A guide on how to update location settings in UniFi

Managing a UniFi network is like being the captain of a high-tech ship. Your dashboard is the control room, access points are your crew, and the network is the vast ocean you sail through.

But just like any ship, knowing exactly where you are is crucial.

That's where updating your location settings in UniFi comes in. Whether you're optimizing for Wi-Fi performance, adding a new site, or just keeping things tidy, location settings play a key role.

Let’s dive into how you can easily update these settings in UniFi.

Table of Contents

• Why update location settings?
• Getting started: Accessing the UniFi controller
• Updating the location settings
• Verifying the changes
• Troubleshooting common issues
• Best practices for managing multiple locations
• Final Thoughts

Why update location settings?

Before we get into the how, let's talk about the why. UniFi location settings help you:

1. Optimize Wi-Fi performance: Different locations have different regulatory requirements for Wi-Fi channels and power. Setting the correct location ensures you're compliant and getting the best performance.

2. Organize your devices: If you're managing multiple sites or just want a clear overview of your network, accurate location settings make it easier to keep track of your devices.

3. Geo-based features: Some advanced features, like smart steering and optimizations, can be influenced by your location settings.

4. Compliance with local regulations: Wi-Fi regulations vary from country to country. By setting the correct location, you ensure your network adheres to local laws, avoiding potential fines or interference issues.

5. Accurate analytics and reporting: When you update your location settings, any reports or analytics generated by the UniFi controller will reflect the correct time zone and location-specific data, giving you more accurate insights into your network's performance.

Getting started: Accessing the UniFi controller

First things first, you need to access your UniFi controller. Whether it's hosted locally, on a cloud service like UniHosted, or even on a dedicated server, you’ll need to log in. Here’s how:

1. Log into your UniFi Controller:

   • Open your web browser and navigate to your UniFi controller’s IP address or domain name.
   • Enter your login credentials. If you’ve forgotten your credentials, don’t panic. There are ways to recover or reset them, but that’s a topic for another day.
   • If you're managing your controller through UniHosted, the process remains the same. Just make sure you’ve got the correct URL and credentials handy.

2. Navigate to settings:

   • Once logged in, you’ll be greeted by the dashboard.
   • On the left-hand side, you’ll see a vertical menu. Click on the “Settings” (gear icon) to access the controller settings.
   • Depending on your version, you might need to navigate to “System” or “Controller Settings” to find the location settings.

Updating the location settings

Now that you're in the right place, it’s time to update those location settings. This process is pretty straightforward:

1. Find the location settings:

   • In the “Controller Settings” or “System” tab, look for a section labeled “Location” or “Site Information.”
   • This is where you’ll update your location details.

2. Set your country:

   • The most important setting here is the country. Select the correct country from the drop-down menu. This setting is crucial as it determines the regulatory domain for your Wi-Fi network, which affects channel availability and power settings.

   • Tip: Always ensure this is set correctly to avoid any potential issues with local regulations.

3. Update your time zone:

   • While you’re here, you might as well make sure your time zone is accurate. This helps with log timestamps and any scheduled tasks you’ve set up in your controller.
   • Choose your correct time zone from the list. If your time zone is incorrect, scheduled events, logs, and reports might be off, leading to confusion down the line.

4. Set the site name and description:

   • If you’re managing multiple sites, it’s a good idea to name each site appropriately. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it helps in organizing and managing your network, especially when troubleshooting or generating reports.
   • Enter a descriptive name and, if needed, a short description of the site. For instance, if you’re managing a corporate office, name the site something like “Main Office – 5th Avenue.”

5. Coordinate settings:

   • If your UniFi setup spans multiple geographical locations, consider enabling the coordinate settings.
   • This allows you to input latitude and longitude coordinates, which can be especially useful for large deployments spread across multiple cities or regions. It helps with map views and can aid in planning expansions or managing remote sites.
   • Coordinates also come in handy for network planning tools, giving you a better visual representation of your network’s layout and reach.

6. Save your settings:

   • Once you've made all the necessary changes, don’t forget to save! There should be a “Save” or “Apply Changes” button at the bottom or top of the page. Click it to ensure your settings are updated.

