Do LED Lights Interfere with WiFi: How to Prevent the Interference

FACTS CHECKED BY  Bob Smith

WiFi is a crucial part of our daily lives, and with how important it is, you’d think strong signals will always be available. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Regardless of signal strength, WiFi is susceptible to interference. The problem is, It’s hard to know what causes the WiFi to “act up.” In truth, all electrical devices release EM (electromagnetic) radiation. Hence, many devices could cause interference. But are LEDs part of the list? Read on to discover if LED lights interfere with WiFi and the solution.

What can Interfere with Wireless Signals?

Man having WiFi troubles

Man having WiFi troubles

Since WiFi signals are easy targets for interferences, some appliances will always impede. For instance, the microwave can interrupt the WiFi because it operates at a similar frequency of 2.4GHz. 

Also, most devices emit electromagnetic radiation. And WiFi works on radio waves, which are part of the electromagnetic spectrum (including microwaves and infrared).

What does this have to do with wireless signal interference? Sometimes, waves emitted from WiFi and household appliances interact, causing interference. Usually, this situation happens when these waves operate on the same frequency.

However, LEDs operate on different frequencies and still interfere with WiFi signals.

How do LEDs Interfere with WiFi?

LED bulbs

LED bulbs

When LEDs interfere with WiFi signals, the problem is usually from the lamp’s components. In short, AC transformers are the culprits. These components emit various frequencies that can interact with your WiFi frequency.

This situation is common when you use LEDs as halogen bulb replacements. Why? The AC transformers support a large load of halogen bulbs, and the sudden change to LEDs would present a lighter load and output interference.

Although manufacturers can set their bulb’s luminosity and wattage, they can’t handle AC transformer adaptability. Interestingly, you may notice this issue after setting up additional lights as decorations. And the more lights you have, the stronger the magnetic field.

Thankfully, it’s easy to determine if LEDs are the source of your interference problems. First, activate your WiFi and the LEDs in one room. Then, try browsing in that room with your phone or laptop and check the speed.

We recommend running an internet speed test and comparing the results with those from an area with the LEDs off. You may have an interference problem if you notice a difference when the lights are on.

How to Stop LED Light Interference

There are several ways to solve LED interference with your WiFi. But first, you’ll need to determine if LEDs are the source of the problem with the little experiment highlighted above.

If you’re sure LEDs are the cause, here are useful solutions:

Opt for Quality LED Bulbs

LED interference could happen because of a low-quality bulb. Hence, you should get high-quality replacements that are FCC-compliant. 

Further, buying cheaper LED bulbs online is okay, but they may give you WiFi problems.

Usually, FCC-certified LEDs don’t cause interference, but not all international dealers enforce the regulations. However, some other conditions in your home may still cause connection problems.

Check your Transformer

Change your transformer if your WiFi issues go beyond upgrading to high-quality lights. As previously stated, AC transformers are usually at the center of LED interference issues.

So, we recommend replacing the transformer with a variant featuring electromagnetic interference suppression. As a result, it will reduce the electromagnetic field’s power. However, this solution only works for low-voltage LED lighting.

Cut Down Wiring Length

Another solution you can try is reducing the wiring length. Consequently, It’ll help cut down the potential size of the generated electric field. You can do this by cutting your wires short or using shielded cables.

Shorter cables hamper the amount of electricity flowing through, which reduces the EM field’s size. On the other hand, shielded cables feature insulated conductors that decrease the radiation emitted from electricity. Additionally, shielded cables prevent interference from affecting nearby devices.

Safety Precautions

Whether swapping the AC transformer or modifying the wires, it’s crucial to be confident about handling the task. Even a low-voltage luminaire can deliver a terrible electric shock if you’re not careful.

We recommend employing the services of an experienced electrician. Professionals can easily modify lamps or upgrade your AC transformer with reduced risk.

Can LEDs Interfere with TVs?

TV with white screen

TV with white screen

TVs are not safe from LED interference. So, you may notice some inhibition as TVs work on similar frequencies.

In truth, particular stations may freeze or blink off because LEDs are in the same or another room. However, there’s a high chance that your television signals will break due to the activation of the LED lights.

Sometimes, LED interference may only affect certain channels. And such situations occur when the channels operate on frequencies that interact with the electromagnetic field in your home. 

Triac Dimmers Interference

Although small, Triac dimmers paired with LEDs can cause disruption, allowing them to interfere with wireless or radio signals.

But you can trace the source down to the Triac dimmer’s copper coil. This coil is pretty notorious for causing LED flickering and buzzing.

Also, the Triac dimmer has a simple resistive load that allows the coil to soak in voltage spikes. So, it’s perfect for halogen or incandescent lights.

However, LEDs don’t need a lot of power to operate. So, the excess power from a Traic dimmer flows through the coil and transmits into the LED’s power supply. Then, the radiating spike across the circuit’s cabling will interfere with your WiFi and radio signals.

Moreover, the only way to solve this problem is to remove the coil. And doing that means replacing your Triac dimmer with an LED-compatible one.

FAQs

Can LEDs interfere with garage doors?

Sadly, yes. LED interference can also disrupt automatic garage doors working on the same frequency. However, choosing higher-quality bulbs may prevent this issue.

Can LEDs disrupt radio reception?

One of the major culprits of terrible reception is LED interference. The electromagnetic field from LEDs can disturb radio signals causing temporary reception loss.

Conclusion

Bad WiFi Signal 

Bad WiFi Signal 

No doubt, LEDs are famous for their energy efficiency and praise-worthy performance. But these lights can interfere with your WiFi, radio, or television signals.

Luckily, you don’t have to revert to older technologies. Some easy fixes can allow you to enjoy LEDs with amazing wireless connections.

For instance, you can upgrade to high-quality LED bulbs or call an electrician to change your AC transformer. Modifying your wiring length and using shielded wires can also help.

Do you have more questions? Please, reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

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