Does Bluetooth interfere with wifi?

Bluetooth makes it easy for people to connect different devices without needing a lot of cables. Though this technology is quite effective, it interferes with other wireless technologies such as wifi.

If your Bluetooth headphones don’t work well every time your wifi is on, you should find out what causes the interference and find solutions to this problem. Most Bluetooth devices still work on the same frequency as wireless devices such as routers. Though Bluetooth technology tries to reduce this interference, many people reveal that it still occurs.

How does the interference between wifi and Bluetooth occur?

Bluetooth devices run on the same frequency band as other wireless devices. Such devices compete with one another for limited space on the spectrum. Though some of the modern routers nowadays run a high-frequency range compared to most Bluetooth devices, old routers can still cause interference.

Wifi and Bluetooth devices use the 2.4 GHz band. When you have different Bluetooth devices in the same environment as other wireless devices, they may not work well since they are competing for a similar electromagnetic spectrum. Some wifi-based networks, however, operate on other frequencies such as 5GHz and 3.6 GHz.

Apart from wifi routers, other devices can also cause interference. Though things such as electric bulbs do not transmit information, they can still utilize the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Using them in the same environment as wireless devices can make the signals overlap, thus leading to interference.

Find out how wireless technologies try to reduce this interference

Tech experts try to minimize connectivity issues in Bluetooth and wifi devices to boost user experience. As a way of reducing interference, most modern Bluetooth devices now use frequency hopping. This is a feature that enables some Bluetooth devices to switch between various frequencies automatically. It works within a permitted frequency range to reduce the signal overlap so that the Bluetooth device does not interfere with your wireless devices.

Like Bluetooth, wifi also tries to reduce the interference using a particular technique. Wifi frequency bands feature some smaller bands called channels. A wifi router can switch channels to avoid any congestion on a specific channel. The 2.4 GHz band contains up to 11 channels, while the 5 GHz band features 45 channels. This wireless technology is also known for its listen-before-transmitting system. If, for instance, the channel is busy, it does not transmit immediately.

Such systems have been developed to reduce the interference between Bluetooth and wifi devices. They ensure that you can continue to enjoy fast internet speed and great connectivity on Bluetooth as you use different devices. Despite the existence of these systems, interference can still occur, leading to degraded network performance. If you notice poor signal strength in your devices due to interference, you can solve this issue by doing a few things.

How can you deal with the interference?

Start by getting rid of any physical barriers. Materials such as thick walls and metal are known to have a significant impact on electromagnetic signals. Due to the density and reflective nature of such materials, wireless signals struggle to penetrate through them.

If you realize that your wireless devices don’t have a great signal when Bluetooth is on, you should first assess the environment as you look for any physical barriers that may be hindering signal flow. Consider moving your devices away from such obstructive materials.

Apart from that, you can also eliminate interference by changing the wifi channel manually. If you are using an old router, it may not be capable of switching to a less congested channel on its own. You can, however, do this manually through the settings menu. Alternatively, try restarting the router and see if there are any changes.

You can also try moving a bit close to the wifi source. When your wifi devices are closer to the router, you may receive a strong signal. This makes them less prone to interference, which is sometimes caused by Bluetooth devices. Ensure that other wireless devices such as fluorescent bulbs are far away since they tend to emit some radio waves in the frequency band, causing interference.

If you have been using a router for years, replacing it with a modern one can help you enjoy a better performance even when you are using Bluetooth devices. Since modern routers come with advanced systems, they try to minimize the interference so that you don’t notice a significant change in internet speed or signal loss. Since software problems can also lead to interference, you can also try rebooting the device.

You should also beware of the recommended range of different wireless technologies. Bluetooth devices, for instance, have a maximum range of about 33 feet. If you try to use Bluetooth past this distance, it may not work accordingly. Most of the Bluetooth and wifi devices like tablets, keyboards, and headsets are wireless. They, therefore, use battery power to transmit wireless signals. When such a device does not have high battery life, it can negatively affect the transmission leading to poor performance. You should, therefore, pay attention to the battery level of such devices to minimize interference.

Why does Bluetooth interfere with wifi and what can you do about it

Cause	Solution
Both Bluetooth and wifi operate on 2.4 GHz frequency	Let your router operate on 5 GHz frequency band.
	Choose a router that comes with advanced systems.
	Bring your wifi devices close to the internet source.
	Reboot the device.

Conclusion

If you want to use a keyboard, headset, or laptop without any issues, you should learn about the interference that occurs between Bluetooth and wifi. Using these wireless technologies is sometimes challenging since they operate on 2.4 GHz band. Wifi, however, has different frequency bands, thus giving you an easy way to reduce the interference.

FAQs

How can concrete walls in my home affect the wireless signal?

These tend to weaken the wifi signals making it hard for your devices to work properly.

Can I place a router behind my TV?

No. This is not advised since the TV can prevent you from accessing a strong wifi signal.