How to Connect to 5ghz wifi when it is not showing up in your Windows 10 computer is a widespread issue. Literally, there are many queries asking why 5G wifi is not doing great, how to start 5G wifi, why can’t connect to 5G wifi….
These issues generally come up when users change the wifi Router, update OS, change the hardware of PC for wifi, updating device driver, and so on.
The most common is during those times the user gets a new wifi router. The router is all set up, instead of PC’s wifi Adapter is getting signals from both 2.4GHz & 5GHz bandwidth, it detects only 2.4GHz signal.
There can be varied reasons for such situation users face with 5GHz wifi not showing up for Windows 10. It may arise due to the following issues:Computer hardware might not be supporting 5GHz bandwidth.
- Wifi Router might not be supporting 5GHz bandwidth.
- 5GHz set up is not done properly either in PC or in wifi Router.
- Improper or Outdated wifi Adapter Drivers installed on the computer.
Let’s talk about various ways out to find a solution for 5G wifi not showing up the problem. Some of the methods are for probing the issue and are going to tell whether PC or wifi Router would be compatible with 5GHz wifi / 5G wifi. Others may tell how to enable 5GHz wifi to fix “5G wifi not showing up” issue. We will be working with WiFI Drivers also when the primary ways to enable 5GHz wifi are not working properly.
How To “Fix 5GHz wifi when it is Not Showing Up” Problem
The initial thing to do is give the PC and wifi router a check whether they do really support 5GHz wifi.
Method 1 – Check Computer For wifi Support in 5GHz
The first step towards checking whether the PC has 5GHz bandwidth compatibility. Here are a few steps to follow and check the same:
Step 1: On the keyboard, tap Windows + R keys at a time. This will open the Run dialogue box.
Step 2: Write cmd in the Run box and Enter to get Command Prompt.
Step 3: Type the following command in the Command Prompt window:
netsh wlan show drivers
Cmd1 5ghz wifi Not Showing Up Windows 10
It will show wireless LAN Driver properties on the computer.
Step 4: From the outcome which opens up in the Command Prompt window, search for Radio types supported by the router. Check and find 3 network modes which are given as under with their meanings:
a) 802.11g 802.11n: Computer supports only 2.4GHz bandwidth.
b) 802.11n 802.11g 802.11b: Computer supports only 2.4GHz bandwidth.
c) 802.11a 802.11g 802.11n: Computer supports 2.4Ghz and 5GHz bandwidth, both.
While getting the first two options as Radio types supported, then user requires to upgrade wifi Adapter Hardware. While having compatible PC and get 5g Wifi not coming up the problem, then issue enters to the next step to check wifi Router has 5GHz support or not.
Method 2 – Check Whether Router Supports 5GHz Bandwidth
To check whether the router supports 6 GHz bandwidth or 5G, you may have to do internet research. But before asking Google for related info, find the box in which the router came. It will have definite information about the router which it supports for 5GHz.
When a user might not find the info on the box or can’t find box itself, try to search for router manufacturer name and model number. It is generally mentioned below the place for wifi router device.
Check on the manufacturer’s website of the router and look for the product with the model name. When you are unable to find the website, go to Google. Research to find resources having a description of the router model being used by you. Check whether the router supports 5GHz or 2.4GHz.
Method 3 – Enable 802.11n Mode On wifi Adapter
After reaching the section when both PC and wifi Router support 5GHz bandwidth or 5G, and still unable to connect to 5GHz wifi try to enable 5GHz wifi bandwidth by using following steps:
Step 1: Click Windows + X and press Device Manager from the list of options which appear.
Step 2: In Device Manager, check for Network adapters and press to expand the menu. In the expanded menu, try to get the Wireless adapter. Right-click on the Wireless adapter driver, tap Properties.
Step 3: Wireless adapter properties window open up. Go to Advanced tab to search 802.11n mode to select it. Change the value on the right to Enable and press Ok.
Step 4: Restart the computer and check to find the 5GHz or 5G wifi network in the list of Wireless Network Connections.
Method 4 – Setting Bandwidth To 5GHz Thru Device Manager
Try to enable 5GHz wifi to solve the “5GHz wifi not showing up in Windows 10” problem.
Step 1: Follow Step 1 & 2 of Method 3.
Step 2:Press Advanced tab of the Wireless Adapter Properties. Select Preferred Band option. Select Prefer 5.2 GHz band option on the right from the Value drop-down. Press Ok.
Step 3: Restart PC to detect 5GHZ or 5G wifi network.
Method 5 – Updating Automatically Wifi Driver
Updating wifi Driver at times is a trick which solves the issue. Follow steps below to update wifi Driver automatically:
Step 1: Open the Device Manager tool, press Windows + X to click on the Device Manager option.
Step 2: Search Network adapters option in the Device Manager window. Tap to expand it. Search for Wireless Adapter driver from the expanded menu. Right-click on the Wireless Adapter option, and the context menu, tap on Update Driver Software option.
Step 3: The new Update window will open and get two options; one to update the driver automatically and others to manually update the driver. Press Search automatically for getting updated driver software to start the automatic driver update procedure.
Step 4: Try to follow on-screen instructions to finish the update. When done, restart PC and check whether PC can detect 5GHz or 5G network.
Step 5: Carry out methods 4 and 5 again to ensure.
It probably fixes connect to 5GHz wifi issue.
Method 6 – Update wifi Driver Manually
To update wifi driver manually and fix 5GHz wifi not showing up in Windows 10 problem, to download latest wifi Driver on your PC manually. Go to PC or Laptop manufacturer’s website. Download latest wifi Driver, compatible with Operating System. When done, follow the given steps:
Step 1: Follow Step 1 and Step 2 from Method #5.
Step 2: Open Update Window and select Browse my computer for driver software option.
Step 3: Browse to select the folder with the downloaded wifi driver, or browse to select the downloaded driver. When done, click Next. Follow on-screen instructions to complete the wifi driver installation.
Step 4: Restart the computer to enable 5GHz wifi on it.
Step 5: If the PC cannot detect 5GHz bandwidth, try methods #3 and #4 once again.
Method 7 – Rolling Back wifi Driver Update
The chances are that Windows 10 got upgraded, and wifi Driver too got updated. The latest driver should be having issues that is why PC is unable to connect to or detect 5GHz bandwidth. Here are easy steps to be followed for Rolling Back wifi Driver update:
Step 1: After repeating Step 1 and Step 2 from method #3 given above, open Properties window.
Step 2: Click on Driver tab to search for Roll Back Driver and tap on it. Follow the instructions for rolling back the driver to the previous version.
Step 3: Restart PC to check the process whether it worked.
The above-mentioned methods should solve the 5GHz wifi, not showing up the problem for the PC. In case the PC hardware is not compatible with 5GHz wifi bandwidth, you must consult with PC manufacturer’s help desk to check whether something is to be done to upgrade the PC.