wifi interference

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › wifi interference

Rickles

2441 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#207622 5-Jan-2017 16:11

Can two (or more) wifi routers next to each other cause problems?

I'm talking about routers on different channels, different SSIDs, and accessing different internet connections ... it's the possible signal 'clash' I'm asking about.

1 | 2

Affiliate link

Affiliate link: Shop Mighty Ape for electronics, games, computers books and more.

michaelmurfy

/dev/ttys0
10983 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1698929 5-Jan-2017 16:20

No. In your case they'll be transmitting on different frequencies.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz | https://keybase.io/michaelmurfy - Referral Links: Sharesies | Electric Kiwi
Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by making a donation.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1698932 5-Jan-2017 16:36

When you say "next to each other" how close are you meaning? If it's within a few metres then there will be strong RF emissions probably flooding the front end of cheap equipment.

Bananabob

433 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1698940 5-Jan-2017 17:03

Does this RF interference apply to the modem that VF supply for HSC? I have one sitting right next to my router.

Jase2985

11564 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1699020 5-Jan-2017 20:10

are they both supplying wifi?

Rickles

2441 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1699028 5-Jan-2017 20:18

Answer 1: "No. In your case they'll be transmitting on different frequencies."

Answer 2: "If it's within a few metres then there will be strong RF emissions probably flooding the front end of cheap equipment."

Hmmm

I'm suggesting alongside each other, and both/all supplying wifi.

Jase2985

11564 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1699034 5-Jan-2017 20:26

the receiver will pick up all 2.4ghz frequencies, it then has to filter out the unneeded ones and process the ones it needed. If you flood the receiver with strong signals on unneeded frequencies then it can flood it and make it difficult to pickup and process the correct ones. also if the signal level is too strong, hence why you shouldnt sit too close to your wifi access point as the signal level can be too great for the device's receiver.

i would give them a good couple of meters if possible

richms

25170 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#1699036 5-Jan-2017 20:27

Yes for sure. When they are that close the front end will be driven to clipping which will mess up all signals going thru it. Couple of meters at least, even then it may still be de-sensitizing the receiver somewhat. You might find they work better on the same channel if you cant relocate them, since that will mean that the devices will not try to transmit back to the router when the other one is transmitting and therefore screwing up its ability to receive.

Reciever overload is the same reason that your pissy weak ipod/phone transmitter will not work when you are near a large FM transmitter on a totally different frequancy, and why a 700MHz LTE trasnsmission is able to wipe out a 4-500MHz TV transmission that is much weaker than it.

Richard rich.ms

yitz

1698 posts

Uber Geek

#1699058 5-Jan-2017 20:47

Yep it's an analogue world full of cheap filters.

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
12970 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Voyager

Subscriber

#1699072 5-Jan-2017 21:10

Just one point others have not touched on here yet.

Another case where you will see interference between the two is if you are using wireless overlapping channels.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1699093 5-Jan-2017 21:28

I've even heard anecdotal reports of Spark 2300MHz cellsite upgrades wiping out 2.4GHz for people very close to the site. Spark aren't necessarily doing anything illegal, but the front end on many cheap WiFi devices simply isn't any good at filtering out unwanted noise or nearby transmissions.

richms

25170 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#1699096 5-Jan-2017 21:33

sbiddle:

I've even heard anecdotal reports of Spark 2300MHz cellsite upgrades wiping out 2.4GHz for people very close to the site. Spark aren't necessarily doing anything illegal, but the front end on many cheap WiFi devices simply isn't any good at filtering out unwanted noise or nearby transmissions.

Wonder how thats going to affect all those car reversingcameras on 2370 and 2390MHz that are out there ;)

Richard rich.ms

coffeebaron

5924 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1699156 6-Jan-2017 06:51

As well as different channels, make sure channel width is set to 20MHz.

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally
Rural Broadband RBI installer for Ultimate Broadband and Full Flavour

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

Smithy47

219 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1699207 6-Jan-2017 09:22

Hi,

I had the same problem with Spark modems at my mothers place. Drop out, not connecting, conceiting then not etc. on the 2.4 MHz's went on for weeks. Did firmware update etc. Solution which has fixed the problem is to make the 2.4 only 20 MHz in the modem settings under advance. Problem has gone away, connects first time every time and so far no drop outs.

I hope this helps some people as I was pulling my hair out and of course Spark were saying there is nothing wrong.

Cheers.

Smithy

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1699208 6-Jan-2017 09:24

Smithy47:

Hi,

I had the same problem with Spark modems at my mothers place. Drop out, not connecting, conceiting then not etc. on the 2.4 MHz's went on for weeks. Did firmware update etc. Solution which has fixed the problem is to make the 2.4 only 20 MHz in the modem settings under advance. Problem has gone away, connects first time every time and so far no drop outs.

I hope this helps some people as I was pulling my hair out and of course Spark were saying there is nothing wrong.

Cheers.

That's a really common issue. You should NEVER even contemplate running 2.4Ghz @ 40MHz or leaving it on auto 20/40 which is a common factory default.

vulcannz

436 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1700172 8-Jan-2017 11:33

Rickles:

Can two (or more) wifi routers next to each other cause problems?

I'm talking about routers on different channels, different SSIDs, and accessing different internet connections ... it's the possible signal 'clash' I'm asking about.

Make sure they are on non-overlapping channels (either 1, 6 or 11 with 20Mhz).

1 | 2