   • Pro Tip: After saving, it’s always a good idea to restart the controller or at least refresh your browser to ensure everything has been applied correctly.

Verifying the changes

You’ve made the changes, but how do you know they’ve taken effect? Simple:

1. Check your dashboard:

   • Go back to the main dashboard and look for any alerts or notifications that might indicate issues with your new settings. If there’s a problem, UniFi will usually let you know.
   • Review the site’s name and location to ensure everything looks good.

2. Test the network:

   • If possible, run a speed test or check the connectivity of devices within the updated location. This helps confirm that everything is functioning correctly under the new settings.
   • You might also want to walk around the site with a device to check signal strength and coverage, especially if you've made changes to the AP placement or site coordinates.

3. Monitor for a few days:

   • Keep an eye on the network performance over the next few days. If you notice any odd behavior, it could be related to the location settings, and you might need to revisit them.
   • Make use of UniFi's built-in monitoring tools to check for any anomalies or performance drops after the update.

Troubleshooting common issues

Sometimes things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are a few common hiccups and how to fix them:

1. Can’t find the location settings:

   • Make sure your controller is up-to-date. Older versions might have a different layout, and the settings could be under a different tab. If all else fails, try searching the UniFi help forums for your specific version.

2. Incorrect channels or Wi-Fi power:

   • If after setting your location, your Wi-Fi channels or power settings seem off, double-check that you selected the correct country. Misconfigurations here can lead to poor performance or even legal issues in some regions.
   • You may also want to manually adjust the channel settings in the Wi-Fi section of the settings to ensure they align with the best practices for your region.

3. Location doesn’t update:

   • If you’ve updated the location but it’s not reflecting, try restarting your controller or the devices. Sometimes a simple reboot can solve a lot of headaches.
   • Additionally, ensure that your browser cache isn’t causing any display issues. Clearing the cache or trying a different browser can sometimes fix display problems.

4. APs not showing on the map:

   • If your access points aren’t appearing correctly on the site map, double-check their coordinates. If necessary, re-upload the floor plan and reposition the APs to ensure everything is aligned properly.
   • You may also need to zoom in or out on the map to see all APs, especially if the site spans a large area.

Best practices for managing multiple locations

Managing multiple UniFi locations can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can be streamlined effectively. Here are some best practices:

1. Standardize your settings:

   • If you're managing multiple sites, standardizing your settings across locations can save time and reduce errors. This includes naming conventions, time zones, and even coordinate formats.
   • Create a template for new sites that includes all the standardized settings. This way, when you add a new site, you can simply apply the template, reducing the setup time.

2. Use descriptive names and descriptions:

   • Avoid generic site names like "Office 1" or "Building A." Instead, use descriptive names that clearly indicate the location and purpose of the site.
   • Include useful details in the site description, such as the primary contact for that site or any specific configurations that differ from other sites.

3. Regularly review and update:

   • Make it a habit to review your location settings periodically. As your network grows or changes, so too should your settings. This could be part of a quarterly or annual maintenance routine.
   • Keep a change log or documentation of when and why location settings were updated. This can be useful for troubleshooting and for any other administrators who might take over the network in the future.

4. Leverage UniFi’s multi-site management features:

   • UniFi’s multi-site management features allow you to handle multiple sites from a single controller. Take advantage of this by grouping similar sites together and applying bulk updates where possible.
   • Use the "Overview" or "All Sites" views to monitor performance across all locations, identifying any sites that might need attention.

Final Thoughts

Updating location settings in UniFi is a crucial part of managing a network, especially as it grows and becomes more complex. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your network is optimized, compliant, and well-organized.

Whether you’re handling a single small office or multiple large campuses, accurate location settings are key to keeping everything running smoothly.

At UniHosted, we help you keep your UniFi Controller in check, offering hosted controllers with easy access to all these settings. If you’re looking for hassle-free management, we’ve got your back. Ready to optimize your network? Give UniHosted a try! If you would like me to personally walk you through UniHosted, you can schedule a call with me here.