How to choose the best WiFi channel with NetSpot even if you live in a congested building

When your connection is choppy, pages load slowly, or you experience random disconnections, the problem is most likely not your provider, but the... WiFi channel your router is broadcasting onIn buildings full of neighbors, overcrowded offices, or small apartments with many devices, choosing the right channel makes a huge difference in speed, stability, and latency. For that, the help of netspot It is very valuable.

Many people simply leave the channel on automatic or change the channel randomly thinking that any empty channel is better, but the reality is that Not all WiFi channels behave the same or should be used in the same wayWith a tool like NetSpot and a basic understanding of how the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands work, you can fine-tune your wireless network and get the most out of it without overcomplicating things.

How WiFi bands and channels work

Before we start touching anything on the router, it's important to understand that WiFi is nothing more than a radio frequency highway divided into lanes called channelsEach channel occupies a piece of the spectrum and, if several routers transmit in overlapping parts, interference, collisions and performance loss occur.

• At band of 2.4 GHzVery common in older routers and simple devices (home automation, printers, cheap gadgets), we have 13 channels in Spain (11 in countries like the United States), but These channels overlap heavily with each other.
• The band 5 GHz It arrives to alleviate that chaos by offering many more channels, with better separation and the possibility of using wider channel widths (20, 40, 80 and up to 160 MHz). This allows vmuch higher speedsBut it also means that if we open up the bandwidth too much in congested environments, we increase contention and the likelihood of interference with nearby networks.
• The new band of 6 GHz (WiFi 6E) It further expands the available spectrum and adds dozens of additional channels. In some countries, it can offer up to 1200 MHz of new spectrum, with a multitude of wide channels that don't overlap. Since it's currently less utilized, congestion is very low and the experience can be spectacular in terms of speed and latency.

Ultimately, each band has its own characteristics, and choosing well involves not only selecting the channel, but also Choose the appropriate bandwidth and channel width for your environment.

WiFi interference: co-channel and adjacent channel

When multiple networks share the airwaves, not all interference is the same. To make good decisions with NetSpot and configure the router, it's helpful to distinguish between them. co-channel interference and adjacent channel interference, which behave very differently.

La co-channel interference This occurs when different access points use the exact same channel. In this case, the CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) mechanism of the WiFi standard comes into play, which makes devices "listen" to each other before transmitting. They should take turns to avoid collisionsThe practical effect is that the network does not usually become unstable, but it does become slower, because all the equipment shares the same lane and a queue is generated.

La adjacent channel interference It's much more troublesome. It happens when networks transmit on partially overlapping channels, so the signals from one are seen as noise by the others. Instead of coordinating, Transmissions overlap, degrade, packets are lost, and the network becomes erratic.This is where you'll notice micro-cuts, latency spikes, and a "crazy WiFi" feeling.

Therefore, in the 2.4 GHz band, it is usually better to fully share a channel (for example, using the same channel 1 as the neighbor with a strong signal) than to use an intermediate channel that overlaps two or more of the basic channels (1, 6, and 11) and causes interference. adjacent interferences constants. In 5 GHz and 6 GHz, since there are more non-overlapping channels, it's simpler. Avoid both co-channel and adjacent interference with good planning..

In large deployments (offices, hotels, educational centers), one of the classic mistakes is configuring all access points on the same channelThis ends up creating a massive bottleneck, since all the traffic flows through a single portion of the spectrum, when the point is precisely to distribute it intelligently between channels and coverage cells.

Dynamic frequency selection (DFS) and wide channels

Within the 5 GHz band, some channels are labeled as DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection)These channels share spectrum with weather radars, airport radars, or other critical services, and the WiFi standard requires access points to "listen" to these signals and move if they detect activity in order not to interfere.

The great advantage of DFS channels is that They add more available space.However, its use has two major drawbacks: there are client devices that They are not compatible with DFS and simply cannot see the networkAnd, in addition, if a radar is detected, the access point must change channels, introducing a brief interruption or additional latency.

