1. Signal Strength / Range

• 5GHz offers faster speeds but shorter range and worse wall penetration

• 2.4GHz offers better range but slower speeds

• If you’re moving farther from your router or through walls, your laptop may switch to 2.4GHz for a more stable connection.

2. Wi-Fi Band Steering or Smart Connect

• Some routers automatically switch devices between 2.4GHz and 5GHz for optimal performance

• This can cause your laptop to “jump” between bands if the router thinks the other band is better at that moment.

3. Laptop Wi-Fi Adapter Settings

• Your network adapter settings may be set to prefer a certain band or allow roaming too freely.

• You can adjust this in:

  • Device Manager > Network Adapter > Properties > Advanced tab (on Windows)

  • Look for settings like Preferred Band, Roaming Aggressiveness, or Wireless Mode.

4. Network Interference

• Other nearby networks or devices (microwaves, Bluetooth, etc.) may interfere with the 5GHz band, causing your laptop to drop it.

5. Driver or Firmware Issues

• Outdated Wi-Fi drivers on your laptop or router firmware can cause unstable connections.