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G18/G20: Changing the Wi-Fi Channel

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Question
How do I change the Wi-Fi channel in my G18/G20 gateway?
Answer
In some cases, wireless interference may occur when nearby wireless networks are broadcast on the same channel as the G18/G20.  Changing the Wi-Fi channel in the G18/G20 may reduce wireless interference.  The G18/G20 broadcasts two Wi-Fi networks simultaneously, one is broadcast on 2.4 GHz and the other on 5 GHz band.  The default channel is Auto for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks.  The auto channel on the Wi-Fi network automatically selects the best or least congested Wi-Fi channel after restarting the G18/G20.  

Before selecting the Wi-Fi network, check the Wi-Fi client that is experiencing interference to identify the Wi-Fi network being used by the device.  Then use the Wi-Fi Spectrum Analyzer tool (located in the G18/G20 Web Manager) to scan nearby access points and occupied Wi-Fi channels.  The tool is used for identifying the least used Wi-Fi channel, then select the appropriate Wi-Fi network and change the channel.  The Wi-Fi client’s Internet connection will be interrupted when changing the Wi-Fi channel.  

This document describes changing the Wi-Fi channel on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi network.


Changing the Wi-Fi Channel
  1. Launch a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari.  Enter http://192.168.0.1 into the address box, and press the Enter key.  The https:// Redirect page will appear.  
     
  2. The SURFboard Web Manager is redirecting to a more secure connection, click the Proceed button to continue.  The Gateway > Login page will appear.

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  3. A security or private risk alert may appear on the web browser advising users to proceed with caution when accessing the Web Manager.  There is no risk in proceeding to the Web Manager.  For instructions to bypass the alert screen, refer to article # 18181 - Alert Message for Web Manager Access.

    NOTE: The Home Network Wizard will appear if this is the first time accessing the Web Manager.  For assistance with the wizard, refer to article # 19602 - G18/G20: Web Manager First Time Login.
     
  4. The Username field has admin populated, enter the custom password in the Password field.

    NOTE: If the Login page prompts for email address and password, retrieve the email address and password in the app to sign in.  For detailed instructions in the app, refer to article # 19069 - SURFboard Central: Web Manager Access.
     
  5. Click the Login button.  The Gateway > Summary page will appear.

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  6. On the left-hand menu, click the Connected Devices link.  The Connected Devices > Devices page will appear. 
     
  7. Under the Online Devices section, locate the Wi-Fi client that is experiencing interference and check the SSID (Wi-Fi 2.4G or Wi-Fi 5G) it is connected to under Connection.

    NOTE: The SSID can also be checked on Wi-Fi client network settings.

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  8. Once the SSID is determined, click the Troubleshooting link in the left-hand menu. The Troubleshooting > Logs page will appear.
     
  9. Click the Wi-Fi Spectrum Analyzer sub-menu link.  The Troubleshooting > Wi-Fi Spectrum Analyzer page will appear.
     
  10. Click the Start Scan button.  The pop-up window will appear.

    Right click on the image to save it to your computer.
     
  11. Click the OK button. 

To Change Wi-Fi Channel for the Wi-Fi 2.4G
  1. On the Troubleshooting > Wi-Fi Spectrum Analyzer page, review pages 1 & 2 to determine the most congested Wi-Fi channels.  The least congested channel would be best to use.      

    NOTE: In the example below, channel 11 is highly congested and channel 3 is moderately congested.  The best available channel is 6 or the channels not in use.

    Right click on the image to save it to your computer. User-added image
     
  2. On the left-hand menu, click the Gateway link.  The Gateway > Summary page will appear.
     
  3. Click the Connection link, then click the Wi-Fi link.  Click the 2.4 GHz Radio sub-menu link.  The Gateway > Connection > Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz Radio page will appear.
     
  4. Select the Manual bullet point for the Channel Selection field, then select a channel from the Channel drop-down menu.

    NOTE 1: It is recommended to leave the Channel default setting at Auto and restart the G18/G20.  The best Wi-Fi channel will be selected upon restart.  Keep in mind that the connected Wi-Fi clients temporarily lose Internet connection when the G18/G20 is restarting.

    NOTE 2: When choosing to set the Wi-Fi channel, it is recommended to set the channel to 1, 6, or 11 for better performance and stability because they do not overlap.  Other Wi-Fi channels overlap and degrade performance. 
     
  5. Leave the default setting of 20 MHz on the Channel Bandwidth field to increase the amount of data that the Wi-Fi network can carry.    

    NOTE: The standard bandwidth for the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network is 20 MHz.  
     
    Channel BandwidthChannels
    20 MHz1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
    20/40 MHz1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
  6. Click the Save Settings button.  The Gateway > Connection > Wi-Fi > 2.4 GHz Radio page will appear.

    NOTE: Wi-Fi clients will briefly disconnect and reconnect.

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To Change the Wi-Fi Channel for the Wi-Fi 5G
  1. On the Troubleshooting > Wi-Fi Spectrum Analyzer page, click the drop-down menu to select 5 GHz UNII-1 & 2 to display Channels 36 - 64.  Review pages 1 & 2 to determine the most congested Wi-Fi channels. 

    NOTE: In the example below, channel 36 is highly congested and channel 48 is moderately congested.

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  2. Click the drop-down menu to select 5 GHz UNII-2E to display Channels 100 - 144.  

    NOTE: In the example below no channels from 100 - 144 were detected.

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  3. Click the drop-down menu to select 5 GHz UNII-3 & ISM to display Channels 149 - 165.  Review pages 1 & 2 to determine the most congested Wi-Fi channels. 

    NOTE: In the example below channel 157 is highly congested and the best channel is 149, 153, 161, and or channels not in use.

    User-added image User-added image
     
  4. On the left-hand menu, click the Gateway link.  The Gateway > Summary page will appear.
     
  5. Click the Connection link, then click the Wi-Fi link.  Click the 5 GHz Radio sub-menu link.  The Gateway > Connection > Wi-Fi 5 GHz Radio page will appear.
     
  6. Select the Manual bullet point for the Channel Selection field, then select a channel from the Channel drop-down menu.

    NOTE: It is recommended to leave the Channel setting at Auto and restart the G18/G20.  The best Wi-Fi channel will be selected upon restart.  Keep in mind that the connected Wi-Fi clients temporarily lose Internet connection when the G18/G20 is restarting.
     
  7. Leave the default setting of 20/40/80 MHz on the Channel Bandwidth field to increase the amount of data that the Wi-Fi network can carry.    
     
    Channel BandwidthChannels
    2036, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165
    20/4036, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157, 161
    20/40/8036, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157, 161
  8. Click the Save Settings button.  The Gateway > Connection > Wi-Fi > 5GHz Radio page will appear.

    NOTE: Wi-Fi clients will briefly disconnect and reconnect.

    User-added image

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