In accordance with the European rules for using wireless LAN in the 5-GHz frequency range, the FRITZ!Box checks whether the 5-GHz radio channel it uses is also used by a higher priority radar source, like, for instance, weather or flight radar. If so, the FRITZ!Box automatically switches channels (Dynamic Frequency Selection, DFS).

The status message informs you that the FRITZ!Box is checking whether a higher priority radar source is also using the 5-GHz radio channel. This check takes place automatically and can take up to 10 minutes, depending on the radio channel set. During this period the FRITZ!Box cannot use the 5-GHz frequency band. Once the check is complete, the FRITZ!Box automatically reestablishes the 5-GHz radio network. If no higher priority user was found, the FRITZ!Box uses the same radio channel as before; otherwise it switches to a different 5-GHz radio channel.

You can prevent the DFS wait time and a forced channel change by selecting in the FRITZ!Box a channel for the 5-GHz frequency band that does not use DFS (channels 36, 40, 44, 48).