How to Change the Wi-Fi Channel
Learning how to change the router channel can be a great way to improve your wireless performance, especially if you’re in an area where many other wireless devices and routers compete for the same frequencies. It’s a relatively simple process on most modern routers, though you will need to login to your router using the admin credentials, so be sure to have those handy if you don’t know them by heart.
Why You Should Change Router Channels
All routers have a default channel. The default is typically adequate for everyday performance, especially if you live separately from other homes and broadcasting wireless routers. However, in busy areas (think apartment buildings), where multiple routers can overlap each other’s wireless networks, there is the possibility of overcrowding those same default channels. If you utilize other frequencies, consider changing their channel too. However, most routers support the ability to change their broadcast channel, making it possible to change yours to one less crowded, resulting in better Wi-Fi performance.
How to Find the Best Channel For Your Router
When you change the router channel, you could pick a new one at random. However, it’s better to change to a channel you know isn’t as well populated, as your wireless performance should improve more, or at least not degrade as other routers come online in your area. To find the least populated wireless networks, you need to use a Wi-Fi analyzer. Not only can you use them to see what channels other routers are operating on, but you can see how much they overlap so you can choose a better channel to use with your router.
