WiFi Speeds & Channels

[FrankB4now]

Hello,

I have a Google Wifi Model GJ2CQ setup as a router, my Verizon Fios router is in bridge mode.  From the LAN port on the Google router an ethernet cable goes to a non-managed gigabit switch.  I have ethernet cables going from the switch to the three Google Home points Model # AC-1304. 

I have theses working good and the app says I have blazing fast internet, also the mesh test comes back Great connection from each.

If I am in the room with a point I get speeds of 290 dn and 300 up.  If I move 15ft away with no barriers between (I can still see the point) my speed test goes to 22 dn and 15 up.  I have found this on all 3 points.  I noticed that the 2.4 Ghz has changed to one on channel 1, one on channel 6 and two on channel 11.  The 5 Ghz is all four  units on channel 149.  This was done during setup I think.  Two of the units are a little bit closer than I hoped and therefore I think they should be on different channels to not degrade the signal. 

Is all of this done in the background?

Is there a way of changing the channel on a specific device?

Will the router optimize the network over time after it sees the usage?

Thank You for any feedback.

Frank

[MichaelP]

Hello @FrankB4now 

WiFi channel selection is automatic. While there are three usable channels in the 2.4GHz band, it turns out there aren't actually that many to choose from in the 5GHz band due to FCC rules restricting most of the channels in the middle of the band. However, since the system also creates a hidden 5GHz network to run the 802.11s mesh interconnect over, and that network uses the same 5GHz radios that are used for 5GHz clients, all of the nodes need to be on the same 5GHz channel as each other anyway (I know you have them interconnected via Ethernet, but they still set that mesh connection up and they will fall back to it transparently if the Ethernet connection fails).

All of that said, I'm a little surprised your devices are seeing a performance drop-off that steep over such a short distance. I'd be checking for potential sources of interference (in particular, sound bars that support wireless surround or subwoofer speakers are notorious for causing interference in the 5GHz band – if you have one or more of those near where you're testing, try unplugging it from power just to test).