Which 5 GHz Wi-Fi Channels in Ireland? (IPTV Stability Guide)

Last updated: 14 September 2025 GMT

TL;DR for Ireland: start with non-DFS 36/40/44/48 at 40 MHz for match-day stability. Try DFS (100+) only if the non-DFS set is crowded. Always test a live stream for five minutes after each change.

Channel groups (Ireland)

Group	Example channels	DFS?	Why/When to use
Non-DFS (best first)	36, 40, 44, 48	No	Stable indoors; won’t hop for radar. Ideal for live IPTV and sports.
DFS mid	52–64	Yes	More space, but may temporarily stop or switch if radar is detected.
DFS upper	100–140	Yes	Often quieter in suburbs; risk of radar-triggered channel moves.

DFS = Dynamic Frequency Selection (radar avoidance). A DFS event can pause/retune your Wi-Fi mid-match.

Channel width: what to pick

• 40 MHz → best balance for Irish apartments/semis (keeps latency stable).
• 20 MHz → use in very noisy blocks if 40 MHz still clashes.
• 80 MHz+ → faster speed tests but more overlap and drops; skip on match day.

Apartment vs semi-detached (IE)

• Apartments: start at 36/40/44/48 @ 40 MHz; move one step at a time; avoid DFS if streams pause randomly.
• Semi/house: 36/40/44/48 usually fine; if neighbours crowd non-DFS, test 100+ DFS off-peak, but revert if you see pauses.

Steps to change channel (generic)

1. Open your router admin page (see label/manual).
2. Split SSIDs so you can force devices onto 5 GHz.
3. Set 5 GHz channel to 36, 40, 44, or 48 and width to 40 MHz.
4. Save & reboot; reconnect the TV/box to 5 GHz only.
5. Test a live stream for five minutes; if unstable, try the next non-DFS channel. Only then consider DFS 100+.

Router-specific helpers (Ireland)

• Virgin Media Hub: stop buffering on IPTV
• eir F3000: change Wi-Fi channel
• Vodafone Gigabox: best Wi-Fi for streaming TV

Troubleshooting

Stream pauses every 10–15 minutes

Classic DFS hop. Return to 36/40/44/48 at 40 MHz.

Great speed test, still laggy

80 MHz width inflates speed tests but increases overlap. Use 40 MHz.

TV keeps joining 2.4 GHz

Split SSIDs and “forget” the 2.4 GHz network on the TV/box; join 5 GHz only.

Related Ireland-specific guides

• Wi-Fi channel 36 vs 100+ in Ireland (DFS vs non-DFS)
• DNS for privacy & stability (no VPN) in Ireland
• Android TV box settings for stable live sports (Ireland)

Official sources

• ComReg — radio spectrum/WLAN context (Ireland)

Guidance is Ireland-specific and for lawful streaming only.