How to Force Samsung S21 to connect to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Router

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Author:

Danu Prasad

Samsung Galaxy S21 devices support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi frequencies. This means Galaxy S21 can be connected to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi routers.

However, some Galaxy S21 users experience issues when connecting their smartphones to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. According to them, these devices connect to a 5GHz network without issues. But when connecting to a 2.4GHz network, the Galaxy S21 produces errors.

If your Galaxy S21 does the same and gives you errors when you try to connect the phone to a 2.4GHz band router, then you have to either change the router’s frequency to 5GHz or forcefully connect your Galaxy S21 to the router. 

In this guide, we will explain how you can do these with step-by-step solutions.

Note: Solutions in this guide will work on any Samsung Galaxy S21 model (S21, S21 Plus, S21 Fe, and S21 Ultra models.)

Editor’s note: We created these instructions using a Samsung Galaxy S21 running Android 13. Depending on your device’s software version, some steps and menu positions may look slightly different.

Why Your Samsung Galaxy S21 Doesn’t Connect to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi?

Here are the possible reasons why your Samsung Galaxy S21 isn’t connecting to your 2.4 GHz router:

  1. Configuration issues on your Galaxy S21 Wi-Fi settings.
  2. Glitched connection profile of your phone.
  3. Configuration issues with your Wi-Fi router.

The solutions we have given below address each above causes and provide solutions to connect your Samsung Galaxy S21 to your 2.4GHz router.

Fix 01: Forget the Wi-Fi Router from Your Galaxy S21

When you forget the Wi-Fi router from your Galaxy S21, it will remove the saved connection including its cache files and passwords. This will allow your phone to connect to the 2.4GHz router properly.

Before going to apply this solution, make sure you know and remember the Wi-Fi password of the router.

Here is how to forget and reconnect to your router:

  1. Swipe down the notification bar.
  2. Tap on hold the Wi-Fi icon.
  3. You will see the routers that are saved on your device.
  4. Tap on the gear icon next to the router you are trying to connect, and tap on “Forget”.
Forget wifi network
  1. Then turn off the Wi-Fi and turn it on again. After, try to connect to the router and see if the device connects without any issue

Fix 02: Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings will remove previous configurations made to the network settings of your Galaxy S21. If there is any issue with the network settings that prevented your device from connecting to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi routers, this solution will resolve that issue.

To reset network settings, follow these steps;

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on “General management”.
  3. Tap on “Reset”.
Reset option samsung
  1. Under reset settings, tap on “Reset network settings”.
Reset network settings

You will have to reconfigure settings like mobile data connections once you reset the network settings. However, make sure to not change Wi-Fi settings once you do this.

Fix 03: Restart the Router

Restart the router

If there is a glitch in your router that refuses to connect your device, restarting the router should fix the issue.

Plug out the router from the power source. Then after a few seconds, plug it back in and turn on the router. Then try to connect your Galaxy S21 with it and see if the problem is solved.

Fix 04: Reset the Router

Router dashboard

If restarting the router didn’t resolve the connecting issue, you can reset its settings.

Note: Resetting the router will reset the password too. If you have changed its password, you will have to recharge it after you reset the router.

The steps you should take to reset your router will depend on its model. However, you have two ways to do this.

Method 01: Reset Router Settings Using Reset Button

On your router, there should be a reset key. Look under it or the back side of it and see if there is a reset key. Then use a small tool like a thumb pin and press and hold the key for a few seconds while the router is turned on.

Tip: If you still cannot find the reset key, see the manual of your router.

Your router will restart automatically after you keep pressing the reset key for a few seconds. Then, use the default router password to connect your Galaxy S21 with it.

Method 02: Reset Router Settings Using the Router’s Dashboard

You can also log into the router dashboard and use the reset option there to reset your router. To do this, follow the steps below (Note: The process can vary depending on the router model):

  1. First, type the router’s IP address on a web browser and load its dashboard (control panel).
  2. Log into the dashboard by typing the username and password (if this is your first time, see the router and there should be a sticker containing the username and password).
  3. Go to its Settings.
  4. Go to “Advanced Settings”.
  5. Tap on the reset option.

Now your router will restart automatically and after that, use the default router password and connect your Samsung Galaxy S21 to the router.

2 thoughts on “How to Force Samsung S21 to connect to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Router”

  1. Hi,
    Thank you for posting this guide. I’m trying to get my Samsung S21 ultra to connect to 2.4GHz WiFi. My provider tells me that the router is available on both 2.4 and 5GHz but the S21, I suspect, defaults to 5GHz and I cant see how to change it. I’ve followed the steps above, forgotten the old WIFI network, reset the settings but I cannot for the life of me see to change or anywhere that there is any option for it. Upon forgetting and then signing back into the wifi network, the phone gives me a new ‘manage router’ option which wasn’t there before. A click on that option takes me to my router provider which won’t allow me to log in. I called the provider and they weren’t surprised saying that they didn’t like people using it amd so I suspect that it doesn’twork. They did say that they could change the router to 2.4GHz but that that would be for everything so I’ve left things as they are. Would a different router help or do you think its a samsung software issue? Thanks in advance, I am lost! Cheers, Charlie

    Reply
    • Your router could support both bands, but only one will work at a time. I guess that the router defaults to 5 GHz, and that is the issue. If you have another router with 2.4 GHz is set to default, try connecting your S21 to that router. If it connects without any issue, then you have to consider contacting your provider to reconfigure your router.

      Reply

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