How To Change Wifi Channel Via Command Prompt

You lot've got the fastest internet package and the nearly reliable wireless router… only if you lot're not using the best WiFi aqueduct, your connectedness-boosting efforts may exist fruitless!

Everyone has a WiFi network these days. It's critical for getting online with mobile devices like tablets and smartphones. Plus, who doesn't bask having fewer wires lying around?

But with and so many WiFi networks clogging up the airwaves, performance issues can arise.

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Slow speeds, dropped connections, timeout errors, corrupted downloads… you could experience all kinds of frustrating symptoms that make the internet unusable.

The problem worsens as the number of networks increases – it'southward specially obvious in flat complexes and part buildings.

And the culprit is frequently a fiddling-known, easily-adjustable setting: the WiFi aqueduct.

When also many connections utilise the aforementioned WiFi aqueduct, the issue is similar to that of a traffic jam. Too many cars in one lane (or too many networks on the same channel) and you end upwards going nowhere fast.

But there'south a uncomplicated solution! All you need to do is switch to a less-congested WiFi channel.

Non sure how? Don't worry – nosotros'll walk you through the whole process, from finding the best channel using any device to reconfiguring your router.

Anatomy of a WiFi Network
- WiFi Frequency Bands
- WiFi Channels
  - WiFi Channel Overlap
- Signal-to-Racket Ratio
How to Find the Best WiFi Channel on Whatsoever Device
- How to Detect the All-time WiFi Channel on Windows
  - Finding WiFi Channels
  - Analyzing Your Results
  - Other Methods
- How to Find the Best WiFi Channel on macOS
  - Finding WiFi Channels
  - Manually Calculating the Best 2.4GHz WiFi Channel on macOS
  - Other Methods
- How to Notice the Best WiFi Aqueduct on Linux
  - Other Methods
- How to Find the Best WiFi Channel on Android
- How to Find the All-time WiFi Channel on iOS
How to Change WiFi Channels on Your Router
- How to Change WiFi Channels on a Netgear Router
- How to Change WiFi Channels on a Linksys Router
- How to Alter WiFi Channels on an ASUS Router
- How to Modify WiFi Channels on Other Routers
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Before nosotros begin, let's cover a few key aspects of your WiFi network. These definitions will come in handy afterward in the process.

WiFi Frequency Bands

Many mod WiFi routers can circulate on 2 unlike frequency bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

Y'all may recognize these figures from your WiFi connection listing.

Routers oftentimes broadcast the ii versions of your network simultaneously: [Your Network]-5G and [Your Network]-2G. On some routers, the 5G network is called merely by its name with no "5G" appended to it.

Each frequency ring has its own pros and cons.

2.4GHz networks have much greater ranges than 5GHz networks – upwardly to 410 feet with an 802.11n router.

Their signals are far better at penetrating through walls and floors, and they can be detected by all WiFi adapters.

Nevertheless, 2.4GHz networks are slower than 5GHz networks, so they're not ideal for bandwidth-intensive tasks like HD streaming.

5GHz networks tin handle much higher speeds, and so they're better-suited for demanding applications. They're also less likely to experience interference from devices like microwaves and cordless phones.

Simply their signals but don't broadcast equally far as 2.4GHz networks – only 230 feet with an 802.11n router. You need to be relatively close to the router to have advantage of your 5GHz network.

Additionally, many older devices tin can't connect to 5GHz networks. WiFi adapters made before 5GHz networks became commonplace may only be able to detect ii.4GHz networks.

WiFi Channels

Within each frequency band are multiple smaller bands known equally channels. Each aqueduct occupies a fraction of the main frequency.

To continue our traffic analogy, each channel is like 1 lane of a highway. They all go in the aforementioned direction and the more at that place are, the less congested whatsoever given lane is likely to become.

The number of channels varies by state. For the purposes of this guide, we'll exist assuming you're using a Due north American router.

In the USA, 2.4GHz networks take xi different available channels, while 5GHz networks take up to 21 potential channels.

The exact number of available 5GHz channels depends on your router. Routers must accept dynamic frequency selection (DFS) to use 12 of the channels.

DFS prevents the router from interfering with military and weather technology that uses similar frequencies.

