How to Fix 5G Network Not Showing Up?

5G Network Not Showing Up

Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 7:51 am

Introduction

People today desire quick results with every service they enjoy. In terms of network connection, people also have a high demand for super-fast internet speed, which is currently available with 5G.

Users can operate different functions of their PCs with unparalleled internet speed when they access a network with 5GHz bandwidth. This is useful for high-powered processes like streaming, online gaming, etc.

However, when you try to connect your PC to the 5GHz network, 5G is not showing up in the list of available networks. You can take certain actions to fix the issue- all are detailed in this post.

Reasons for 5G Network Not Showing Up for Users

The 5G network not appearing in the list of available networks is relatively common. It is possible to take measures to fix the condition based on the cause.

  • The PC hardware/router is incompatible with 5GHz networks.
  • The 5G tower closest to the user’s location is facing issues.
  • The problem is a small temporary malfunction.
  • The device is out of the range of the 5G network.
  • The network drivers in PC are corrupted or outdated.

Top Ways to Fix 5G Not Showing Up Issue

There are multiple reasons why the 5G Network does not appear as the available network for users. In the case of standard hardware-related causes like not having a newer gadget that typically supports 5G network connections, you must change your PC. Besides these, you can use different methods to fix the 5G network not showing up problems for other causes.

Fix 1: Check Support for 5GHz WiFi for PC

The first step you should take is verifying that your PC is compatible with networks running with 5GHz bandwidth. If it is incompatible, it is natural that the device cannot detect the 5G network when available. So, check this on your PC and proceed accordingly.

Step 1: Tap on Win + R keys on the PC keyboard to access the Run dialog box.

Step 2: In the box, insert the “cmd” code and press OK. This will open the Command Prompt window.

cmd

Step 3: Add the next command prompt and hit Enter:

 netsh wlan show drivers

If the access levels on the PC are correct, the properties of the WiFi LAN Driver in the device will appear next.

WiFi LAN Driver

Step 4: View the data under Radio types supported. You will get to see one option among these results in this section:

  • 11a 802.11g 802.11n– Device can work with 2.4GHz/5GHz networks.
  • 11n 802.11g 802.11b or 11g 802.11n- Device can work with 2.4GHz network only.

Step 5: If you see the first result, your device supports 5GHz WiFi bandwidth, and other problems are potentially causing the “5G not showing up” issue. In case of the other two results, upgrade your WiFi network adapter.

WiFi network adapter

Fix 2: Activate 802.11n Mode on the WiFi Adapter of the PC

This process works for Windows PC users seeing the “5G network not showing up” problem. It applies to cases where the computer’s network adapter settings are the cause of the problem since the configurations are incomplete or incorrect. In this case, you must manually activate the Wireless Adapter mode for 5GHz bandwidth.

Step 1: Tap Win + X to open Device Manager > Network adapters.

Step 2: Under the dropdown menu, choose the wireless adapter in your PC and right-click on it. Choose Properties.

Device Manager

Step 3:  In the next window, pick the 802.11n mode.

 802.11n mode

Step 4: Tap on Value > Enabled. Press the OK button.

adapter properties

Step 5: Reboot the PC and see if the connection appears this time.

Fix 3: Change the PC Bandwidth Capacity to 5GHz through the Device Manager

It is possible for Windows users to directly access the Device Manager section and change the bandwidth directly.

Step 1: Press Win + X.

Step 2: When the Device Manager window opens, tap Network Adapters.

 Network Adapters

Step 3: Right-click the cursor over your chosen network adapter > Properties.

Step 4: Press the Advanced tab > Preferred Band.

Preferred Band

Step 5: Under the Value section, choose “5G first” and then press OK.

Fix 4: Verify that the WiFi Router can Support 5G Network

Some router devices do not have the preset capacity to handle 5GHz bandwidth. So, it is best to go through the device’s instruction manual to find the manufacturer’s information on the bandwidth capacity of the WiFi router.

Alternatively, you can view the product specifications from the manufacturer’s official website. If the device does not have a 5GHz bandwidth capacity, search for other options in the market and buy a router that supports this network level.

Fix 5: Update the WiFi Driver

This solution applies to users who see the 5G network not showing up problem on their Windows PC. Outdated or defective WiFi drivers in the computer system can make it difficult to connect to a 5G WiFi connection.

To fix this, you can use a powerful driver analyzer tool to scan vulnerable drivers and handle automatic driver updates. Or, you can use the driver updating utility through Device Manager.

Step 1: Press Win + X to access Device Manager and pick Network Adapters.

Step 2: Right-click on the WiFi driver and choose Update Driver.

