What Are Wi-Fi Channels, and How Can They Speed Up Your Internet?

When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, you expect lightning-fast Internet downloads, streaming, and surfing. But as anyone who's sat in a coffee shop and connected to a less-than-stellar Wi-Fi network knows, things aren't always so simple. In fact, depending on the Wi-Fi channel you connect to, your Internet might be slow and sluggish instead of speedy and steady.

What gives? Turns out, there’s a little more to getting fast Wi-Fi speeds from your home network than you may initially expect, and it’s all due to Wi-Fi channels. Let’s take a closer look.

 

Wi-Fi Channels Explained

Wi-Fi channels are pathways for wireless signals. They’re similar to Wi-Fi frequencies, though frequencies and channels aren’t exactly the same things.

A Wi-Fi frequency is a specific range of radio waves that a Wi-Fi network can use to transfer data between different devices. Wi-Fi channels are specific pathways within those frequencies. Here’s an example:

• Say you have a home Wi-Fi network and connect your device to the Wi-Fi router on the 2.4 GHz frequency
• Within that 2.4 GHz band, there are a variety of channels, like 1, and 11. You can set your Wi-Fi router to use those specific channels depending on your preferences

Each commonly used Wi-Fi frequency has its own set of channels, and different channels are better for speed and signal consistency.

 

How Can Wi-Fi Channels Speed Up Your Internet?

Since each Wi-Fi frequency band has several individual or distinct Wi-Fi channels, why does it really matter which channel your devices use?

Wi-Fi channels matter for Internet speed and consistency because your Wi-Fi router and devices aren’t the only wireless things using them. Other wireless devices in your household, such as a Wi-Fi-capable TV or a baby monitor, might use the same channels to communicate with other devices, your smart home network, and more.

Some Wi-Fi channels also overlap with each other, and certain channels are default options for many wireless devices. If you try to use Wi-Fi on an overcrowded channel, your Wi-Fi connection could be slow, spotty, or otherwise subpar. This is especially true if you live in a crowded area, like an apartment complex with lots of people using the same Wi-Fi frequencies in the apartments around yours!

In summary, the wrong Wi-Fi channel might result in a slower connection when:

• Lots of people are using the same channel at the same time
• You use a channel that overlaps with other channels on the same frequency
• Other devices use the same channel to communicate instead of just your computer and Wi-Fi router

 

What Wi-Fi Channel Should You Use?

The best Wi-Fi channels to use are those that don’t overlap, meaning that they’re the ones most likely to result in smooth and speedy Wi-Fi connections. Each Wi-Fi frequency has its own set of excellent Wi-Fi channels. Here’s a breakdown.

 

2.4 GHz Channels

The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi frequency is one of the most popular frequencies, and for good reason. The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band can transmit radio signals further than other frequencies, plus is much better at penetrating solid surfaces like walls.

If you use a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi frequency, your best channels are 1, 6, and 11. These channels don’t overlap. Fortunately, most 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi routers should automatically be set to channel 6. If your Wi-Fi connection is still slow, try to switch it to channels 1 or 11. That’s a good strategy to avoid using the same channels as neighbors with 2.4 GHz routers.

 

5 GHz Channels

5 GHz Wi-Fi routers are also popular because the 5 GHz frequency band allows faster data transfer. It’s an ideal choice for streaming data or downloading very large files, like games. However, the 5 GHz band has a shorter range compared to the 2.4 GHz band, and it doesn't transmit information through solid surfaces nearly as well.

In addition, many smart devices can’t use the 5 GHz band or may have issues connecting with a 5 GHz router (for instance, a device might constantly switch between a router’s 2.4 GHz and 5 GHZ bands to use whichever is better, causing lag or interrupted Internet service). Given these extra tech hurdles, 5 GHz Wi-Fi is only the best option for certain routers and locations.

The 5 GHz Wi-Fi frequency has 24 non-overlapping channels, so there are many more excellent choices for your needs. We recommend channels 36, 40, 44, 48, along with any channels between 149 and 165.

 

6 GHz Channels

If you are one of the lucky few with a new 6 GHz Wi-Fi router, you'll be pleased to know that it's great for short-distance, fast data transfer. Wireless videoconferencing, online gaming, and similar activities all benefit from the 6 GHz band.

On top of that, 6 GHz Wi-Fi routers have more top-notch channels to select from. We recommend choosing channels 40 to 59 if you have a Wi-Fi network on the 6 GHz frequency.

 

Default Wi-Fi Channels & Band Steering

Most routers come with default or preset Wi-Fi channel preferences. However, modern routers go one step further and have “band steering”: a function where the router automatically evaluates and shifts channels to ensure the best connection and speed possible.

If your router has band steering, you’ll likely not need to manually choose a specific Wi-Fi channel, as your router will do it for you. Certain routers with band steering even let you split different channels into distinct networks – for example, one 2.4 Ghz network and one 5 Ghz network. Therefore, you might see more than one Wi-Fi network name for your router when you pair a device to it.

However, keep in mind that some smart devices can’t pair with networks like this; the channel shifting back and forth causes connectivity issues. If this occurs to you, you’ll need to adjust your router’s channel or disable certain channels long enough for smart devices to connect.

 

How to Change Wi-Fi Channel

To change the Wi-Fi channel your router and devices use, you’ll first want to download a Wi-Fi analyzer app or take a Wi-Fi site survey. These are free or paid resources you can find online or from your smartphone’s app store. In either case, once you analyze your Wi-Fi network, you’ll learn the optimal Wi-Fi channels based on its frequency. Some examples include:

• Wi-Fi Signal
• NetSpot
• WiFi Explorer

Once you've figured out which Wi-Fi channel you want to switch to, you'll need to access your router's settings. This process can vary heavily depending on your router, its age, and the policies of your Internet service provider or ISP.

But in most cases, you’ll follow a sequence of steps like this:

• You'll access your router settings page
• Then you’ll find a section for wireless or Wi-Fi settings
• The channel settings should be easy to find and switch
• You may also need to navigate or set the frequency network you’re using, like 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz

Once you’ve changed the Wi-Fi channel your router uses, make sure to test it. If you’re lucky, you’ll give your Internet speed a boost!

 

Conclusion

The Wi-Fi channels you choose for your home network can majorly impact your Internet speeds, so it’s a good idea to analyze your network and select the best channels available. Of course, this is only one part of the overall Internet speed equation; who you get your Internet from is just as important as the quality of your router and the channel you choose!

That’s why getting your home Wi-Fi from Shentel is an excellent idea. With wall-to-wall Wi-Fi plans with up to gigabit speeds (1,000 Mbps!), we can give you the fast, fair Internet you’ve been looking for all this time. Contact us today to learn more!