NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.

Forum Discussion

fiorentino's avatar
fiorentino
Aspirant
Oct 02, 2020
Solved

Cannot select channels manually on AX6000 WiFi Range Extender

Hello,

 

I seem not to be able to set 2.4 & 5ghz channels manually in the setup of my AX6000 WiFi Range Extender (EAX80). I have manually selected the channels on my router (6 & 161), but the extender insist on using channel 44 for 5ghz and won't let me change it. How come?

 

Cheers,

Massimo

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Oct 05, 2020

    Set your 5ghz channel width back up. Again, 5ghz doesn't broadcast as far so taking up the full 80/160hz width isn't as impactful as when doing it with 2.4ghz. You'll take a significant speed hit with it set down. Not sure who gave you the info to turn it down for 5ghz. It can sometimes help with 2.4ghz but tends to help when everyone in the area does it, not just 1 person. 

     

    And again, in extender mode, you can't select the channels for the extender. it HAS to use the channel the router is on. 

     

    And the "optimal" channel for 5ghz isn't always the highest one. it does tend to have a little higher throughput but if you were worried about that little bit extra, you woudn't have narrowed your channel width. 

     

    so set the 5ghz back to ull 80/160 width that your router support, and then use the lower channel. 

7 Replies

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru - Experienced User

    Because its an extender.  it uses the same exactly channels as the router. If the extender was on a different channel than the router, it couldn't connect back to it because they'd be broadcasting on different frequencies. 

    In access point mode, you can set them different because then the extenders connection back to the router is through an ethernet connection. 

    • fiorentino's avatar
      fiorentino
      Aspirant

      Thank you for the help plemans!

       

      So what you are saying is that it might be the channel width that causes the problems? Right now my router is on a dynamic 20/40hmz setting because I wanted a lower frequency to avoid interference from surrounding wifi APs in my apartment building. Does the AX6000 then only accept a higher width, such as 80mhz? Could this be the problem?

       

      Cheers,

      Massimo

      • plemans's avatar
        plemans
        Guru - Experienced User

        I think you're confusing subjects. 

        1. The router and the extender have to be on the same channel. 

        2. The channel width is what sets the link speed and max possible throughput. Not sure what router you have but to hit a 4800mbps link speed on the extender, you'd need the width set at 160hz (and need to be fairly close to the router to hit full link speed). At 20/40hz, you'd only hit 600-1200mbps link speed optimally. 

        3. Apartment living is a struggle for wireless. You can set your 2.4ghz at 20/40 but set the 5ghz at the max width. 5ghz doesn't broadcast as far or through as much materials so is better for apartment living. 

         

        Maybe we should go over what issues you're actually having instead of making guesses? you asked about selecting channels but didn't fully go over why you were asking and the prior post indicated you were having some type of speed issue. 

        So what all devices are you using? (router, device testing on, etc)

        And what all issues are you having?