wifi channel change causing strange issues

grahamsmith · 08-26-2011, 01:04 AM

Hi,

I got a wifi anaylser (for my Android) and noticed everyone in my area is using channel 6 or 11, so I changed mine to 2.

Both my Android phone and my XP eeePC can see the network and both say they have excellent connectivity. However, neither can actually see my router (most of the time - see below), which is bizarre.

If I use IE (yuk!) on my XP machine, and select to diagnoise connection problems, most of the time it resolves this issue and I can then connect, but after 1-5 minutes it will drop out again (even though the icon in the sys tray says it is connected).

I cannot even ping my router when I have channel 2 selected.

If I revert to channel 6, no problems at all.

I have deleted and recreated the network (on XP) but to no avail. I have rebooted the eeePC. I have shut it down, left it 5 minutes and turned it back on again. I have rebooted the router (even though that shouldn't be necessary) and still, on channel 2, the connection is ropey to say the least.

Has anyone out there experienced similar problems? I'm happy to stick with channel 6 for now, but it would be nice to improve my connection by using a different channel to all my neighbours...

BTW I also have 2 wired win 7 PCs which work fine all the time - probably not relevant though.

**Old Rich** · 08-26-2011, 07:01 AM

and welcome to the Forum

If it's working ok on channel 6, I would leave it there . . lets take a peek at your environment:

please Download and run this Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector, click the Networks link on the upper left and paste a screen shot of that screen here. Note that this application requires NET Framework to run. If you get an error about a missing function, download and install NET Framework.

To post a screen shot of the active window, hold the Alt key and press the PrtScn key. Open the Windows PAINT application and Paste the screen shot. You can then use PAINT to trim to suit, and save it as a JPG format file. To upload it to the forum, open the full reply window and use the Manage Attachments button to upload it here.

grahamsmith · 08-26-2011, 07:25 AM

Thank you Rich

See attached for the screenshot. Note there are usually 3 networks showing on 6, and one on 11, but I'm in my basement at the moment and the reception isn't so great.

**Old Rich** · 08-26-2011, 08:31 AM

Have you tried channel 8?

grahamsmith · 08-26-2011, 08:35 AM

No but there would be overlap as I understand it (each channel uses +-2 i.e. 6 means 4-8, 8 means 6-10). Still better than 6 though I suppose...

Any ideas why channel 2 would have problems though - I can't find anyone else who has the same problem. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

grahamsmith · 08-26-2011, 08:37 AM

I just want to understand the problem realy - I was lead to believe (from reading up on this) that the channel makes no difference to ability to connect, so I don't realy want to make any changes unless I can understand why channel 2 would cause a problem (and therefore why a different channel wouldn't cause a problem...)

**Old Rich** · 08-26-2011, 08:45 AM

Just a guess, but there would seem to be some other interference on channel 2 . . no telling what

grahamsmith · 08-26-2011, 08:50 AM

Hmmm ... OK I guess I'll leave it on 6 unless anyone else has any ideas?
Thanks for your assistance though Rich - appreciate it.

**Old Rich** · 08-26-2011, 08:51 AM

You are welcome . .