We tested Wi-Fi interference and the results were pretty interesting

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Wi-Fi signal interference test — simple trick to speed up your connection

It doesn't take much interference to degrade the performance of a Wi-Fi network severely, a MyBroadband test has shown.

Using two home Wi-Fi routers placed right next to one another, we tested the impact on network performance when different channels were selected, and what would happen if both networks were set to broadcast on the same channel.
 
Google is your friend.

Easy answer is that channels are preset radio frequency bands. These bands are specified in the WiFi standard.

When you tune your radio to pick up a radio station then set that to a preset on your radio for easy access, that would be like a channel.
 
1 6 or 11

Don't use 13 especially if you have IoT stuff, Alexa, sonoff etc.
 
13 is technically illegal in South Africa do that’s pretty shocking advice.

It’s why it doesn’t work on many client devices as they are hard coded to the country as they should be and approved by Icasa.

Routers offering Channel 13 are purposely configured with the wrong country setting.
 
That's a cool story, how do you manage channels if you live in a complex though?
I use WiFi Analyzer for fun and it's quite interesting seeing the amount of networks floating around.
2.4ghz has between 3-5 devices from channels 1-10
5ghz only shows channels 36,40,44,48 with 2 devices, 1 being mine.
 
Also 1,6,11 is also somewhat illogical if everyone else is also doing the same trick.

Use the channels that are the most available.

Even better do it dynamically with frequent automated scans so that the best most available channels are used and constantly updated.

Even better don’t use 2.4ghz at all if you can help it. Keep it for IoT only.
 
That's a cool story, how do you manage channels if you live in a complex though?
I use WiFi Analyzer for fun and it's quite interesting seeing the amount of networks floating around.
2.4ghz has between 3-5 devices from channels 1-10
5ghz only shows channels 36,40,44,48 with 2 devices, 1 being mine.

Exactly. You need to use the channels that are the most available, not some laboratory condition “best channel” ideal.
 
Exactly. You need to use the channels that are the most available, not some laboratory condition “best channel” ideal.
And out of interest, I see my router has a "Auto" channel option.
Can't say I've tested what channels it uses when set to this but I wonder if it manages congestion or is it for something else?
 
And out of interest, I see my router has a "Auto" channel option.
Can't say I've tested what channels it uses when set to this but I wonder if it manages congestion or is it for something else?

It really depends on the router.

Some only do the channel scan when booting up meaning that it’s not always the best channel at any one point in time.

Others will do it with an ongoing interval and then change it accordingly.

Usually it’s a simple scan and then selecting the most available one.
 
Quite an interesting read

And this is why Apple restricts their 2.4 GHz networking to 20 MHz because it’s simply a better experience all round, even though the peak bandwidth may appear lower.

I have recently switched our office to 5Ghz only and just like that not a single complaint about wireless or internet any more.
 
Why use/suggest channel 13? Some devices dont like channel 13.

It should have been 1, 6 or 11.
It could have been any channel from 1-11. All are allowed for 2.4Ghz in SA. The reason 1, 6 and 11 are usually chosen is that at a 20MHz channel width, those 3 are the only ones that don't overlap (aka mutually interfere).

If you had 2 APs you could use say channels 2 and 10 and they would not overlap.

I have 3 APs at home and have each set to 1/6/11 respectively. There's only so much this channel selection can help with only 11 (legal) channels to choose from and no control over other people's APs.
 
Also 1,6,11 is also somewhat illogical if everyone else is also doing the same trick.

Use the channels that are the most available.

Even better do it dynamically with frequent automated scans so that the best most available channels are used and constantly updated.

Even better don’t use 2.4ghz at all if you can help it. Keep it for IoT only.
One of the challenges with auto selection is it selects what's best where the router is, which can be different to what's best where the client sits. Say a neighbour next to your bedroom is using channel 1 and your router is on the other side of the house, your router may select channel 1 (as neighbours doesn't reach your router), which means plenty interference in your bedroom.
 
And this is why Apple restricts their 2.4 GHz networking to 20 MHz because it’s simply a better experience all round, even though the peak bandwidth may appear lower.

I have recently switched our office to 5Ghz only and just like that not a single complaint about wireless or internet any more.
How many more APs did you need to install to ensure good 5Ghz?

We had this wierd issue , had 4 APs (2.4 and 5) and it was doing a good job , but there were some dead spots. So we increased to 9 (also 2.4 and 5) but now it seems to be worse. Clients latching to one AP while in motion stay connected to that AP even though there is one closer to it when the person sits down.

We had ensured that channels are not overlapping on neighbouring APs , etc but we don't seem to be winning. Have turned off AI WiFi scan , etc on Ubiquiti controller as everyone recommended that. It didn't seem to help when it was on .

Someone says drop power output of AP to force client to then move to closest AP but that seems to be a dark art.

Wondering now, if I should turn off 2.4 just to see what happens.
 
How many more APs did you need to install to ensure good 5Ghz?

We had this wierd issue , had 4 APs (2.4 and 5) and it was doing a good job , but there were some dead spots. So we increased to 9 (also 2.4 and 5) but now it seems to be worse. Clients latching to one AP while in motion stay connected to that AP even though there is one closer to it when the person sits down.

We had ensured that channels are not overlapping on neighbouring APs , etc but we don't seem to be winning. Have turned off AI WiFi scan , etc on Ubiquiti controller as everyone recommended that. It didn't seem to help when it was on .

Someone says drop power output of AP to force client to then move to closest AP but that seems to be a dark art.

Wondering now, if I should turn off 2.4 just to see what happens.

Don’t recall exactly how many we have but a general rule is that there is line of sight to an AP almost everywhere there is a desk or boardroom, dry walls ignored of course.

In a home environment you need one in every adjacent room ideally.

By and large all AP’s set to Medium on 5GHz band and Low on 2.4.

Note I haven’t turned off 2.4 entirely, it still runs on our Guest network for IOT devices like watches etc.
 
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Don’t recall exactly how many we have but a general rule is that there is line of sight to an AP almost everywhere there is a desk or boardroom, dry walls ignored of course.

In a home environment you need one in every adjacent room ideally.

By and large all AP’s set to Medium on 5GHz band and Low on 2.4.

Note I haven’t turned off 2.4 entirely, it still runs on our Guest network for IOT devices like watches etc.
Gonna give it a shot.
 
One of the challenges with auto selection is it selects what's best where the router is, which can be different to what's best where the client sits. Say a neighbour next to your bedroom is using channel 1 and your router is on the other side of the house, your router may select channel 1 (as neighbours doesn't reach your router), which means plenty interference in your bedroom.

I don’t know hey, if your neighbour is closer to you than you are to your router then either you’ve got some serious living arrangement problems or you just need more access points.

It should ultimately be inconsequential or only a measured paper value.

Signal from your own devices should always be stronger than those of your neighbours.

But sure if you are of the inclination to do things manually on a daily basis to ensure the best possible channel spread then by all means, but the reality is that in most cases for most users Auto will likely give the best results.

Not to mention if your neighbours all use auto channels you may as well join the party as you’ll never get ahead.
 
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