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Community Support

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221.5K Messages

Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 3:30 PM

2.4Ghz vs 5GHz – Solutions & Tips to Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal from the AT&T Community

​Learn how to improve your Wi-Fi by adjusting settings​

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​When it comes to the strength of your Wi-Fi, there are settings you can adjust on your modem to improve coverage. Below you find a “crash course” about those settings. ​


​Heads Up​​: Settings are just one piece of the pie, ​​modem environment is just important​​. ​


​Radio Channel​

​Wi-Fi is broadcasted on a channel. Like your TV, tunning to a different channel gives you a different network that has better shows. In some instances, changing the Wi-Fi Channel can improve Wi-Fi speeds and Wi-Fi coverage. ​​You can adjust channel settings using Smart Home Manager or by signing into your modem​​. ​

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​Radio Options & Bandwidth​​ ​

​Think about the bands as a road. Some roads go further, others can handle more cars. In terms of Wi-Fi, one band allows a faster signal but cannot go far while another band can cover a larger distance but not as fast.  So, if you notice your Wi-Fi signal is weaker in some rooms, connecting it to the 2.4ghz will help. If you are within distance of your modem and want faster speeds, the 5ghz is your best bet. ​​You’ll have to sign in to your modem to adjust these settings​​.​

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  • ​2.4GHz can support speeds up to 600Mbps – 20MHz supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz​​ ​
  • ​5GHz can support speeds up to 1300Mbps – 40MHz and above work better​
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​Please Note​​: Environmental factors can impact what speeds your device will get. For example, the materials your house is made out of, distance, walls, electronic interference, and modem environment can affect Wi-Fi.

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​Power Settings​

​It can be set from 0 to 100 on most routers/ modems. The more access points you have, the lower the power level should be so they don’t interfere with each other. ​​You’ll have to sign in to your modem to adjust these settings​​.​ The bigger your home, the more power you'll need. If you are in a small area, like an apartment, you do not need a high-power setting. 

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​Wireless Protocols​​ ​

​Newer protocols like 802.11ac are the latest and normally provide the best performance. Most newer devices support these protocols. Modifying the protocols to use only 802.11ac may improve the experience. If you notice your devices disconnect when using this setting, revert them back to the original. ​​You’ll have to sign in to your modem to adjust these settings​​.​

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​Other Wi-Fi Improvement Tips​

​It never hurts to check out what the internet says about improving your Wi-Fi perform your own research on how YOU can improve your Wi-Fi. ​

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Wi-Fi Improvement Solutions

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​ Gaming, Website & Video Conferencing & More​

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​ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist ​

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*I am an AT&T employee, and the postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent AT&T's position, strategies or opinions.

Accepted Solution

Official Solution

Community Support

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2.7K Messages

2 years ago

Scroll down or select the links below to find screenshots for your specific modem.

ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist 

Community Support

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2.7K Messages

2 years ago

Pace Modem Wi-Fi Settings View

To get to the Wi-Fi Setting page:

  1. Sign in to your modem (Sign in information is located on the modem. Do not confuse the sign in passcode for the Wi-FI password, they are different)
  2. Select Settings then LAN
  3. Select Wi-Fi

(edited)

Community Support

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2.7K Messages

2 years ago

Motorola/ Arris Wi-Fi Settings View

To get to the Wi-Fi Setting page:

  1. Sign in to your modem (Sign-in information is located on the modem. Do not confuse the sign in passcode for the Wi-FI password, they are different)
  2. Select Home Network
  3. Then Wi-FI

Employee

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166 Messages

1 year ago

Another personal experience story

I visited family over the July 4th weekend. I tested the internet speeds on the network I was on, it was under 25Mbps. I thought that was weird given they are on fiber. 

I noticed another network name that hinted at speed. I ask if the new network was theirs as well and it was. I signed on to that one and was getting over 250Mbps. This network was on the 5GHz channel while the other was on 2.4GHz.

ChrisZ

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