Guide

Check your Wi-Fi signal and channel on Windows (and your neighbours')

Published 23 October 2026

A dark Windows PowerShell window showing Wi-Fi signal strength, band and channel for nearby networks

Short answerRun netsh wlan show interfaces to see your signal, band, channel and link speed, then netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid to see every nearby network and its channel. On 2.4 GHz use channel 1, 6 or 11, or move to 5 GHz.

In a flat or apartment, ten Wi-Fi networks can share the same air. If they all use the same channel, they take turns, and everyone is slow. Two built-in commands show what's going on.

Step 1: Your own connection

PowerShell

netsh wlan show interfaces

Example output

    Radio type             : 802.11n
    Band                   : 2.4 GHz
    Channel                : 6
    Receive rate (Mbps)    : 72
    Signal                 : 54%

Signal under about 60%: move closer, or move the router higher and away from walls and metal.
Band: 2.4 GHz reaches further but is crowded. 5 GHz is faster with many more channels.
Receive rate is the link between your PC and the router, not your internet speed.

Step 2: Everyone around you

PowerShell

netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid | findstr "SSID Signal Channel"

Example output

SSID 1 : Home-WiFi
         Signal             : 80%
         Channel            : 6
SSID 2 : Flat-302
         Channel            : 6
SSID 3 : Neighbour_Net
         Channel            : 6

Everyone on channel 6: one lane, shared.

Step 3: Pick a better channel

On 2.4 GHz, only channels 1, 6 and 11 don't overlap. Pick the one with the fewest and weakest neighbours, then change it on your router's settings page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, the login is often on a sticker under the router). Many routers have an "Auto" setting that doesn't always choose well.

Better still: if your router has 5 GHz, connect to that network. It has many more channels and fewer neighbours reach it.

Asks for location permission?

Newer versions of Windows 11 treat nearby Wi-Fi names as location data. If the command asks for it, turn on Settings > Privacy & security > Location, then run it again.

On a Mac

Hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. It shows your channel, band and signal (RSSI). Wireless Diagnostics > Window > Scan lists the networks around you.