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Setting up a channel in a Wi-Fi router, how to choose a free one: or why frequent Wi-Fi cuts, low speed, poor quality of coverage

Good time everyone!

I think that many of the users have come across "bad" Wi-Fi network operation more than once: either the speed is low, then the connection is cut off, then the quality of the coverage is poor, then something else ...

All these "troubles", by the way, can occur due to the fact that you had the "wrong" selected in the router settings channel .

Many people underestimate this option, and very rarely pay attention to it (how much in vain!). If you live in a large apartment building (where neighbors have their own Wi-Fi routers), then when the channels overlap, the connection quality can deteriorate significantly!

Actually, in this article I wanted to tell a little more about the channels: how you can find a free one, how to set it in the Wi-Fi router settings. I believe that checking this moment will not take so much of your time (but if the reason was this, you will significantly improve the quality of your Wi-Fi network!). 😉

So...

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Selecting and configuring a channel in a Wi-Fi router

A brief educational program about channels and interference

Today, most routers operate at 2.4 GHz (much less 5 GHz). For this frequency in our country, it is allowed to use from the 1st to the 13th channel - i.e. each Wi-Fi network operates in this range (note that in other countries other channels may be allowed and used. For example, in America, from 1 to 11 are allowed).

By the way, if your Wi-Fi network will use the 13th channel, then a device localized to work in the United States will simply not be able to work with this network ...

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As I said above, the problem can arise when several routers (located not so far from each other) start working on the same channel. This is especially common in large apartment buildings. Because of this, there may be a decrease in speed, frequent breaks, and poor coverage.

In general, by default, most routers have an auto-channel selection option: i.e. when the device is turned on, other Wi-Fi networks must be "analyzed" and either a free channel or the least "loaded" one must be established. But I will note that this does not always happen: the "stuffing" of routers fails, and they do not reboot very often ...

Correct the situation in this case, there may be a "manual" setting. With the help of specials. utilities, you can find out what Wi-Fi networks are in the area and on what channels they work. After that, open the settings of the router, and set a specific channel (for example, the 5th).

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Note! By the way, poor Wi-Fi coverage can be not only due to an incorrectly selected channel, but also due to an incorrectly chosen location for installing the router (see the diagram below 👇). In general, about how you can strengthen the Wi-Fi signal, I recommend this note.

On the question of the choice and location of the router in the apartment

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How to find a free channel

There are special applications for this, both for the computer and for the phone.

👉 To help!

We analyze Wi-Fi networks from an Android phone: find out the range (distance to the router), free channels, MAC address, encryption type, etc. characteristics

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Under Windows I am impressed WifiInfoView ...

WifiInfoView

Official site (download page): //www.nirsoft.net/

A very lightweight utility that does not need to be installed. All you have to do is download it and run it.

Then it will automatically find all Wi-Fi networks in the area, show the MAC addresses, signal quality, frequency, channel, router manufacturer, etc. (see the screen below 👇).

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After launching the utility, it will "think" for a second. 10 ÷ 15, then you will be presented with a list of networks.

Pay attention to busy channels: does your channel overlap with some others? In general, ideally, you need to choose a channel that does not intersect with anyone, if there is none, take the one that is less common among others.

WiFiInfoView - the main program window (works automatically)

By the way, if suddenly the previous utility does not work for you, you can use its analogue InSSIDer.

It works completely similar to the previous one, it even supports the Russian language. By the way, in my opinion it is more "sensitive", tk. often shows more networks.

Wi-Fi channels

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How to change the channel in the router settings

Of course, a lot depends on the model of your router and 👉 its firmware. First you need to 👉 go into the settings of the router (many also call them the web interface).

Next, as a rule, you need to find the section "Wireless Settings" (if English firmware - see. "Wireless Settings" ). "Channel" so it is called, in English. "Chanel" .

For example, in routers TP-Link just open the section "Wireless mode" , tab "Wireless Settings" , and in the line "Channel" instead "Auto" specify the channel that you need.

Wireless Mode - Settings (TP-LINK Router)

If you have English. firmware version (TP-LINK) - then see the tab "Wireless Settings" ... See example below (👇).

TP-Link - English version of the firmware

In D-Link routers, to change the channel, just open the tab of the basic Wi-Fi settings (see the screenshot below).

D-LINK - Wi-Fi - Basic Settings

In Tenda routers, everything is, in principle, the same - the tab "Setting up a wireless network" , further at the very bottom subsection "Wireless Settings" .

Wireless settings - Tenda router

After changing the channel, save the router settings and double-check the Wi-Fi network operation. In some cases, improvements are visible to the naked eye.

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If it doesn't help, then pay attention!

If the quality of the Wi-Fi network has not improved, then pay attention to several more factors. I will give the most basic ones below.

1) Location of the router in the apartment.

If the router is located too far from the laptop (tablet, phone), and even behind two concrete walls, then it is not surprising that the signal may be weak.

Also pay attention to the number of antennas on the router - when buying a new router, give preference to devices with 4 antennas.

Antenna at 10 dBi

By the way, antennas with signal amplification are now being sold for routers (see the screen above). Such antennas, for example, can be purchased in Chinese online stores.

👉 Note!

The best Chinese online stores are featured in this post.

2) Routers operating at 5 GHz.

Now, routers operating at a frequency of 5 GHz have begun to appear on the market. Their signal does not interfere with other routers and household appliances, which improves the quality of the network.

3) Special. improved Wi-Fi adapters

If you have a "weak" Wi-Fi adapter installed in your laptop (tablet), then it may make sense to purchase a special one. powerful external Wi-Fi adapter. Note the difference in reception in the example below.

Regular laptop and Wi-Fi adapter Alfa AWUS036NHR

4) If the neighbors got it ...

If you are tired of your neighbors with their Wi-Fi adapters, radios, and other devices that "clog" your space with waves, then you can go for radical methods: install a thin "lattice" on the walls (placed under the wallpaper on the walls), which will reliably isolate your the room from external waves and interference.

Of course, this is rarely done in apartments, but nevertheless (by the way, some isolate children's rooms in such a way that 👉 the radiation from Wi-Fi has less effect on the child's health) ...

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Constructive comments are always welcome.

That's all for now.

Good luck!

👋

First publication: 21.08.2018

Correction: 08/21/2020

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