Which WiFi Channel Should I Pick? 1, 6, or 11: A MetaGeek Tutorial
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- WiFi channels can be difficult to pick. With 11 channels to choose from in the United States, and networks all over the place, it's hard to know where to set up a new network. Or is it?
In the 2.4 GHz band, 1, 6, and 11 are the only non-overlapping channels. Selecting one or more of these channels is an important part of setting up your network correctly. Currently, many wireless routers automatically select the channel for you upon initial setup, where depending on your wireless environment, it could lead to slow WiFi speeds and interference. This video will describe what interference you're dealing with and takes you through the steps to selecting the right channel, so you can understand why you should choose between channel 1, 6, and 11.
Are you on the right channel? Download MetaGeek's inSSIDer Lite now to find out!
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The 1,6,11 rule is for setting up a system in a school, convention center, or stadium where hundreds of connections are needed. It is NOT a rule on what channels to set your home wireless router to avoid interference. The channels are intended to overlap and you should use the least congested channel. Would you rather a channel overlap with yours or be right on top of the same channel you are using.,.. Frank Provasek IEEE member
I say let them carry on with their silly rule. It's good as it means people like us will always have blazing fast 2.4ghz speeds all over the world. Ill see you on channel 4!
@@bluebull399 your just going to congest the other channels and it will also do the same back so have fun
@@bluebull399 if everyone is on either channels 1,6,or 11 then there won't be any congestion
@@Speedyx485Sorry to break it to you but congestion also occurs when many are on the same channel. This video is not telling you this but it is horrible.
Great video. Points, illustration, tone, pace. Length. Knocked it out
The channel numbers date back to the original 802.11 from 1997, where the channels were only 1 or 2 Mb. Later on, with 802.11b, the channels needed much more space and so occupied multiple channel numbers. Also, the 802.11g channels are actually slightly narrower than b. Also the 40 MHz channels can be used, provided you don't have neighbours close by that you could interfere with.
Maybe I should re-phrase my statement. I know that Channel 1 doesn't overlaps with Channel 6. Both of these channels do not overlap with Channel 11. However, Channel 1 overlaps with Channel 2,3,4. Channel 6 overlaps with Channel 3,4,5,7,8,9 ... etc. Provided that ALL users stick to only Channel 1, 6, 11 (politely talking turn) else if there are others using rest of the channels, interference will still exists (yelling at each other). Please correct my understanding.
KC Yip yes , so install insider app it will show you what non overlappin channel
Hi there. I'd like to understand a little more about the non-overlapping Channel 1, 6, 11. I understand that the sub-frequencies are separated by 5MHz apart thus overlaps one another given the allowable 20MHz bandwidth per channel. Ch1, 6, 11 doesn't overlaps - same goes to Ch2, 7 & 12. In any of the cases, channel overlaps too, either 1 with 2 with 3 or 6 with 4 with 5 ... & so on so forth ... so i'm a little curious how to not overlap Channel 1,6, 11
I'm here for exactly the same question!
But I didn't find the answer.
Did you find it after 2 years?
I'm here for this too - did you find it after a year? lol but seriously did you? :)
Since there is current dialog sorta, I'll respond.
The problem, at least in North America, is that you generally cannot use channels 12 or 13. So outside of the 1, 6 & 11 schema you'd only have two channels (2 & 7 or higher, 3 & 8 or higher, etc.). Since the 2.4 GHz band already tight in most places, the value of having three good channels (1, 6 & 11) typically outweighs everything else. Perhaps in remote areas this is not an issue, but even then there's still no improvement in going with other than the 1, 6 & 11 schema.
The other tip I'd add is it's good to only use 11 away from microwave ovens (actually avoid 8 and higher, but we don't use 8-10, do we?). Myself, I have channel 1 near the kitchen and channel 11 on the opposite side of the house--channel 6 is very busy in my neighborhood.
The key is devices will cooperate if on the same channels, but will interfere on adjacent channels. If you're thinking having a strong off-schema signal will overpower others, that's very rarely real. Even a faint colliding signal will cause your systems to constantly need to repeat, thus slowing down everything for all--including you. And what about security? The cooperation is "listen before talking". It looks for presence of signal and cannot copy the content if you have up-to-date WiFi security.
