Mac WiFi Connection - 2.4Ghz vs 5Ghz

[TheWriteJerry]

Note: I have just enough knowledge on these matters to mess myself up, so please answer as if you were speaking with a novice (so I don't assume I know what you mean and mess things up further ).

I have an M1 iMac and an Asus RT-ac68 router -- an excellent dual band router.

My iMac seems to choose the band it wants to connect to at random. Sometimes 2.4 Ghz at a much slower connect rate (a Tx rate of 144 Mbps or lower on the 802.11n mode). Sometimes it will connect at 5 Ghz (Tx rate over 200, sometimes over 300 -- and fluctuates wildly on the 802.11ac mode).

And it doesn't matter if I am coming out of sleep, rebooting, or just using the machine -- the mode just keep changing! Even during this session I checked and it kept changing.

Is there any way to force the iMac to always connect at the 5 Ghz / 802.11ac mode?

For that matter, I wonder if my iPhone and iPad are having the same problem...

I have done some searching for answers on this, and they are always either shoulder shrugs or inconsistent (and way too technical). I'm hoping you folk have some insights!

J

 

[phrehdd]

Note: I have just enough knowledge on these matters to mess myself up, so please answer as if you were speaking with a novice (so I don't assume I know what you mean and mess things up further ).

I have an M1 iMac and an Asus RT-ac68 router -- an excellent dual band router.

My iMac seems to choose the band it wants to connect to at random. Sometimes 2.4 Ghz at a much slower connect rate (a Tx rate of 144 Mbps or lower on the 802.11n mode). Sometimes it will connect at 5 Ghz (Tx rate over 200, sometimes over 300 -- and fluctuates wildly on the 802.11ac mode).

And it doesn't matter if I am coming out of sleep, rebooting, or just using the machine -- the mode just keep changing! Even during this session I checked and it kept changing.

Is there any way to force the iMac to always connect at the 5 Ghz / 802.11ac mode?

For that matter, I wonder if my iPhone and iPad are having the same problem...

I have done some searching for answers on this, and they are always either shoulder shrugs or inconsistent (and way too technical). I'm hoping you folk have some insights!

J

You might want to go into the network settings and go to preferences then to advance and remove all your network connections and start over again. This time however, only put in the 5g network to start. See if it does well. If so, add the 2.4 network in as well. In that advanced window you can drag up to the top the primary network you wish to connect with. Just make sure have you network passwords at hand. Btw, I have the same router and it is decent relative to similar routers.

 

[TheWriteJerry]

You might want to go into the network settings and go to preferences then to advance and remove all your network connections and start over again. This time however, only put in the 5g network to start. See if it does well. If so, add the 2.4 network in as well. In that advanced window you can drag up to the top the primary network you wish to connect with. Just make sure have you network passwords at hand. Btw, I have the same router and it is decent relative to similar routers.

Thanks! I will do that.

Question -- should I name the 5g and the 2.4g networks different things? A different SSID for each?

 

[Blair110]

I would suggest naming them different, just so it's easier to differentiate which one. Do you have a lot of devices connected to the router? I don't have a ton of knowledge but it's my understanding that the device will chose the least congested band.

 

[TheWriteJerry]

I would suggest naming them different, just so it's easier to differentiate which one. Do you have a lot of devices connected to the router? I don't have a ton of knowledge but it's my understanding that the device will chose the least congested band.

A couple of computers, iPad, some phones... but I like the idea of having different SSIDs so I think I will go that way!

 

[tonyr6]

Thanks! I will do that.

Question -- should I name the 5g and the 2.4g networks different things? A different SSID for each?

Definitely. I always done that, and I don't have issues.

 

[MacCheetah3]

My iMac seems to choose the band it wants to connect to at random. Sometimes 2.4 Ghz at a much slower connect rate (a Tx rate of 144 Mbps or lower on the 802.11n mode). Sometimes it will connect at 5 Ghz (Tx rate over 200, sometimes over 300 -- and fluctuates wildly on the 802.11ac mode).

And it doesn't matter if I am coming out of sleep, rebooting, or just using the machine -- the mode just keep changing! Even during this session I checked and it kept changing.

I don't have a ton of knowledge but it's my understanding that the device will chose the least congested band.

Correct.

Is there any way to force the iMac to always connect at the 5 Ghz / 802.11ac mode?

Yes, though with fine print. As others have stated, you can force a connection to a certain (frequency) band by having distinct SSIDs. Regarding the protocol:

• 2.4GHz is limited to 802.11n (as the fastest)
• Many routers do allow selecting specific modes, however, the options vary by router model

From what I’m seeing in the linked below user guide/manual, there’s no 802.11ac only option.

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC68U/E14013_RT-AC68U_manual_v2.pdf

Section 4.1.1 (pages 48 through 50)

For me, living in an apartment (i.e., lots of possible interference), it’s better if the router and devices choose the details. Fortunately, I don’t need to force a certain speed (e.g., 5GHz 802.11ac) as I don’t do massive network transfers and my Internet connection is rated 100Mbps down, 10Mbps up.

 

[phrehdd]

Thanks! I will do that.

Question -- should I name the 5g and the 2.4g networks different things? A different SSID for each?

Yes. Treat them as what they are - different networks. If one is not available, your settings will then go to the next setting which should be your 2.4 with its own name and password.