Wi-Fi Optimization: Channels, Bands & Placement

Wi-Fi Bands: 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz vs 6 GHz

2.4 GHz

Range: Better wall penetration, longer range
Speed: Slower (up to ~600 Mbps with Wi-Fi 6)
Channels: 11 channels, only 3 non-overlapping (1, 6, 11)
Interference: Crowded — microwaves, Bluetooth, neighbors' routers
Best for: IoT devices, smart home, devices far from router

5 GHz

Range: Shorter range, more affected by walls
Speed: Faster (up to ~4.8 Gbps with Wi-Fi 6)
Channels: 25 non-overlapping channels
Interference: Less crowded, more available channels
Best for: Streaming, gaming, video calls, close-range devices

6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E / Wi-Fi 7)

Range: Shortest range
Speed: Fastest (up to ~9.6 Gbps)
Channels: 59 channels, completely uncrowded
Best for: High-bandwidth, low-latency applications

Channel Selection

2.4 GHz: Use Channels 1, 6, or 11

These are the only non-overlapping channels. Using any other channel causes interference with neighbors on channels 1, 6, or 11.

Channel 1  ████████
Channel 6          ████████
Channel 11                  ████████

5 GHz: Use Auto or Scan for Least Congested

With 25 non-overlapping channels, interference is rarely a problem. Use your router's auto-channel selection or a Wi-Fi analyzer app to find the quietest channel.

Access Point Placement

Central location — Place the router in the center of your living space
Elevated position — Put it on a shelf or mount it high on a wall
Away from interference — Keep away from microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors
Avoid obstructions — Metal objects, mirrors, and water (fish tanks, walls with plumbing) block Wi-Fi signals
No closets — Don't hide your router in a closet or cabinet

Improving Performance

Enable band steering — Lets the router push capable devices to 5 GHz
Update firmware — Fixes bugs and improves performance
Reduce interference — Move 2.4 GHz devices to 5 GHz when possible
Use Ethernet — For stationary devices (desktop PCs, gaming consoles, streaming boxes)
Mesh systems — For large homes, use a mesh Wi-Fi system instead of range extenders

Wi-Fi Optimization