On the other hand, at 5 GHz and 6 GHz we can play with the channel linking channel bondingThis basically involves combining several 20 MHz channels into a single, wider channel of 40, 80, or 160 MHz. The wider the channel, the greater the potential for maximum speed. However, this also increases the likelihood of interference with neighboring networks and amplifying background noise.

In homes with few surrounding networks or isolated chalets, an 80 MHz channel can work perfectly, while in central buildings full of routers, the most sensible option is usually... stay at 20 MHz or 40 MHz to find the balance between performance and stability.

By carefully planning which DFS channels to use, when to activate the link, and what channel width to set, you can design robust WiFi systems that support a large number of devices without sacrificing too much in either speed or reliability.

How to use NetSpot to find the best WiFi channel

Although many routers have an option to automatic channel selectionThey aren't always accurate, or they only get it right at startup without reassessing the situation over time. Therefore, if you suspect your Wi-Fi is on a congested channel, it's worth analyzing the environment first with a reliable tool.

The first step is to install a WiFi analyzer On your computer or mobile device. There are numerous free apps for Android, Windows, and macOS that display available networks, their signal strength, and the channel they broadcast on. Among them, NetSpot stands out because, in addition to listing networks, it offers very clear graphical views and coverage analysis features for different areas.

On iOS, the options are more limited due to Apple's restrictions on accessing WiFi information, but on Windows and Mac computers you can use it without any problems. NetSpot for analyzing channels and studying saturationOther apps like WiFi Analyzer (Android) or WifiInfo (Windows) can also help you with this basic scanning task.

Once NetSpot or your chosen tool is installed, connect to the network and the band (2.4, 5, or 6 GHz) you want to optimize. From there, the application will display nearby networks, the channel they use, their RSSI (signal strength), and, in many cases, a recommendation of which channels are clearestThere is usually also a spectrum graph view that shows how the networks overlap with each other.

What interests you is focusing so much on how many networks use a channel such as the signal strength at your location. A channel with several very weak networks may be more usable than one with few but very strong networks located very close together. It's also advisable to avoid intermediate channels in the 2.4 GHz band that overlap with two or more of the basic channels (1, 6, and 11).

Change the WiFi channel on your router step by step

Once you've determined, thanks to NetSpot or the analyzer, which channel is most suitable for your environment, it's time to... access the router settings and change it manuallyThe process is very similar in most models, although the screens vary depending on the manufacturer.

The first step is to access the router's web interface from a browser. To do this, you must enter the router's gateway IP address in the address bar, which is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (sometimes a variation like 192.168.100.1). If you don't know it, you can find it on the router's label or in your internet service provider's documentation.

Upon logging in, you will be asked for your administrator username and password. These are often printed on a sticker on the bottom of the router, along with the Wi-Fi network name and password. Once logged in, you should look for a menu called something like... “Wireless”, “Wi-Fi”, or similar, where all radio options are grouped.

Within that section, you'll see the 2.4 GHz network settings and, if your router is dual-band, the 5 GHz settings, and even 6 GHz if it supports WiFi 6E. Each should have a field for... "Channel"often with the “Auto” option enabled by default. To select a specific channel, you need to disable automatic mode and manually select the recommended channel by NetSpot.

Save the changes and wait for the router to apply the new settings. Some routers restart, others only restart the Wi-Fi module. After this, it's a good idea to run another speed test and check if... Stability and latency have improvedIf you don't notice any changes or continue to have problems, you may also need to adjust the channel width, change bands, or check the physical location of the router.

Operator apps and automatic WiFi optimization

Some operators offer their own applications for Manage and optimize your router's WiFi without navigating complicated menusA typical example is the "Smart WiFi" app on HGU routers, which allows you to change the 2.4 GHz channel, restart the device, see which devices are connected, or check the password.

