How to Change Channels on a Router to Improve WiFi Performance?

Interference on a wireless network can come from a number of sources and not just other WiFi networks. Wireless devices like cordless phones, microwave ovens, and even baby monitors can disrupt the WiFi signals and cause interference. If that is not enough, structural features and physical objects like walls and furniture can also cause interference. One of the ways to get past the problem of interference is changing the channel of your WiFi, as it changes the frequency of transmission and leads to less interference.

What are WiFi Channels?

If you are not familiar with the concept of channels, then WiFi channels are smaller bands within the larger frequency bands, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz that routers use to transmit wireless signals. Each larger frequency band has a number of smaller bands called channels that are used for transmission of signals and you can configure them from http://192.168.0.1.

Each channel in a frequency band has a specific bandwidth that it can transmit and if multiple devices in close proximity are using the same channel, then it can lead to interference that can weaken the WiFi signal, decrease internet speeds, and decrease the range of the WiFi coverage.

How to Change the Channel on a WiFi Router?

Now that we are familiar with the concept of interference and WiFi channels, let us discuss how we can change the channel on a WiFi router and improve the network performance.

Select the Best Channel for Transmission

The first thing to do in order to change the channel on your WiFi router is to select the best possible channel for transmission. For this, you can use tools built into your wireless router or third-party applications that can help you find the least congested channels in your proximity. These tools scan the nearby area and display the channels that are being used by other networks so that you can choose a channel that is least congested.

Generally, it is recommended that you select channels 1, 6, and 11 on the 2.4 GHz frequency band, as these channels do not overlap with one another and result in less interference and signal disruption.

Change the Channel

Once you have identified the best channel for your router, it is time that you change the channel on your router. For this, you can follow the steps below.

1. First, you need to log into the web interface of your router, such as the default Rogers router page by typing the router’s IP address and entering the login username and password.
2. After you have logged into the web interface of the router, navigate to the Wireless Settings > Channels. Select a new channel from the dropdown menu (the one that you had identified for your router).
3. Save the settings to change the channel on your WiFi router.

The process may vary slighting depending on the router manufacturer and model, but the general steps stay the same.

After changing the channel of the router and saving the changes, the router will reboot. After it reboots, you will notice an improvement in the performance of your WiFi network such as improved signal strength, better coverage, and faster speeds. To ensure that you are getting the best performance from your WiFi router, re-evaluate your channel settings periodically and choose the best possible channel for signal transmission.