Slow speed would top it if there were a list of the most annoying Wi-Fi problems. Is there anything more frustrating than sitting idle and waiting for the page to load? I think not. As they say, desperate times call for desperate measures. In that desperation, we try out different things. Beacon Interval is one of the things.
While others may end up fruitless, the beacon interval may work. That, too, when all else seems to falter, these several efforts may include tweaking with routers and wires and router and settings. Or to the length of calling up your technician.
In all the chaos, you may forget or not know how foolproof a way beacon interval is. You might wonder what it is—I’ve never heard of the term before. No worries, I will tell you about the beacon interval in the upcoming section. So, let us jump right to it.
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Contents
Diggin’ Up Everything On Beacon Interval || A Boon For Your Wifi?
But again, the question remains. What is a beacon and its interval? You can take a beacon to be a significant piece of information. It may include elements like the wifi name (SSID), time logs, etc.
Think of it as a bunch of all the elements which aid in configuring your network and more!
Coming to it, it is the number of times a beacon gets sent over. In other words, the time elapses between the sending of subsequent beacons.
The default value in most routers gets set to 100 milliseconds. That means once every 100 milliseconds. The system transmits a beacon with all its information. So, it is concerned with the beacon’s frequency.
So, when your wifi is not behaving, the experts recommend you re-adjust it. It could significantly increase speed. But it happens only when you know what settings will suit your requirements. Otherwise, chances are, it may backfire. So, to ensure nothing of that sort happens to you, We’ll discuss how to set it up.
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Beacon Interval Ranges
Like every other setting, there are possible ranges between which you may set your beacon interval. We’re talking about the optimal limits here. Experts don’t consider setting up the beacon interval outside that range ideal.
Different brands of routers offer other optimal limits. From the default, the optimal lower limit is 20 ms, up to 1000 milliseconds. It may vary in other brands, though.
But what may lead you to vary the range of it? And what considerations should you take while you’re at it? Let us take a look.
Deciding On What The Proper Beacon Interval Should Be
Several factors play a significant role in deciding apt beacon interval. You can set the beacon interval to values higher than the default or lower than it.
High Interval: When To Opt For It
Deciding to keep it more than 100 ms means the system spends less time transmitting beacons. That time, instead, the system can invest in accomplishing other tasks. Which, in turn, ensures faster execution and better productivity.
Big organizations with several devices usually opt for that kind of interval. As only a few resources go into high breaks, battery consumption is less. So, if you’re fussy about draining your battery, a wide variety of it is not for you. Also, they’re capable enough for personal use.
But if it is of little consequence to you and all you care about is productivity. Then, you might want to side with a high beacon interval.
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Going For Low Beacon Interval
If you live in a desolate area where the speeds constantly fluctuate, you’ve got to try it. The low beacon interval might suit you just right.
So, when you set it below 100, it keeps sending out beacons at shorter intervals, which is perfect if you have a not-so-stable connection. What can you infer if more resources are used for sending beacons? 
It will consume more time to send beacons at lesser intervals. Hence more secondary productivity and more battery consumption. But you can use the internet stably in that case.
Also, for convenience, you can opt for multiple access points. Why? Then, the devices can take their pick from the available ones. Fair enough?
Figuring Out And Sticking To The Beacon Interval That Works The Best For You
Figuring out the best beacon interval is partly understanding and partly hit and trial. How? You could start by knowing your network. For instance, if you live in remote areas and speed is more important than the battery, go for the low intervals.
It could work wonders for you. Also, when discussing using multiple points of access, be more tentative. The value of the interval that you set should have a balance. That means it should not be too much cause harm but just as much as the systems can pick.
For instance, you can keep it as low as 70. Then, you can go on increasing and decreasing as you deem fit.
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FAQs
What should I set my beacon interval to?
A beacon interval is typically 100 time units. Additionally, beacons communicate at minimal rates, and each SSID requires a unique beacon. To reduce channel overhead, you can choose a longer interval. Access the interface of your router to do so. Locate the field for Beacon Interval. To save settings, enter the desired interval.
What is the best way to reduce beacon load for Wi-Fi?
You can increase the interval from 102.4 milliseconds to 307.2 milliseconds, which can lower the beacon’s air usage. In Wi-Fi routers, the DTIM setting stands for Delivery Traffic Indication Message. Access the router's settings, look for DTIM, and alter the value. Hence, change the Wi-Fi DTIM setting from 3 to 1 to retain the same power conservation level.
What is the best beacon interval for gaming?
For improved speed, efficiency, and battery life, increase the interval. Adjust downward and monitor output if compromising the stability at the higher interval. However, reduce the default value to 100 ms for interrupted signals. Additionally, start with a setting between 50 and 75 ms and monitor the results.
What are the disadvantages of beacons?
Beacons could be more economical. Because beacons do not provide exact location coverage, you might need to install more of them to get results that align with your expectations. Beacons have a finite amount of data storage, range, and security. Use many beacons, arrange them optimally, and use encryption methods to mitigate.
What is the beacon format?
The signal that a beacon transmits is in a format called beacon format. Hence, it is a communication protocol that incorporates a beacon's quirks. A string represents a unique identification number like 3F4A72E1D9B8. It is interpreted by readers to carry out particular tasks or offer location-based information. Typically, the beacon signal for this information is a string of numbers and characters.
Conclusion
To close the article, I’d like to say that with a beacon interval, a thorough understanding is a must. Otherwise, there is no way you’ll be able to set it to just the right amount. So, take your time and weigh the pros and cons of both variants. Give what you want a thought, and then start experimenting with the time interval.
Once you get it right, you won’t have to struggle when your wifi messes up—no more trying a thousand things to fail at it again. The information provided in the article can work wonders for you.
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You can always find me with a cup of coffee Googling anything and everything related to the networking. Refer to our detailed How-To Guides on wifi routers and never face any issue with router again!