|

Can A Washing Machine Affect WiFi? (All You Need To Know)

Your WiFi may be abysmal around some specific positions in the house. Your washing machine is probably one of the locations in which your network signal dissipates.

This situation will make you wonder if your router or the connected device is faulty.

Then you’ll begin wondering what happens to your WiFi when you go close to your washer. Luckily, reading this will give you an answer to your question.

The WiFi connection can be interrupted or disrupted by the washing machine in your home. But this is possible mainly if the WiFi router is close to the washing machine. It is because the waves emitted by the WiFi will be interrupted by that produced by the washing machine.

Apart from the washing machine, other electrical appliances can also affect your device’s WiFi connection.

So, read on to learn how this happens and how to stop the occurrence.

Does a Washing Machine Affect WiFi?

Can Washing Machine Affect WiFi

Yes, the washing machine can slow down the WiFi connection or interrupt your device’s WiFi signal.

Most times, you notice your WiFi has poor connections in some parts of the house, and you keep wondering what the problem is 

The washing machine produces electrical waves that clash with the WiFi router’s wave.

The two waves come in contact, and interference causes a glitch and an interruption in the WiFi connection.

Only a few people know that the washing machine can cause interference in the WiFi connection.

So people tend to search for other problems, whereas the problem is a slight fault with your WiFi router placement.

However, some new models of WiFi routers might not be seriously affected even if kept close to a washing machine. Rather, there’ll be a minor interruption.

If your WiFi router is an old model, you’ll notice a slower network when you keep it close to the washing machine.

Summarily, be it a new or old model WiFi router, it is not advisable to place it close to the washing machine.

How to Stop Washing Machine From Interfering With WiFi

There is no method you can use to stop a washing machine from interfering with your WiFi connection.

The best solution is to place the WiFi router far away from the washing machine or the laundry room.

You must know strategic places to keep your WiFi router so that everything runs smoothly in the connection.

Keep your router away from any electrical appliance when you get it, and think of somewhere to place it.

Even when using your WiFi on a device, standing or sitting near the washing machine is not advisable.

The reason for this is the same as the previous one: there will be an interference with the WiFi connection.

All other electrical appliances are not left out, like the washing machine. They’ll interfere with the WiFi connection between your router and device.

Remember to situate your WiFi correctly, and you’ll be safe from trouble. If there is electrical interference, don’t rush to call a technician, as you can resolve the problem easily. 

Move the WiFi router away from the washing machine if you don’t want it to interfere with your WiFi network.

What Could Be Blocking My WiFi Signal at Home?

Apart from the washing machine and other electrical appliances, some things in your home can block your WiFi signal. If this happens, it can cause a slower connection or a glitch.

Let’s go through some items capable of disrupting your signal.

#1. Mirror

A mirror affecting your WiFi signal night surprises you, but it does interfere with the WiFi connection.

Since we all know that a mirror can reflect light which is a wave, then this wouldn’t be difficult to understand.

The same thing to light, the WiFi signal is a wave, and the WiFi nature helps it travel from the WiFi router to the connected device.

When the wave of the WiFi signal reaches the mirror, it bounces back like that of light. 

This bounce back can cause a slower WiFi signal, or sometimes you will notice that the WiFi signal is unstable.

The bigger the mirror, the more interruption it causes to the WiFi connection. It is advisable to keep your WiFi router away from a mirror.

#2. Metals

The waves of your WiFi connection find it challenging to go through a metal surface, so if the router or the connected device is behind a metal surface, there’ll be interference.

Sometimes you find out that when you keep your device on a metal table, you notice the WiFi connection is poor, but when moved away, it is okay.

The metal is hard and smooth, making it difficult for waves to penetrate.

Let’s take light as an example; when you point a light to a metal surface, it won’t penetrate to the other part.

Instead, it stops the flow of light. In the same manner, the metal surface does to the WiFi connection of your house.

#3. Concrete Walls

The WiFi signal cannot pass through a concrete wall because of the walls’ thickness and width.

If your device is on one side of a concrete wall and your WiFi router is on the other part of the concrete wall.

Then there will be no or little WiFi signal. The WiFi strength depends on the thickness and width of the concrete wall.

If the concrete wall is thin and not very wide, the WiFi signal will be present but not strong. 

But if the concrete wall is thick and very wide, it can even restrict the flow of the WiFi signal, and there may be no or little signal present.

#4. Connected Devices

The more devices connected, the weaker the WiFi signal. The signal becomes slow if you connect too many devices to the WiFi router.

If some of the devices connected are not in use, disconnect them, or else they will inhibit the fast WiFi signal.

It might also be your neighbors using your WiFi networks. So first, you must find out if it’s your device and then reduce the connected Devices.

#5. Connection Range

Moving too far away from the WiFi router can also weaken the strength of your WiFi signal.

The WiFi has a range of distances where the signal would appropriately flow. So if you are outside that range, the signal might be slow or lost.

It implies that you can only use your WiFi connection if you’re close to your WiFi router.

So it is preferable to stay close to your WiFi router if you need a strong WiFi signal or connection.

#6. Outdated Router

You may have a wrong WiFi signal because your WiFi router is outdated and needs updating.

If you can afford a new WiFi router, it will be better. Purchasing a new WiFi router model will give you a fast and reliable WiFi network.

#7. External WiFi

If your neighbor has a WiFi router in your WiFi signal range, it can cause a glitch in the two WiFi signals.

When the two WiFi signals meet, they tend to collide and cause a glitch in the WiFi connection. And there might be a slow WiFi signal.

If any of the above isn’t the cause of a slow or faulty WiFi signal, then you should contact your service provider.

Can I Put My Router in The Laundry Room?

Putting your WiFi router in the laundry room is a no. 

Since the laundry room has many electrical appliances, electrical appliances cause a glitch in the WiFi signal.

The WiFi signal will be slow since there is a glitch. These appliances, especially the washing machine, can cause a break in the WiFi signal.

You should never place your WiFi router in your laundry room if you want a fast and strong WiFi signal.

Below is the signal strength of various hindrances to the WiFi network.

HindranceSignal Strength
Electrical appliancePoor, if very close 
MetalsVery poor
Concrete WallsVery poor
Far rangeDepending on how far you’re from the router
Outdated routerPoor

Where Is The Best Place To Put Your WiFi Router?

Specific locations are favorable in terms of placing a WiFi router.

#1. Book Shelf

Place your WiFi router on the bookshelf, away from any electrical appliance or obstructions.

Please don’t put it in a covered cupboard because this can decrease the strength of the WiFi signal or connection.

#2. Wall

Your WiFi router on the wall is also good, away from electrical appliances.

Also, if you want to place it on the wall, ensure the room is large enough to ensure the free flow of the WiFi signal.

Avoid placing it at the back or front of a television or computer since it might inhibit the free flow of the WiFi signal.

Read Also

Similar Posts