The Raspberry Pi is a small-sized yet fully functional computer that glorifies the way of learning, research, and development in the field of electronics and technology. Compared with a normal desktop motherboard, you may wonder does Raspberry Pi 4 have Wifi.
The good news is that the latest model of the Raspberry Pi series comes with a prebuilt wireless module. Hence, you do not require the hassle of using the ethernet port or installing wi-fi cards for accessing the internet.
Well, now that you know raspberry pi4 has built-in wifi, do you know how to configure it? Don’t worry, we have covered detailed methods with images that will help you start using wifi in no time. But, first let’s understand the basics in detail.
Does Raspberry Pi 4 Have Wi-Fi?
A Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable computer the size of a compact card that connects to a monitor or TV and functions with a regular keyboard and mouse.
With the help of this competent small gadget, people can do all sorts of interesting projects. The fun becomes more intense if Raspberry Pi is compatible with wireless internet connectivity.
Raspberry Pi has been started, including the specific wifi associated with the Bluetooth module in the PCB from the Raspberry Pi 3B model. As a result, being the successor of 3B, all models under the Raspberry Pi 4 have been launched with Wi-Fi adapters.
Raspberry Pi 4 Wi-Fi Module Specifications
Users of RAspberry would be delighted to know that the newer models of Raspberry Pi 4 have IEEE standard wifi connectivity similar to the wifi cards of laptops.
The wifi module is embedded within the PCB just above the cheapest of the device. All three models of the Raspberry Pi 4 are compatible with dual-band wifi connectivity.
This means you can use both conventional 2.4GHz and high-speed 5GHz internet from your home wifi network. Since it uses the 802.11ac wireless system and BLE Gigabit Ethernet, you are guaranteed flawless internet access without any data loss.
Moreover, the wifi adapter also includes the 5.0 Bluetooth module for short file sharing. Besides, it is also suitable for connecting external devices such as a keyboard, camera, or mouse wirelessly with the system.
Benefits of Wi-Fi in Raspberry Pi 4
In modern days, it is impossible to think of a device without wireless connectivity, especially when it comes to accessing the internet. Hence, the built-in wifi feature in the portable but fully capable computing device has added a new dimension for the users.
Firstly, if you are not fond of excess heavy wirings, this specification will surely bring a smile to your face. You can completely avoid the ethernet port for getting access to the internet. The universal compatible wi-fi adapter is suitable for using the internet in any network band.
Besides, a wifi feature increases the versatility and portability of the Raspberry Pi 4. You can easily set up your workstation in any part of the home/office space. The hassle of using the ethernet cable becomes optional that way.
As a general user, the availability of the dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) ensures working with high-speed internet, even if it is for streaming or any DIY work.
How To Configure Wi-Fi On Raspberry Pi 4?
There are various methods to connect your Raspberry Pi 4 to an existing wifi network. Follow the below-mentioned methods to select the most suitable one for you.
Method 1: Using The Raspberry Desktop Application
This is the simplest way to connect your Raspberry Pi 4 to Wi-Fi. It is for you if you use the Raspberry Pi as an independent setup with a mouse, keyboard, and a monitor like a desktop.
Step 1: Setting Up Your Raspberry Pi 4
A fresh out of the box, Raspberry Pi 4 requires an active Operating system to function like a simple desktop/laptop. You should have a micro SD card formatted at first. You can do it easily using any SD card reader and a laptop.
Secondly, download and install the official Raspberry Pi OS (NOOBS files) from the Raspberry website. Copy all the files to the SD card, which is a BOOT source for your device.
Step 2: Setting Up Your Wi-Fi
Once you have successfully installed the OS on your SD card, insert it into your Raspberry Pi. After that, connect it with a monitor, power source, mouse, and keyboard, followed by booting up the device.
You will automatically get the wifi connectivity option after the first startup. All you need is to select the SSID and input the password to get it connected.
If, for some reason, you have skipped this part, you can manually open the wifi settings from the OS. Tap on the Raspberry icon and select “Internet.” Choose the preferred SSID and input the password for easily connecting to the wifi.
Method 2: Using Wi-Fi Configuration File
If you want your Raspberry Pi 4 to connect automatically to a specific Wi-Fi, this method is for you. You need not connect a mouse or keyboard to the device for this.
Step 1: Setting Up Configuration File
First, insert the SD card into your desktop/laptop. After that, open up the boot file. Now you need to create the configuration file by generating a text file. Create a text file and name it “WPA_supplicant.conf” after removing the file’s extension.
Step 2: Inputting Wi-Fi Credentials
Now open the text file of the configuration in notepad and type in the command as shown in the image below. You must include the country code, SSID of your network, and password carefully in this step.
You can find the country code for wifi connections online. But ensure the source has proper authorization; otherwise, you cannot connect to the wifi.
The credentials will be transferred to your device memory in the first boot. After that, create a new text file in the boot folder and rename it “ssh.” Remove the extension file and save it as it is. This file will be automatically deleted after your device has been connected to the wifi for the first time.
Lastly, reconnect the SD card in your Raspberry Pi 4 and boot it up without connecting the mouse, keyboard, and ethernet cable. The boot will take some time and will connect to the internet automatically.
Method 3: Connecting to wifi via another device
In this method, you can remotely set up the wifi in your Raspberry Pi 4 from a secondary desktop/laptop. For this, you would need the Putty software installed on your desktop/laptop.
Step 1: Selecting The SSID
Open the PUTTY software and login into your Raspberry Pi using the user id and password. After that, type in the command “sudo iwlist wlan0 scan.” This will show all the available SSID in the coverage.
Step 2: Connecting To The Wi-Fi
In this step, you have manually input the SSID and WPA password for your wifi network. Type in the command: sudo wpa_passphrase “SSID” “PASSWORD” and hit enter.
Once you receive the password in the encrypted form, enter the commands shown in the image to reconfigure the settings and save it in the memory.
This method also allows you to connect to your Raspberry Pi wirelessly using the IP address from the putty software.
FAQ’s
Using the newly built wifi module, you can use Raspberry Pi 4 for various purposes. To know more that you may follow the questionnaires stated below.
Does Raspberry Pi 4 have 5GHz Wi-Fi?
Can I use a Raspberry Pi as a router?
Conclusion
In earlier days, connecting the Raspberry Pi 4 to the internet was a hassle. There were few options other than using the ethernet connection. Using a third-party Wi-Fi dongle or adapter and configuring it was a tough job. Moreover, the network stability and speed were not up t the mark.
Following the Raspberry Pi 3B, the Raspberry Pi 4 reduced these troubles to a great extent. Users can easily connect to the internet and use it for loads of wireless projects. As a matter of fact, you can also convert the device to a router.
We hope this article has been informative and well instructional to walk you through connecting your Raspberry pi 4 to the Wi-Fi.