How do I know if I have 2.4 GHz wifi?

Whether you have an old or the latest router version, you should know how to check the band you are using. 2.4 GHz refers to the wireless band that most wireless devices such as tablets, phones, and laptops use.

While some routers have one band, others feature two or three. You can easily know if your wifi is using the 2.4 GHz band by using your smartphone’s wireless settings. This gives you all the relevant details you should know regarding your wifi. On one of the sections, you can easily see the name of the wifi frequency you are using. If you are utilizing the 2.4 GHz network, you will notice the network name labeled as “mynetwork2.4”.

What is the 2.4 GHz channel?

Wireless routers use different radio frequencies in the transmission of the internet to wifi connected devices. The 2.4 GHz band was among the first technologies to be introduced in the wireless networking market. While some routers use only the 2.4 GHz band, others utilize the 5 GHz band. If you want your router to offer extensive wifi coverage in a large home, you should ensure that it uses the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

It can offer a signal range of up to 140 ft and a connection speed of up to 450 Mbps. When outdoors, the 2.4 GHZ wifi can provide a range of 300 feet.This band is also great at penetrating different solid objects. It tends to travel further but at low speeds. Since most home devices use this frequency, the 2.4 GHz channel is sometimes crowded. If, for instance, you have a microwave, garage door opener, and baby monitor in your home, you should know that all these devices use the 2.4 GHz frequency.

The specific way you utilize your wifi connection should help you determine the particular frequency you should pick. If you have a large apartment and use devices such as a smartphone that keeps moving around, you can get excellent wifi performance from relying on the 2.4 frequency. This frequency is suitable for portable devices that are distant from your router.

Determining which frequency you are using

Though every wifi router features the 2.4 GHz band, some of the latest models are dual-band or tri-band routers. You can find out if you are using the 2.4 GHz wifi by focusing on your smart device’s settings.

Proceed to the wireless settings page to check the names of your networks. The 2.4 GHz network is usually written as “myhomenetwork2.4”. If you only see a single network name, it means that you have 2.4 GHz wifi. Experts recommend using the 2.4 GHz frequency unless the device you use has a specific need for the 5GHz frequency.

The 2.4 frequency can help you with activities that need low bandwidth, such as browsing the net. You should also adjust the channel settings for you to maximize the network. Using channels 11, 6, and 1 can prevent overlap in the wifi signal. It prevents other devices from interfering with the signal, which can easily lead to network speed issues.

If you wish to adjust the frequency settings, you should start by checking your router’s capabilities and compatibility. Even when you have a dual router, it is possible to set it in such a way that it can transmit the 2.4 and 5GHz frequencies concurrently. In this case, the network list will show you two similar names apart from the 2.4 G and 5G. You can now connect individual devices to either of the networks. If you don’t want to experience any kind of interference between the different wireless networks, you should consider personalizing the password and SSID of one of the networks.

Suppose you want to change the wifi network your device has been using, you can still do this through the settings menu. Click on the section labeled wifi and tap on the dots you will see on one of the corners. After this, another tab will open. Click on the section labeled advanced then wifi frequency band. From there, you can now pick the radio band you wish your device to connect to.  After you have connected to the 2.4 GHz band, you should utilize the app so that you can set up the smart device accordingly.

Here are some of the basics of the 2.4 GHz wifi

Conclusion

Wireless networking is common in most households since it makes life easier. Every modern router available in the market today uses the 2.4GHz frequency band. The latest router models use not only the 2.4 GHz band but also the 5 GHz band. If you have such a router, it will ask you to develop a password and SSID for the two networks. You can decide if you need to connect devices to either the 2.4 GHz or 5GHz frequency band.

If you are not certain of which frequency band you are using, you should check the wireless settings on your device and look at the name of the network. The 2.4 GHz frequency band is often labeled ‘myhomenetwork2.4,” while the 5GHz band is labeled “myhomenetwork5”. Though 2.4 GHz wifi is not that fast, it offers extensive wifi coverage. You should consider connecting your portable devices at home to this network.

FAQs

How many wireless devices can you connect to when you are using a 2.4 GHz band?

This frequency band allows you to connect up to 32 wireless devices and simultaneously use them without experiencing many issues.

Is it possible to use both the 5 GHz band and 2.4 GHz at a go?

Yes. If you have a dual-band router, the two frequency bands can work simultaneously. Such a router, therefore, provides independent networks, thus offering enhanced flexibility.