I work in audio and interference is common with wireless surround sound. Unfortunately many high performance routers will use the entire spectrum which can make it damn near impossible to resolve connections (of course everyone blames their surround system, even when it's not brand specific.) FCC limits what commercial devices can use for radio waves, so it can be really hard to tell people they need to work on their networking. I'm hoping the FCC will open up more bandwidth for 5gHz so there's actually enough airspace for Tri-Band routers and other devices to work in the same location (don't get me started on how a neighbors Tri-Band network can wreck havoc on surrounding connections.)
Auto has always worked the best for me, even when it picks overlapping channels it always has much higher throughput than manually selecting a channel with the least amount of AP's or noise. Whenever I setup a network I see all these people stuffed into channels 1, 6 and 11 with barely enough speed to check their email and bam i get 110mbs on channel 4!
Yes sir. Auto selection is the best
So channels 1,6 and 11 don't overlap, but same goes for 2,7,12. What's the difference? What if channels 1,6,11 all are taken, shouldn't i better take another free channel?
From what I understood is that channel 12 & 13 & 14 is illegal in USA so 2,7,12 or 3,8,13 cannot be used. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
What a brilliant explanation!
Get a WAVLINK Extender/Ap/Router. You can broadcast ch. 13 in the US with high range
There are only 11 legal channels in U.S.. 13 is not one of them.
What you've said about overlapping channels is incorrect. If they're overlapping, they still take turns provided they're both relatively loud to each other (-75db or above after filtering). They can't talk to each other, but they can hear each other as noise. The Wi-Fi protocols won't allow you to start transmitting if they can hear enough noise. It has to do that, because it has to interwork with other protocols like Bluetooth. Also that's how it works with overlapping Wi-Fi channels too for example mixtures of 20/40/80 MHz, they can't talk to each other, but they can hear it as noise. Also if the channels overlap, but are sufficiently distant from each other, Wi-Fi is allowed to transmit because interchannel interference will be low. But co-channel interference, even at very great distance causes the transmitters to take turns (which is a sort of bug in the protocol). You prefer not to take turns if you can. So at big enough physical distance, you would prefer to not use 1,6,11 or 1,5,9,13 if others are, and you may do so without causing anyone any interference.
Could you recommend another video or a tutorial of sorts that would give me the basics in choosing channels in congested neighborhoods? Does it really matter?
@@JesseLockeHere2Do Not really, this is what I figured out when setting up my own system by reading some research papers. Under the right conditions you can get perfect reception and high speeds by setting your Wi-Fi up on weird channels. But if there's a LOT of other Wi-Fi networks close to you then the tricks don't work and you would have to use 5GHz channels that nobody else is (n.b. everyone and their mother are on channels 36-48.)
true..wifi channel is half duplex it cannot send and receive simultaneously and they cannot sense collisions
The big difference is when the devices are on the same channel they can listen to the other devices to find out when they'll transmit and hold off until the channel is free. WiFi relies on something called Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA), which relies on understanding what the other devices are doing, rather than just checking for noise. There's a Wikipedia article about CSMA/CA.
Very helpful, I definitely appreciate the visuals provided. 👍🏽👍🏽
Thanks, good subject. I must gone though about 20 hours of UA-cam videos before find your channel. 👍
Great Video. Short & to the point.
Why would they even give you the option to use the in between channels though? I don’t get it
It may be naive to ask sir but Why was each channel allocated as 20 Mhz width? why not 10 Mhz width? why not 5Mhz width? In this way we could have more non overlapping channels. Assuming that 20 Mhz width is mandatory for electronic transceivers filter circuits, etc., why not they only settled with only three non-overlapping channels? if effectively one can use only 3 what is use of unnecessary labeling it from 1 to 11 or 13... will be thankful for a response.
It's a tradeoff of bandwidth per channel vs number of channels. With 802.11, they wanted bandwidth similar to wired Ethernet, at a time when many networks ran at 10 Mb.
So is it better to be taking turn to be talking with one another or yelling with each other?
