When we configure our equipment to connect to a Wi-Fi network, it remains associated with our equipment and, in turn, also in our Microsoft account or associated account. In this way, if we format the computer, it will not be necessary to re-enter the Wi-Fi connection data. When our equipment is close to one of these networks, it automatically connects, regardless of which is the best option, since not all of them offer us the same connection speed.
Unless we have a router that is more than 15 years old, which is quite unlikely, the router we have at home is capable of creating two independent Wi-Fi signals. On the one hand, there is the 2.4 GHz signal, a band that has been in operation for almost 2 decades, and on the other hand, we find the 5 GHz band. Each of these bands offers us different benefits, both in speed and in coverage.
2.4 or 5 GHz signal?
2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signals have a much greater range than 5 GHz, however, the data transmission speed is much lower than what we can find in the latter. With the 5 GHz bands, we will enjoy a higher transmission speed , however, the coverage is much lower than that offered by the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
Once we are clear about the fundamental and basic features of both types of Wi-Fi connections, if we want to enjoy a higher browsing and download speed, whenever possible, we must select the 5 GHz band, as long as it is in the range coverage of our computer. If we use a desktop computer with a Wi-Fi connection, we will not need to change the type of connection, it is only necessary to configure the 5 GHz band and eliminate the 2.4 GHz band.
But if it is a laptop that we move around the house or take out on the street, generally it will always connect by default to the 2.4 GHz band by offering greater coverage and will not automatically switch to the 5 GHz network, even if we are glued to the router, so we will have to change it manually. To do so, we just have to click on the Wi-Fi signal icon and select the 5 GHz band.
How to identify the 5 GHz band?
To identify which is the 5 GHz network of our router, we only need to know what is the ID of our signal, also known as SSID. If our router is compatible with this type of network, the 5 GHz network will have the word 5G at the end of its name so that it can be easily identified . You can also display the word Plus. It is also possible that only the 2.4 GHz network is highlighted, indicating it in the name of the signal and that the 5 GHz network does not have a surname to identify it. If we clarify ourselves, we can use the Wi-Fi Analyzer application available in the Microsoft Store and that will show us all the available Wi-Fi networks along with the type of band they use.
Our computer does not show the 5 GHz band
Old computers are not compatible with the 5 GHz band, so no matter how hard we look, we will never find that signal that we can connect to. The simplest solution is to buy a USB adapter that is compatible with this type of band. At Amazon, we can find a USB stick compatible with 2.4 and 5 GHz networks for less than 15 euros, from the manufacturer TP-Link, so it is a safe bet in terms of quality. because they are on sale”
