Different Wi-Fi connections use different frequency ranges when it comes to how you can connect to them. Today, the most advanced Wi-Fi frequency is 5 GHz Wi-Fi, which is mostly available in the newest and latest routers we see in the market today.
Some people cannot connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks and wonder why that is. We give five reasons why you can’t connect to a 5 GHz Wifi network with helpful suggestions to alleviate that.
1. Your Hardware Is Not Compatible With 5 GHz Wi-Fi Networks
When it comes to 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks, you need to have the hardware capable of connecting to such a radio frequency. Your Smartphone must be compatible with the 5 GHz Wi-Fi so that you can connect with it. That is why you have to make sure that your smartphones, tablets, computers, game consoles, and smart TV are all capable of connecting to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network if you already own them or purchase new ones.
This circumstance is a really common issue for households with the latest Wi-Fi routers but own smartphones and other types of wireless devices that are a bit on the older side and are not compatible with a 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection. The best you can do here is to check your device specification so that you will be able to see if it is compatible with 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks. If not, you really won’t be able to connect to the Wifi unless your router can transmit the connection in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
Your best bet here is to make sure that you are using devices compatible with 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Most of the newer models of phones, tablets, computers, and TVs should be able to handle a 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection, but you probably can’t expect the same from the older devices and gadgets you have at home. It might be safe to say that it is time for you to retire them if they can’t even connect with your Wi-Fi.
We discuss Wi-Fi in our other articles “Can A Phone Case Affect Wifi Reception?” and “What Can Your Smartphone Do Without Cell Service or Wifi?”
2. It Depends On The ISP
There are some cases where you can’t connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network because your ISP (Internet Service Provider) says so. Some ISPs have plans that limit your Wi-Fi connection so that you won’t be able to take full advantage of a 5 GHz Wi-Fi. This problem is more common in the cheaper ISP subscription plans.
Yes, that is right. It is not only your router and device that should handle a 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection, but your ISP should also play a role here by allowing you to connect to the internet using such a network. Otherwise, everything will be for nothing since you can’t even connect with the internet, not only with your devices but also your router.
If you are using a router capable of handling 5 GHz Wi-Fi, you have to consult with your ISP first to know whether you can connect to the internet using their Wi-Fi network. If not, especially if you are subscribed to a low-cost plan and restricted internet service. You would probably need to upgrade your subscription instead so that your ISP will allow your router to connect to the internet using a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network.
3. You Have Too Many Walls In Your House, Wi-Fi Range Extender Will Not Necessarily Help
Many people tend to have trouble with their routers, especially if there are too many walls in their house and they are too far away from the router. This impediment is common in large homes. The houses have so many rooms that the router needs to penetrate through several layers of walls just so its Wi-Fi signal could reach a certain point. In such cases, some households use Wi-Fi Range Extenders or boosters to allow their routers to reach even the faraway corners of a house.
But the problem with a 5 GHz Wifi network, as reported, is that it tends to have trouble penetrating through walls and floors compared to how the slower yet more reliable 2.4 GHz Wifi connection does it. That means you probably won’t easily connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi if you are trying to connect to the router through several layers of walls in your house.
A Wi-Fi range extender with your 5 GHz Wi-Fi network can be hit or miss. Range extenders can fill in dead zones but usually only provide half the bandwidth you get from your main router. A better option is a Mesh Wi-Fi system that will give you whole building coverage if installed properly.
4. There Are Problems With How Your Software Is Configurated
As we mentioned, your hardware or devices need to be completely compatible with 5 GHz Wi-Fi, or else you won’t be able to connect such devices to your router no matter what you do. However, you also have to consider that your device’s software should also allow them to connect to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection.
For some reason, there are people who always seem to forego updating their devices to the latest Operating Systems (OS). Some prefer the interface of the older OS while others are still holding off updating their operating systems until the bugs have been worked out. But, the problem with such a decision is that the software update might come with an update that will allow your device to connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network. So, if you disregard the update, your device’s software won’t be able to connect to your router unless you actually update it to the latest OS.
But let’s not stop there because there might still be a need for you to configure your device’s settings after updating them to the latest software. Some devices will require you to configure the auto switch on settings so that you can connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network. When you do that, your device will automatically convert a 2.4 GHz connection to a 5 GHz one.
5. There Is Something Wrong With Your Device
If none of the above-mentioned problems are why you still cannot connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, then the real problem here might be your device itself.
You probably have a device that’s already equipped with the capacity to connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, and you have already updated its OS and configured its settings. Meanwhile, you may have already checked with your Internet Service Provider to see if you can connect to the internet using a 5 GHz router.
But if the problem persists and you cannot connect to the internet, the best solution is to check with the manufacturer on your device or your hardware to see if there is a problem with it.
Either go to an authorized service center or contact the manufacturer customer support by phone or chat. You can check the device to see if hardware problems prevent you from connecting to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network. Troubleshooting to see if it was the hardware that was preventing you from connecting to the network.
Wifi Extender or Mesh Router
Deciding between a Wifi Extender or Mesh Router has everything to do with the size of the house or building you are trying to access your 5 GHz Wi-Fi network with. If you are having problems with reception them consider the benefits of both. There is also further benefit to Wired Mesh WiFi Networks.
“Whenever I would sit outside on my deck, I would get no signal,” says Richard Fisco, who oversees electronics testing for Consumer Reports. “But by placing an extender halfway between the router and the deck, suddenly there’s a signal.”
Consumer Reports – Should You Buy a WiFi Range Extender?
Two More articles you may find interesting “How to Lower Your Home WiFi Data Usage” and “Is Zoom Better Than FaceTime in Remote Areas?”
References:
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202068
- https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2011/jul/28/wifi-internet-problems
- https://www.consumerreports.org/wifi-extenders/should-you-buy-a-wifi-range-extender/
- https://eyenetworks.no/en/five-reasons-not-to-get-a-wi-fi-repeater/
- https://www.signalboosters.com/blog/what-is-a-mesh-network-and-how-does-it-work/