When 2.4 GHz is better than 5 GHz

 

I got an answer from generative AI to one of life's existential questions today. And because of this, Plex media server isn't crapping out so often.

Question: Is it possible for 2g to sometimes work better than 5g for streaming?

Answer: "Yes, it is possible for the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band to sometimes work better than the 5 GHz band for streaming, even though 5 GHz generally provides faster speeds. Here's why: The 2.4 GHz band has better range and can penetrate walls and obstacles more easily than the 5 GHz band.

"This means that even if the 5 GHz connection provides higher theoretical speeds, the 2.4 GHz connection may be more stable and consistent, especially if the device is located further away from the router or has obstructions between it and the router.

"Additionally, the 2.4 GHz band is often less congested than the 5 GHz band, as it has fewer available channels. This reduced interference can lead to a more reliable and consistent connection, which is important for streaming applications that require a steady, uninterrupted data flow

"A Reddit user experienced this firsthand - switching from the 5 GHz to the 2.4 GHz band improved their IPTV streaming performance by reducing buffering, even though the 5 GHz connection had faster speeds. This suggests that in certain situations, the stability and consistency of the 2.4 GHz band can be more important for streaming than the raw speed of the 5 GHz band."