Why does my laptop always open to 5GHz when I have 2GHz selected?

[lifstrand]

Because of the EXTREME consumption of bandwidth that happens no matter what I do to minimize it, I've set my Gen5 WiFi settings to 2.4GHz (see image below), since 5GHz would be even more consumptive.  However, almost every single time I start up my laptop in the a.m. the WiFi connects at 5GHz anyway.  What can I do to prevent this?  I need to conserve every tiny byte I can!  

The laptop OS is Win7.  I turn off the power to the modem nightly (I'm on solar power and must conserve that way as well).  

[Amanda · Accepted solution]

Hi lifstrand,

Generally, depending on the model of your laptop/wireless card, you can change the "wireless mode" on the wireless card. This is usually achieved by changing the wireless mode 802.11 a/b/g to 802.11 b/g. 

 [edit: I forgot to say you have to make this change by accessing the Network Adapter's properties in Device Manager or Control Panel]

Another alternative would be to create 2 different SSID's for each band with 2 different passwords. This would prevent a device that does not have a certain bands password from auto-connecting.

Hope I could help!

Amanda

[GabeU · Accepted solution]

@lifstrand

I'm not sure why you would assume that the 5Ghz band uses any more data than the 2.4Ghz band.  The only way it may is if you are doing something that constantly uses data, and the possible slower speed of the 2.4Ghz WiFi might cause it to use less data.  If it's not that, and you are just browsing and downloading files and such, the only difference with the 2.4Ghz band might be that it takes longer to do those things, but it's not going to use any less data.  A 50MB file is going to use 50MB of your data no matter which WiFi band you use.  

With that said, you can disable the 5Ghz band in the same settings of your picture.  Click on the 5Ghz tab and uncheck SSID enable and SSID broadcast, then click Save Settings.  Then do the same with the 5Ghz Guest radio, too.  You can also disable it in the Advanced Setup under the Wireless section.  Uncheck the box for the 5Ghz Frequency Band.  The second method may be easier and actually shut the 5Ghz radio off, though I don't know for sure.  It's what I do instead of the first method.  I have my 5Ghz WiFi disabled because I don't have anything that can utilize it.   

Edit:  Was writing this when Amanda posted.  

[Amanda · Accepted solution]

Hi lifstrand,

Generally, depending on the model of your laptop/wireless card, you can change the "wireless mode" on the wireless card. This is usually achieved by changing the wireless mode 802.11 a/b/g to 802.11 b/g. 

 [edit: I forgot to say you have to make this change by accessing the Network Adapter's properties in Device Manager or Control Panel]

Another alternative would be to create 2 different SSID's for each band with 2 different passwords. This would prevent a device that does not have a certain bands password from auto-connecting.

Hope I could help!

Amanda

[GabeU · Accepted solution]

@lifstrand

I'm not sure why you would assume that the 5Ghz band uses any more data than the 2.4Ghz band.  The only way it may is if you are doing something that constantly uses data, and the possible slower speed of the 2.4Ghz WiFi might cause it to use less data.  If it's not that, and you are just browsing and downloading files and such, the only difference with the 2.4Ghz band might be that it takes longer to do those things, but it's not going to use any less data.  A 50MB file is going to use 50MB of your data no matter which WiFi band you use.  

With that said, you can disable the 5Ghz band in the same settings of your picture.  Click on the 5Ghz tab and uncheck SSID enable and SSID broadcast, then click Save Settings.  Then do the same with the 5Ghz Guest radio, too.  You can also disable it in the Advanced Setup under the Wireless section.  Uncheck the box for the 5Ghz Frequency Band.  The second method may be easier and actually shut the 5Ghz radio off, though I don't know for sure.  It's what I do instead of the first method.  I have my 5Ghz WiFi disabled because I don't have anything that can utilize it.   

Edit:  Was writing this when Amanda posted.  

[Amanda]

@GabeU well now there is an array of answers! 🙂 

[lifstrand]

The installer who set me up originally told me that hug5 would "cost" me more bandwidth, by the way.  It had something to do with viewing videos in higher quality.  As part of what I do in life involves finding and linking to certain music videos, and since I don't view the entire videos (just enough to be sure it's the correct music), I don't need the higher quality. 

Of course, no matter what I do, including upping my plan to increase my available data to 30GB/month, disconnecting all devices except my laptop from WiFi after 8 a.m., and doing my downloads before 8 a.m., I'm still always bumping up against my monthly limit.  It would be sooo nice to join the 21st century internet-wise, but that's another topic.

[GabeU]

@lifstrand

Ah, okay.  I don't know why the installer would tell you that, as it's completely untrue.  The bandwidth videos need today isn't approaching anywhere near the speeds that utilizing the 2.4Ghz band would conserve data.  HD video needs about 3Mbps to play properly.  The max speed of the 2.4Ghz band, in most cases, is around 54Mbps.  The max speed of the 5Ghz band is considerably higher (varies by setup).  When the HD video only needs 3Mbps, utilizing the 2.4Ghz band over the 5Ghz band isn't going to save any data, as what the video needs for bandwidth isn't approaching anywhere near the speed limit of the 2.4Ghz band, so the 2.4Ghz band wouldn't be restricting any data usage, nor saving it. 

With that said, what can save you data with videos is the Video Data Saver, as when it's on Youtube videos will tend to play in 480p at the highest definition, whereas when the Video Data Saver is off they may play in 720p or even 1080p, which will use a good deal more data than 480p.  I keep the VDS on, as I find 480p to be a decent definition (equal to DVD quality) for Youtube videos.  The Video Data Saver is on by default, so if you haven't adjusted it it should already be restricting your Youtube videos to said 480p.   

With regard to the data usage, I've read through your past posts and I know that you have an aversion to doing so, but if you list what devices you have connected to the service we may be able to help you make the necessary adjustments and app installations so that you use as little data as possible.  There may be settings on certain devices that are allowing them to automatically utilize a lot of data. 

And, I didn't see if it was already mentioned, but if you have a satellite TV receiver connected to HughesNet, that can utilize a LOT of data, as well.  

[donsjgm]

Hi lifstrand,

The data used with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands (radio frequency) is the same.

While the lower frequency (2.4GHz) is slower it does have a greater range conversely the higher (5GHz) frequency while faster has a shorter range.

When your device asks for data the speed is inconsequential to the amount used.

That being said, there is an exception. If you are stressing the range of either band (in this case we're talking the 5GHz) and therefor you have a weak signal your device may miss some of the data being sent and have to ask for it again. Data is sent in "packets" and this is what is known as "packet loss".

Other than this exception, the only difference is the radio frequency used to transmit data to and from your device.

Don  🙂

[wildcats198308 · Accepted solution]

I believe your computer will only connect to one or the other if you have previously entered the password for each band separately.   So another way to stop your computer from connecting to the 5Ghz band is go into your WiFi settings on the computer (I forget where it is on Windows 7)  find where your previous connected networks are and Forget the 5Ghz network, only enter the password on the 2.4 GHz network. 

[lifstrand]

Thanks to you all for your replies.  I accidentally discovered another solution before I read yours.  Here's a photo of what I did -- I discovered that for whatever reason, the hug5 was at the top of the list (I didn't put it there, and have no idea if it's always been like that or some update or something changed it).   So far, this solution is working.  Thanks again.