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How to Check if Your Wi-Fi is 6 or 6E: A Deep Dive

Determining whether your Wi-Fi network operates on the Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or the newer Wi-Fi 6E standard requires examining your router’s specifications and your connected devices’ capabilities. Look for explicit mentions of “Wi-Fi 6E” or the 6 GHz band in the router’s documentation or interface.

Identifying Your Wi-Fi Generation: Beyond the Basics

Unveiling the true potential of your wireless network begins with knowing its generation. While visually identical to previous Wi-Fi routers, the difference between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E lies in the frequencies they utilize and, consequently, their performance. Wi-Fi 6 operates on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, whereas Wi-Fi 6E extends into the less congested 6 GHz band. This difference has a significant impact on speed, latency, and overall network capacity.

1. Checking Your Router’s Specifications

The most reliable method involves consulting your router’s documentation or web interface. Here’s how:

Documentation: Scour the user manual or the manufacturer’s website for your router model. Look for terms like “802.11ax,” “Wi-Fi 6,” and, crucially, “Wi-Fi 6E” or “6 GHz band support.” The presence of “6E” or a mention of the 6 GHz band confirms its Wi-Fi 6E capability. Be aware that some manufacturers might use proprietary names to describe Wi-Fi 6E functionality, so be sure to check for mentions of the 6 GHz frequency.
Router Web Interface: Access your router’s settings through a web browser. The address is typically found on a sticker on the router itself or in the user manual (often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Log in with your credentials. Navigate to the “Wireless” or “Wi-Fi” section, and look for information about the supported standards. You might find separate configurations for 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and, if supported, 6 GHz networks. If a 6 GHz network option exists, your router is Wi-Fi 6E capable.

2. Examining Connected Devices

While your router is the core, your devices also need to support Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E to benefit fully.

Device Specifications: Check the specifications of your smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices. Look for “802.11ax,” “Wi-Fi 6,” or “Wi-Fi 6E” in the technical details.
Operating System Information: Some operating systems provide information about the Wi-Fi connection.
- Windows: In Windows, open the Command Prompt and type netsh wlan show interfaces. Look for the “Radio type” entry. If it mentions “802.11ax,” it might indicate Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E capability, but it doesn’t distinguish between the two. The key is whether you are connected to the 6 GHz band.
- macOS: Hold the Option key and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. Look for the “PHY Mode.” Similar to Windows, “802.11ax” indicates Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E, but you’ll need additional confirmation, such as if your network name appears twice, once with “6GHz” or similar appended to it.

3. Utilizing Wi-Fi Analyzers

Wi-Fi analyzer apps can scan nearby networks and display their characteristics, including the supported Wi-Fi standard and operating frequency.

Mobile Apps: Several Wi-Fi analyzer apps are available for iOS and Android. These apps can detect networks operating on the 6 GHz band, providing a clear indication of Wi-Fi 6E presence. Popular examples include Wi-Fi Analyzer (Android) and AirPort Utility (iOS, requires enabling Wi-Fi scanning).
Desktop Software: Software like NetSpot can provide in-depth Wi-Fi analysis on Windows and macOS, including information about supported standards and frequency bands.

Understanding the Limitations

It’s crucial to understand that simply having a Wi-Fi 6E router doesn’t guarantee all your devices will immediately connect to the 6 GHz band. Several factors influence band selection:

Device Support: The device must explicitly support Wi-Fi 6E to connect to the 6 GHz band.
Driver Updates: Ensure your device’s Wi-Fi drivers are up to date to support the latest standards.
Router Configuration: Your router’s settings might prioritize certain bands or have specific configurations that affect device connections.
Signal Strength: The signal strength of the 6 GHz band can be shorter than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
Range: The 6 GHz band has a shorter range than the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about distinguishing between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E:

How can I tell if my device is connected to the 6 GHz band?
On Windows, run netsh wlan show interfaces in the command prompt. Look for the “Radio type” entry and confirm that your network is indeed on the 6Ghz band and using Wi-Fi 6E. On macOS, holding Option and clicking the Wi-Fi icon may show the frequency band you are connected on.
Does Wi-Fi 6E automatically mean better performance?
Not necessarily. While Wi-Fi 6E offers the potential for higher speeds and lower latency, the actual performance depends on factors like network congestion, device capabilities, and the distance from the router.
Can I upgrade my existing Wi-Fi 6 router to Wi-Fi 6E?
No. Wi-Fi 6E requires specific hardware to operate on the 6 GHz band. You’ll need to purchase a new Wi-Fi 6E router.
Are all new devices automatically Wi-Fi 6E compatible?
No. While many newer devices support Wi-Fi 6E, it’s essential to check the specifications before assuming compatibility. Cheaper, lower-end devices may still only support Wi-Fi 6 or older standards.
What are the main advantages of Wi-Fi 6E over Wi-Fi 6?
The primary advantage is the use of the 6 GHz band, which offers less congestion, wider channels, and reduced interference, leading to improved speeds and lower latency.
How do Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E affect battery life on mobile devices?
Both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E include features like Target Wake Time (TWT) that can improve battery life by allowing devices to schedule when they wake up to transmit or receive data.
Is it worth upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E if I already have Wi-Fi 6?
If you experience network congestion or require very low latency (e.g., for gaming or VR), upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E can be beneficial, provided your devices also support it.
My router says it supports “160 MHz channels.” Is that Wi-Fi 6E?
Not necessarily. 160 MHz channels are a feature of Wi-Fi 6 as well. While Wi-Fi 6E also utilizes 160 MHz channels, the key difference is the operation on the 6 GHz band.
What is the range of the 6 GHz band in Wi-Fi 6E compared to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz?
The 6 GHz band generally has a shorter range than both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz due to its higher frequency, making it more susceptible to attenuation by obstacles.
Does Wi-Fi 6E require new security protocols compared to older Wi-Fi standards?
Wi-Fi 6E uses WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3), the latest and most secure Wi-Fi encryption protocol.
What happens if I connect a Wi-Fi 6 device to a Wi-Fi 6E network?
The Wi-Fi 6 device will connect to the 5 GHz band on the Wi-Fi 6E network. The device won’t be able to connect to the 6 GHz band, and the device will benefit from other WiFi 6 features.
What is the importance of channel width in WiFi 6 and 6E?
Wider channels, such as 80 MHz and 160 MHz, enable higher data throughput, which results in faster download and upload speeds. WiFi 6 and 6E technologies support wider channels, thereby improving network performance.

By carefully examining your router and devices, you can confidently determine whether you’re leveraging the power of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E and optimize your network for the best possible performance.