When it comes to selecting channels for your wireless network, there are several factors to consider. One of the most important is minimizing interference from other nearby networks. In this article, we'll explore how to choose the best channel for your Wi-Fi network and reduce interference.

Why Avoid Adjacent Channels

When everyone sticks to channels 1, 6, and 11, interference will be handled better than if it were to come from adjacent channels. This is because these channels can create interference for a lot of people, as we see in the example below.

Channel Overlapping

Using channels 2-5 and 7-10 causes overlapping signals with other channels. It's common to adhere to these three channels, although in Norway you can theoretically use all channels from 1 to 13.

Best Practices for Channel Selection

To achieve the best stability and ensure that all devices can find your wireless network regardless of where or when they were manufactured, we recommend sticking to channels 1, 6, or 11 with 2.4 GHz.

Here are two rules of thumb for channel selection on the 2.4 GHz band:

* Do not use a channel already used by another access point nearby.

* Follow the instructions provided by your router/access point supplier for changing channels.

Using WiFi Scanners

To see which channels are being used by other networks, you can change the channel on your own network to reduce interference, primarily on the 2.4 GHz band where interference and overlap cause the most problems.

What Do You Do with the Results of a Wi-Fi Scan?

You can use free Wi-Fi scanners available for most platforms, such as inSSIDer, which we used in our example below. For more information about using heat mappers to map your wireless network, see here: Map Your Wireless Network with a Heat Mapper.

Choosing the right channel for your Wi-Fi network is crucial for minimizing interference and ensuring a stable connection. By following these best practices and using WiFi scanners, you can optimize your network's performance and reduce the risk of dropped connections or slow speeds.

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