Change the Wi-Fi Channel Number to Avoid Interference

Wireless home networks transmit signals in a narrow radiofrequency range around 2.4 GHz and it's common for devices on the same frequency to affect the wireless signal and slow down an internet connection. Electronics such as cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors, and microwave ovens may use this frequency range. The wireless networks of neighbors may use the same radio signaling that interferes with an internet connection, especially in residences that share walls.

If your electronic devices or your neighbor's network slow down your home network and internet connection, change the wireless channel on your router so that it communicates on a different frequency to avoid interference.

The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal range is divided into a number of smaller bands or channels, similar to television channels. In most countries, Wi-Fi network equipment provides a set of available channels to choose from.

In the United States, for example, any of the Wi-Fi channels 1 through 11 can be chosen when setting up a wireless LAN (WLAN). Setting this channel number strategically can help avoid sources of wireless interference.

Wi-Fi equipment in the U.S. often ships with its default Wi-Fi channel set to 6. If you encounter interference from other devices in your home, change the channel up or down to avoid it. However, all Wi-Fi devices on a network must use the same channel.

Unlike television channels, some Wi-Fi channel numbers overlap with each other. Channel 1 uses the lowest frequency band and each subsequent channel increases the frequency slightly. Therefore, the further apart two channel numbers are, the less the degree of overlap and likelihood of interference. If you encounter interference from a neighbor's WLAN, change to a more distant channel.

The three Wi-Fi channels 1, 6, and 11 have no frequency overlap with each other. Use one of these three channels for the best results.

Newer 802.11n and 802.11ac Wi-Fi networks also support 5 GHz wireless connections. These frequencies are less likely to encounter wireless interference issues in homes the way 2.4 GHz does. Additionally, the 5 GHz Wi-Fi channel choices available in most home network equipment have been selected to choose only non-overlapping channels.

Choices vary by country, but in the United States, these non-overlapping 5 GHz channels are most recommended: 36, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157, and 161.

Usable non-overlapping 5 GHz channels also exist between 48 and 149, specifically 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 132, and 136. These channels fall into a specially regulated category where a Wi-Fi transmitter detects whether other devices are transmitting on the same channel and automatically changes its channel to avoid conflict.

While this Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) feature avoids interference issues, many network administrators avoid using these channels to minimize complications.

To find the wireless channel your router uses, access the router administration page, usually at the router IP address. Log in to the page, then look for something referring to wireless channels or WLAN.

To see the wireless channel setting, use a mobile or desktop wireless app. These Wi-Fi apps point out the channel of your network and the WLANs that your device can see in the range.

The ability to see nearby wireless networks and their channels is crucial. You need to know what the other channels are set at so that you know which channel to change.

Wireless interference is only one of several possible causes of a slow network connection. If you've changed the wireless channel but you still have a slow connection, follow these tips:

• Find the best place for the wireless router. The position of the access point is crucial. If it's too high, too low, or behind too many walls, you won't get the most out of the signal.
• Test the internet speed and compare it to your service plan. If you don't get the speeds offered by the ISP, either buy a new router or contact your ISP for support.
• Speed up the computer. Apps such as web browsers and email clients may slow down an internet connection.