WiFi/AirPlay and Microwave Oven

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Earbanean

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#101698 7-May-2012 09:50

As part of my 'streaming dreaming' build out at home, we have bought a new Sony mini stereo with built in WiFi, AirPlay etc for our kitchen. It all works perfectly and sounds great, except... by definition of being a kitchen stereo, it's right by our microwave. This leads to WiFi/Airplay dropping out when the microwave is used. The radio, CD and ipOd dock all work fine, but I'd love the streaming to be reliable as well.

In short, is there anything I can do about the problem?

My wireless router is one of the Vodafone Complete modem/routers, so it's single band 802.11n. However, even if a upgraded that to a dual band unit (which I plan to do at some point), the stereo is single band only anyway (2.4 GHz).

I'd love to be able to connect it wired via ethernet, like we do with our Apple TV, but wiring to the kitchen would be a big job. Also, I guess I could connect an Apple Airport Express to the stereo and put that on 5GHz (after upgrading the router), but it seems crazy when the stereo already has Airplay built in.

Any help much appreciated thanks.

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#620824 7-May-2012 10:06

Not much you can do... WiFi 802.11 a/b/g runs on 2.4 GHz, which you just found out is also used by microwave ovens and other devices (including cordless handsets and medical devices).

Perhaps the oven is leaking? You could test a friend's oven to see if there's interference?

Earbanean

937 posts

Ultimate Geek

#620844 7-May-2012 10:21

Does the interference vary between different microwaves? Our microwave is about 6 years old and a fairly run of the mill Panasonic. Would a newer/better oven maybe not interfere with the Wifi?

Does it need to 'leak' to cause problems, or is it just a foregone conclusion?

Dunnersfella

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#620845 7-May-2012 10:22

Microwaves kill wifi - sorry.
Powerline would be the best solution from my point of view... as long as your homes internal wiring is up to spec. It's a little pricey, but at least you won't be doubling up / having to run multiple cables.

tdgeek

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#620871 7-May-2012 10:47

MW does kill wifi, but it isn't a case of every wifi drops off when every microwave is used. Try relocating the wifi router as much as you can, raise it. This may help.

Earbanean

937 posts

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#620896 7-May-2012 11:21

I suspect that the location of the router is irrelevant in this case, as it is 2 rooms away. I think the fact that the receiver (stereo) is on a shelf immediately adjacent to the cupboard with the microwave is the big issue. i.e. the microwave and stereo are only about 200 mm apart, with only 20 mm of wood between them. I guess I could move the stereo further away, along the shelf it's on, but that would only be another 1 m, at the most.

MurrayM

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#620899 7-May-2012 11:30

What about trying to add some shielding to the cupboard the microwave is in?

Earbanean

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#620921 7-May-2012 12:02

I guess I could give that a try. What would you use to do that? Tin foil or something?

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illicit

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#620963 7-May-2012 13:09

yes, try some tinfoil under the stereo first, see if it helps

bazzer

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#621368 8-May-2012 03:03

I found changing the channel on my wifi helped.

Earbanean

937 posts

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#621399 8-May-2012 08:09

How do I change channel? Is it possible with the Vodafone router that I have, or would I need a better one?

freitasm

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#621402 8-May-2012 08:16

It will be in the WiFi configuration pages on your router web management.

Earbanean

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#621405 8-May-2012 08:27

Hmm, yes sorry, just googled that and it's fairly straightforward to change. Will try tonight.

Re the tinfoil, I may have sign off issues with the bosss for laying sheets of tinfoil everywhere in her kitchen. It could be an interesting expirement to try it out though.

DrCheese

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#621436 8-May-2012 09:28

Switch as much as possible of your house signals to 5.8 GHz (WiFI upper channels) and 1.8 GHz (DECT cordless phones). I've done this and have no problems with my microwave. Only a few wireless routers offer 5.8 GHz.

David.

Earbanean

937 posts

Ultimate Geek

#622135 9-May-2012 11:43

I only had a very quick chance last night to play with Wifi channels. I changed the Router from Auto to 13, then ran the microwave. It still interefered with the Wifi.

Is there likely to be any channel that's better for this, or is it just trial and error? Or are the channels all so close that the microwave will get all of them anyway?

DrCheese

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#622164 9-May-2012 12:32

Earbanean: I only had a very quick chance last night to play with Wifi channels. I changed the Router from Auto to 13, then ran the microwave. It still interefered with the Wifi.

Is there likely to be any channel that's better for this, or is it just trial and error? Or are the channels all so close that the microwave will get all of them anyway?

The upper wifi channels are in the 5.8 GHz region, and are channels 149-165.

David.

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