Local Network
WiFi Interference Test: Find Wireless Conflicts
WiFi interference is one of the most common but least diagnosed causes of slow wireless performance. Microwaves, neighboring networks, Bluetooth devices, and even baby monitors all share the same airwaves. The WiFi Interference Test detects symptoms of interference and helps you identify the cause.
What It Measures
This tool measures throughput stability, latency variance, and packet loss patterns over your WiFi link to identify behaviors consistent with radio frequency interference. Patterns differ by interference source: microwaves cause periodic 1 to 2 second drops, neighbor networks cause sustained slowdowns, and Bluetooth causes bursty packet loss.
How It Works
- Runs continuous throughput and latency probes over a short window
- Detects periodic drops, latency oscillations, and bursty packet loss
- Pattern matches against known interference signatures
- Reports likely interference source and recommends mitigation
Why It Matters
Interference cuts WiFi throughput dramatically without affecting your wired internet plan. A 1 Gbps fiber connection over interference riddled WiFi may deliver 50 Mbps. Identifying interference is the first step to fixing it through channel changes, band changes, or removing the source.
Understanding Your Results
Stable throughput with under 5% variation indicates a clean channel. Periodic drops at consistent intervals suggest a microwave or cordless phone. Sustained low throughput suggests neighbor network congestion. Bursty packet loss suggests Bluetooth or other 2.4GHz devices. The 5GHz and 6GHz bands typically show much less interference than 2.4GHz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What devices interfere with WiFi?
On 2.4GHz, common interferers include microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, baby monitors, wireless cameras, and neighboring WiFi networks. On 5GHz, weather radar in DFS channels, Bluetooth (much less than on 2.4GHz), and other 5GHz networks. The 6GHz band (WiFi 6E) is currently very clean because few devices use it yet.
How do I fix WiFi interference?
Switch to 5GHz or 6GHz if your devices support them. Change your router's channel to one with less neighbor activity (channels 1, 6, or 11 on 2.4GHz; widely separated channels on 5GHz). Move your router away from microwaves, cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices. Use Ethernet for stationary devices to reduce competition for airtime.
Why does my WiFi slow down at the same time every day?
Daily slowdowns at predictable times often indicate either neighbor network congestion (everyone home from work using their WiFi) or scheduled appliance use (a microwave that runs at lunch and dinner). The interference test can help distinguish between these patterns.
Does this test require a special app?
No. The test runs entirely in your browser using standard network probes. We cannot directly read other networks or radio frequency activity from a browser, but the throughput and latency patterns we measure reliably indicate interference when present.
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