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When it comes to gaming on your PS5, choosing the right frequency can make all the difference. The types of frequencies you can choose for your PS5 is 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both frequencies and help you determine which one best fits your gaming needs. Remember that the decision between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for your PS5 will depend on your specific needs and circumstances.
Table of Contents
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using 2.4 GHz for PS5
When connecting your PS5 to the internet, you have two options: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This section will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the 2.4 GHz band for your PS5.
Advantages
Range
One of the main advantages of using the 2.4 GHz band is its wider range. This means you can connect to the internet from a greater distance from your router.
It also means that the signal can penetrate walls and other obstacles more easily, making it a better choice if your PS5 is far away from your router or in a different room.
This also allows you to be able to hide the router more if you don’t like the look of it.
Disadvantages
Bandwidth Speed
One of the biggest disadvantages of using the 2.4 GHz band is its slower speed. The 2.4 GHz band is limited to a maximum speed of 300 Mbps, which is significantly slower than the 5 GHz band, which can reach up to 1300 Mbps.
This means that if you are playing online games or streaming content, you may experience lag or buffering.
Congestion
2.4 GHz is more widely used in many households, causing it to be more crowded since many devices use it. This can include security cameras, older gaming consoles, and baby monitors. In addition, older routers only offer 2.4 GHz Wi-fi.
Because it has fewer channels than the 5 GHz band, it can quickly become crowded, especially in densely populated areas such as apartment buildings. This congestion can lead to slower speeds and increased lag.
In summary, the 2.4 GHz band is a good choice if you need to connect to the internet from a greater distance away from your router or experience interference from other wireless devices.
However, it is not the best choice if you need fast online gaming or streaming speeds or are in a crowded area with many other wireless devices.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using 5 GHz for PS5
When it comes to connecting your PS5 to the internet, you might be wondering whether you should use the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band.
While both options have pros and cons, in this section, we will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of using 5 GHz for PS5.
Advantages
Better Speed
The 5 GHz band provides faster internet speeds than the 2.4 GHz band. This is because it has more available channels and less interference from other devices, resulting in a more stable and reliable connection.
Lower Latency
The 5 GHz band also has lower latency, which means less lag and better online gaming experiences. This is especially important for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts.
Higher Bandwidth
The 5 GHz band has a higher bandwidth, ideal for high-resolution games and streaming 4K content. It allows for faster data transfer rates, resulting in smoother gameplay and faster downloads.
Disadvantages
Limited Range
One of the main disadvantages of the 5 GHz band is that it has a shorter range than the 2.4 GHz band. This means the signal strength may weaken as you move further from the router, resulting in slower speeds and dropped connections.
External Interference
The 5 GHz band can also be more susceptible to interference from walls, floors, and other obstacles. This can result in weaker signals and slower speeds in certain areas of your home.
How Do I Connect a PS5 to 5 GHz?
To connect your PS5 to a 5 GHz network, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings on your PS5.
- Select Network.
- Under Settings, Select Set Up Internet Connection.
- Select the 5 GHz Wi-Fi you want to connect to.
- Enter your Wi-Fi password.
- If you cannot see it, press the options button, under there select Wi-Fi frequency bands.
- Switch it to 5 GHz. Once you select it, the 2.4 GHz connections are marked with an X
- Now that you’re connected don’t forget to test the internet connection
In conclusion, using the 5 GHz band for your PS5 can provide faster speeds, lower latency, and higher bandwidth.
However, it may have a limited range and be more interference-resistant. We have found gaming more reliable, however, connecting the PS5 to a LAN cable.
Why Can’t PS5 Connect to 5 GHz?
When connecting your PS5 to Wi-Fi, you may find that it struggles to connect to a 5 GHz network. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re experiencing slow download speeds or lag during gameplay. So why can’t your PS5 connect to 5 GHz?
There are a few reasons why this may be the case.
Reset Router
Are your other devices using Wi-fi having an issue? If so, then the router could be the problem. Here, you would simply need to reset it.
The first option is to simply unplug it and a bit and replug it. Another way to reset a router is to switch the on and off button that most routers have. Before doing so, we recommend waiting a bit before switching the button back on.
Change Channels
A common reason your PS5 may be unable to connect to a 5 GHz network is that the router may be using a channel that the PS5 does not support.
PS5s tend to not connect to higher bands. In this case, you may need to change the channel on your router to one that the PS5 supports.
Try changing the channel to through the router settings anywhere from 36-48. If you are unsure how to change your 5 GHz channel, contact your internet service provider.
Once you change your band, make sure to check your other devices can connect to 5 GHZ. The key here is to find a channel in that range to connect all the devices you want.
Also, if you know your PS5 comes from a different region, this fix should help. Different countries have different frequency bands.
Update PS5
It’s also possible that the PS5’s software may be causing issues with connecting to 5 GHz networks. Some users have reported that the PS5 has difficulty switching between Wi-Fi bands on a connected network, and that it may only work with certain types of routers.
In this case, you may need to update your PS5’s software to the latest version, or contact Sony support for further assistance.
To update your ps5 console
- Go to “Settings” and head over to “System”.
- Select “System software Update and Settings” and choose “Update System Software”
- Since you can’t use 5 GHz, you can either update using 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi or through a USB.
Set PS5 to only connect to 5 GHz
Are you having trouble finding your 5 GHz Wi-fi? In your PS5’s internet connection, you can change the frequency bands and set it to only connect to 5 GHz in section above.
In summary, there are several reasons why your PS5 may be unable to connect to a 5 GHz network. By understanding these issues, you can take steps to troubleshoot the problem and get your PS5 connected to the network.
Is Ethernet Faster Than 5 GHz PS5?
When it comes to online gaming, a fast and stable internet connection is essential. While Wi-Fi can provide a convenient wireless connection, it may not always be the best option for gamers. This section will explore whether Ethernet is faster than 5GHz Wi-Fi for PS5 gaming.
Ethernet is a wired connection that uses an Ethernet cable to connect your PS5 directly to your router. This type of connection is known for its stability and speed. Unlike Wi-Fi, Ethernet does not suffer from interference or signal loss, which can cause lag and slow down your connection.
On the other hand, as mentioned before, 5GHz Wi-Fi is a wireless connection that operates on a higher frequency than 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
This means it can provide faster speeds and lower latency, essential for online gaming. However, 5GHz Wi-Fi has a shorter range and may not be as stable as Ethernet.
Personally, we have found that although using an Ethernet cable is more stable, it is slower than 5 GHz Wi-fi.
If you came from the section before and still have issues with connecting to 5 GHz, we highly recommend using a wired internet connection. It is faster than 2.4 GHz
Conclusion
After researching and analyzing the available information, we can confidently say that using 5GHz for PS5 is the better option.
While 2.4GHz has a wider Wi-Fi coverage range, it has lower speed and higher latency, which can result in increased lag and high-ping. On the other hand, 5GHz offers better speed, lower latency, and higher bandwidth for high-resolution games, which is crucial for a smooth gaming experience.
Additionally, 5GHz can reduce interference for a more stable connection in densely populated areas. However, it’s important to note that the signal strength of 5GHz may weaken over distance or when obstructed by walls or other objects.
If you’re having trouble connecting to 5GHz, you can try forcing your PS5 to connect to it or adjusting your router’s settings. Alternatively, using an Ethernet LAN connection is always reliable for the best performance.
In summary, for the best gaming experience on PS5, we recommend using 5GHz if possible.