WiFi interference? (Solved)

Heedtheadvice

Help requested from experts to solve a problem that looks like it might be WiFi associated. Long post to give a bit of history and data complexes bear with me.

Outline.

Recently getting problems using tablet via WiFi to bthub3 (as an access point channel 6, 2.4 GHz) and Ee router (channel 11). Intermittent!

Using Zoom I get freezing of video and interruptions to sound. Happened originally using router WiFi.

Tools suggested EE WiFi at -55dB, channel otherwise clean. Ping to router and  Google have intermittent high latency (several hundred mS) but generally low (25 to 35mS). Down and up expected speeds at 15 and 1 MB/S achieved for ADSL.

Owing to the Zoom problems then...

Switched to bthub3 (better signal strength, -40dB) and all connection figures for WiFi better....for a time with slightly longer latency (extra step chain of course) and no intermittent long latency.

Could be fixed.....but no. Problems on Zoom started again.

Additionally:

Using Firefox browser sometimes comes up with address not found at the same time WiFi signal drops (on thegeneric monitor icon, Amazon fire 8 HD) then soon returns (noted using bthub3) and "reload" then works ok to load page.

Looking again at WiFi signals I note that on the same channel as bthub is, intermittently another WiFi signal, very close signal strength and SSID (?) "Hidden".  Mac address of this WiFi  (0a a6 bc db 16 14 ) is not recognised - others connected to my lan are recognised in router list.

Could this hidden WiFi be a clue to the problem?

It does move channel with the bthub so is it connected with it?

WiFi area is quiet. other signals down at -80 dB or less.

Happens when we aren't using other WiFi devices. Bluetooth devices idle.

Any ideas how to proceed as I am not getting a bit lost. No WiFi on PC. Other WiFi devices are LG TV (main connection Ethernet) and firestick but again not in use during Zoom meeting. Bthub used via by mains extenders to locate in different part of property to the EErouter.

GunJack

yeah, sounds like that other SSID is interfering with yours... fix on a channel that you only ever see -80dB or less and try that, will probably sort it

Heedtheadvice

Thanks for response.

I had meant to write that I had tried changing to free channels but the "hidden" WiFi signal follows the bthub! I was wondering why. It had been on channel 1 then when I switched to clean channel 6 the "hidden" signal appeared there too -still intermittently.

Currently disconnected firestick as that is the only other WiFi device connected to the bthub......

GunJack

you haven't got a hidden-SSID guest network operating from your router??

debitcardmayhem

It's not a BT Fon/Free hotspot is it?

Just checked around me and my neighbour has BT and his router advertises BTWi-fii

debitcardmayhem

If it is BTWifi then look here perhaps https://community.bt.com/t5/Broadband-Extras-Apps-from-BT/How-to-disable-BT-wifi-and-BT-wifi-with-fon/td-p/656840

[Deleted User]

First question, have you totally reconfigured the BT Hub to act as an access point, eg switch DHCP off and assigning an ip address outside the DHCP for the main router but within the subnet?

For the hidden network - I believe that BT provide this for their mesh "BT Disc" wifi system, it shouldn't interfere as it is basically the same Wi-Fi transmission with multiple SSID's (slight overhead on the processor for multiple SSID)

However on that point, using a 10 year BT Hub 3 is not ideal, it is very dated now and should be upgraded to a proper access point if that is what you need to extend your network. It sounds like you are using 2.4 ghz only on your EE router as well so that is probably dated, getting a 5 Ghz capable router will perform better.

Final point is the mains extenders, they are problematic especially for time critical data such as zoom as they have a high error rate due to interference, I strongly recommend using an ethernet cable instead.

Neil49

I've got a BT home hub 6 and get both the hidden ssid and BT wifi / fon signals as described so I think that you can assume that it is a feature of the system.

I'd previously tried running the router via a mains extender but got too many intermittent drop outs so returned it to the main access point and installed a mesh network which works perfectly. 

Heedtheadvice

Thanks all will look into all those points and post back.

Heedtheadvice

Well. I have not done the suggestions yet......

.....but have switched off the fire stick. Might be coincidence but the "hidden" SSID source on the same channel as the bthub3 (to which it was connected) has gone. Also the latency is all of the shorter durations.

Next on to the rest of the suggestions......

[Deleted User]

Heedtheadvice said:

Well. I have not done the suggestions yet......

.....but have switched off the fire stick. Might be coincidence but the "hidden" SSID source on the same channel as the bthub3 (to which it was connected) has gone. Also the latency is all of the shorter durations.

Next on to the rest of the suggestions......

Yes, Firesticks are known for this and it causes some complaints. They use Wifi for the remote control and for some strange reason they are designed to use the channel that is strongest in their vicinity which explains why the hidden network is following your BT Hub channel.

There are pros and cons to this, a properly setup channel co-existing on the same channel number will provide less interference than one on a nearby channel that overlaps. The co-existing channels work with each other to share that bandwidth and take turns to transmit but overlapping channels just interfere with each other and cause data loss.

However it isn't always that simple, it could be that not all devices in the house can clearly hear both networks and therefore don't play nice with taking it in turns to transmit. Also different wifi generations / versions don't always mix properly on the same channel.

5Ghz / 802.11ac plays together much nicer than the 2.4 Ghz you are using, would suggest getting a dual band router if you don't already have one (assume not from your original post).