How to Check if Your Laptop Supports 5 GHz Wi-Fi

In today’s world, having dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) is almost essential for a seamless internet experience, as the 5 GHz band provides faster speeds and fewer interferences. If you’re wondering whether your laptop supports 5 GHz Wi-Fi, there are several quick ways to check.

Method 1: Using Device Manager

This method works for Windows and lets you quickly see information about your wireless network standards:

Open Device Manager. Press Win + X and select Device Manager from the list.
Go to the Network adapters section and locate your wireless adapter. If the adapter name mentions Dual Band or standards like 802.11ac/ax, it likely supports 5 GHz.
Right-click on the adapter, select Properties, and go to the Advanced tab.
In the settings list, look for Preferred Band or Band. If you can select 5 GHz, your adapter supports it.

Method 2: Checking Network Adapter Specs Online

If you’re unsure, you can look up your network adapter specifications online:

Open Device Manager as described above.
Copy your adapter’s exact name and search for it in your browser, adding “5 GHz support” to the query.
The manufacturer’s website or technical documentation should provide details on supported bands.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

This method is also suitable for Windows users and provides a clear list of supported wireless standards:

Open the Command Prompt (type cmd in the Windows search bar and press Enter).
Type the command: netsh wlan show drivers and press Enter.
Look for the line Supported radio types. If it includes 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11ac, or 802.11ax, your adapter supports 5 GHz.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

There are various network analysis applications that can help determine if your adapter supports 5 GHz, such as:

inSSIDer — provides detailed information on available Wi-Fi networks and their frequencies.
WiFi Analyzer — a mobile app available on Android for network analysis.