2.4GHz channels range from 1 to 11, while 5GHz channels range from 36 to 165 (though not all channels in betwixt those two values are bachelor).

WiFi Aqueduct Overlap

Of the 11 channels on the 2.4GHz band, 8 overlap with other channels.

This overlap means that traffic in one channel can slow downward or interfere with traffic in another channel.

The overlap occurs in intervals of v channels – the selected channel, plus the ii higher up and below information technology. Channel 5, for example, overlaps with channels 3-seven.

To gainsay this trouble, well-nigh routers default to using the 3 not-overlapping channels: 1, 6 and 11. The other channels are available but, due to the overlap, are non by and large used.

We recommend sticking with channels 1, 6 and xi if at all possible. This will ensure better connections and less interference for both you and your neighbors.

On 5GHz networks, this trouble doesn't occur. The channels within the 5GHz band don't overlap with one another.

Therefore, if you're switching channels on a 5GHz network, you tin can select any unused channel you like. No need to worry well-nigh overlapping with other channels!

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

The Indicate-to-Noise Ratio, or SNR, tells you how stiff your WiFi connection is.

It's a combination of two factors: your Received Bespeak Strength Indicator (RSSI) and your Dissonance (likewise called Racket Flooring).

RSSI is a measure of the base of operations forcefulness of the WiFi connection without interference. Information technology's ever displayed every bit a negative number; the closer it is to aught, the stronger the connection is.

For instance, an RSSI value of -30 is slightly better than 1 of -35, and much better than one of -80.

Noise is a measure of interference. Interfering signals can come from other networks, electronic devices, household appliances and various other sources.

The Noise value is also given as a negative number, only this time, the further the number is from cypher, the ameliorate. A Noise value of -84 is preferable to i of -43.

To calculate the SNR, just subtract the Racket value of a given network from its corresponding RSSI value. The higher the result, the stronger the connection.

Permit's say your network has an RSSI of -40 and its Noise is at -xc. Your SNR equation is (-40) – (-xc).

Remember from simple school that subtracting a negative is similar adding a positive. So the equation tin can also be represented every bit (-twoscore) + 90 – much easier to process!

So a bit of simple arithmetic reveals an SNR of 50 for our imaginary network.

We recommend calculating your SNR both before and after changing your WiFi channel. Compare the two figures to see if your connectedness improved when the aqueduct changed.

No matter what OS you use, there's an like shooting fish in a barrel manner to figure out the best WiFi channel. Get a notepad ready and follow our instructions for your platform of choice!

How to Find the All-time WiFi Channel on Windows

Windows has a built-in style of viewing your available WiFi networks, their channels, and other stats. Information technology's not the prettiest method, but it's easy and functional.

Finding WiFi Channels

To outset, open up your Control Prompt.

You lot tin find it by going to Outset Menu > Windows System > Command Prompt (Windows viii and x) or Start Menu > Accessories > Command Prompt.

Alternatively, you can press Windows Primal + R, blazon "cmd" (without quotes) and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.

In the window, blazon "netsh wlan show all" (without quotes) and press Enter.

A long list of various WiFi stats volition appear. Scroll downwards until you see the header "SHOW NETWORKS Style=BSSID".

You'll see a list of all available WiFi networks plus diverse stats, including the aqueduct.

Note that your computer's settings may prevent the listing from populating at first. You may need to click the WiFi icon in your job bar, permit the list load there and then enter the command again.

Write downward the aqueduct used by each network. Accept annotation of which network is yours and then you lot know what channel y'all're currently using.

Analyzing Your Results

Now see which channel appears most often in the listing.

If you take seven available networks and five of them use channel six, that means you should try channel 1 or 11 instead.

If the aqueduct distribution is adequately even (say, three networks on channel 1, two on channel half dozen and two on channel 11), look at the indicate strengths.

The command prompt volition display signal strength as a percentage – 80% is stronger than fifty%. See which channels are used past the networks with the strongest signals (aside from your own).

Those channels are more likely to be congested since they're being used closer to you. Try i that'southward used by a weaker network instead.

Call back that 2.4GHz channels span from one to eleven and 5GHz channels range from 36 to 165. You'll want to evaluate the ii frequency bands separately.

