Can't join "802.11n only 5Ghz" but can connect to "802.11n only 2.4 GHz"

(a) cell phones don't interfere with 2.4 GHz networking.

(b) if you have all that interference there is also a good chance that you have the same at 5 GHz.

I have the exact same problem with my system. Only 2.4 GHz seems to work. I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't a hardware issue; that is, either the Airport extreme base station or the card on my computer is just not capable of working at 5GHz. Any idea on how to go about addressing that as a possibility? I would also very much like to try 5GHz to at least test if will eliminate my interference issues.

Me reporting back again - I may have narrowed down the problem, on my system at least. I bought a new Airport express with 802.11n capability and I set it up as a separate network to my stereo, broadcasting at 5GHz. It worked fine, and in fact it eliminated the interference problem I was having. Since my computer manages at 5 GHz, as well as the new Airport Express, it means that the problems I have been having broadcasting at 5GHz originate from the Airport Extreme base station. Could be that others are having that problem as well? I'm only sorry that the base station is beyond the warranty period, so I can't return it.

Same problem here. When my Time Capsule is set to broadcast at 2.4Ghz my Macbook Core 2 Duo works fine (and I have confirmed 802.11n is enabled using Network Utility). When I set the Time Capsule to 5 GHz (I've done it with both wide channel on, and wide channel off) it will not connect to the network (and Airport Utility can no longer find the Time Capsule).
Would appreciate help.

One further note...I just set the time capsule to 2.4GHz "n" only rather than 2.4GHz b/g/n and I can't connect to that either. It's as if the capsule does not broadcast in "n"

I'm experiencing the exact same problem with one of my Windows boxes. I can connect to my Airport Extreme over 802.11n 2.4GHz but I can't even see the access point when I switch it to 5GHz only. I purposely purchased this router for 5GHz and I'm disappointed that it's not working.

I am having that exact same problem. A colleague of mine just suggested that I turn off IPv6 on the Windows machine. I haven't tested that out but I will tonight and let folks know if that made any difference.

Cheers
Adrienne

Hi All,

does anyone solved this problem? I´m also unable to connect my MacPro (with Airport Extreme a/n/g/b capable board) to an Airport Extreme Base Station configured to n-only 5 GHz band. If I do, the Airport Utility is unable to find the Base Station and I have to reset to go back to 2.4 GHz band.

Any help would be appreciated.

Best Regards,

Joster Macedo

Well I'm sorry I don't have the answer, but I'm having the same problem. My iMac will work fine in 2.4 with my Time Capsule, but I can't even see it when it runs at 5. I'll keep looking and see if I can come up with a solution. Good luck all!



Update:

I did just realize that the 4 wireless phones in my house run at 5.8 GHz which may be causing interference with the Time Capsule. Anyone else having a 5 GHz issue that doesn't have wireless phones? Maybe I'll get around to disconnecting all of them and trying 5 GHz again.

Message was edited by: Ben Matthew

Problem solved! This is an embarrassing one. Come to find out, many wireless cards don't support 5GHz. I just reviewed the spec sheet on my wireless PCI card and found that it only supports 2.4GHz. I guess that's why N is still in draft mode.