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

[Kam]

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

[VeteranISPUser]

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.

[imjolly]

You cannot split  the channels with the SH2

[stevebrass]

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.

[Kam]

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! 😀

[Kam]

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.

[Kam]

Thanks @imjolly 😀

[gg30340]

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.

[Keith_Beddoe]

---

@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.

[Kam]

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