Other Methods

If the command prompt isn't working for you, or if you'd prefer a nicer-looking interface, y'all accept several options. Acrylic WiFi and Netspot are two first-class free WiFi analyzers.

The exact procedure for finding the best WiFi channel will vary depending on the program you lot use.

But the general technique is the aforementioned: await at the channel used by each network and switch to the least popular ane.

How to Notice the Best WiFi Channel on macOS

Macs also have a built-in WiFi analyzer that makes finding the best WiFi channel a cinch.

The all-time part? It fifty-fifty calculates the best WiFi channel automatically.

Finding WiFi Channels

To get started, concord down the Selection central and click on the WiFi icon in the acme bar.

A menu will appear. Click on "Open Wireless Diagnostics" and ignore the window that pops up; you won't be using it.

Click on "Window" in the acme bar and so click on "Scan."

A listing of all the networks in your vicinity will announced. To make sure it's complete, click the "Browse Now" button in the lower right corner.

Now await at the panel on the left. You lot'll run into two fields: "All-time ii.4GHz" and "Best 5GHz."

The values listed there are the best channels for those respective frequency bands. You tin can switch to one of these channels and see if your operation improves.

Recollect that for 2.4GHz networks, you should stick to channels 1, 6 and xi. If none of those channels are present in the list of best channels, you'll need to do some manual calculations.

Manually Calculating the All-time 2.4GHz WiFi Aqueduct on macOS

To figure out which 2.4GHz aqueduct you should apply, you'll be using the SNR equation we discussed before.

In the Scan window, click on the "Channel" heading to sort the list of networks by channel. You'll only need the networks on channels one through eleven.

Calculate the SNR for each of these networks (aside from your ain). Remember: RSSI minus Racket equals SNR.

The highest SNR values represent the strongest signals – the networks most likely to interfere with your own. Avoid the channels used by these networks to maximize your performance.

Other Methods

Various 3rd-political party programs can also analyze your WiFi networks and help you lot determine the all-time channel. Netspot and WiFi Scanner are two first-class options.

Verbal steps vary by app, but basically, you'll desire to expect for the channel that'southward used by the least number of networks.

These apps have other nifty features, such as graphs that show each network's channel overlap. If you're a visual learner, this could make WiFi channel assay much easier for you.

How to Discover the All-time WiFi Channel on Linux

If yous apply Linux, chances are yous're handy with the Concluding,so this will be like shooting fish in a barrel peasy.

Even if you're not, all it takes is one simple command to detect the all-time WiFi aqueduct.

Launch the Terminal and enter the following command: sudo iwlist wlan0 browse | grep Frequency | sort | uniq -c | sort -n

This command will brandish a list of all the channels currently being used by your surrounding networks. It will expect something like this:

1 Frequency:2.432GHz (Aqueduct ane)
two Frequency:2.432GHz (Channel half-dozen)
two Frequency:5.5GHz (Channel 44)
4 Frequency:ii.432GHz (Channel 11)

The ist is sorted by the number of networks using the aqueduct (ascending) and subsorted in ascending numerical order. On the left you'll meet the number of networks using each channel.

We tin come across, then, that one 2.4GHz network uses channel i, two use channel 6 and four employ channel 11. 2 5GHz networks use channel 44.

The kickoff channel on the listing for your chosen frequency is the one you lot'll want to try. It'due south the least congested and the most likely to perform well.

Other Methods

If you'd prefer to utilise a unlike method to analyze your WiFi channels, you tin endeavour a WiFi analyzer with a GUI. Options include LinSSID and Sparrow WiFi.

Whichever programme you choose, simply look for the aqueduct that'southward used the least. You'll have your best adventure of success with that channel.

How to Find the Best WiFi Channel on Android

Android doesn't have a built-in WiFi assay tool. If possible, we recommend using a computer to view WiFi channels instead.

Nonetheless, if y'all do wish to continue on Android, you can do so – only you'll need a third-party app.

Many options are available on the Play Store. Try WiFi Analyzer or WiEye.

Though every app is dissimilar, nigh take the aforementioned bones interface. You'll run across a list of available networks, their indicate strengths and their channels.

