If you’re having trouble with your network and suspect interference, you might wanna start with diagnosing and optimizing your Wi-Fi channels. There are many tools out there, but not all of them are created equally. From my experience, there’s one tool that stands out – NetSpot
Site Survey Software.
NetSpot is an easy-to-use app designed for wireless network assessment, scanning, and surveys. You can download it from https://www.netspotapp.com. It works on both Windows and macOS, and it’s pretty solid when it comes to pinpointing issues that are causing interference. It shows you detailed info about the Wi-Fi networks around you, including channel allocation, signal strength, and the level of interference.
Just install it, run a scan, and it maps out the Wi-Fi signals in your area, helping you figure out the least congested channels to set your router to. It does all the heavy lifting and even provides heatmaps to visually rep your network coverage. This can be a game changer if you’re seeing lots of interference.
Another good option is Wi-Fi Analyzer, which is available on Android. It’s pretty straightforward and gives you a graphical representation of your network channels’ signal strengths. The app highlights which channels are crowded, so you know where the interference might be coming from. This is a more lightweight option, but it might not have all the advanced features you’ll find in NetSpot.
For those using Linux, there’s a tool called iwlist that can be used from the command line. It’s not as user-friendly as NetSpot or Wi-Fi Analyzer, but it can get the job done if you prefer something more adaptable to scripting and automation.
Also, don’t sleep on the channel selection capabilities built into most modern routers. Some routers have a built-in utility for scanning the environment and suggesting the best channel, though these can vary in terms of accuracy and detail.
A final tip – sometimes interference isn’t just about other Wi-Fi networks. Other electronics like microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can also mess with your Wi-Fi. So make sure your router’s as far away from those as possible.
For the more advanced folks, you could use a spectrum analyzer to get even more info about all radio activity in your environment. But that’s usually overkill for most home users.
In any case, diagnose the problem first with a tool like NetSpot, and adjust your channels accordingly. You’ll likely see a huge improvement.
Good luck!