This tutorial will show you how to change the roaming aggressiveness of a Wi-Fi network (WLAN) adapter in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
When you connect to a Wi-Fi network for the first time, Windows will automatically add a profile for the Wi-Fi network. The saved profile contains the SSID (network name), security key (password), and connection and security properties used to connect to this specific Wi-Fi network.
If you turn on connect automatically to a Wi-Fi network, Windows will automatically connect to this Wi-Fi network when in range based on priority order.
The autoSwitch setting controls the roaming behavior of an auto-connected Wi-Fi network when a more preferred connect automatically Wi-Fi network is in range. If autoSwitch is turned on, it allows Windows to continue looking for other connect automatically Wi-Fi networks while connected to the current Wi-Fi network. If a higher priority connect automatically Wi-Fi network than the currently connected Wi-Fi network comes in range, Windows will automatically switch and connect to it instead.
There are 5 levels of Wi-Fi roaming aggressiveness below to choose for the Wi-Fi network adapter. These levels defines how aggressive the Wi-Fi adapter automatically switches to a connect automatically Wi-Fi network access point (connection) with the strongest signal. At the lowest level, the Wi-Fi adapter begins scanning when the signal strength is very low to locate and connect to a better connection. This aggressiveness increases as you increase the value. At the highest level, the adapter will monitor for better access points even if the current access point has a reasonable signal strength.
Roaming Aggressiveness Level | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Lowest | The W-iFi adapter will trigger roaming scan for another access point when the signal strength with the current access point is very low. |
| 2. Medium-low | |
| 3. Medium | Default. A balance between roaming and performance. |
| 4. Medium-high | |
| 5. Highest | The Wi-Fi adapter will trigger roaming scan for another access point when the signal strength with the current access point is still good. |
The recommended default 3. Medium roaming aggressiveness level is usually best for most situations. If you connect to multiple access points and prefer to quickly switch to an access point with a stronger signal for better performance and faster connection, then you can experiment using higher roaming aggressiveness levels to see which one works best for you.
If a higher roaming aggressiveness level causes continuous connection interruptions and/or faster battery drain, then you should consider lowering the roaming aggressiveness level until this is best balanced for your situation.
References:
Wi-Fi Roaming Aggressiveness Setting
Learn about Wi-Fi roaming aggressiveness and balance roaming with performance.
www.intel.com
Set-NetAdapterAdvancedProperty (NetAdapter)
Use this topic to help manage Windows and Windows Server technologies with Windows PowerShell.
learn.microsoft.com
Contents
- Option One: Change Wi-Fi Roaming Aggressiveness in Settings
- Option Two: Change Wi-Fi Roaming Aggressiveness in Device Manager
- Option Three: Change Wi-Fi Roaming Aggressiveness in Network and Sharing Center
This option is only for Windows 11.
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Network & internet on the left side, and click/tap on Wi-Fi on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Hardware properties. (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on the Edit button for More adapter options. (see screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on the Configure button. (see screenshot below)
6 Perform the steps below to change the roaming aggressiveness level for this Wi-Fi adapter: (see screenshot below)
- Click/tap on the Advanced tab.
- Click/tap on Roaming aggressiveness in the left "Property" pane.
- Select a level preferred by you in the right "Value" drop menu.
- Click/tap on OK.
7 You can now close Settings if you like.
1 Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).
2 Expand open Network adapters in Device Manager, and double click/tap on your wireless network adapter (ex: "Qualcomm(R) FastConnect(TM) 7800 Mobile Connectivity System"). (see screenshot below)
3 Perform the steps below to change the roaming aggressiveness level for this Wi-Fi adapter: (see screenshot below)
- Click/tap on the Advanced tab.
- Click/tap on Roaming aggressiveness in the left "Property" pane.
- Select a level preferred by you in the right "Value" drop menu.
- Click/tap on OK.
4 You can now close Device Manager if you like.
1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Network and Sharing Center icon.
2 Click/tap on the Change adapter settings link on the left side of Network and Sharing Center. (see screenshot below)
3 Right click on the Wi-Fi adapter you want, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on the Configure button. (see screenshot below)
5 Perform the steps below to change the roaming aggressiveness level for this Wi-Fi adapter: (see screenshot below)
- Click/tap on the Advanced tab.
- Click/tap on Roaming aggressiveness in the left "Property" pane.
- Select a level preferred by you in the right "Value" drop menu.
- Click/tap on OK.
6 You can now close the Network and Sharing Center if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
