Skip to content
Blog

Configuring Wi‑Fi 6 on MikroTik AX

Summary Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) transforms wireless networks, offering higher throughput, better performance in dense environments, lower latency and improved energy efficiency. This guide explains how to enable Wi‑Fi 6 on MikroTik AX routers, from prerequisites to step‑by‑step configuration using Winbox. Follow these instructions to upgrade your network and take full advantage of Wi‑Fi 6.

What is Wi‑Fi 6 on MikroTik and Why Upgrade?

Wi‑Fi 6 is the latest wireless standard. Unlike Wi‑Fi 5 (802.11ac), it isn’t just about top speed – it’s designed for efficiency. Technologies like 1024‑QAM, OFDMA and MU‑MIMO let your access point serve multiple devices simultaneously. Target Wake Time (TWT) helps client devices sleep longer, saving battery life. Mandatory adoption of WPA3 strengthens security, and the combination of OFDMA and TWT reduces latency for real‑time applications. In other words, Wi‑Fi 6 lets MikroTik routers handle more devices with less congestion and greater reliability.

Key benefits of Wi‑Fi 6 on MikroTik

  • Higher data rates – 1024‑QAM modulation increases throughput, especially in multi‑user scenarios.
  • Better performance in dense environments – OFDMA and MU‑MIMO split radio resources so the access point can talk to many devices at once, reducing contention.
  • Greater energy efficiency – TWT negotiates when clients wake up to transmit, extending the battery life of phones and IoT devices.
  • Enhanced security – WPA3 becomes the default, offering stronger encryption and improved protection against brute‑force attacks.
  • Lower latency – More efficient scheduling means smoother gaming, video conferencing and other time‑sensitive applications.

Prerequisites for Configuring Wi‑Fi 6 on MikroTik

Before you dive into configuration, make sure you meet the following requirements:

  • MikroTik hardware with 802.11ax support – models such as hAP ax2, hAP ax3 and Chateau AX ship with AX radios. Check your device’s specifications.
  • RouterOS 7.13 or newer – the Wi‑Fi menu for Wave2/AX appeared in RouterOS 7.13. Update your router via Winbox or WebFig if necessary.
  • Administrative access via Winbox or WebFig – you’ll need credentials to log in and configure the radio.
  • Basic networking knowledge – familiarity with IP addressing, DHCP, SSIDs and Wi‑Fi security helps you understand what you’re changing.

Step‑by‑Step Wi‑Fi 6 Configuration on MikroTik

The following instructions use Winbox. The general flow is the same in WebFig.

1. Connect to your MikroTik

Open Winbox and log in to your router using its IP address, username and password. If you haven’t set up an IP yet, you can connect via MAC address for initial configuration.

2. Access the Wi‑Fi menu

In the Winbox sidebar, click Wi‑Fi. This option appears only on RouterOS 7.13 and later and is used to manage Wave2 and 802.11ax interfaces.

Wifi6 on Mikrotik

3. Select the wireless interface

The Wi‑Fi window lists available wireless interfaces (for example, wifi2). Double‑click the interface you want to configure to open its properties.

Wifi6 on Mikrotik

4. Configure the General tab

In the General tab:

  • Name – enter an identifiable name for the interface (e.g. wifi‑5ghz‑ax).
  • Mode – select the operating mode. For access points, choose ap.

Click Apply to save changes.

Wifi6 on Mikrotik

5. Configure the Configuration tab

Next, open the Configuration tab:

  • SSID – define the network name that clients will see (e.g. MyWiFi-5GHz).
  • Country – select your country to ensure regulatory compliance for channel/frequency and transmit power.

Click Apply.

Wifi6 on Mikrotik

6. Configure the Channel tab

In the Channel tab:

  • Band – choose the frequency band: 5 GHz AX for 5 GHz radios or 2.4 GHz AX for 2.4 GHz.
  • Channel width – to maximize Wi‑Fi 6 performance on 5 GHz, select 20/40/80 MHz; on 2.4 GHz use 20/40 MHz.

Click Apply to commit.

Wifi6 on Mikrotik

7. Configure the Security tab

Finally, open the Security tab:

  • Authentication – select a security scheme. Use WPA2‑PSK or, preferably, WPA3‑PSK if your router and clients support it.
  • Passphrase – create a strong passphrase with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid simple or common words.

Click OK to finish.

Wifi6 on Mikrotik

Conclusion

Upgrading to Wi‑Fi 6 on MikroTik AX routers is a smart move for any network that needs more speed, capacity and security. With support for OFDMA, MU‑MIMO, TWT and WPA3, Wi‑Fi 6 improves throughput while reducing latency and energy consumption. Once you’ve completed the steps above and applied the appropriate country and channel settings, your router will broadcast a high‑performance Wi‑Fi 6 network ready for today’s and tomorrow’s devices. Remember to keep RouterOS up to date and review your security settings regularly to protect your network and maintain optimal performance.

About MKController

Hope the insights above helped you navigate your Mikrotik and Internet universe a little better! 🚀
Whether you’re fine-tuning configs or just trying to bring some order to the network madness, MKController is here to make your life simpler.

With centralized cloud management, automated security updates, and a dashboard that anyone can master, we’ve got what it takes to upgrade your operation.

👉 Start your free 7-day trial now at mkcontroller.com — and see what effortless network control really looks like.