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Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

Kam — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 17:58:41 GMT

Hi there. My microwave oven completely screws up WiFi around the whole house. I understand this is because microwaves work at around 2.4GHz. I have had to set my router to 2.4GHz so that all the smart devices in my house work properly as there are problems when some attach to 2.4 and others to 5. Annoyingly I can't set it to just 5GHz (which would avoid microwave interference) as Sky Q boxes only work on 2.4GHz unless you have a Sky Broadband router.

My question relates to the capabilities of the Smart Hub 2. I understand that on earlier BT routers you could set up two SSIDs - one for 2.4 and the other for 5. This would have been ideal. However, I understand that the only option you have on a Smart Hub two is to have both on the same SSID or switch off one of the frequencies, as this option has been replaced with what BT call 'Clever WiFi'. (In a world of interconnected IoT devices in the home, this seems like a backward step.)

Can someone confirm? I'm pretty sure that this is the case and that I will have to switch to Sky Broadband due to the loss of flexibility.

Thanks.

Kam

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

VeteranISPUser — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:11:30 GMT

Hi @Kam Try experimenting by fixing the channels. I changed from smart channels to an empty fixed channel and now my 2.4 GHz devices are solid. I used WiFi Analyser for Windows PC.

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

imjolly — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:15:38 GMT

You cannot split the channels with the SH2

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

stevebrass — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:17:42 GMT

The SH 2 does work as you describe - you can't have two SSIDS, one for each band.

Having said that - how close is your router to the microwave oven? If there is any leakage from the microwave oven, it really shouldn't be getting all around the house.

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

Kam — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:24:00 GMT

Thanks @VeteranISPUser . Fixed it on channel 1 but it didn't work. Think the only other options are 6 and 11. Will give it a go! 😀

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

Kam — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:27:12 GMT

Thanks @stevebrass . Router in hallway. Microwave in kitchen (I can't believe I just said that! 🤣) Interference has only started in last few weeks - so might see if I can replace it, as it's still under warranty.

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

Kam — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:28:25 GMT

Thanks @imjolly 😀

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

gg30340 — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:52:18 GMT

If your microwave oven is affecting the wifi signal I would suggest that you may want to consider getting a new microwave oven. While microwave ovens can affect wifi signals modern microwave ovens are shielded so that they should not do that especially if your router is sited more than two meters away from the microwave.

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

Keith_Beddoe — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 19:34:40 GMT

@Kam wrote:

Thanks @stevebrass . Router in hallway. Microwave in kitchen (I can't believe I just said that! 🤣) Interference has only started in last few weeks - so might see if I can replace it, as it's still under warranty.

Check the seal around the door, its not uncommon to find food particles or grease affecting the ability to suppress leakage. It only takes a small bit of contamination to break the electromagnetic shielding, and allow an amount of microwave energy to leak out. Also check that the door closes tightly, as the interlock can still enable the power, even if the door is slightly mis-aligned.

If you think about it, there is possibly 900W of power at 2.4GHz inside, and your WIFI signal power is only 100mW at the home hub, so it only takes a small amount of leakage to knock out your Wi-Fi. The microwave signal frequency is very unstable, and covers the whole of the 2.4GHz band, and more.

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

Kam — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 08:34:40 GMT

Thanks Keith. Have given in another clean and will see how it goes over the next day or so. It's a 1000W oven - so it's pretty powerful. I may still be able to return it and get a replacement as it is still under warranty.

Shame that the Smart Hub 2 doesn't have the option to change the SSID for the two frequencies as that would sort it, for me and many others who have smart home tech.

Thanks again.

Kam

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

Kam — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 08:36:46 GMT

Thanks @gg30340 . I'll try some of the other options suggested but that could be my fallback. It's still under warranty so hopefully I can get an exchange. Kam

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

DavidM — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 09:11:45 GMT

Hi @Kam and welcome back.

Thanks for posting about the interference. I had a similar problem a while back. The microwave was an older model so needed replacing anyway. A shiny new one sorted the problem and made the wife happy so win win for me.

Cheers

David

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

Kam — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 09:33:23 GMT

Thanks @DavidM . Mine's a reasonable whizzy new one. It's an inverter and 1,000W. Will probably exchange it if non of the suggestions work. Have a good weekend! 🙂

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

Adz75 — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 20:19:59 GMT

Hi @Kam did changing your microwave resolve the issue. I have the same issue.
thanks

Re: Having interference from microwave. Can I split 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels on Smart Hub 2?

Kam — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 04:57:00 GMT

Hi @Adz75

My microwave is a new one of the 'inverter' variety and is quite powerful. Turns out that inverter microwaves cause more interference. I ended up switching to Sky Broadband where I was able to have both frequencies running on separate SSIDs. The smart devices are now all set to 5ghz and the problem is fixed. Some older devices in the house have to connect to the 2.4ghz network, but that's not a problem and everything is now fine.

Cheers.

Kam