Many users suffer from slow or intermittent Wi-Fi connections. While the usual solution to this problem is to change the location of the router or rotate the antenna, according to network experts, changing a key router setting can significantly improve connection speed and stability in many cases.
Experts say that the router’s ‘channel width’ or ‘channel bandwidth’ setting determines how much radio waves will be used to exchange information. Most modern routers have 40 MHz on the 2.4 GHz band and 80 MHz on the 5 GHz band enabled by default. In many cases, the setting is also kept in ‘auto’ mode.
Although using more channels can theoretically increase internet speeds, having multiple Wi-Fi networks nearby also increases signal interference. Using multiple routers on the same frequency can degrade connection quality, especially in multi-story buildings or densely populated areas.
In this situation, experts have suggested reducing the channel width of the 2.4 GHz band to 20 MHz. This can reduce interference with neighboring networks and make the connection more stable. On the other hand, the risk of interference is lower in the 5 and 6 GHz bands, as there are relatively more channels. However, the channel width of these bands can also be adjusted as needed.
To change the channel width, the user needs to log in to the router’s administrative address—such as 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1—in a web browser. Then, change the channel width from ‘Wireless Settings’ and save it.
Experts advise that you should use the new settings for a few days and observe their effectiveness. If the connection quality worsens, you can easily revert to the previous default settings. Also, using the ‘Wi-Fi Analyzer’ app to select a less busy channel may improve the connection quality.
However, experts remind us that the same settings may not be equally effective in all environments. The most suitable settings may vary depending on the density of nearby Wi-Fi networks, the structure of the building, and the type of router used.
