Consider using channels between 1-6 and 11 on the 2.4GHz band.
Consider using channels between 1-6 and 11 on the 2.4GHz band.
It’s about handling peak usage when the main ballroom is packed and everyone’s devices are connected. The Wi-Fi slows down quickly if many clients share a single access point, even when they’re mostly idle. The 802.11ac standard improved this, but Wi-Fi 6 will be much better in such crowded scenarios (Wi-Fi 6 won’t speed up much with just one or two devices on an AP).
I used to face problems with my wireless connection frequently disconnecting. In an apartment building with many nearby APs broadcasting, they constantly switch channels. If your Wi-Fi keeps dropping, it’s usually because the AP changes its channel. When you regularly lose connection, it’s often due to channel congestion. I get the best performance on 2.4GHz when set to a middle channel. I no longer use 2.4GHz and now my AP runs openWRT, giving me access to DFS channels that are ideal for indoor networks.
The key point to keep in mind is that improving performance on a less popular channel doesn’t mean you’re harming others. I’ve experienced poor results before and suspect it was due to poorly set up routers by ISPs. If their equipment is too aggressive, it might overshadow your signal, especially if yours follows the right settings. WiFi relies on shared bandwidth, so you shouldn’t be doing anything that could interfere with others. Honestly, I feel bad using a lot of high-frequency spectrum because I have two links with repeaters on separate channels for best results. They’re directional and not under constant heavy use, so they shouldn’t really affect anyone much. If we all cooperate, the technology stays functional.
I was checking an app displaying APs on channels and noticed many others were also switching channels. This suggests everyone else might be facing similar dropouts. Ideally, all APs would agree on optimal channel usage to minimize disruption, but that doesn’t happen. I’d assume being caught between channels worsens the issue because it creates more overlapping problems rather than fewer.
This highlights how a poor setup can severely impact performance. It's not ideal for APs to constantly switch channels, as it causes frequent interference and crashes. Think of it like someone jostling across the road, taking up all the space. My idea behind why this might have been effective is that when your AP matched the channel of others, it avoided transmitting through them. But when you changed channels, it appeared as increased noise, forcing transmission but slowing everyone down. For clients nearer the AP, this led to more stability but at a significant delay compared to proper channel alignment. This issue becomes even clearer when neighbors don't follow the same rules. There are simply too many subpar WiFi setups, and WiFi 6 is finally here to help.