Best channel for wifi 5 GHz

Have you been using a router but are not impressed with its recent performance? You are probably thinking of getting a wifi extender to solve this problem. Before doing that, you should consider changing the wifi channel on the router. 

Unlike single-band routers that only have one main frequency band, dual-band routers use both the 5GHz and 2.4 GHz radio frequencies to transmit data to different devices. Most modern routers are either dual or tri-band. Using the best channel for wifi 5GHz can help you eliminate speed issues. Some of the best channels that you should consider switching to on the 5GHz radio frequency include 36. 48, 44, and 40. The guide highlights everything you should know regarding wifi 5GHz and your router. Read on.

Introduction to the 5GHz band

A router makes use of radio waves to transmit data. Even though routers have significantly improved, they sometimes give us problems in offering slow internet when one connects different devices. This sometimes makes routers unreliable and frustrating.Router manufacturers configure it to use default settings for enhanced performance.

Though such a router is set to use the 2.4 GHz band, you can customize it such that some of the devices use the 5GHz band for better performance. This frequency band offers more bandwidth compared to the 2.4 GHz radio band. If you have been using the 5GHz band and are still experiencing performance issues, you should modify the channel frequency.

Channels are small bands found in wifi frequency bands that can receive and send data in a wireless network. The channels and bands you choose to use in your network can directly impact reliability and performance. In wifi 5GHz, it is better to utilize some channels than others due to interference caused by other devices. You should consider picking a non-overlapping channel that is not crowded.

Find out the best channel for wifi 5GHz

The 5 GHz radio frequency contains at least 25 channels that you can use to reduce performance issues with your router. This radio band is different from the 2.4 GHz band, which only contains three non-overlapping channels.

Some of the popular channels in wifi 5GHz include 149, 165, 157,153, 48, 44, 40, and 36. Apart from routers, the scientific industry and military stations also utilize some of the channels for communication. Channels 36 through 48 are mostly used for domestic purposes and are known as UNII-1 channels. Experts reveal that these are the channels that you should use when you want your router to give you excellent performance.

The higher the channel, the better the communication and bandwidth. This means that a high channel can easily carry more data on it in less time. The problem with high channels is that they tend to overlap with others, causing performance issues. One of the solutions used to fix overlapping problems in channels is the Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS). This system ensures that a router can choose a good channel automatically without overlapping.

If you want a good performing router, you should stick to the UNII-1 channels. If you own a router that supports DFS, you can consider using the higher channels we mentioned, such as 157 and 149. DFS can also detect whether a military station near you is already using the channel you have chosen.

As you look for the best channel that you should set for your router, you should also consider other crucial factors. For instance, consider the number of smart devices around your home. This is because most smart devices and other home appliances also use the UNII-1 channel for communication purposes. You should ensure that your router is not near devices such as smart bulbs or microwaves since these can cause interference leading to the loss of wireless signal and speed issues.

Apart from congestion issues, routers that use the 5GHz radio frequency do not have a strong signal penetration. This can also cause problems. Experts have, however, come up with a way of solving this problem. An app known as wifi analyzer is used to check channel congestion in a router and reduce it. It considers factors such as the router’s location in relation to other home appliances and the number of smart devices in your home then recommends the right channel to use.

Once you see how each channel for wifi 5GHz is rated, you can now make the right adjustments. If you don’t want to manually set channels on the radio frequency, you should consider enabling the auto channel mode. This leads to automatic changes based on the performance of the router in relation to other devices.

A summary of channels in a router

 Conclusion

Router problems can prevent you from downloading files or streaming content seamlessly. Many people who have different router models keep on reporting wireless connectivity issues. Though a wifi extender or mesh network can solve performance issues in a router, you should try out different techniques before spending more cash.

One of the techniques you can try is adjusting the channels for wifi 5GHz. Though this radio band has 25 channels, the best channels you should consider using fall under the UNII-1 category. This includes 36, 48, 40, and 44. Though higher channels can offer a wider bandwidth, they tend to overlap. Sticking to UNII-1 channels is, therefore, your best option to having a high performing router.

FAQs

What channel width should one use for wifi 5GHz?

You should use 80, 40, and 20 MHZ.

Is there a way that I can increase the range of the 5GHz radio band?

Yes, though this radio band has a short-range, changing your router’s position and orientation can help you get better signal strength.