Your laptop and phone use your fast 5 GHz network, but the printer's list doesn't include it, or shows only the 2.4 GHz name. Usually this isn't a fault: many printers have a 2.4 GHz-only radio, and even dual-band models may avoid some 5 GHz channels. The good news is that computers on 5 GHz can print to a printer on 2.4 GHz without trouble. This guide shows how to check what your printer supports and set up the network to suit it.
What you might be seeing
- Only the 2.4 GHz network appears in the printer's Wi-Fi list
- The 5 GHz network is missing even though other devices use it
- A dual-band printer sees 5 GHz on some days but not others
- Setup fails on a network that uses one name for both bands
Common causes
- 2.4 GHz-only hardware
- Many home and small office printers include only a 2.4 GHz radio.
- Unsupported 5 GHz channels
- Some dual-band printers can't use the radar-sharing channels known as DFS, which routers may pick automatically.
- 6 GHz-only network
- Printers don't support the 6 GHz band used by some Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 networks.
- Combined band name
- A single name for all bands occasionally confuses printers during setup.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order and test a print after each one. Most people are done within the first few steps.
Check which bands your printer supports
Look in the printer's manual or the specifications on the manufacturer's official website. If wireless support is listed as 802.11b/g/n or 2.4 GHz only, the printer can't join 5 GHz at all. If the specifications mention 5 GHz or list 802.11a or 802.11ac, it's dual-band. The network configuration report may also show which band it's currently using.
Connect the printer to 2.4 GHz
For a 2.4 GHz-only printer, join the 2.4 GHz network. That won't slow your other devices, and laptops and phones on 5 GHz can still print, because both bands come from the same router and form one home network. Print jobs are small, so the lower top speed rarely matters, and 2.4 GHz reaches farther through walls, which suits a printer in another room.
Handle a single combined network name
Many routers and mesh systems broadcast both bands under one name and let each device choose, so a 2.4 GHz-only printer simply joins on 2.4 GHz. If setup fails, look in the router's app for a temporary compatibility or 2.4 GHz-only mode for setting up smart devices, or an option to give each band its own name. The printer stays on 2.4 GHz afterward.
Turn on 2.4 GHz if it's off
Some people disable 2.4 GHz to push everything onto the faster band. If the router's 2.4 GHz radio is off, turn it back on in the wireless settings. You can give it a distinct name, such as your network name with a 2.4 suffix, so it's obvious which one the printer uses. Use the same strong password and security mode on both bands.
Choose a non-DFS channel for a dual-band printer
If your printer supports 5 GHz but still can't see the network, the router may be on a DFS channel, which some devices avoid. In the router's 5 GHz settings, switch from automatic to a fixed channel such as 36, 40, 44 or 48, or 149 to 161 where your region permits. Save, restart the printer and scan for networks again.
Make sure the network isn't 6 GHz only
Newer Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers can broadcast a network on 6 GHz alone, sometimes as a separate high-speed name. Printers can't use 6 GHz, so they'll never see that network. Connect the printer to the router's 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz name instead. If the router combines bands with multi-link features, look for a compatibility setting for older devices.
Confirm printing works across bands
Once the printer joins 2.4 GHz, print a configuration report and note its IP address. From a laptop on 5 GHz, add the printer through Printers & scanners in Windows or System Settings › Printers & Scanners on a Mac, and print a test page. If the laptop can't find it, check that neither band is a guest network and that the router doesn't isolate wireless devices.
How to keep it from happening again
- Leave 2.4 GHz switched on even if most devices use 5 GHz
- Check a printer's band support before buying it
- Avoid DFS channels if you rely on a dual-band printer
- Keep router firmware up to date
Common questions
Does connecting the printer to 2.4 GHz slow down my network?
No. Each band runs independently, and a printer sends small amounts of data only when printing. Devices on 5 GHz keep their full speed. A printer idling on 2.4 GHz most of the day has no meaningful effect on streaming, gaming or video calls elsewhere in the home.
Can my laptop on 5 GHz print to a printer on 2.4 GHz?
Yes, as long as both bands come from the same router or mesh system. They form one local network, so devices on either band can see each other. If printing fails across bands, check whether one of the names is actually a guest network or belongs to a separate extender with its own address range.
Will a firmware update add 5 GHz support?
Not if the printer's radio is 2.4 GHz only, because the hardware itself can't use the higher band. Firmware updates can still improve compatibility with newer routers and fix connection bugs, so they're worth installing. If you need 5 GHz for placement reasons, check that a replacement lists it explicitly.
This guide is general information written for common home and office printers. Menus and button names vary between models, so check your printer’s manual where a step differs. Printer Problems Solved is independent and not affiliated with any printer manufacturer. See our disclaimer.