Note: This may or may not work for you, but it doesn’t cost anything to try.
Also note: If your wireless router is operating properly, you don’t need to do this.
Wireless routers all come shipped using a predefined channel. There are 11 channels.
If you notice that your wireless signal drops for apparently no reason and/or the connection is spotty at best even though you’re in close range, the channel your wireless router is using may be the problem. It could very well be that other wireless routers in your area are using the same channel, or there is some kind of interference that’s interrupting the transmission.
When you change the channel you do not need to do anything to your computer setup; your wireless card will automatically detect whatever new channel you choose.
The first step is to use a utility called NetStumbler to see if other wireless routers are using the same channel you are.
This is what a NetStumbler report looks like:
The channel list is on the right. Mine is first in the list. I noticed that other wireless routers near me were using channels 6, 9 and 11 – so I changed mine to 3. I immediately noticed an improvement in the quality of signal.
The way I changed my channel was by going into my router configuration program via my web browser. I use a Belkin router and it looked like this:
All I had to do was pick a new channel from the drop-down menu and apply it. The router restarted using wireless channel 3 and I’ve been using it ever since.
A few notes:
- This will not increase the speed of data transfer, but it will increase the stability of the connection.
- Your wireless range is not increased, but a cleaner signal should allow you to connect from 75 feet away with no problems (assuming there’s not too many obstructions.)
- If range is your concern, consider buying a low-cost second wireless router and use it as a WAP to extend range.
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hi. i tried the netstumbler but it does not work for me. it says at the bottom no wireless adapter found. i tried it using my desktop which is hard-wired to the router, and the laptop which is wireless connected. (im having issues with signal strength with the wireless. sometimes it drops to 2 bars.)
where do you find the router configuration program? I’m using a DI-524 d-link router.
please help!
thanks
go to internet browser, in the address bar type http://192.168.0.1, login screen will appear. user:admin, hit enter.
If a wireless adapter is not found, this is typically due to the fact that Windows itself is managing the wireless device. This can be switched over using manufacturer-provided software. For example, the Intel PROSet/Wireless does have its own software which is compatible with NetStumbler.
The wireless router program is accessed by typing in the router’s IP address in your web browser. You can either consult your wireless router’s documentation to find out what the IP address is, or by typing IPCONFIG from a Command Prompt and using the Default Gateway IP address.
All bad ideas. Using channels other than 1,6,11 will cause overlapping channels – where if the signal strength is sufficient, packets on both networks will be corrupted – 3 recieves interference from 1 and 6 and vice versa.
The channels in 802.11 are actually a lot wider than they seem. While the channels are 22mhz wide they are only 5.5mhz apart. John is right, you should only ever use Channel 1, 6 or 11. Channel 1 bleeds up to channel 3, Channel 6 bleeds down to 4 and up to 8, 11 bleeds down to 9. They overlap.
To recap:
Only ever use channel 1, 6 or 11.
“This can be switched over using manufacturer-provided software. For example, the Intel PROSet/Wireless does have its own software which is compatible with NetStumbler.”
- can you tell me more about this please, Rich?
Most default gateways for d-link routers and linksys routers are http://192.168.1.1 and the default password is usually admin. but if your using a netgear i think the gateways is the same but the default user name is admin and the password is password.
hope this helped anyone in need.
Googled my issue and this site was on the first page. Just want to say thanks for sharing this info. I was literally pulling my hair out trying to figure out why my consoles and pda’s were dropping signals. A quick change of my Belkin router to channel 11, and all my wireless devices connected right away! It’s always the simplest things. Thanks again fellas.
Thank you very much, this helped me a lot. And the NetStumbler just works fine here. I just found out that I wasn’t the only one on channel 11, also 6 was used much and #13 by my neigbour. So I also moved to channel 3.
I love these self-appointed networking experts who tell us to only use channels 1, 6, and 11. Despite what the author says (i.e. “I changed mine to 3. I immediately noticed an improvement in the quality of signal.”), and despite what any given user may experience. Yes, let’s all follow rote advice, and ignore actual results. I changed to channel 3 and immediately noticed fewer wireless problems–my wireless connection was much more stable. Should I stick to 1, 6, or 11 and suffer terrible reliability?
Sometimes a little knowledge is worse than no knowledge at all. People like the above prove this daily.
They say set to 1, 6, or 11 because those are the only non-overlapping WiFi channels.
i type in my routers ip address to change the channel but the page doesnt work it never finds it for me
i have toshiba laptop with inbuilt wirless moderm.in wirelss properties icould not able clear the ip address.
I don’t claim to be an RF guru, but I do manage an environment with 140 WAP’s… many of which in close proximity and can tell you from personal experience and RF consultant recommendation that I changed TO the standard 1,6, and 11 channels and it significantly helped stablize users connectivity. Those are “actual” results.
After suddenly experiencing drop out problems with my wireless router I switched to channel 7 from 11 and it has never worked better.
My neighbours were mostly on channels 3 and 6 so I’m sure why I was even having problems in the first place!?!
I’m confused.com
So what is the consensus. I have 2 WAP, one on each floor (floors 5 and 6) and we have had some sptty connectivity issues. I was wondering if changing the channels to 4 and 8 would be a good first step.
This has not worked for me I am afraid. How would I set up a wap with a netgear DG834GT? I have not got a clue how to do this.
Thanks
A product that can help you find interference causing problems to WiFi networks is the Wi-Spy from MetaGeek
http://www.metageek.net/products/wi-spy-comparison
The lowest priced Wi-Spy is the 2.4i at $99