NETGEAR routers are pre-configured to use wireless channels that work well for most people. Your router automatically selects a 2.4 GHz channel based on your network environment, and uses default 5 GHz (and 6 GHz, if equipped with WiFi 6E or newer) channels based on your region.
If you are experiencing frequent lost connections, slow data transfers, or other WiFi issues that can be caused by interference, you might want to manually change the wireless channels on your router. For more information, see What do I need to know before selecting a different wireless channel?
We recommend that you use the default wireless channels unless you experience interference. If this happens, try different channels to see which channel works best. You can also use the WiFi Analytics tools in the NETGEAR Nighthawk and Orbi apps on your Android device to help you determine which channels have the least interference.
On 6 GHz WiFi routers, Preferred Scanning Channels (PSCs) are a group of 20 MHz channels that are prioritized within the 6 GHz WiFi band, used by WiFi 6E and newer standards including WiFi 7. If you change your 6 GHz wireless channel, we recommend that you select a PSC, or your devices might experience difficulty connecting to the 6 GHz band.
To change the wireless channel on your NETGEAR router:
- Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your router’s network.
- Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens. - Enter the user name and password.
The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
The BASIC Home page displays. - Select Wireless.
The Wireless Settings page displays. - From the Region menu, select your region.
In some locations, you cannot change this setting. - Scroll down to the wireless band that you want to change the channel for.
For example, if you want to change the 5 GHz band channel, scroll down to the 5GHz (a/n/ac/ax) section. - From the Channel menu, select a channel number.
Note: Due to regional wireless broadcast regulations, not all channels are available in all regions. - Click or tap Apply.
Your channel settings are saved.
If you use WiFi extenders, and you changed your router’s wireless channels, you must also set your extenders up to use the same channels as your router.
For more information:
- How do I resolve poor wireless range or a weak WiFi signal from my NETGEAR router?
- What are Preferred Scanning Channels in the 6 GHz band?