Question Can't change/update from WiFi 4 to WiFi 6 on WiFi 6 supported motherboard

[nexus115]

I just installed a new motherboard, "TUF GAMING B650-E WIFI" that lists that it supports WiFi 6E, but in my windows settings I see "WiFi 4 On" and under Network Adapters when I go into the WiFi driver's Properties, under Advanced I see that Property set to 2.4GHz channel bandwidth with Auto as the Value. I tried changing property to 5GHz or even 6GHz, but it goes back to 2.4GHz. Everything is fine with my gateway as it's fast elsewhere.

I've tried splitting my internet into 3 bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz which didn't work. I downloaded the latest driver for it, and did a BIOS update. I'm not sure what else I can do. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[kanewolf]

I just installed a new motherboard, "TUF GAMING B650-E WIFI" that lists that it supports WiFi 6E, but in my windows settings I see "WiFi 4 On" and under Network Adapters when I go into the WiFi driver's Properties, under Advanced I see that Property set to 2.4GHz channel bandwidth with Auto as the Value. I tried changing property to 5GHz or even 6GHz, but it goes back to 2.4GHz. Everything is fine with my gateway as it's fast elsewhere.

I've tried splitting my internet into 3 bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz which didn't work. I downloaded the latest driver for it, and did a BIOS update. I'm not sure what else I can do. Any help would be appreciated.

What router or AP are you trying to connect to? You have to have same capabilities on router and client.

 

[nexus115]

What router or AP are you trying to connect to? You have to have same capabilities on router and client.

I'm using an Xfinity Advanced Gateway (XB8-T) and trying to connect a desktop. I’ve connected to 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz networks, but my speeds are still really slow. No error messages, just sluggish performance. The router is set to WPA3. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

 

[kanewolf]

I'm using an Xfinity Advanced Gateway (XB8-T) and trying to connect a desktop. I’ve connected to 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz networks, but my speeds are still really slow. No error messages, just sluggish performance. The router is set to WPA3. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

You have to look at the link rate of your connection. 6Ghz is usually only useful in the same room as the router because it doesn't penetrate wall well.

 

[nexus115]

You have to look at the link rate of your connection. 6Ghz is usually only useful in the same room as the router because it doesn't penetrate wall well.

I checked my link rate, and it's 2402 Mbps, so my connection to the router seems strong. However, my actual internet speeds are still slow. Could this be an ISP issue, congestion, or a router setting I should check?

 

[kanewolf]

I checked my link rate, and it's 2402 Mbps, so my connection to the router seems strong. However, my actual internet speeds are still slow. Could this be an ISP issue, congestion, or a router setting I should check?

I don't know about the XB8-T, but some of the "smart" routers will limit speedtest type traffic to allow for game traffic or VOIP. I don't know what "smarts" (QOS) that router has and is trying to apply to your traffic.

 

[nexus115]

I don't know about the XB8-T, but some of the "smart" routers will limit speedtest type traffic to allow for game traffic or VOIP. I don't know what "smarts" (QOS) that router has and is trying to apply to your traffic.

Good point! I’m not sure what QoS settings the XB8-T has either. Do you know how I can check or disable any smart traffic management settings to see if that’s affecting my speeds?

 

[kanewolf]

Good point! I’m not sure what QoS settings the XB8-T has either. Do you know how I can check or disable any smart traffic management settings to see if that’s affecting my speeds?

I do not.
I do see posts that you need to try the Xfiniti app rather than conventional speedtest.

 

[nexus115]

I do not.
I do see posts that you need to try the Xfiniti app rather than conventional speedtest.

Understood, I'll go ahead and try that out. I'll see what else I can do, but I appreciate the guidance 🙏

 

[kanewolf]

Understood, I'll go ahead and try that out. I'll see what else I can do, but I appreciate the guidance 🙏

If you are still looking for additional info, I would recommend starting a new XBB-T focused thread.

 

[dwd999]

Here's what google ai says about your router: "Band Steering: The XB8 intelligently directs devices to the most optimal Wi-Fi band for the best connection, simplifying your network and improving performance." So although you may want to use the 5GHz or 6GHz band the router is taking that decision away from you and making its own selection. You will most likely have to go through the router's settings to turn Band Steering off for your computer.

 

[bill001g]

Although not likely your problem you asked if WPA3 could be the issue. Very technically any device that supports 6ghz will support WPA3 on all radio bands so your pc should be good.

Note on the below since I typo it a couple times. WPA3, WPA2 and WPS are all different things all related to wifi key exchange.

The problem with WPA3 is all the older devices that exist and much more important all the IOT devices that are using WPS to connect. Many IOT device (like smart lights) do not have any ability to put in a SSID and password so you must use WPS. WPS is extremely insecure to begin with and really should have been disabled by wifi chipset makers years ago but they left it in and it is enabled on many routers by default. It takes only second to crack a wifi routers WPS password with even a simple cell phone app.

WPA3 because of how the keys are now exchanged make the methods used by WPS impossible.

Most routers support WPA2 also but if run a mix you might as well not even use WPA3 since any hacker will just use WPA2.

Now this is all therotical. If the government sits outside your house with the van connected to their supercomputer they can crack WPA2 keys. Your normal person can not break the key exchange. WPS though is a completely different hack this feature must be completely disabled. If you must use it for IOT device you turn it on let the device connect and then turn it back off. Problem is some device like really stupid "smart" lights will need to reconnect using WPS every time you turn the power off with the light switch rather than using the APP so people with these devices have to leave their network exposed with WPS all the time.