptop battery percentage estimate never accurate?

Why is the laptop battery percentage estimate never accurate?

Most laptop users have encountered a situation where Windows shows 2 hours of battery life left, then five minutes later it jumps to 5 hours or even 1 hour. Why does this time jump around like that?

10 Windows 11 settings to maximize laptop battery life

10 Windows 11 settings to maximize laptop battery life

Laptop batteries degrade over time and lose capacity, resulting in less battery life. But after tweaking some deeper Windows 11 settings, you should see a significant improvement in battery life.

Microsoft: PCs running Windows 11 21H2/22H2 will be forced to update to 23H2 next month

Microsoft: PCs running Windows 11 21H2/22H2 will be forced to update to 23H2 next month

Windows 11 version 21H2 is one of the major original releases of Windows 11 that began rolling out globally on October 4, 2021.

Microsoft spams Copilot QR codes on Windows 11 lock screen to lure users

Microsoft spams Copilot QR codes on Windows 11 lock screen to lure users

The year 2023 saw Microsoft betting heavily on artificial intelligence and its partnership with OpenAI to make Copilot a reality.

How to Disable User Accounts on Windows 11

How to Disable User Accounts on Windows 11

You can disable User Accounts so that others can no longer access your computer.

Buying a Windows laptop is harder than ever

Buying a Windows laptop is harder than ever

Is the NPU different enough to delay purchase and wait for the PC Copilot+ to become mainstream?

How to turn on and off battery saving mode on Windows 11 laptop

How to turn on and off battery saving mode on Windows 11 laptop

Windows 11's Battery saver mode is a feature designed to extend laptop battery life.

Microsoft Launches New Sticky Notes App for Windows 11

Microsoft Launches New Sticky Notes App for Windows 11

After keeping things the same for years, the Sticky Note update in mid-2024 changed the game.

How to fix IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error on Windows

How to fix IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error on Windows

The IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error is a memory-related error that typically occurs when a system process or driver attempts to access a memory address without proper access permissions.

6 Ways to Copy File and Folder Paths in Windows 11

6 Ways to Copy File and Folder Paths in Windows 11

Paths are the locations of files or folders in Windows 11. All paths include the folders you need to open to get to a specific location.

Compare Windows 10 and Windows 11

Compare Windows 10 and Windows 11

Windows 11 has officially launched, compared to Windows 10 Windows 11 also has many changes, from the interface to new features. Please follow the details in the article below.