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This only applies if you are using a third-party dongle or no dongle.

If you are using PiFi Kit to enable 2.4Ghz just go to PiFi App > Settings > More Settings > 2.4Ghz mode

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Raspberry Pi’s built-in WiFi has a single radio – it can run 2.4GHz or 5GHz, not both. Most USB dongles aren’t supported by OpenWrt, which is why the PiFi Kit includes one with built-in driver support. For full compatibility without hassle, we recommend using the PiFi Kit. If you wish to configure manually without the kit this article shows how.

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Why does PiFi default to 5GHz, and how can I switch to 2.4GHz?

By default, PiFi broadcasts on the 5GHz band for optimal performance. This applies whether you're using:

Most USB dongles are not supported

Very few USB WiFi adapters have meaningful driver support in OpenWrt. This is why PiFi Kit include an official USB dongle — it ships with a pre-integrated driver baked into the firmware. Third-party dongles are often hit-or-miss and may not function at all, even if they appear to be detected.

How to check which WiFi interface is broadcasting

You can quickly determine whether your PiFi device is broadcasting using the internal wireless or a USB dongle by checking the SSID (network name):

Internal WiFi: 2.4GHz or 5GHz — not both

The Raspberry Pi’s internal WiFi is single-radio, meaning it can operate on either 2.4GHz or 5GHz — but not both simultaneously. By default, PiFi configures it to broadcast in 5GHz. If you're using internal WiFi and need 2.4GHz instead (for better range or compatibility), you’ll need to switch bands manually.

You can do this via: