I Changed One Router Setting and My 5GHz Wi-Fi Speeds Doubled

If your Wi-Fi feels slower than it should be, the problem may not be your internet connection or even your router. One setting in the router can have a surprisingly large effect on 5GHz Wi-Fi performance, especially if you have a modern Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 device.

That setting is channel width.

Most modern routers allow you to choose how much wireless spectrum a Wi-Fi network uses. Common options include 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz and, on compatible hardware, 160MHz.

The wider the channel, the more data can potentially be transferred at the same time. This is why moving from 80MHz to 160MHz can produce a major increase in Wi-Fi speeds when both the router and client device support it.

In the right conditions, the difference can be dramatic. A connection that was limited by an 80MHz channel can make much better use of a fast internet connection after switching to 160MHz.

This is particularly relevant if you have a fast fiber connection. There is little point paying for a 1Gbps or faster line if your wireless network becomes the bottleneck.

The exact location of the setting depends on your router. Look for options such as Channel Width, Bandwidth or Channel Bandwidth under the 5GHz wireless settings.

If your router supports 160MHz and your phone, laptop or other device also supports it, try switching from 80MHz to 160MHz.

Then run a speed test from the same location and using the same device. Ideally, run several tests before and after the change rather than relying on a single result.

The difference can be especially noticeable when you are relatively close to the router.

There is an important catch however. A wider channel uses more spectrum. In an apartment building or a busy neighborhood with many nearby Wi-Fi networks, this can increase the chances of interference.

In some environments, 80MHz can actually provide a more stable connection than 160MHz. You may see a lower peak speed but fewer fluctuations, dropouts or latency spikes.

The 5GHz band also has DFS channels, which can allow access to additional spectrum but come with their own restrictions. Some routers and devices may change channels if radar activity is detected, which can affect the connection.

That is why I would not simply recommend switching every router to 160MHz. It is better to test both settings in your own home.

The router is only half of the equation guys - I hope you understand this. Your phone, laptop or other Wi-Fi client also needs to support the wider channel. A device limited to 80MHz will not suddenly use 160MHz just because the router has been configured for it.

Distance matters as well. The 5GHz signal generally offers higher speeds than 2.4GHz, but it has less range and has more difficulty passing through walls. A 160MHz channel may therefore deliver excellent results next to the router but provide little benefit in another room.

For me, this is one of those router settings that is worth checking before spending money on new networking hardware. If you already have a Wi-Fi 6 router and a compatible device, changing the channel width costs nothing and can reveal performance that was already available.

Just make sure you compare real-world speed and stability, not only the maximum number shown by a speed test.