The difference between 20MHz and 40MHz bandwidth in router settings

 

We always do everything we can to get high internet speed and get rid of service instability problems. We check the cable or change it if necessary and buy a high-quality cable, change the splitter instead of the old one of poor quality that causes more noise on the Internet line, we manipulate the value of the quality of service to give priority to some devices at the expense of others, change the passwords of the network Wi-Fi, change the location of the router, change the Wi-Fi channel to find the best wireless coverage, switch communication hubs, and adjust many other settings to get a faster Internet speed and a more stable connection.

 

But we never talked about the bandwidth of the Internet's channels or Channel Bandwidth. In this topic, we will explain to you very briefly what is the bandwidth of communication waves, what is the difference between 20MHz and 40MHz, which one is best for you, and whether there is a noticeable difference in communication speed between both or not.

 

What is the bandwidth of the Internet connection waves?

 

Bandwidth in telecommunications waves is the value that describes the rate at which data is transmitted between two devices over a wired or wireless Internet network. Mostly, the amount of data that is transferred back and forth is measured per second. Nowadays, there are many bands available, but choosing which one is mostly up to your needs.

 

Now, we have 20MHz, 40MHz, and sometimes 80MHz, and as we are used to, logic says that the bigger the better. That is, a higher bandwidth in value equals a greater data transfer rate. But which one is better for you depends on many things, you may have to sacrifice higher bandwidth because some of your devices do not support higher bandwidth?

 

20MHz bandwidth

 

It is recommended to activate the 20MHz bandwidth while the Internet is set to 2.4GHz. It is also recommended to use it if there are many Internet networks in the same area, if there are many network communication channels crowded, it is preferable to settle for 20MHz bandwidth. It is also the best in supporting and providing a connection signal with all devices that try to capture the Wi-Fi signal of the Internet. Whatever the type of device or the means and system of its connection to the Internet, it will be able to communicate if the bandwidth is 20MHz. It is also preferable to rely on it when there are a large number of obstacles between the connected devices and the network center (router). The only downside to the 20MHz bandwidth is that it has the lowest data transfer rate between devices connected to the same network.

 

40MHz bandwidth

 

If you are after a higher data transfer rate between your devices and Wi-Fi, you can always go for the 40MHz bandwidth. While you won't get as many channels of communication as you'd find in a 20MHz bandwidth, you'll get 12 non-overlapping channels if you count on it for 5GHz. But of course, you can be satisfied with the 2.4GHz frequency as well. The only problem is that the 40MHz bandwidth suffers a lot in crowded areas but works very well in open areas.

 

So how do you take advantage of both bandwidths at once? The answer is channel scanning

 

There is a great trick that helps boost internet speed and prioritize your devices connected to the internet with high efficiency, but unfortunately, it is only available if your router supports 5GHz frequency. In this case, you can use low-bandwidth peripherals that do not require high data transfer rates with a frequency of 2.4GHz. But you set the computer to connect to the router through another network on the same router but at a frequency of 5GHz.

 

To be able to do this (if your router supports a multi-band feature) go to the Configurations settings. Then you activate the manual mode, choose the Mixed internet connection mode, as in the picture, and activate both bands by making Enable them.

 

After that, on your computer or laptop, go to Device Manager settings, then Network adapters, then right-click, then properties.

 

Then Advanced, then by clicking on Wireless Mode and on the right of the window, choose Auto instead of any other value.

 

Then from the top select Preferred Band and set it to 5GHz First.

 

But you should first make sure that your computer or laptop has a network card that can actually support the 5GHz band. To verify this, type netsh WLAN show drivers in the Command Prompt (CMD) window, and then click the Enter key.

 

Then look in front of the value of Radio types supported: If you find that this value includes 802.11g and 802.11n communication modes, then this means that your computer only supports 2.4GHz connectivity.

 

If this value includes 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11a, and 802.11ac, then you have an Internet card capable of supporting the 5GHz band.

 

If the value includes 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11b, then your internet card does not support the 5GHz band.

 

In the event that you discovered that your Internet card in your laptop or computer only supports the 2.4GHz band, although you want to take advantage of the 5GHz band available to you in the router, you will have to either purchase a new Internet card for the computer or a 5GHz USB Adapter Link.