WiFi Troubleshooting Log
A one-page log for tracking WiFi incidents over time, with quick-reference cards for ideal speeds by use case, the non-overlapping 2.4 GHz channels, common default router passwords, ISP support contacts, and security-checkup intervals.
Find the likely cause first with the WiFi Troubleshooting Decision Tree, and lock down the router with How to Secure Your Home WiFi.
WiFi Troubleshooting Log
Fill the network snapshot once, then add a row to the incident log each time WiFi acts up. Use the quick-reference cards below for channels, speeds, default passwords, and contacts.
Incident Log (one row per problem)
| Date | Symptom | Devices affected | Wired speed | Wireless speed | What you tried | What fixed it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ideal Speeds by Use Case
| Use case | Target speed |
|---|---|
| Browsing and email | 5 to 10 Mbps |
| Standard streaming (SD) | 10 to 25 Mbps |
| HD streaming | 15 to 25 Mbps |
| 4K streaming | 25 to 50 Mbps |
| Low-latency gaming | 50+ Mbps, ping under 30 ms |
| Household of 4, simultaneous activities | 100+ Mbps |
2.4 GHz Channel Reference (non-overlapping only)
| Channel | Center frequency | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Channel 1 | 2412 MHz | Non-overlapping |
| Channel 6 | 2437 MHz | Non-overlapping |
| Channel 11 | 2462 MHz | Non-overlapping |
These are the only non-overlapping 2.4 GHz channels. If a neighbor is on 6, pick 1 or 11. Use a free WiFi-analyzer app (for example NetSpot, or WiFi Analyzer for Android) to see what your neighbors are using.
5 GHz Channel Guidance
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Channels available | 36 to 165 in North America, far more than 2.4 GHz |
| DFS channels (52 to 144) | Require radar detection, so some routers avoid them |
| Set-it-and-forget-it | Pick a non-DFS channel for stability |
| Max performance | Pick a DFS channel in dense urban areas, where they are less crowded |
Common Default Router Admin Passwords (change these immediately)
| Brand / type | Common default login |
|---|---|
| Linksys, D-Link, Belkin | admin / admin |
| Netgear (some models) | admin / password |
| Generic / older routers | admin / (blank) |
| Budget / no-name routers | 1234 / (blank) |
| Asus (older models) | admin / admin |
| Asus (newer models) | Forces a password change at first setup |
| TP-Link (older models) | admin / admin |
| TP-Link (newer models) | Forces a password change at first setup |
| Cisco / Linksys business | cisco / cisco or admin / admin |
| ISP-supplied gateways | Often printed on a sticker, change it anyway |
| Eero, Google Nest WiFi | App-managed, no web admin login |
The point of this list is simple: default logins are public knowledge. If your router still uses one, change it before anything else.
ISP Support Contacts
| Provider / service | Phone or account | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| My ISP (fill in) | ||
| Account / customer number | ||
| US: Comcast / Xfinity | National cable | |
| US: AT&T | National DSL / fibre | |
| US: Spectrum | National cable | |
| US: Verizon | Fios fibre | |
| US: Cox | Regional cable | |
| Canada: Bell | National, fibre-heavy | |
| Canada: Telus | Western, Atlantic fibre, Quebec | |
| Canada: Rogers | National cable | |
| Canada: Shaw / Cogeco | Western / Eastern cable | |
| Canada: Eastlink | Atlantic | |
| Canada: Videotron | Quebec | |
| Canada: CCTS | Free complaints body, file if unresolved after 30 days |
Security Checkup Intervals
| When | Do this |
|---|---|
| Quarterly | Check for a router firmware update and apply it |
| Monthly | Review the connected-devices list for anything unrecognized |
| After any guest visit | Confirm guests used the guest network, not the main SSID |
| After any device replacement | Change the WiFi passphrase |
| Router age 5+ years | Replace it if it no longer gets firmware updates |
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use this WiFi troubleshooting log?
Fill the network snapshot once with your router, ISP, and plan details. Then add one row to the incident log each time WiFi acts up: the symptom, which devices were affected, your wired and wireless speedtest results, what you tried, and what fixed it. Over time the patterns become obvious, and the quick-reference cards give you the channel, speed, and contact info you need on the spot.
Why record both wired and wireless speeds?
The comparison is the single most useful diagnostic. If a wired speedtest plugged into the modem is also slow, the problem is your ISP line or modem, not WiFi. If wired is fast but wireless is slow, the problem is on the WiFi side: band, channel, coverage, or one device. Logging both columns every time tells you which half of the network to fix.
What are the non-overlapping 2.4 GHz channels?
On 2.4 GHz, only channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap each other. If a free WiFi-analyzer app shows your neighbor on channel 6, pick 1 or 11 to avoid interference. Any other channel partially overlaps two of these and usually makes congestion worse, not better.
Should I really change my router's default admin password?
Yes, immediately. Default admin logins like admin/admin and admin/password are published in public lists, so anyone who reaches your router can take it over until you change them. The default-password reference card in this log exists to show how common and well-known these defaults are.