Electronic – arduino – nrf24l01 frequency switch timing

This library distinguishes the NRF24L01 from the NRF24L01+ by trying to set the 250Kbps data rate. If it succeeds then the chip is of the + variety. You might also try just powering the chip on and off. It seems unlikely that you would disturb other driver software? by setting and re-setting these settings. https://github.com/jpbarraca/pynrf24/blob/master/nrf24.py#L671

This is a strong case to use RSSI to reject bad signals. The nRF24L01P has RPD=1 at signal >-64 dBm. But this chip nRF24L01, does not but has different thresholds of carrier detect. This should be reconsidered when garbage data is received. Also the L01 is not recommended for new design.

Your assumptions include that all noise is detected as random data, which does not appear to be true in your case. Analysis requires details of the design to see what data patterns are detected with statistical analysis. Perhaps Bias, asymmetry and filtered noise from LO leakage and stray noise are causing pattern bias from ambient signals. CRC length will help as expected only if noise is detected as pure random.

Another such example of non-random patterns is Rician Fading of stray transmitters in-channel modulates distortion according to reflection path interference length.

Your RPD should be mostly false and thus you ignore the data.