Skip to main content
Available 24/7 for Emergency Support
(727) 230-8000
Geeks in Sneaks
How to Fix Devices Stuck on 2.4 GHz When 5 GHz Is Available
Router & WiFiIntermediate10-20 minutes

How to Fix Devices Stuck on 2.4 GHz When 5 GHz Is Available

Difficulty
Intermediate
Time
10-20 minutes
Category
Router & WiFi

Your phone and laptop keep connecting to the slower 2.4 GHz network even though 5 GHz is right there - here's how to force them to use the faster band.

💡What's Happening

Your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi, but your devices stubbornly connect to the slower 2.4 GHz band every single time. You're getting 50 Mbps when you should be getting 300 Mbps, and it's driving you crazy. Devices do this because 2.4 GHz has longer range and they prioritize connection stability over speed. Sometimes routers use the same network name for both bands (called band steering), which makes it worse. Let's get your devices on the fast lane where they belong.

✓Quick Checks (Do These First)

  • Can your device even use 5 GHz? Older phones and laptops (pre-2015ish) might only support 2.4 GHz. Check device specs.
  • Are you too far from the router? 5 GHz has much shorter range. Try standing next to the router and reconnecting to WiFi.
  • Check which network you're connected to. Look at WiFi settings - does it show 2.4G or 5G in the network name? Or just one name?
  • Is 5 GHz actually enabled? Log into router settings and verify both bands are turned on.

🔧Step-by-Step Fixes

Fix 1: Separate Your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Networks

This is the most reliable solution - give each band a different name so you can manually choose.

  1. Log into your router admin page (192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, or check the router label)
  2. Go to Wireless Settings or WiFi Settings
  3. Find Band Steering, Smart Connect, or One Network Name - turn it OFF
  4. Now you should see separate settings for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
  5. Rename them differently:
    • 2.4 GHz: "MyNetwork-2.4G"
    • 5 GHz: "MyNetwork-5G"
  6. Save and reboot your router
  7. On your phone/laptop, forget the old network and connect specifically to the 5G one

Fix 2: Adjust Band Steering Settings

If you want to keep one network name, tweak band steering to be more aggressive.

  1. In router settings, find Band Steering or Smart Connect settings
  2. Look for options like:
    • 5 GHz Preferred or Prefer 5 GHz - enable this
    • RSSI Threshold - lower this number to push devices to 5 GHz more aggressively
    • Band Steering Mode - set to "Prefer 5 GHz" instead of "Balance"
  3. Save and reboot
  4. Reconnect your devices and test speeds

Fix 3: Forget the Network and Reconnect Near the Router

  1. On your device, go to WiFi settings
  2. Find your network and select Forget Network
  3. Move physically close to your router (within 10 feet)
  4. Reconnect to WiFi
  5. When you're close, most devices will choose 5 GHz automatically
  6. Once connected to 5 GHz, the device usually stays there even when you move away

Fix 4: Disable 2.4 GHz Temporarily

Force devices onto 5 GHz by making 2.4 GHz unavailable briefly.

  1. In router settings, find 2.4 GHz Wireless settings
  2. Temporarily disable the 2.4 GHz radio
  3. On your devices, reconnect to WiFi - they'll be forced to use 5 GHz
  4. Once connected, re-enable the 2.4 GHz radio
  5. Your devices should stay on 5 GHz
  6. Keep 2.4 GHz enabled for IoT devices that need it

Fix 5: Adjust Router Placement and Power

  1. 5 GHz signal degrades quickly through walls and distance
  2. Move your router to a more central location
  3. Elevate it (on a shelf, not on the floor)
  4. In router settings, check if you can increase 5 GHz transmit power:
    • Find Wireless Power or Transmit Power for 5 GHz
    • Set to High or 100%
  5. Stronger 5 GHz signal makes devices more likely to choose it

Fix 6: Set Device Preferences (iOS/Android)

Some devices let you prefer 5 GHz in settings.

On iPhone/iPad:

  1. Go to Settings → WiFi
  2. Tap the (i) icon next to your network
  3. If you see options for network priority or band preference, set to prefer 5 GHz
  4. (This option isn't available on all iOS versions)

On Android:

  1. Settings → WiFi → Advanced (three dots)
  2. Look for "WiFi Frequency Band" or "Band Preference"
  3. Change from "Automatic" to 5 GHz only or 5 GHz preferred

⚠️If Nothing Worked

If your devices still prefer 2.4 GHz, it's usually because 5 GHz signal strength is too weak where you use your device. 5 GHz simply doesn't penetrate walls and travel as far as 2.4 GHz. Solutions: add a WiFi extender or mesh node closer to where you use devices, upgrade to a router with better 5 GHz range, or accept that in certain rooms 2.4 GHz might be the only reliable option. You can also check if your device has a setting buried in developer options or network settings to prefer 5 GHz - some do.

📞When to Call a Pro

If you need fast, reliable 5 GHz throughout a larger home, a professional can design a mesh WiFi system or install multiple access points with proper placement and configuration. They can also optimize channel selection, power levels, and roaming settings to ensure devices always connect to the fastest available band.

Need Professional Help?

If you're in the Tampa Bay area and need hands-on assistance, Geeks in Sneaks provides friendly, on-site tech support in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin.

Schedule a Visit

Related Topics

bandroamingsettings5ghz2.4ghz

Need Professional Help?

If you're still having trouble, our expert technicians can help.

Learn about our network repair service