Wondering why the D Link Router 5Ghz not working but the 2.4Ghz WiFi does?
The reason is simple and revolves around the D Link router settings. Let’s learn more!
When the 5Ghz broadband of your D Link router disappears, it’s unreachable or slow, users should move closer to the router and then perform a hard reset. In case that doesn’t help, the WiFi channel should be changed and router firmware updated!
Let’s next learn more about the WiFi frequency and solve the issue as soon as possible!
About D Link Network Frequency?
The WiFi frequency is something interesting to learn about. The main difference between a 2.4Ghz WiFi broadband and a 5Ghz frequency is mainly in the speed.
The 2.4Ghz WiFi covers more radius and travels better through walls and objects – better signal strength.
In contrast, the 5Ghz WiFi frequency comes with faster speeds but the receiver should be closer to the network device for good signal strength.
The 5Ghz broadband has a hard time traveling through more than one wall, therefore can’t be used from a distance.
When the 5Ghz network is not working, disconnecting, or simply being slow, keep reading!
How To Fix When D Link Router 5Ghz Not Working?
The very first and most important thing to do is to move closer to the router!
Test your 5Ghz WiFi by standing right next to the network device to determine whether the distance, which is the most frequent cause, is producing the problem you’re experiencing.
In case that’s not what’s causing the issue, let’s jump into the solution guide!
Solution #1 Reboot Network Router/Modem
One of the most efficient first steps is to restart the network router which will refresh ALL services, including the WiFi broadband.
This method is one of the most frequently attempted solutions so it’s the perfect way to start our solution guide. Let’s learn what to do!
Here’s the most efficient way to restart your D Link network router:
- Turn OFF the D Link router device using the Power Button.
- Unplug the Power Adapter from the power source.
- Wait for a few minutes for the router to discharge.
- Plug back in the D Link router to the power.
- Turn on the device and wait for the WiFi to come online.
When you’re ready, test connecting to the 5Ghz broadband to determine whether this helped.
Tip: Use a standalone wall outlet and plug your D Link router directly!
Solution #2 Change The WiFi Channel
In case your 5Ghz WiFi on a D Link router was working just well, but suddenly the connection dropped and you can no longer connect, this method is for you!
Here we’ll learn how to jump from one WiFi channel to another to discover the one in which our WiFi works best.
The WiFi channel often contains other networks and when becomes too much, ALL connections on the channel become slow. What’s better than switching the channel?
Note: You’ll need access to a device connected to the D Link router WiFi/Ethernet.
Here’s how to switch the 5Ghz WiFi channel on a D Link router:
- In the web browser type “http://dlinkrouter.local”.
- Insert the password or leave the field blank.
- Select Log-in to proceed.
- Go to the Settings tab to select Wireless.
- From there choose Advanced Settings.
- Choose the 5Ghz Network and find the WiFi Channel Menu.
- From the Drop-Down Menu, select another channel.
- Don’t forget to Save the changes!
You don’t need to restart your router for the WiFi frequency to change channels. A couple of seconds should be enough and you can test whether the 5Ghz WiFi is now working!
Tip: Test with multiple channels to determine where the connection is working!
Solution #3 Use A Compatible Device!
We cannot proceed without mentioning that you need to use a compatible device to be able to see and connect to the 5Ghz broadband of your D Link router.
In case you’re only seeing the 5Ghz WiFi no matter what you do, chances are that your device isn’t compatible!
Smartphones nowadays support 5Ghz WiFi so users need to test using one!
In case the 5Ghz broadband of your D Link router works with a different device than the one you’ve been using so far, then the problem is solved.
You’ll now know that only 5Ghz WiFi-compatible devices can connect to the faster broadband of the D Link router.
Tip: The closer you stay to the D Link router the faster the 5Ghz broadband will be!
Solution #4 Setup 5Ghz Network Correctly
The next and one of the most important steps is to check whether the 5Ghz network is set up properly.
On some D Link router models, the faster broadband might not be enabled by default and that’s why you’re unable to discover and connect to the WiFi.
Let’s learn more!
To enable the 5Ghz network broadband on a D Link router, follow the steps below:
- Use the login link to enter the D Link Control Panel.
- From there go to the Settings tab and choose Wireless.
- Scroll down to find the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz WiFi.
- Change their SSID to a different name, for example, WiFi 2.4 and WiFi 5.
- Make sure that both broadbands status is Enabled.
- Set a Password that you can easily remember.
- Save the settings.
You’ll now need to restart the router by going into Management > Restart. You can also use the power button to perform a power cycle.
When ready, you’ll see the new names of your 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz network broadband. Attempt to connect to the 5Ghz WiFi.
This was how to change D-Link Router from 2.4 Ghz to 5Ghz WiFi easily and have both broadbands ready at any time. Based on your tasks, use the best WiFi frequency!
In case that doesn’t help and the 5Ghz WiFi still not working, let’s update the D Link firmware!
Solution #5 Update D Link Router
In case you’ve done everything as instructed in this guide and the 5Ghz network broadband on your D Link router is still not reachable then it’s time to check for updates.
When the router’s Firmware is out of date, there’s a high chance that some of the features won’t work.
This is why we can’t proceed without updating your D Link router to the latest firmware!
Here’s how to check and install any updates on your D Link router:
- In an online browser type “http://dlinkrouter.local”.
- Log in to your D Link router control panel.
- From there press Tools > Firmware.
- Click on Check Now.
- If there are any available updates, install them.
When the update finishes, your D Link router will restart as an indication of a successful update.
It’s recommended to log in to the control panel again and check whether everything with the 5Ghz broadband is OK (enabled, SSID Name is set, and the new channel is selected).
Note: An update could take up to 5 minutes, depending on the internet speed.
Solution #6 Factory Reset D Link Router
In case nothing in our guide helped, we’re ready to take out the big gun method and perform a factory reset on the D Link router.
The reset will erase ALL settings and router configurations providing us with a clean canvas to draw our settings on. Including the 5Ghz WiFi setting!
Here’s how to factory reset a D Link router from the control panel:
- Turn ON the D Link router!
- On the back of the D Link router find the Reset Button Pinhole.
- Acquire a thin and sharp object to be able to reach in.
- Press and hold the reset button for about 10 seconds.
- The LEDs should turn OFF as an indication of a started reset.
- Be patient as the reset might take quite some time!
When your D Link router starts, you’re going to be able to configure ALL settings from scratch.
The most important part is to use the above solutions to make everything the correct way and establish the 5Ghz WiFi frequency.
When you’re ready the WiFi should be working!
Quick Recap:
Thus, when D Link router 5Ghz WiFi is not working, users need to restart the router as well as this WiFi broadband separately and change the WiFi Channel. In case that doesn’t help users can update the router’s firmware and perform a factory reset.
Read Next: D-Link Router WiFi Light Not On?
Final Thoughts:
Now that we’ve learned why D Link Router 5Ghz not working we can solve the problem in a matter of minutes or at least find what’s wrong.
Based on your findings we can use the correct approach and resolve the issue in no time. Follow us for more and Good Luck!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.