Your WIFI copilot - Get Best Speed with AI and WIFI signal data

WIFI signal data, 2 locations

If you find your Wi-Fi signal strength is fading, your internet speeds are slower than expected, or you just want to maximize your home network performance, you’re not alone. MacOS provides a built-in command—sudo wdutil info—that reveals detailed technical information about your Wi-Fi connection. By interpreting this data (with the help of AI, if you like), you can fine-tune your home network settings and achieve better speeds, coverage, and reliability.

Three steps

1. Copy the Data: After running sudo wdutil info, copy the “WIFI” section from Terminal.

2. Ask AI for Help: Paste the data into your AI tool with a prompt like:

   “Here’s my Wi-Fi diagnostic data. What changes should I make to improve speed and reliability?”

3. Implement Suggestions: AI might recommend channel switches, router repositioning, or firmware updates.

(WIndows command is different, write in comment if you like to know how to use Windows 10/11 commands)

Real-World Example

I moved their laptop to another room and noticed slower speeds. After sharing their wdutil data with AI, I get this analysis:

Analysis:

• Signal Strength: At -66 dBm, your signal is now in the "good" range rather than "excellent" (-45 dBm previously)

• Data Rate: Your theoretical max speed dropped from 864 Mbps to 432 Mbps

• MCS Index: Decreased from 8 to 4, indicating your device had to fall back to a more robust but slower encoding

• Interference: Slightly improved CCA (3% vs 8%) suggests your new location may have fewer competing signals

• 訊號強度 (Signal Strength)：在 -66 dBm 時，訊號已從原本 -45 dBm 的「極佳」降低到「良好」範圍。

• 傳輸速率 (Data Rate)：理論最大速度由 864 Mbps 下滑至 432 Mbps。

• MCS 指標 (MCS Index)：從 8 降至 4，表示裝置需使用更穩定但較慢的編碼方式。

• 干擾 (Interference)：CCA 從 8% 降至 3% 略有改善，顯示新位置可能有較少的相鄰訊號競爭。

What This Means:

Your connection is still good and using Wi-Fi 6 on the 5GHz band with an 80MHz channel. However, the weaker signal has forced your device to use a more conservative connection profile with lower speeds.

Action 1: Use the Right Band and Channel

• If interference (CCA) is low but your signal is weaker, choose a less congested 5GHz channel (e.g., 36, 40, 44, 48, etc.).

• For longer distances or multiple walls, try 2.4GHz because it penetrates obstacles better (though it can be more crowded).

• 使用 5GHz 或 2.4GHz 的最佳頻道

  • 如果干擾量（CCA）小但訊號弱，可嘗試在 5GHz 頻段內選擇較佳的「低干擾」信道（如 36、40、44、48）。

  • 若距離較遠或隔牆多，可能考慮 2.4GHz 以獲得較好的穿透力。

Action 2: Channel Width. 40MHz

• On 5GHz, you can choose 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, or even 160MHz widths.

• Wider channels offer higher theoretical throughput but also require stronger signals and are more prone to interference.

• If you’re seeing significantly weaker signals, dropping from 80MHz to 40MHz might stabilize the connection.

• 頻寬（Channel Width）設定

  • 5GHz 下可選擇 20MHz、40MHz、80MHz（甚至 160MHz）等不同頻寬。

  • 頻寬越大，理論速度越高，但易受干擾，也需更高的訊號品質。若訊號偏弱，使用 80MHz 或 160MHz 反而可能不穩定，可考慮回退到 40MHz 提高連線穩定度。

Detailed Step by Step :

1. How to run sudo wdutil info on macOS

2. Key metrics to look for and what they mean

3. Using AI to interpret your Wi-Fi data

4. How to adjust your router settings

5. Additional best practices for optimizing your home Wi-Fi

1. Getting Started: Running sudo wdutil info

The wdutil command is part of Apple’s diagnostic utilities that provide in-depth wireless data. Here’s how you can access it:

1. Open Terminal: You can find Terminal under Applications > Utilities.

2. Run the command: Type:

   sudo wdutil info

   and press Enter. You’ll need to enter your macOS administrator password.

3. Review the output: You’ll see a detailed breakdown of your network, Wi-Fi radio status, signal strengths, channel, noise levels, and more.

Tip: If you receive a “command not found” error, ensure your macOS version supports wdutil. If not, you can rely on airport -I or the Wireless Diagnostics tool (in /System/Library/CoreServices/Applications).

2. Understanding the Key Wi-Fi Metrics

Once you run the command, you’ll see various data points. Here are some of the most important metrics:

• SSID: The name of your Wi-Fi network.

• RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indicator. A measure of how strong your Wi-Fi signal is. Closer to 0 dBm is stronger; values around -30 dBm are excellent, and -70 dBm or lower can start causing performance issues.

• Noise: Measured in dBm, indicates the level of background interference. Lower is better.

• Tx Rate: Your current transmit rate (speed). A higher number (in Mbps) indicates faster potential data throughput.

• MCS Index: A figure denoting the modulation and coding scheme. Higher MCS usually means faster data rates.

• Channel (e.g., 2g7 or 5g36): Shows which frequency band and channel you’re on. The 2.4GHz band (2g) penetrates walls better but can be crowded; 5GHz (5g) is faster but has a shorter range.

• CCA: Clear Channel Assessment, a measure of channel interference. Lower percentages mean less congestion.

3. Using AI to Interpret Your Wi-Fi Data

Interpreting raw Wi-Fi metrics can be intimidating. This is where an AI assistant (like ChatGPT or any large language model) can help turn those numbers into actionable insights. Here’s how:

1. Copy the Raw Data: In Terminal, highlight and copy everything under the “WIFI” section after running sudo wdutil info.

2. Ask AI for Analysis: Paste the data into a prompt, for example:

   “Here are my Wi-Fi details from sudo wdutil info. Could you analyze and suggest ways to improve my connection?”

3. Review the Suggestions: AI may give you advice such as changing channels, repositioning your router, or enabling a faster PHY mode.

Example
Here’s a snippet of an AI-generated analysis from a user’s data where the signal dropped from -45 dBm to -66 dBm, resulting in a reduced Tx rate:

4. Adjusting Your Router Settings

Once you have an idea of your Wi-Fi’s shortcomings, it’s time to dig into your router’s settings. Although each router interface is different, you’ll typically find these options in the Wireless Settings or Advanced settings page.

Common Adjustments:

1. Channel Selection

   • If you see high interference or high CCA % on your current channel, switch to a less congested channel. On the 2.4GHz band, channels 1, 6, and 11 are often recommended. For 5GHz, see what your environment supports (36, 40, 44, 48, and beyond).

2. Channel Width

   • 20MHz channels are more stable but slower, while 40MHz or 80MHz channels can improve speed but risk more interference.

3. Enable 5GHz

   • Make sure 5GHz is enabled, as it often provides higher speeds in less crowded frequencies.

4. Security Mode

   • Use WPA2 or WPA3 for better security and performance. Avoid older protocols like WEP or WPA.

5. Transmit Power

   • Some routers let you adjust the power level. Consider leaving it at “High” or “100%,” but test for interference or coverage holes.

6. Firmware Updates

   • Check for and install the latest firmware updates, as they can fix bugs and optimize performance.