| Action | Method | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Check Band | Command Prompt (netsh) | Identify if you are on 2.4GHz or 5GHz. |
| Force 5GHz | Device Manager Settings | Reduces interference from household appliances. |
| Split SSIDs | Router Admin Panel | Prevents “Band Steering” drops during calls. |
What is Changing WiFi Band to Fix Teams Disconnection?
Changing your WiFi band involves switching your device connection from the 2.4GHz frequency to the 5GHz frequency, or vice versa. Microsoft Teams is highly sensitive to “jitter” and packet loss.
The 2.4GHz band is often crowded with interference from microwaves and Bluetooth devices. This congestion causes the “Teams WiFi Drops” phenomenon. By forcing your adapter to 5GHz, you provide more bandwidth and a cleaner signal for video calls.
Step-by-Step Solutions
Method 1: Verify Your Current Connection
Before making changes, identify which band your computer is currently using. Use the following command to see your radio type and channel.
netsh wlan show interfacesLook for the “Description” and “Receive rate.” If your 802.11 type is “n”, you are likely on 2.4GHz. If it is “ac” or “ax”, you are likely on 5GHz.
Method 2: Change Preferred Band via Device Manager
You can force Windows to prefer the 5GHz band without changing your router settings. This is the fastest fix for Teams drops.
- Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Right-click your WiFi adapter (e.g., Intel Wi-Fi 6) and select Properties.
- Navigate to the Advanced tab.
- Find Preferred Band in the list and set the value to Prefer 5GHz band.
- Click OK and restart your WiFi.
Method 3: Disable Band Steering on Your Router
Many modern routers use “Band Steering” to combine 2.4GHz and 5GHz into one name (SSID). Teams often disconnects when the router tries to bounce your laptop between these bands.
Access your router admin page (usually 192.168.1.1). Look for Wireless Settings. Disable “Smart Connect” or “Band Steering.” Give the 5GHz network a unique name like “Home_WiFi_5G.” Connect your laptop specifically to that network.
Method 4: Adjust Roaming Aggressiveness
If your laptop tries to switch to a different Access Point during a call, Teams will drop. In the same Advanced tab of your Network Adapter properties, find Roaming Aggressiveness and set it to Lowest. This keeps your connection stable on one band.