How to change Wi-Fi Settings using the router’s web interface (Linksys Cognitive Mesh)

Before changing the wireless settings of your router through its web Interface, there are two scenarios to consider:

The Linksys Cognitive™ Mesh parent and child nodes have been successfully configured using Plug and Play Setup (PnP Setup), the Pair button, or the 5-Press method.
The Linksys Cognitive Mesh node has not yet been set up but has been reset. To configure it, access its web interface directly or use the PnP setup wizard, and adjust the wireless settings from there.

Below are the troubleshooting steps for changing the wireless settings through your router's web interface.

1. Access the web interface by opening a web browser, entering 'www.myrouter.info' or 'myrouter.info' into the Address bar, and then pressing [ENTER].

You can also log in using the default IP address of the router which is https://192.168.1.1.

2. If you receive a browser error message, follow these steps to resolve this issue.

3. Enter your router’s admin password and click Sign In.

4. Click on the CA link at the bottom right corner of the page. This will allow you to separate or change the WiFi names for different bands.

5. Click on the Wi-Fi Settings option on the menu.

6. Change the Wi-Fi name and Wi-Fi password to your preferred settings. If the bands have different names and passwords, you'll need to select the appropriate band for each wireless device you connect.

7. Click on Apply and then click on Ok. After the settings are changed, you may now connect your wireless devices to your new WiFi name using your new password.

On this page, you can also adjust additional Wi-Fi Settings, such as wireless Security mode, Wi-Fi mode, Channel, and Channel width.

Overview of the Wi-Fi Settings

Wireless Security mode

WPA2/WPA3 Mixed Personal – This is a wireless security setting that allows a WiFi network to support both WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2®) and WiFi Protected Access 3 (WPA3®) simultaneously. This mode is particularly useful for networks with a mix of older and newer devices.
WPA3 Personal - The latest and most secure WiFi security protocol, offering enhanced protection, particularly against brute-force attacks.
WPA2 Personal - An older but still widely used security protocol that provides strong protection for most devices.
Open WiFi security - Refers to a network configuration where no password or encryption is used to protect the wireless connection. This means that anyone within range of the network can connect to it without needing to enter a password.

Wi-Fi mode

Wi-Fi mode refers to the specific wireless standard or protocol that your WiFi network uses to communicate with devices. It determines the speed, range, and compatibility of your network. Different modes correspond to different generations of WiFi technology, each with its own capabilities.

Mixed mode – this allows the router to utilize different WiFi modes at the same time.

Wireless Channel and Channel width

2.4 GHz Band

Channels: There are 14 channels, but in many countries, only channels 1 to 11 are available for use.
Channel width: Each channel is 20 MHz wide, and channels overlap, which can cause interference if nearby networks use adjacent channels.
Best channels: To minimize interference, channels 1, 6, and 11 are often recommended, as they do not overlap with each other.

5 GHz Band

Channels: The 5 GHz band has many more channels (typically between 36 and 165, depending on the country), and these channels do not overlap, which reduces interference.
Channel width: Channels in the 5 GHz band can be 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz wide. Wider channels allow for faster data rates but are also more susceptible to interference.

How to choose the best WiFi Channel

Use a WiFi analyzer: Tools and apps like WiFi analyzers can scan your area and recommend the best channels based on your usage.
Try different channels: If you notice slow performance or frequent disconnections, try switching to a different channel, particularly one that is less congested by surrounding networks.