Wifi scanner free windows how to#
Wifi scanner free windows for mac#
Wifi scanner free windows android#
Wifi scanner free windows windows#

Note that in some areas, there are so many wireless networks using all kinds of channels that it's impossible to choose a channel that doesn't overlap any others. In other words, look at the channel with the greatest concentration of wireless networks, then use our chart to pick an alternative channel of the same colour this will make it easier for other people to add or configure their networks, too. Part of owning a wireless network is being a good neighbour and picking a channel that doesn't cause too much interference. We don't recommend that you do this, though. There's nothing to stop you using Channels 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 or 13, as these don't overlap Channel 1. In this example, channel 11 would be ideal, but channel 6 would also work. Using the chart above you can pick an uncongested channel farthest from the one most used. For example, you may find that most of your neighbours are using channel 1. You can usually sort by channel, which gives you a better view of what's going on.įor 2.4GHz networks, look at the most used channels. Run your chosen tool and let it gather information on nearby wireless networks.

Wifi scanner free windows android#

Android is more permissive, so you can use Wifi Analyzer. However, WiFi Channel Scanner doubles the channel number for 5GHz networks, so channel 72 is really channel 36. There are no Wi-Fi scanners for iOS, as Apple had these removed from the App Store. Channels 1 to 13 are 2.4GHz networks, while channels 36 and above are for 5GHz networks. This only shows you the channel of the network, not the frequency, and has an odd quirk with 5GHz networks, but it's still possible to work out what's going on.

Wifi scanner free windows windows#

This has been replaced by a newer paid-for version, but the old version still works perfectly well.Īlternatively, Windows users can use WiFi Channel Scanner (free). For Windows, you can use inSSIDer Home (free).

Wifi scanner free windows for mac#

WiFi Scanner for Mac (£19.99) is a brilliant and useful tool. These scan for wireless networks within range and tell you which channel they're running on, and the base frequency (2.4GHz or 5GHz).

The first place to start is with a Wi-Fi Scanner for your computer. As a result, you may need to change channels a couple of times to see any improvement. This isn't a perfect science and sometimes the interference or problems are caused by devices that you can't detect, such as a baby monitor or wireless doorbell.

However, a neighbour maybe running a network on the same channel, causing interference issues. For both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, the trick is to set your router to use a channel different (where possible) to other wireless networks within range and one that doesn't overlap.

Picking the right channel isn't just about making the right decision based on technical data, but picking the right channel based on the networks around you, then.įortunately, this problem has been fixed with 5GHz networks, which has more channels, none of which overlaps. It's not always that simple, though, as plenty of people don't follow this simple rule for example, you may be surrounded by people using Channel 2, which overlaps both Channel 1 and 6. Typically, people suggest using channels 1, 6 and 11, as these are these channels work everywhere in the world (12 and 13 are restricted in some places, although not the UK) and don't overlap. All of the channels coloured the same colour don't overlap. The illustration below shows you how the channels stack up. Unfortunately, most of the 2.4GHz channels overlap, causing interference: channel 2 uses 2,417MHz to 2,437MHz, for example. For example, channel 1 for 2.4GHz networks uses the 20MHz slice between 2,412MHz and 2,432MHz. Choosing the right Wi-Fi channelĪlthough your router will run on a frequency band, such as 2.4GHz, underneath it's actually only using a 20MHz slice of the frequency, called a channel. Finally, try repositioning the router and seeing if that improves the signal, and you may be surprised at the results. If it's wall-mounted on a brick wall, try taking it off. Take it off a metal shelf, if positioned on one. If you put your router in the wrong place, you may be artificially hampering its performance.įor the sake of testing, put your router close to your master phone socket to eliminate any issue of wiring. Reposition routerĪs we mentioned in the intro, positioning can be one of the biggest problems with Wi-Fi speeds. If you're still having interference or range problems, you may need some new hardware, but we'll cover all of that in the next section.

Wifi scanner free windows how to#

We'll show you how to set up 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks properly. By reconfiguring your router and changing some of its more simple settings, you may find that your Wi-Fi troubles go away.

You might not need to buy a new router if you can fix the interference problems you're suffering. How to detect and fix Wi-Fi interference Fixing interference