Do Smart TVs Interfere With Wi-Fi? (Solved)

The last thing you want when you’re cruising the web is to be interrupted by an unstable Internet connection.

Did you know that watching TV, using the computer, or even having many smartphones on at once can drain your Wi-Fi connection?

Do Smart TVs interfere with Wi-Fi?

Your smart TV may interfere with your Wi-Fi, but there are different factors – like the placement of the router – that can cause interference with your Wi-Fi. For instance, having your Wi-Fi router behind your TV will cause a lot of interference, due to the metal components found in a smart TV.

How do Smart TVs Affect the Wi-Fi Signal?

If you are using your smart TV to stream videos from Netflix or YouTube, chances are, your smart TV eats up a lot of your bandwidth.

That is why Wi-Fi routers come with dual-bands so that you can connect your devices to corresponding bands appropriate for their Internet requirements.

Also, smart TVs have an Ethernet port you can use for a more stable connection.

How do you Reduce Wi-Fi Interference from Smart TVs?

The best thing to do is to connect your smart TV to a dual-band router on the 5 GHz band.

The 5 GHz band has a wider allotment for devices.

It also provides more bandwidth to your TV.

What’s the Most Stable Way to Connect a Smart TV to Wi-Fi?

The best way to connect your smart TV is through the Ethernet or LAN port.

You free up connections using Wi-Fi and get a more stable, direct connection to your Internet router.

If the wired option is not workable, due to the distance from the router, consider using a dual-band router and dedicate one of the bands to your smart TV.

Can I use my Smart TV Without Wi-Fi or Via a Cable?

An Ethernet or LAN cable connection is much more stable than connecting via Wi-Fi.

This is because it is a direct connection to your device, and therefore does not have to latch onto a signal.

If you go this route, you are more likely to have a stable connection.

Does a TV Antenna Interfere with the Wi-Fi Signal of the Smart TV?

Wi-Fi signals are very different from the signals used for digital television.

You do not need to about your TV’s antenna interrupting your Netflix evenings.

Does a Smartphone Interfere with the Wi-Fi Signal of the Smart TV?

While smartphones contribute to the interference of the signal of your smart TV, this depends on the activity done on the phone.

Often, these are very minimal, but it becomes more intensive with bandwidth-hogging activities like conducting a Facebook live stream.

Especially if there are many smartphones using the Wi-Fi at once.

If you have a large family, consider upgrading your internet connection.

What Else can Interfere With a Wi-Fi Signal?

Six things can interfere with your Wi-Fi:

1. Nearby Wi-Fi Networks

That is evident, especially in residences that share common walls, such as condominiums, apartments, or in some townhouses.

If you use a 2.4 GHz router and live in a house that falls in any of the abodes above, there’s a good chance the Wi-Fi routers will interfere with each other.

To resolve this, you should get a dual-band router:

1. A dual-band router uses the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands at the same time.
2. 5 GHz bands have an advantage, being wider, which allows more users to be on the same frequency at the same time.

That is why those who are into video streaming or Internet gaming use the 5 GHz to reduce interruptions during the broadcast or game.

While older devices only support the 2.4 GHz band, newer electronic devices, such as smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, recognize the 5 GHz band in dual-band routers.

In choosing a dual-band router, look for an 802.11n Multiple Input, Multiple Output unit (MIMO). MIMO routers have a wide range and use multiple antennas to send and receive data.

2. Household Electronics

Did you know that other household devices that use radio waves may interfere with your Wi-Fi?

Yes, that includes your microwave oven and wireless telephone.

A lot of these devices use the 2.4 GHz band, which can potentially interfere with your router.

The good news is, the modern versions of these devices have switched and use the 1.9 GHz band instead, so it is far less common with newer models.

3. Old Bluetooth Devices

If you still have an old device, like a cellphone, with Bluetooth, chances are it contributes to the interference with your Wi-Fi.

So, if you still have them active, it’s time for an upgrade!

With newer devices, there is far less to worry about.

4. Water

Yes, water interferes with Wi-Fi connections too.

That includes aquariums and water tanks.

So if you have water tanks within the line of sight of your router and your device, you stand to receive interferences with your Wi-Fi connection.

It is advisable to position your water source far away from your router and put your router somewhere without physical blocks or obstacles (such as tucking it away in a closet).

5. Your Wi-Fi Security Settings

Back then, low-end routers that enforced strict security settings hampered the speed in the process.

That is why the Wireless Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2 Protocols replaced the Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP).

It is much more secure than WEP, and its robust security system does not slow down Wi-Fi speeds. Even if you use an older router, that does not mean you should turn off your security settings.

You are better off with powerful encryption than being vulnerable, in exchange for a speed boost.

6. Outdated Firmware

Sometimes your current firmware may have some bugs, which cause your connection to throttle down.

So if you encounter any problems with your connection, it would be a good idea to check if your smart TV has updated firmware.

The manufacturer of your router may have a fix the speed of your connection.

Make it a habit to keep firmware updated on all your devices, to maintain a smooth connection.

Sources:

Six Things That Block Your Wi-Fi, and How to Fix Them

10 Ways You Might Be Killing Your Home Wi-Fi Signal

Do Smart TVs Take Up Bandwidth? (Solved!)