Are you suffering from slow internet and want to know how to change WiFi channel on Motorola router? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Changing your router’s WiFi channel can seem like a difficult thing to do.
You might even consider it an advanced step when configuring your wireless network.
It’s actually quite the opposite since if you have a Motorola router, you can change it in a few clicks.
You’ll need to log in to its config page to change the WiFi channel on your Motorola router. Once logged in, go to the Advanced menu and select the Wireless option. Go to Basic and select the 2.4 GHz tab. Scroll down to the Channel section and change it to 1, 6, or 11.
That’s it! It’s actually that simple if you have a Motorola router since it displays these menu options.
Let’s look at the advantages you can enjoy by manually picking a WiFi channel.
Why Perform a Motorola Router WiFi Channel Change
You can enjoy quite a lot of benefits if you choose to change your router’s WiFi channel.
All WiFi networks are shared on the same frequency and several channels.
If you live in a place with lots of WiFi hotspots, you can experience slow internet speeds even on the fastest plan.
Here are the top reasons why you want to select your router’s WiFi channel manually:
1. Avoid Interference
It’s not only WiFi that runs on the same bandwidth and channels.
Baby monitors and other radio sources also use them, which is one reason they can interfere with your devices.
2. Less Network Congestion
Picking the right channel can free up the congestion you’re experiencing. Fewer devices may be connecting using that particular channel, which leads to a better overall experience.
3. Faster Internet Speeds
Changing channels can also improve your internet speeds. Do this if you’re experiencing speeds significantly less than your plan offers.
4. Better WiFi Range
Moving your WiFi to a different channel can also improve the range. If there are fewer users, your network can stretch out, giving it a longer range.
These are the benefits you will experience when you change WiFi channels.
Let’s dive in and proceed to the actual steps on how you’ll be able to do it with your Motorola router so you can also enjoy these advantages.
How to Change WiFi Channel on Motorola Router
Before we get down to business, you want to make sure that this is the step you need to do.
If you are suddenly experiencing drops and slow WiFi, you will likely need to change channels.
You also want to restart your router just in case you’re dealing with a connectivity issue with your ISP.
After confirming that you’re still experiencing slow wireless connections, we can now move on to complete steps:
Solution #1: Get Your Motorola Router’s IP Address
The first step we need to take before changing the WiFi channel on your Motorola router is to determine its IP address in your network.
Its address is how we’ll be able to access it, so we’ll need to figure it out.
Here’s how to know your Motorola router’s IP address:
- Open Command Prompt on your computer.
- Type in ipconfig on the terminal window.
- Look for Default Gateway.
- Take note of the IP address opposite it.
Tip: For Mac devices, you need to go to System Preferences, then Network. Choose your connection, then Advanced. Select the TCP/IP option and find the Gateway IP address.
Solution #2: Access Your Router’s Config with a Web Browser
Now that you have your Motorola router’s IP address, we can now use that to access it.
You’ll only need a web browser to open it, so you don’t have to worry about downloading any additional software or tools.
Here’s how to access your router on your web browser:
- Open your favorite web browser.
- Type the gateway IP address on the address bar.
- Wait for your router’s log-in page to appear on the screen.
Note: As long as you’re connected to your router either through WiFi or wired, you’ll be able to access your router, even on your phone.
Solution #3: Log in to Your Router’s Config Page
Your router’s log-in page should give you the option to type in your router’s username and password.
This can get tricky, but Motorola made it much simpler.
As long as you did not change the username and password, all Motorola routers use “admin” as the username and “motorola” as the password.
Here’s how to log in to your router’s config page:
- In the username field, type in admin.
- In the password field, type in motorola.
- If you changed your router’s credentials, use those.
- Both fields are case-sensitive.
Note: If you changed your router’s credentials but forgot them, you can reset your router so you can use the defaults.
Solution #4: Find the Best Channel to Switch to
Now that you have access to your router and can see the different settings you can change, you’re essentially a couple of steps away from changing the channel.
You can change them right now. However, if you want to be sure, you can check the status of your WiFi and look for channels that should give you the best results.
You can use a few tools to look at your WiFi details in-depth.
Here’s how to find the best WiFi channel to use:
On a Mac:
- Select the WiFi icon on your menu bar.
- Click on Open Wireless Diagnostics.
- Go to the Window menu and then choose Utilities.
- Select the WiFi you want to check and go to WiFi Scan.
- Check the Best 2.4 GHz and Best 5 GHz Channels.
On your Android device:
- Download WiFi Analyzer from the Google Play Store.
- Open it and tap on the View option.
- Choose Channel rating.
- Take note of the channels with the most stars.
Tip: You can also check the best channel on your Windows computer, but you’ll need to download a software tool. We recommend using the options above instead.
Solution #5: Change the Channel on Your Router
Now that you have it all figured out, it’s time to choose the best WiFi channel to use so you can enjoy a better internet experience.
The process is straightforward, and since you already have access to your router’s config page, you should find the menu items immediately.
Here’s how to change your router’s WiFi channels:
- On your router’s config page, click Advanced.
- Go to Wireless, then Basic.
- Choose the 2.4 GHz tab.
- Scroll down to the Channel section.
- Change from Auto to a channel recommended in Step #4.
Pro Tip: You can skip Step #4, and if you did, we recommend using channels 1, 6, and 11 since these do not have any frequency overlaps.
Note: You can also change the channels for your 5G WiFi by going to the 5 GHz tab. We recommend using 161/80 here.
After saving your settings, you’ll need to restart devices that are connected to your router so they will be able to use the updated configuration.
You can contact Motorola customer support if you’re having trouble changing your router’s WiFi channels.
Read Next: How Do I Update My Motorola Router Firmware?
Bottom Line
Now that you know how to change WiFi channel on Motorola router, you’ll be able to enjoy faster and lag-free wireless internet.
As long as you follow the steps closely, you should be able to find and switch to channels that will offer you the best performance.
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.