WiFi 5GHz Has Disappeared on Both Computers

I know that it was there on my computer, perhaps a month ago when the WiFi card was replaced, and I know that both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz entries were there on both computers in the past. Yesterday morning, when I found my machine off-line, and the DSL Internet light blinking wildly, the first thing I did was to click on the task bar icon, only to find that only the 2.4GHz setting was there.

Some investigation found that 5GHz was also not shown on my wife's computer, with both 2.4 and 5 shown in Settings/WiFi/Manage Known Networks, but the 5GHz had been removed from mine. I added 5GHz, which still did not show in Show Available Networks.

When Centurylink eventually started working, I checked my smart phone, which uses the same WiFi as the computers, and it was connected at 5GHz, meaning that the router was set correctly.

The only thing that I can think of, and it is nothing more than an uneducated observation, is that the only thing that the two computers have shared in common since I last knew that 5GHz was working on mine--and not having checked hers for an unknown time span--is the interim updates to Windows 10 Home 1803, as though something in Windows is blocking 5GHz.

Hi Not Myself.

Did you power reset the router, power off, wait 30 seconds, power on.

On one machine you might quickly try a network reset.

Start > Settings > Network and Internet > scroll to bottom of right hand side > Network Reset

If you have any specialized communications software you may have to reinstall it, things like VPNs.

PolarNettles said:

The OP indicated that their phone is able to connect to 5GHz.

@Not Myself

Just to clarify - you are manually adding the network name to Manage Known Networks and after rebooting the entry is gone?

You can look at Event Viewer->Windows Logs->System to see if there are any WiFi/WLAN-related entries during that time.

You can also try running a 3rd party WiFi scanner like Free Trial Home Wifi Scanner | Generic WiFi passwords | AcrylicWifi and see if it's able to pick up your (or any) 5GHz network.

I first added 5GHz when it did not appear on my computer, but was still shown in WiFi, but not used, on my wife's computer. My entry was removed when I rebooted, and that happened again after I tried the Network Reset. I have not rebooted my wife's computer, but when I do, I suspect that the WiFi entry for 5GHz will be removed.

AcrylicWiFi cannot find the 5GHz on my computer. I will look at Event Viewer sometime today, and report findings/lack of findings. The router software clearly shows the presence of, and activation of, the 5Hz signal, which now only reaches my phone, but neither computer.

Later: As threatened, I did look at Event Viewer; nothing found.

It would be worth checking the computer maker's support site for WiFi card driver & BIOS updates.

Denis

If you suspect Windows undo the the recent patches.

I would also check that router is set to broadcast SSID of 5Ghz network.