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What Can Disrupt WIFI Signals?

Imagine settling in for the night to watch a few episodes of your favorite binge-worthy TV show when suddenly, your streaming service stops loading, and all you can do is watch the WIFI go in and out, hoping the endless buffering stops soon.

Well, there are three types of sources that WIFI interference most commonly comes from. Walls and floors blocking wireless signals, (2) appliances and electronics emitting radio frequency interference and (3) other WIFI networks using the same channel as your own WIFI network.

In your home, materials such as wood and glass don’t have much of an effect on our WIFI signal that concrete, brick and metal have. These denser materials can also slow your network speed or even completely block wireless signals from reaching certain parts of your home. Large furniture items such as filing cabinets or bookshelves, as well as appliances like stoves or refrigerators, can also interfere with your WIFI. You may be able to solve the problem simply by moving your router to a different location of the house to receive a better connection.

Interference to your WIFI can also come from other electronics and appliances that aren’t connected to your wireless network but use the same frequencies to communicate. Some examples are Bluetooth devices, wireless cameras, baby monitors, and cordless phones. Did you know that microwave ovens generate radio frequency noise as a byproduct, so if yours is located close to your WIFI router, you may notice a network slowdown or get disconnected only when you’re using your microwave. Again, try relocating your router!

WIFI networks broadcast on channels, so when nearby WIFI networks are set to use the same channel, they’ll constantly be competing with each other for limited bandwidth. To correct this situation, see if your router is able to automatically find the least crowded WIFI channel. Interference from competing WIFI networks is especially common in apartment buildings and other densely populated areas.