How to Change WiFi Router Channel?

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Step by Step How to Change Wi-Fi Router Channel

Advancements in technology have significantly improved Wi-Fi networks since their inception.

However, Wi-Fi speeds can be influenced by factors such as router configuration or interference from structures or other electronic devices. Changing your Wi-Fi router channel can help mitigate these issues, and it’s a process you can complete in just a few steps.

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Typically, your router will be set to ‘Auto’ for channel selection. You can view and change the channel manually by accessing your router’s settings.

What are Wi-Fi Channels?

Wi-Fi channels are segments within Wi-Fi frequency bands used for data transmission.

Depending on your router’s frequency band, you have several channels at your disposal:

There are fourteen channels on the 2.4 GHz frequency in most regions. Still, only channels 1, 6, and 11 are recommended for use in the USA to avoid overlap, as enough spectrum separates them to prevent interference. Each channel is 20 MHz wide, with a 5 MHz separation from adjacent channels to avoid overlap.
The 5 GHz frequency band offers more than twenty-three non-overlapping 20 MHz channels, and it supports channels with widths of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and 160 MHz. The exact number of available channels can vary by country due to regulatory differences.

Selecting a non-overlapping and less congested channel can help reduce interference.

Wi-Fi Channel Width

While it’s true that Wi-Fi channels typically start with a base width of 20 MHz, not all channels are limited to this width; they can indeed be combined to form 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or even 160 MHz channels, particularly in the 5 GHz band, to increase data throughput.

How do you know the best channel

Determining the best channel depends on the channels used by other networks in your vicinity.

Wi-Fi analyzer apps for Android and Windows can help identify the most optimal channel for your network. While it’s true that iOS restricts access to certain Wi-Fi data, which limits the functionality of Wi-Fi analyzer apps on Apple devices, users can still find apps that offer insights into network conditions, albeit with some limitations.

After connecting your device to your Wi-Fi network, the app will display a graph showing nearby networks, their channels, and signal strengths, helping you choose the best channel.

How do you change the Wi-Fi channel on your router

Follow these steps to change your Wi-Fi router’s channel:

Step 1. Connect your PC to your router wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable.

Step 2. To access your router’s management page, type its IP address into the address bar. The default IP address varies by manufacturer and model; common ones include 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.3.1. Consult your router’s documentation for the correct address.

Step 3. Navigate to More Functions,

Step 4. Click Wi-Fi Settings,

Step 5. Select Wi-Fi advanced,

Step 6. Choose the 2.4GHz channel,

Step 7. Select your desired Wi-Fi channel.

Changing the Router Channel on Apple

For Apple routers, such as the AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule, use the AirPort Utility app found in the Utilities folder within Applications on a Mac, or download the app for iOS devices from the App Store to adjust settings, including the Wi-Fi channel.

Enter the network base station password, click ‘Edit’ followed by ‘Wireless’, then ‘Wireless Options’ to select the channel. Choose from channels 1, 6, and 11, or as the Wireless Diagnostic recommends. Save your changes.

Changing Channel Using a Wi-Fi Analyzer on Android

Open the Wi-Fi Analyzer to view the channel graphs. For channel ratings, click Menu Key and select ‘View’.
Select Channel Rating from the list.
Click “Please tap here to set an AP” to choose your network or access point.
A list of star-rated channels will appear, suggesting channels that are less crowded than your current one.

Signal Meter

The Signal meter feature in Wi-Fi Analyzer helps you find the ideal router placement by showing signal strength in different areas of your space.

Conclusion

Changing your Wi-Fi channel can be straightforward, manually or with a Wi-Fi analyzer. This can significantly improve your network’s performance.