If you're looking to ameliorate your Wi-Fi, i of the first things you might consider is replacing the router. While this tin have an bear on, the key to speeding up your connection may exist as simple as switching to a 5GHz connection.

The vast majority of modern routers have what's known as 'dual-band' Wi-Fi, meaning it produces ii unlike Wi-Fi networks. The default is usually 2.4GHz, which generally provides a steady connection over a longer distance.

Hither'south all you need to know near these two frequencies, and how to switch between them.

What is the difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi?

Essentially, it comes downward to reliability vs speed.

2.4GHz tin pass through walls and floors much more hands, making information technology a more reliable option for all rooms of the business firm.

However, if y'all're near the router or accept few obstacles, switching to 5GHz is likely to lead to a much faster connexion.

Does my router have 5GHz Wi-Fi?

Unless y'all already know for certain that your router is a dual-ring model and definitely has a 5GHz radio, information technology's worth checking that out first. There'due south no point enabling 5GHz Wi-Fi on your laptop if your router doesn't support information technology.

The easiest mode to practice that is to bank check its specifications online, look in the manual, or log in to the router itself and check the settings available in the Wi-Fi department.

It's adequately common to combine the 2 bands and use just one network name (SSID) for both 2.4 and 5GHz. This has advantages and disadvantages. For a start, if combined, it's not possible to forcefulness your laptop to only use the 5GHz band, and so it'south worth splitting them out into two split up Wi-Fi networks if your router offers this selection. Newer BT Home Hubs have the setting:

How to enable 5GHz Wi-Fi

When you have split up networks, y'all can rename them (with 5GHz at the end of the 5GHz ane, say) then you lot tin can hands identify each network from your laptop, telephone or tablet and know which one you lot're connected to.

If your router doesn't back up information technology, see our roundup of the best routers or -  improve still - mesh Wi-Fi systems.

Does my laptop back up 5GHz Wi-Fi?

The best way to find out is to open Control Panel - search for it in the Windows search box - and then go to Device Manager and observe the brand and model of your laptop's Wi-Fi under the Network adapters section.

How to enable 5GHz on your laptop

This laptop, for example, has a Qualcomm Atheros AR9285 adaptor. Searching online for this make and model brings up enough of results for its specifications which bear witness that it works only on 2.4GHz. If your adapter supports 802.11ac, it will definitely support 5GHz. In virtually cases, 802.11n adapters will also support 5GHz.

You tin can also right-click on the adapter in Device Manager, click Properties and so switch to the Avant-garde tab. You'll run across a list of properties, i of which should mention 5GHz. If you don't see an option to enable or disable 5GHz, either your adapter doesn't back up it, or the wrong drivers are installed.

How to enable 5GHz on your laptop

And if you practice detect that your laptop doesn't accept 5GHz Wi-Fi, y'all can easily add it past ownership a USB Wi-Fi dongle for your laptop. These are inexpensive - around £ten-thirty / $x-30 - and mean you lot can upgrade your laptop's Wi-Fi without opening it up. We've rounded upwardly the all-time USB Wi-Fi adapters.

How to connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi from your laptop

This is the piece of cake part. If you can meet your router'southward 5GHz wireless network name in the list of available Wi-Fi networks, you can click on information technology and so click 'Connect'. Enter the password and that'due south information technology.

How to enable 5GHz Wi-Fi

In the image above you can see the two separate networks broadcast from a BT Dwelling house Hub five. Click on the Wi-Fi icon (highlighted) to see the wireless networks in range.

Switching to 5GHz non having the desired issue for your connexion? Check out more means to speed up Wi-Fi.