We've known for a long time that interference from a microwave oven can affect the performance of any nearby wireless network using the 2.4 GHz band. Although ovens leave the factory with significant shielding, a poorly placed router ends up suffering every time we decide to heat or defrost something. YouTuber Jessie Carabajal helps us visualize the deterioration in WiFi connection with a diagnostic unit, and the speed loss in real time.
First, Find a Better Spot for Your Router
Having WiFi problems? Before spending money, you should do the simplest thing in the world: find a new place for your router. It's not our invention, and we've been talking about that for years.
The Test: A Microwave Oven vs. a $3,300 Diagnostic Tool
In the last week, YouTuber Jessie Carabajal ran several experiments using an Ekahau Sidekick diagnostic system ($3,300 just for the hardware). His initial test focuses on the effects of a microwave oven turned on with nothing inside, and we can immediately see how interference spikes. Additionally, on the terminal we see the speed drop from 40-50 megabits per second to 0-6 megabytes per second in the worst case.
A More Realistic Test: With Water in the Microwave
Now, the truth is that this test has limited validity, because it makes no sense to use an empty microwave oven. For that reason (and at the request of some users), Jessie repeated the test by heating a bowl of water. The second video shows that a good part of the energy is being absorbed by the liquid, and that interference levels are lower. By moving his computer about three or four meters away from the microwave oven, the noise drops to "manageable" levels, so to speak. This video also includes measurements for Bluetooth, but they are not as severe.
https://old.neoteo.com/conoce-al-misterioso-canal-14-de-wifi-y-por-que-no-puedes-usarlo/The Solution: Keep Your Distance
In short, the solution is to maintain a healthy distance between the microwave oven, the router, and mobile devices. Another option is to replace the router with a 5 GHz compatible unit, but if you can eliminate (or reduce) interference at zero cost, welcome. Personally, I still depend on a WRT54G modified to the point of exhaustion, and it won't move from its place until it's destroyed...
