"Hey2019" wrote:
I actually just spoke with our internet provider and was shown how to change channels for both the 2g (sic) and 5g (sic).
Let me stop you right now and tell you what I told you before. It's not "2g" and "5g" when talking about WiFi. Those are cell phone technologies. Unless you're connecting to a hotspot on an old cell phone (or have a really weak Verizon or T-Mobile signal) you aren't using 2G. And, unless you are in one of AT&T's early test markets, you aren't using 5G. Your WiFi is using 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. GHz and G are not interchangeable things.
"Hey2019" wrote:
He told me to only use channels 1,6,11 for the 2G (sic) and I think it was channel 36 and 149 for 5G (sic). Said he recommended only those channels of I'm changing them manually.
Yes, those are good channels for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz respectively. Channels overlap. Channel 1 overlaps with 2-5. Channel 2 overlaps with 1-6. Channel 3 overlaps with 1-7. And so on. Channel 1 and 6 do not overlap (channel 6 overlaps with 2-10). Channel 6 doesn't overlap with channel 11 (though 11 overlaps with 7-10; higher than 11 isn't available to consumers in the U.S.). So, channels 1, 6, and 11 are often the only ones mentioned. An "auto" setting often picks 6, which may be good, or it may be the worst. It depends on your location.
"Hey2019" wrote:
Let me ask you another question, is it possible from different neighbors Wi-Fi to be somehow competing with one another? I live in a side by side duplex with only thin wall in between us and they just recently got Wi-Fi hooked up over there. Since then my bedrooms connection is poor on both my smart phone and that roku.
That's exactly it. You've nailed it. Those signals all around you can cause interference. Keep in mind that Bluetooth is also a 2.4 GHz band, though short range. All kind of things are transmitting on that band (and all over, really). So, yes, that could very well be causing issues with your network. And, it won't necessarily affect everything on your network, but it could have impacts on many devices or impact your WiFi performance. That's why trying another channel (1, 6, or 11 of the 2.4 GHz band) may sometimes resolve issues.
"Hey2019" wrote:
Whats crazy is that the roku starts doing all the bad buffering when my neighbors get home, and start watching Netflix in their bedroom. I also learned how to see what devices are hooked to our Wi-Fi soive not caught that they may be stealing our Wi-Fi. Or nothing but theres something going on when she gets home over there and starts steaming..
As long as you have a good password on your WiFi router, you'll likely not have anyone piggy-backing your network. But, their proximity can still interfere, as you suspected. Your gut feeling is the same as mine: something nearby is interfering. It could be a device in your home, but a new neighbor's equipment is a more likely cause.
DBDukes
http://www.dbdukes.com/
Roku Ultra (4660)
Roku Premiere+ (3921)