Changing the wireless channel is an important step mentioned in many WiFi connectivity tutorials in this blog. This article is specifically to explain how to do it on an Access Point or a router. Here the steps mentioned are based on a popular router model from Linksys. Linksys is one of the popular SOHO product manufacturers. Though the steps provided in this tutorial are based on a specific model, you can use the same procedure with other vendor products. It is because this concept is the same for every WiFi products.
Wireless Channels To Pick
Before changing the current channel selected, you must understand, only three of them are worth to use. It is because others are affected with interference. The channels which are free from interference are listed below.
How to Change WiFi Channel of an AP
If you want to change the currently selected wireless channel, I recommend you to follow the instructions provided here. Here I show instructions for a specific vendor product but the procedure is the same for all routers.
Wireless Channels To Pick
Before changing the current channel selected, you must understand, only three of them are worth to use. It is because others are affected with interference. The channels which are free from interference are listed below.
- 1
- 6
- 11
How to Change WiFi Channel of an AP
If you want to change the currently selected wireless channel, I recommend you to follow the instructions provided here. Here I show instructions for a specific vendor product but the procedure is the same for all routers.
- Log on to Linksys Setup Page
Type the login IP address on the address bar of web browser and press enter. For Linksys router it is 192.168.1.1 Now you will be prompted to enter the username and password to continue the process. For a brand new Linksys router, there is no user name and the password is "admin". In case if you have set a different username and password, you must use that information. If you cannot recollect them, use the instructions provided in the link below.
How to Recover Lost Password
- Click on the wireless tab and look for basic wireless settings. You can see the wireless channel there. You can change the current one with the other two allowed ( channel 1, 6 or 11). For example, if 1 is currently selected, you may change it with 6 or 11. As I explained before, if you do not want to enter this detail by yourself, you can choose auto selection option. If you have selected auto select, the device will pick the most interference-free channel.
- Save settings and log off
Now you have successfully changed the wireless channel of your WiFi router.
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Is it possible to change the channel without connecting to the internet? I have a lot of interference from other networks in the area which is only allowing my router to connect locally (hence no internet connection on which to connect to the linksys homepage). Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes you can change the wireless channel. Here you are changing the wireless Channel of your Linksys wireless router and that has no connection with Internet.
ReplyDeleteIs this wireless channel 1 ,6 and 11 only for Linksys or can I use it for my router? I am using netgear wireless router. Thank you
ReplyDeleteWireless channels 1 ,6 and 11 are common for all wireless routers and not a proprietary one. You can use these channels for your Netgear wireless router.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I changed my wireless channel to 11. Now my wireless is working fine.
ReplyDelete