Does Bluetooth slow down wifi?

Most of the modern electronic devices feature both wifi and Bluetooth symbols. Though wifi and Bluetooth are wireless technologies, they are not the same.

Turning on Bluetooth when you are using wifi can lead to slow internet speed. This is because both wifi and Bluetooth use the same frequencies. Bluetooth can, therefore, cause some form of interference with your wifi devices, preventing them from receiving fast internet speeds. We will discuss both Bluetooth and wifi to help you find out how they work and share insights on how you can reduce the interference.  Enjoy!

Wifi vs. Bluetooth

Tablets, computers, and smartphones come with both of these technologies to help you share files easily. Though Bluetooth and wifi can be used to connect devices, they work differently. Wifi allows you to connect the device to the web. Bluetooth, on the other hand, enables you to connect different devices to one another.

How does wifi work?

This wireless technology gives you access to the internet. You can use it to stream videos, play music, or play online games. To start entertaining yourself online, you have to enter a specific password on the device you intend to use. The wifi password connects you to the LAN via the router. With wifi, you can surf without connecting any device to a cable outlet or phone line. It is a convenient form of wireless technology that numerous people have embraced. Homeowners are always looking for the best internet solutions for their houses.

To use the internet, you need a router that can take the modem’s signal and then transform it into the radio signal. Your device, therefore, enables you to access the internet wirelessly. Wifi receivers are not only available on laptops and phones but also on digital cameras, printers, and smart TVs. If you have an excellent router, then you should expect a strong wifi signal. Apart from the internet connection, wifi can also help you connect different devices within one network. You can use the internet to connect different computers on the same LAN if you wish to transfer certain files wirelessly.

How does Bluetooth work?

Bluetooth is designed to help you transfer data between different electronic devices that are near one another. For instance, you can use this wifi technology to connect the computer to a keyboard wirelessly. If you want to pair your phone to a speaker, you can also do this using Bluetooth.

Just like wifi, this wireless technology makes use of radio signals to transmit data between different devices. It differs from wifi since you don’t need to enter a specific password to connect the devices. For you to pair devices via Bluetooth, you only need to click on “accept pairing.” Since connecting different devices via Bluetooth does not require a password, it is less secure compared to wifi. To use Bluetooth, the devices you are trying to pair should be at a close range.

Why Bluetooth slows down wifi and how to minimize the interference

If you turn on Bluetooth when you are using wifi, you should expect less signal strength and slow internet speeds. This is because both of these technologies use the 2.4 GHz frequency. Bluetooth can, therefore, cause interference with your internet-enabled devices. If you are already experiencing low signal strength, turning on Bluetooth can degrade it even further.

One of the common signs that show wireless interference when using both technologies is having a device that struggles to stay connected. You may also notice Bluetooth audio skipping or buzzing. You can minimize the interference by moving internet-enabled devices closer to the router. Adjusting their position can boost signal strength and increase internet speed.

Also, try bringing the Bluetooth devices you are trying to connect close to each other. Reducing the distance between them can also minimize wireless interference. Ensure that you don’t use any of your wireless devices near items that can increase the interference. Such items include power cables, cordless phones, or fluorescent lights.

We mentioned that both wifi and Bluetooth use 2.4 GHz frequency. You can reduce the interference by limiting the number of devices that use this wireless frequency band. If, for instance, you have a dual-band router that supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz band, try connecting most of the internet-enabled to the 5 GHz frequency.

Apart from that, configuring the router to utilize a different channel can also help you minimize signal interference. Let the router scan to find a channel that does not have a lot of interference. When you reset the router, it can start scanning automatically. Alternatively, you should consider utilizing USB 3 with the computer. This can limit the interference with different wireless devices.

Conclusion

Both Bluetooth and wifi have changed the way most people work and play. These are wireless technologies that are now incorporated in most electronic devices. Before you try to use either of these wireless technologies, you should learn how they work to enjoy using them.

Though Bluetooth and wifi can help you transfer data, they work differently. For instance, you can pair two devices that are close to one another via Bluetooth without needing a password. To access the internet via wifi, you have to enter a password. Bluetooth tends to slow down wifi. This is because it uses the 2.4 GHz frequency, which is also used by wifi. Though Bluetooth can interfere with your internet-enabled devices, you can reduce the signal interference through different ways we have discussed above.

FAQs

What physical obstructions cause wireless signal interference?

Things such as glass, metal, and bricks can interfere with your wifi signal, especially when using Bluetooth and wifi.

Can modifying the DNS settings help boost wifi speed?

This is a possible solution to slow wifi.