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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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wi-Fi Improvement Solutions |
Gaming, Website & Video Conferencing & More |
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ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist
*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
ATTHelpForums
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
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ATTHelpForums
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:
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ATTHelpForums
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2.7K Messages
2 years ago
Motorola/ Arris Wi-Fi Settings View
To get to the Wi-Fi Setting page:
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ATTChrisZ
Employee
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163 Messages
9 months 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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