These types of apps usually have a function to “Optimize your WiFi” This triggers an automatic process: the router analyzes the environment, measures channel saturation, and switches to the channel it considers clearest at that moment. If it doesn't change channels after optimization, it means you were already on a fairly good option.

In some cases, if you have a TV set-top box from your provider (for example, a UHD set-top box connected to your router via Wi-Fi), you can also access these options from the TV's own app menu. There, it's possible Check your network status, view connected devices, restart WiFi, or optimize the channel. without touching the computer.

While these types of assistants make life easier for many people, they're still more of a "black box" than tools like NetSpot. If you want maximum precision, the ideal solution is to combine them. manual scanning with NetSpot with the router's optimization functions, so that you have both a detailed technical overview and automations that make periodic adjustments.

Security, WiFi alternatives, and when to use a cable

While you're busy trying to find the best channel, you shouldn't neglect the security of your WiFi networkUsing strong encryption (WPA2 at a minimum, preferably WPA3 if your router and devices support it), a robust password, and disabling old and insecure features like WPS reduces the risk of intruders overwhelming your network without you noticing.

On the other hand, it's wise to be realistic: WiFi has physical limitations that cables do not.If your home's layout is problematic, with many thick walls or ceilings, or if you need maximum stability for remote work, competitive gaming, or home servers, you might want to consider running Ethernet cable at least to the key points.

As intermediate solutions, you can resort to PLC systems (internet over the electrical network), wired access points, or WiFi mesh networks properly configured. In any of these alternatives, correct channel planning remains essential to ensure that the different nodes do not interfere with each other.

In any case, even if you can't always use a cable, properly adjusting the channel, band, and transmission power reduces both interference and the need to push the radio to its limits, which translates into a more stable, faster and more secure network for your day to day.

Update your router's firmware and your device drivers

If you're still having problems after optimizing channels and bands, the next sensible step is to review the router firmware and your devices' network driversOutdated software can contain vulnerabilities, security holes, and bugs that affect performance.

Firmware updates usually bring Stability improvements, bug fixes, and sometimes new features Features like improved parental controls, enhanced QoS, or support for new bands and channels are common. Some routers update automatically, but many require manual updates through their administration panel.

To update, identify your router's model and version (these are usually found on a sticker or in the settings menu) and access the web interface with an Ethernet cable connected to avoid interruptions during the process. Look for a section called something like “Update”, “Firmware”, “System Upgrade” or similarand check if there is a newer version available on the manufacturer's website or if the router itself offers an automatic search.

In parallel, don't forget to check the WiFi card drivers for your laptop or PCAn older driver might not properly understand the router's newer features, mishandle DFS channels, or have bugs with certain bands. Updating from Device Manager or the chipset manufacturer's website (Intel, Realtek, etc.) can make a world of difference without any other intervention.

When is it worth changing your router or WiFi standard?

Sometimes, no matter how much you adjust the channel and optimize everything, the problem is that your equipment is outdated. If your router only supports 2.4 GHz or older standards such as 802.11nYou are limited from the beginning, even if you do a perfect channel plan.

Tools like NetSpot will help you see if Your network is at the limit of what your hardware can handle.If you detect dead zones, very weak signals, or constant saturation even on the best available channels, it might be time to upgrade to a modern router with WiFi 5, WiFi 6, or WiFi 6E, supporting 5 GHz and 6 GHz, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and better management of many clients simultaneously.

A newer piece of equipment also usually brings Better security, more powerful processor, better antennas, and more advanced options Channel and band management. Combined with careful planning using NetSpot and regular monitoring of the radio environment, you'll have a network much better prepared to handle the constant increase in devices and the consumption of high-quality content.

If you combine an up-to-date router, a good choice of band and channel, and regular analysis with NetSpot or other apps, you'll see that Your WiFi network can go from being a constant source of headaches to becoming a stable, fast, and ready-for-anything connection.even in the most complicated and saturated environments of neighboring networks.