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Forum Discussion
KurtOrbiUser
Feb 06, 2021Tutor
Can't change Orbi RBR50 channel to one recommended by the Orbi app
When I run the Wifi Analytics on my Adnroid Orbi app, it recommeds channels like 2 and 4, which show "Best Clarity"; however, my Orbi settings will not let me use any other channel than 36, 40, 44, a...
CrimpOn
Feb 06, 2021Guru - Experienced User
KurtOrbiUser wrote:When I run the Wifi Analytics on my Adnroid Orbi app, it recommeds channels like 2 and 4, which show "Best Clarity"; however, my Orbi settings will not let me use any other channel than 36, 40, 44, and 48.
Why can't I change the wifi setting channel to what the app recommends?
WiFi has two different frequency bands, 2.4G and 5G.
channels 2 and 4 are in the 2.4G band
channels 36-48 are in the 5G band.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels
You can set the 2.4G channel to 2 or 4 if you want.
CrimpOn
Feb 06, 2021Guru - Experienced User
p.s. There is some controversy over the wisdom of "fixing" the 2.4G WiFi channel. Most WiFi routers (i.e. all your neighbors) are designed to scan the 2.4G spectrum periodically and select what the router thinks is the least congested channel. (The "auto" setting.) If you decide "2 is what I want. I will STAY THERE FOREVER" and many of your neighbor routers also switch to channel 2, then it may no longer be so great. There are plenty of opinions on the subject.
In corporate environments, where the IT department administers all of the WiFi access points, the common practice is to use only channels 1, 6, and 11 (in North America) and create a "grid" of access points that have the least interference with each other. This has turned into sort of a "mantra" ("Use ONLY 1, 6, or 11") Which would be great if you owned all the WiFi routers on the block. Set one house to 1, the next house to 6, the next house to 11, the next house to 1, then 6, 11, 1, 6, 11 etc. But, you do not control every WiFi router on the block.
- KurtOrbiUserFeb 06, 2021Tutor
Thanks for the reply, but why would the Orbi app recommend channels I cannot change the Orbi to in the browser wireless settings?
- vajimFeb 06, 2021Master
KurtOrbiUser wrote:Thanks for the reply, but why would the Orbi app recommend channels I cannot change the Orbi to in the browser wireless settings?
Don't use the app too many problems
leave the WiFi channel selection to auto
if you do change the channel I guarantee that within a few days that channel will be crowded
Your neighbors may be doing the same.
- CrimpOnFeb 06, 2021Guru - Experienced User
KurtOrbiUser wrote:Thanks for the reply, but why would the Orbi app recommend channels I cannot change the Orbi to in the browser wireless settings?
WiFi 2.4G channel selection is a "drop down" menu with the default being "auto" (see image attached).
Click the "down arrow" to open the menu of channels from 1 to 11 (North America). 1-13 (reset of world) 1-14 (Japan)
- vajimFeb 07, 2021Master
KurtOrbiUser wrote:Thanks for the reply, but why would the Orbi app recommend channels I cannot change the Orbi to in the browser wireless settings?
a better question..."why are you using the app...?"