WiFi Channels

What are WiFi channels?

WiFi channels are like lanes on a highway. Your router and devices need to pick a lane (channel) to communicate on. If too many networks use the same channel, they interfere with each other and slow everyone down.

The 2.4 GHz band has 11 channels in the US (13 in most other countries), but only channels 1, 6, and 11 don't overlap with each other. The 5 GHz band has many more non-overlapping channels, which is one reason it often performs better in crowded areas.

Why it matters

In apartments, offices, or anywhere with many WiFi networks nearby, channel selection can make a huge difference. If your router and three neighbors are all on channel 6, you're all competing for the same airspace.

Poor channel selection causes slowdowns, dropped connections, and inconsistent performance—especially during peak usage times when everyone's networks are active.

What you can do

Quick fixes:

• Log into your router's admin page and check which channel you're using
• For 2.4 GHz, stick to channels 1, 6, or 11—pick whichever has the fewest neighbors
• Switch to 5 GHz if your devices support it—more channels means less congestion
• Many modern routers have an "auto" channel setting that picks for you

Long-term improvements:

• Use a WiFi analyzer app to see which channels your neighbors are using
• Consider a router with DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) channels for even more 5 GHz options
• WiFi 6 and 6E routers handle channel congestion more gracefully
• If you have a mesh system, ensure nodes are on different channels when possible

What Network Weather shows you

Network Weather displays your current WiFi channel and can show how crowded it is.