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Forum Discussion
bryanchuah17
Jun 02, 2020Tutor
WiFi Channel
I have a question regarding for the WiFi Channel. Previously I am using channel 11 for 2.4GHz and channel 48 for 5GHz but then I tried to change the WiFi channel which is not congested to channel 6 fo...
CrimpOn
Jun 02, 2020Guru - Experienced User
bryanchuah17 wrote:
Second question: The WiFi channel is it any channel also can use? Or is there any strong channel recommended? I do checked for the WiFi Analyzer. As I’m afraid after changing the channel
Modern WiFi networks typically perform a scan periodically to see which channel offers the best performance and switch to that channel automatically. That is what the "Auto" setting means. Alas, your neighbors' WiFi systems are doing the same thing. One of the pitfalls of using WiFi "analyzer" apps is that they will detect your own Orbi WiFi system as being "congested". There are powerful WiFi access points really close to the analyzer that have strong signals. If you truly want to search for the "least congested" channel, then your own Orbi needs to be shut off first. (My family would do unpleasant things to me were I to do that.)
When 2.4G WiFi first came out, corporate environments were often mapped out to place adjacent WiFi access points on channels that have "no overlap". Of the 11 channels available in the US, only 1, 6, and 11 have zero overlap with each other. (With the benefit of hindsight, this design seems really unfortunate.) The practice of using only 1, 6, and 11 has evolved into an urban legand that 2.4G WiFi should only be set to one of those three channels. But, what if all the WiFi systems near you are set to 1, 6, and 11?
For myself, leaving the Orbi to decide which channel works best has proved effective. There is no harm at all in experimenting with different WiFi channels.
bryanchuah17
Jun 10, 2020Tutor
Woah, thanks for your clear explanation. Conclusion, for 2.4Ghz channel let it be Auto, and how about 5GHz WiFi? When every time I changed the 5GHz WiFi channel it will appear Per WiFi Alliance guidelines for 40MHz and 20 MHZ coexistence, even if you “up to 400mpbs” mode, your product might drop to 20Mhz. This typically corresponds to 192 Mbps performance”
What should I do with that?
What should I do with that?