Taking turns, non-overlap. I think what happens is when channels are overlapping, or yelling over each other, data gets garbled, and has to be reconfirmed, and re-sent, and this all takes more time, whereas it's faster to wait in line, and talk on your next turn ;)
great explination for the 2.4ghz for my 5ghz should I leave this on auto
I kinda wonder why, despite this, why they haven't just kept it at 1/6/11/13 so we wouldn't have the issue to begin with...
Hello can You Made a video showing how to config a USB wifi adapter ac 1300 For better conection?
Thank you for the video. What if i have more than 3 APs (for example : 5 APs) should i still put the other 2 APs to Channels 1-6 or 11 ?
So if I life in europe should I use 1, 5, 8 or 13 instead?
awesome video. Quick and explain everything.
☠BLACK BARON☠ 1:20 Why does Apple Airport Engineering only use 36, 40, 44, 48 (only 4 options) within their 5GHz range? Any iDeas? 2:04 The Wifi boxes don't use AI technology to find out which are the best channel settings to stop constantly competing around with each other within a neighboured wifi surrounding?
Fantastic information, thank you this was very helpful!
Great tutorial. Make a video of Unifi AP of possible.
does that means that channel 6 is not always good, if there other people using channel 4,5,7 and 8?
Garmz666 yep but most modems use 1-6-11 so dont worry
What if everyone in the apartment complex picks 6? They're probably on auto i was
Thanks for your help my bro. 💯🖖
i do believe in this way been tried n tested
Sir how i do change channel in tp link deco m5
Thanks! Very helpful video.
Life saviour man, thank you so much
I need an app to check ranges on iphone… can not find one
My understanding is Apple won't allow any app to do what's necessary for that.
So informative, thanks Sir.
How do you change channel
should i use channel 1, or 6 since a lot of people use channel 11? I know channel 11 is a tiny bit faster.
use the wifi analyzer app
mine channel 13 is running like a bullet train😂
And also illegal, if you're in U.S. or Canada, unless you're running low power.
Great explication
Hello!its a great great info about the channel.And ibelieve and got it tnx so much.jamhen
Great video , thanks
thanks but how do i change the wifi channels
If you have an Xfinity router search up 10.0.01 and put the username as admin then your wifi password
Thank you
Uh I used ch9 and it caused a neighborhood wifi router mob fighting against each other like their network is bouncing from ch to ch, I'm being dead serious. I'm watching this whole thing go down on my wifi analyzer, SMH🤦♂️ what the hell I'm gonna do.
what channel I use for 5ghz? I live in new jersey
Chances are that any channel in the 5 GHz band is going to be a good choice! However, to avoid UNII2, I recommend channels 36-48 or 149-165. Make sure they are clear of co-channel and adjacent channel networks with a basic WiFi scanner like inSSIDer Lite!
13 Channel?
Hello, dear friend very nice upload. Have a nice day!!! big like for you my new friend! 👍👍👍👍
GREAT VIDEO!
Thank u sir
Tocmai am aflat ca lucrez la furturi Auto. WTF...
I live in la what channel should I use
I would recommend using the 5 GHz band in congested WiFi environments! Chances are that any channel in the 5 GHz band is going to be a good choice, however I recommend channels 36-48 or 149-165. Make sure they are clear of co-channel and adjacent channel networks with a basic WiFi scanner like inSSIDer free: www.metageek.com/products/inssider/
Great video
I put channel 6 UA-cam buffering lol
It depends on your neighbor's wifi channel
Someone's using a 40 and overlapping with 2 others
I switched from channel 6 to channel 11. Night and day.
Is channel 11 faster because of 2.461ghz
What if my neighbour is using the same channel is same as mine but the signal strength of that neighbour is half of my router signal strength... Will I experience the interference....if yes?how much? Like I am using 20 Mbps internet... Will my speed down to 10 Mbps or what? Plz help me out?
I am gonna use my age channel
Great info bro!!!!😎😎😎😎😎😎
Awsome😊
amazing
My wifi is so bussy in my area that yelling over each other is only option, and i doubt anyone in my neighbourhood is watching this video and giving a fuck would rather yell over each other then take turns.
Nice explanation... #HariKrishnaSahu
channel 10 or 9... then boost the power of the signal and yell the living hell out of the microwaves...
Covid....2 20
Nice explanation... #HariKrishnaSahu