Update Driver

Step 3: In the next window, choose the “Search automatically for drivers” option if the update process does not occur automatically.

 search automatically for the drivers

Step 4: Restart PC and see if the 5G network is showing up.

Conclusion

To summarize, multiple sequences are used when a 5G connection does not appear as an option when connecting the PC to the available network. Suppose the cause is not basic, like you being out of the cell tower’s range. In that case, it is possible that some internal configurations, like outdated drivers or default settings, are blocking the connection.

Take the time to try out the different fixes mentioned here to find the underlying problem and remedy it properly. 

Author Bio:

Dinesh Lakhwani

Dinesh Lakhwani, the entrepreneurial brain behind “TechCommuters,” achieved big things in the tech world. He started the company to make smart and user-friendly tech solutions. Thanks to his sharp thinking, focus on quality and the motto of never giving up, TechCommuters became a top player in the industry. His commitment to excellence has propelled the company to a leading position in the industry.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Post

Recent Post

10 Best IPTV Apps For iOS & Android in 2024

By TechCommuters / March 27, 2024

Introduction: Watching TV on your phone or tablet has become incredibly popular in recent years. IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) allows you to stream live TV, movies and shows directly on your mobile devices. With IPTV apps, you can take your favorite TV channels and content with you wherever you go. In 2024, there are tons […]

How To Fix Dns_Probe_Started Error [Top 10 Ways]

By TechCommuters / March 25, 2024

Introduction: The DNS_PROBE_STARTED error occurs when your DNS lookups are failing. DNS (Domain Name System) is like the phonebook of the internet—it translates domain names (e.g. google.com) into IP addresses needed to load websites. When you attempt to visit a website, your device sends a DNS lookup request to your DNS server. If the DNS […]

11 Best IPTV Player For Mac In 2024 [Free & Paid]

By TechCommuters / March 22, 2024

Are you interested in watching your favorite live TV channels, lots of trending movies, and TV series on a Mac device? Then, look nowhere else! You can get your hands on the perfect IPTV player for Mac. Such top IPTV apps can easily turn your Macbook into the ultimate entertainment center, which we will discuss […]

10 Best Free Caller ID Apps For Android In 2024 [Latest List]

By TechCommuters / March 20, 2024

Introduction: In today’s fast-paced digital world, our smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives, serving as a gateway to constant communication. However, with the rise of spam calls, telemarketers, and unwanted contacts, managing incoming calls can become a daunting task. This is where caller ID apps come into play, offering a reliable […]

10 Best Free File Manager Apps For iPhone & iPad 2024

By TechCommuters / March 18, 2024

Introduction: Managing files across different cloud services and local storage on your iPhone or iPad can be a hassle. While iOS has fairly robust built-in file management capabilities through the Files app, many users find they need more advanced functionality. That’s where dedicated file manager apps come in. These apps allow you to access, organize, […]

15 Best Finder Alternatives for Mac in 2024

By TechCommuters / March 16, 2024

If you are a Mac user, you probably already have a bittersweet relationship with Mac Finder. It is an indeed powerful file manager and graphical user interface tool for Macintosh. But, despite being the default Apple program, it lacks many features. Plus, Apple hasn’t made any efforts to update Finder in a long time.    However, […]

10 Best Free MMORPG for Android in 2024 [Latest List]

By TechCommuters / March 13, 2024

Introduction: MMORPG (Massively multiplayer online role-playing game) is an online game where a large number of players interact with one another in a virtual fantasy world. MMORPGs are extremely popular on PCs but are now also available on mobile devices. Mobile MMORPGs allow you to play these immersive and addictive games on the go on […]

9 Ways to Bypass Blocked Sites Without Using Proxies or VPNs

By TechCommuters / March 12, 2024

If your government or local ISP blocks certain websites, it must be really frustrating. While these blocks may be the reason for any violations by these websites, most of the cases involve these websites getting blocked for no apparent valid reasons. The Internet is full of knowledge and information, but these blocks can really be […]

Understanding FileVault and its Role in Data Security

By TechCommuters / March 11, 2024

Introduction: In this modern era where data breaches loom at large and data privacy is a serious concern, safeguarding personal and sensitive information is paramount. Keeping this in mind, Apple has designed this wonderful encryption software to safeguard the data of its Mac users which is known as FileVault. In this article, we will take […]

11 Best Free Duplicate Photo Finder for Android in 2024

By TechCommuters / March 10, 2024

Duplicate files are a perennial truth of any device. It generates in different forms due to different reasons. Multiple times file downloading, file sharing of the same file multiple times, and data backup of the same file are a few reasons why duplicate files accumulate on your device. You can find them in different forms […]