Are you having problems connecting your Smart TV to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network while your 2.4GHz connection works just fine? Join the line; many a Smart TV owner has been caught up in this frustrating dilemma. It could be that your Smart TV is a Samsung, LG, or Sony-the problem usually boils down to router settings or operation compatibility, or distance limitations.
In this article Fixlp, I will talk about why this happens, how to troubleshoot step-by-step, and what router settings you should check. By the end of this article, you will know exactly what to do to get your Smart TV connected to a 5GHz Wi-Fi.
Why Do Smart TVs Have a Hard Time Connecting to 5GHz Wi-Fi Signals?
Before jumping into solutions, it is important to understand exactly why this is happening in the first place. Knowing the “why” will make your approach to fixing it even more valid.
Compatibility Issues
Not all Smart TVs can connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi signals. Older models, those made before 2018, commonly featured Wi-Fi adapters that were only 2.4 GHz capable. If your TV is old, there is nothing that will make it connect to 5 GHz, not even you. You can check the user manual or do a quick online search, and you will find out if your TV supports 5 GHz.
Router Configuration
If the TV has 5G capability, the router settings may be interfering with the connection. Some routers have configured the 2.4GHz and 5GHz settings under one SSID–and not all devices seem to handle this very well.
Sometimes it is the maximum channel that is set on the router. Many Smart TVs cannot see the higher 5GHz channels, especially those above channel 48.
Distance and Interference
5GHz Wi-Fi can provide higher speed but in that, it suffers from very short range compared to 2.4GHz. If your TV is located far from the router or there are several walls in between, the 5GHz signal may not reach reliably when there are microwaves, wireless and cordless phones, and other electronic devices interfering.
- check out this guide on how to fix a TV that won’t turn on but has power
How to Fix a Smart TV That Won’t Connect to 5GHz WiFi
Knowing common causes now, let us proceed step-wise to correcting them.
Step 1: Confirm TV Compatibility
First, start by checking if your Smart TV really supports 5GHz Wi-Fi. In checking:
The TV’s user manual
Manufacturer’s official website
The network settings section of your TV menu
If your TV doesn’t support 5GHz, your options would be to stick with 2.4GHz or to get an external streaming device (Fire Stick, Roku, etc.) that does support 5GHz.
Step 2: Separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz SSIDs
Login to the admin panel of your router. Most routers combine those two Wi-Fi bands under the same name by default. Rename the 5GHz network so that it has a unique SSID (for example, “HomeWiFi_5G”). This way, you can connect your TV directly to the 5GHz network instead of letting the TV choose automatically.
Step 3: Adjust Router Channel Settings
The next solution is one of the most overlooked – channel selection. Many TVs cannot detect higher 5 GHz channels such as 149 or 161. Set your router to a lower channel, ideally between 36 and 48. This option can usually be found in Wireless Settings > Advanced > Channel Selection on your router’s menu.
Step 4: Security Settings
Smart TVs tend to fail or refuse connection to Wi-Fi if the mode of security is incompatible. Ensure that your 5GHz network is set to WPA2-PSK (AES). Some TVs still do not support WPA3, and rolling back to WPA2 might solve the problem.
Step 5: Boost Signal Strength
If your router is not sitting in the same room or is too far away, the 5GHz signal may be too weak. Try shifting the router closer to the reception area or positioning it up high to avoid obstacles. If this does not resolve the issue, a Wi-Fi extender or perhaps a mesh Wi-Fi system to cover the area better could be a solution.
Brand-Specific Solutions
Different TV brands sometimes have quirks with 5GHz connections. Here are a few extra steps you can try depending on your TV brand.
Samsung Smart TVs
Samsung TVs are particularly sensitive to router channel settings. So, if your Samsung TV cannot see the 5GHz network at all, channel is the very first thing to adjust. You should, moreover, ensure that your TV firmware is updated. Go to Settings > Support > Software Update and check for the latest update.
LG Smart TVs
For LG TVs, separating the 2.4GHz and 5GHz SSIDs usually does the trick. Also check your TV’s “Quick Start +” feature under settings. Some users report turning this feature off has resolved connection problems.
Sony and Android TVs
Sony TVs running Android sometimes cache old network profiles. If your TV refuses to connect, try deleting all saved Wi-Fi networks, rebooting the TV, and then re-establishing connection to the 5GHz network fresh.
Roku and Fire TV Devices
5GHz has generally been very friendly to Roku sticks and Fire TV devices, though they do have a slight dependency on router settings for channel support. If you are running these devices with your TV, generally all you need to do is fix these settings on your router.
When Your TV Connects but 5GHz Is Unstable
There are situations that your Smart TV connects to the 5GHz network, yet it keeps dropping the connection or buffers. Below are some options you can try:
- Reduce channel width on your router from 80MHz to 40MHz for stability.
- Disable “Band Steering” on your router if available because it confuses devices.
- Take a look at the number of the connected devices on the same network, and try to limit them for the sake of reducing congestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can my phone connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi, while my TV cannot?
In general, phones feature a more advanced Wi-Fi adapter than TVs do, even in the less-expensive models. If your phone connects but your TV does not, it is most likely an issue with compatibility or the channel settings on the router.
Do all Smart TVs support 5GHz Wi-Fi?
No. Many older TVs support only 2.4GHz. Check specifications for your TV. If it does not support 5GHz, you will have to stick to 2.4GHz or get an external device.
Which router settings shall I change in the first place?
Start with separating the 2.4GHz and 5GHz SSIDs and then changing the channel to one between 36 and 48. Those two changes fix the issue for the majority of users.
Final Thoughts
Do not panic if your Smart TV refuses to connect to 5GHz WiFi while working well on 2.4GHz. In that case, a problem with the hardware is seen in most cases, while in normal cases, it is a setting from the router or compatibility. First, find out whether your TV is capable of connecting to 5GHz, and then check necessary configurations like SSID, channel, and security mode on your router.
After applying these corrections, you should be ready to enjoy faster speeds and smoother streaming on your Smart TV without interruptions. Otherwise, if all else fails, a reliable external streaming stick would be a good alternative.
A stable 5GHz Wi-Fi connection will improve the streaming quality of your smart TV and avoid buffering and lagging when playing online apps and games. Just take a few minutes to adjust your settings, and you’ll probably get the issue solved permanently.
