[Bug]: Wifi hardcoded to 40mhz channel width, wifi unstable when router doesn't support it. about firmware HOT 3 CLOSED

I don't see how we (the meshtastic project) can change a value built into ESP32 silicone (or at least a binary blob wifi firmware). This part of the toolchain is not even open source.

from firmware.

Why did you close this? I found a working fix with the help of someone on the discord.

insert this at line 240 in file firmware/src/mesh/wifi/WiFiAPClient.cpp:
esp_wifi_set_bandwidth(WIFI_IF_STA,WIFI_BW_HT20);

from firmware.

Adding that line of code would break a lot of ESP32-S3 devices. If you were to implement 20MHz channel width, you would need to ensure that it is only set for the older ESP32 devices.

In theory that would be possible, but it makes the assumption that all existing users would be okay with the change. I myself would worry about breaking someone else's particular setup with a seemingly innocent change. If it were to go ahead, I would consider making the 20MHz channel width an opt-in config, as a precaution.

It may even be enough to wrap the line of code in a macro, allowing advanced users to easily select it when building from source. I imagine that most users aware of the 40MHz / 20MHz distinction are probably capable of building their own firmware, and may already be doing so.

from firmware.