How to check Wi-Fi version on laptop

How to check the Wi-Fi version on a laptop is one of the most common questions people ask after buying a new device or when figuring out if their laptop supports better Wi-Fi speeds or a new router. Different Wi-Fi versions offer different speeds, ranges, and features, so knowing what your laptop supports can help you understand the performance you can realistically expect. The good news is that you don’t need any extra software to check this. In this guide, we’ll show you a few simple ways to check your laptop’s Wi-Fi version.

How to check Wi-Fi version on a laptop

Your laptop’s Wi-Fi version plays a big role in the speeds and wireless features it can take advantage of. This is especially helpful when setting up a new laptop or upgrading your internet or router. On Windows, you can check this information without installing any extra software. Here’s how:

Method 1: Check Wi-Fi version using Windows Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + S, type Command Prompt, then right-click it and select Run as administrator.

2. Type the following command “netsh wlan show drivers” and then hit Enter.

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3. In the results, look for the line that says Radio types supported. You’ll see entries such as 802.11n (which means Wi-Fi 4), 802.11ac (which means Wi-Fi 5), 802.11ax (which means Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E), which will tell you the highest Wi-Fi version your laptop supports.

Method 2: Check Wi-Fi version using Device Manager

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

2. Expand Network adapters.

3. Find your wireless adapter, which usually includes words like Wireless, Wi-Fi, Intel, or Realtek.

4. Search the adapter’s name online to see which Wi-Fi standard it supports.

If your laptop only shows older standards like 802.11n or 802.11ac, it simply means the hardware doesn’t support newer Wi-Fi versions. You can still connect to modern routers, but you won’t get the full speed or feature benefits they offer.