Expect for the channel that'due south used the least. For example, if you run into five networks on channel one, two on channel half dozen and four on channel 11, attempt channel 6.

If in that location's an even separate of channels, encounter which networks (other than your own) accept the strongest signal. Avert the channel(south) used by those networks every bit they're more probable to cause problems.

How to Find the Best WiFi Channel on iOS

Apple's locked-down mobile OS isn't particularly friendly to tinkerers. There isn't a built-in WiFi analyzer on iOS.

Even so, if you're using iOS 7 or up, you can analyze your WiFi channels by using Apple tree's Aerodrome Utility app. Download and install it from the App Shop.

In one case information technology's installed, navigate to your iPhone's main Settings > AirPort Utility and toggle "Wi-Fi Scanner" on.

Launch the Airport Utility app and tap on the blue "Wi-Fi Scan" option in the upper right corner.

Set a scan duration and tap "Scan" – longer scans volition be more thorough and detect networks that are further away.

When the scan completes, yous'll see a listing of networks that were detected, along with various stats. Just you lot don't demand to clarify these manually.

Tap the "info" button in the lower right corner and open up "Channel Usage." You'll run into a list of all channels used, plus the number of devices using them.

Take notation of the channel that'due south least used. If yous desire to switch channels, that should be the first one you try.

The hardest part is done! You lot've identified the best WiFi channel for yous – now it'south time to start using information technology.

Every router is unlike, and we can't cover each and every variation here.

But here are instructions for changing WiFi channels on several popular router brands, plus some general instructions for others.

How to Change WiFi Channels on a Netgear Router

The process of irresolute your WiFi channel on a Netgear router is fairly straightforward and takes no more a few minutes.

Make sure you're connected to your network and open your web browser. Navigate to http://world wide web.routerlogin.net and enter your router username and password.

From the router admin panel homepage, go to Wireless > Region, then select your region. Under "Channel," select the channel you lot want to switch to, then click "Apply."

How to Modify WiFi Channels on a Linksys Router

To change WiFi channels on a Linksys router, make sure you're continued to your network and navigate to 192.168.1.i in your web browser.

If you lot've changed your router'due south IP address, navigate to that IP instead.

Once you lot reach the router login page, enter your login credentials and hit Enter.

Go to Wireless > Basic Wireless Settings and, if applicable, select "Manual" adjacent to "Configuration View."

You'll see your network name plus several other settings.

Directly underneath the name is a "Wireless Channel" drop-down box. Select your desired channel from the listing, then click "Salve Settings."

How to Change WiFi Channels on an ASUS Router

Changing WiFi channels on an ASUS router is simple. Connect to your network and go to 192.168.1.ane (or http://router.asus.com) in your web browser.

Enter your admin username and password to access the admin panel. Then navigate to Wireless > General and look for the "Control Channel" field.

Option your new aqueduct from the drib-down carte du jour and click "Apply."

How to Change WiFi Channels on Other Routers

About routers take the same basic structure of settings, though names may be slightly different.

In general, you'll need to connect to your network, open your browser and go to 192.168.i.1 (or, if you've inverse your router's IP, to that IP instead).

Some routers also allow admin panel access through a special URL. Check yours to run across if this is the example.

Log in with your admin credentials. Normally, the default username is "admin" and the default countersign is "admin" or "countersign" – but if y'all've inverse yours, enter those instead.

The WiFi channel setting is usually plant under "Wireless" or "WiFi," though some routers hide it nether "Advanced Settings."

If there are further subcategories, look under "General."

Locate the WiFi channel setting; it's usually nearby the network name and frequency. It may exist called "Channel," "WiFi Channel," "Control Channel" or "Wireless Channel."

Select the desired channel and click "Apply" or "Save" to change the setting.

If you're changing the aqueduct on 2.4GHz and 5GHz, repeat the previous step for the other frequency.

Congratulations! Yous've successfully changed your WiFi aqueduct – and hopefully given yourself a big performance boost by doing then!

If your WiFi aqueduct is too crowded, you tin can experience slow speeds and dropped connections. Thankfully, irresolute your WiFi channel is easy and takes only a few minutes.

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