This article addresses how to improve wireless performance by changing the wireless channel. The wireless channel that your router or access point (AP) is using, may be experiencing interference from other devices. Regardless of where you are, some channels are more free of interference than others. Interference is caused by other devices using the same channel that your equipment is using. For example a microwave, a 2.4 GHz phone, or a neighbor's wireless network can cause interference. To fix this problem, determine which is the least congested channel in your area and configure your router or AP to use that channel.

NOTE: This article applies to standalone wireless routers only, and not extenders, which need to be on the same channel as the supplying router.

You will need to find a WiFi discovery tool to use in determining the activity on each channel. This article documents using the inSSIDer WiFi network discovery tool that is available at http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/. The tool you use may have different steps. Consult the documentation for your WiFi discovery tool.

Determining WiFi activity using inSSIDer:

1. Click the Networks tab, then click the Channel header to sort by channel.
2. Count how many networks are active on each channel.
3. Note which channel that has the fewest number of networks.
   
    
   
   In this example, Channel 1 is the best choice because other devices are using channels 6 & 11.

To change the channel from "Auto" to either channel 1, 6, or 11 (it is recommended to use one of these channels if possible):

1. Log in to your router or AP with the NETGEAR Genie by navigating your browser to http://www.routerlogin.net . 
   
   For earlier NETGEAR routers or APs, please refer to your user manual for login instructions.
   
   Default login credentials are admin for the username and password for the password.
   
   
2. Click the Wireless button. The Wireless Setup screen displays.
   
   
3. From the Channel drop-down menu, select the channel you identified in Step 4 and click the Apply button.
4. Test each channel and choose the one with the best performance.