How to deal with LED lights WiFi interference

Susan Fernandez September 09 2022

Speedy WiFi is what we all crave. Unfortunately, our beloved LED lights might be the reason our connection is dragging. In a study by the Federal Communications Commission, it was found that certain types of LED lights can cause interference in WiFi signals. The problem lies in the way that some LEDs are manufactured. They use a technology called pulse-width modulation to control the brightness of the light.

Do LED bulbs emit signals and which ones?

Many people don't know this, but some appliances can interfere with other electronic devices. For instance, microwaves send out waves at a frequency of 2.4 GHz- which just so happens to be the same as your WiFi router. So what does that mean for LED lights?

LED bulbs emit an electromagnetic field with a frequency of 400 to 600 THz, which is much higher than household appliances. However, some LEDs use pulse-width modulation to control the brightness of the light. This means that the LED is actually turning on and off very quickly- at a rate of around 100 to 1,000 times per second.

The problem is that when the LED is turned on, it emits a strong electromagnetic field. Such a field is usually harmless because it only lasts for a very short time. However, when it's happening hundreds or even thousands of times per second, it can start to interfere with other electronic devices.

Can LED lights cause WiFi interference?

LED lights, as well as other electrical equipment, produce electromagnetic radiation. LED lighting generates a weak field insufficient to interact with WiFi or television. On rare occasions, the unshielded wires might create a weak electromagnetic field, which may cause problems.

In most situations, the problem is coming from the AC transformer on the lamp rather than any other component. The output frequencies might fluctuate and be synchronized with your WiFi frequency. In fact, this is the most common cause of WiFi interference from LED lights. The good news is that there are a few ways to fix the problem.

Because the AC transformer was designed to handle a significant current draw from the halogen lamp, switching to a lighter current load from an LED lamp may result in some power interference. Although wattage and luminosity can be planned for, AC transformers' adaptability cannot. This is why simply changing the light bulb in a household fixture may lead to a change in your home's AC current and, as a result, cause some flickering or buzzing from your LED lamp.

This problem highlights more when you prepare the house for Christmas. There are a bunch of LED lights here and there, so the Christmas tree becomes the main reason the interference becomes more noticeable. WiFi interference in such a case is easy to spot because the signal becomes weaker and you might experience some lag.

Can a Christmas tree block WiFi?

To ensure optimal Wi-Fi performance this holiday season, be mindful of where you place your tree and fairy lights. Large objects in front of your router can block the signal, while fairy lights can cause interference levels that result in slower connection speeds. Thus, it might be a good idea to keep your tree away from your router. The distance between your router and the Christmas tree should be at least two meters.

Any Christmas tree is a potential fire hazard, so make sure to water it regularly. Also, avoid placing it near any heat source, such as a fireplace or radiator. And finally, if you have pets, keep them away from the tree. This will help prevent any accidents.

So there you have it - everything you need to know about LED lights and WiFi interference. Now go forth and enjoy your holiday season with peace of mind!

What about the radio?

Radio interference with LED lights is not a new concept. There have been reports of flickering fluorescent lights for years, and some people have even reported their TV screens going blank when certain types of light bulbs are turned on.

While there isn't a ton of scientific evidence to support the claim that LED lights can cause radio interference, it's definitely something to be aware of. If you notice your radio cutting out or experience other strange issues when you turn on your LED lights, it's worth investigating further.

Interference can be caused by a number of things, but it is essentially any disruption to the signal that causes a short loss of connection. The sound may stop working, the sound might become garbled, or you may hear an unpleasant static noise, all of which is very inconvenient.

So, if you're having trouble with your radio or WiFi signal, it's worth checking to see if there are any LED lights in the vicinity. If there are, try moving them further away from the device or turning them off completely. You may also want to consider using a different type of light bulb altogether.

TV interference

Most people don't realize that when a specific station blinks off or freezes, it's because someone in another room turned on an LED light. In fact, families have reported television interference due to the LED electromagnetic field emitted from these lights.

While it's not common for LED lights to cause TV interference, it is possible. When you switch on an LED light, however, you may discover that only certain channels are affected. Because the channels operate at slightly different frequencies, only specific ones will be impacted by the frequency of electromagnetic interference in your environment.

If you notice your television acting up when you turn on an LED light, try moving the light further away from the TV. You may also want to unplug the light or turn it off completely. If you're still experiencing interference, there are a few other things you can try. First, make sure your TV is properly grounded. Second, try using a power strip with surge protection. This will help protect your TV from any sudden spikes in electromagnetic radiation.

Finally, if you have an old TV, you may want to consider replacing it with a newer model that is less susceptible to interference. That is what people actually do in most cases.

LEDs and computers

Just like TV interference, computer problems can also be caused by LED lights. In particular, if you use a laptop, you may notice that the screen flickers or the image appears distorted when you're in a room with an LED light. This is because the computer's screen is sensitive to the electromagnetic field emitted by the light.

To avoid this problem, try moving the light further away from your computer or turning it off completely. You may also want to unplug the light or use a different type of light bulb altogether.

If you're still having trouble, there are a few other things you can try. First, make sure your computer is properly grounded. Second, try using a power strip with surge protection. This will help protect your computer from any sudden spikes in electromagnetic radiation. Besides, you should also keep your computer away from any other sources of electromagnetic radiation, such as microwave ovens and cell phones.

Last but not least, if you're really serious about preventing interference, you can invest in a Faraday cage. This is a metal enclosure that completely surrounds your computer and blocks out any external electromagnetic fields.

How do you stop LED lights from interference?

The first thing you can do is to try and find an LED light that doesn't use pulse-width modulation. These types of LEDs are becoming more common as people become aware of the issue. In fact, using a good-quality light bulb would be the best solution to this problem. Alternatively, you can try using a different type of light bulb altogether. For instance, fluorescent bulbs don't usually cause any interference.

Alternative options include using a more efficient EMI suppressor, such as the Verbatim LED transformer. The transformer affects the EMF output, making it compliant with EMC standards. It will also save you some money on your electricity bill.

You could also try moving your router to a different location in your house. If it's close to an LED light, that might be causing the interference. This step may sound too easy and not efficient, but in fact, it's one of the most common solutions to fix this problem.

Another thing you could do is to get a WiFi extender. This will amplify your signal and help to reduce any interference from LED lights. They work in such a way that they receive the signal from your router and then rebroadcast it. This way, you'll be able to get a stronger signal in any part of your house, even if there are LED lights nearby.

One other solution is to use a different type of light altogether. For instance, you could try using incandescent bulbs or even candles. These types of lights don't usually cause any interference with WiFi signals. Moreover, they might actually add a bit of ambiance to your home.

Conclusion

LED lights WiFi interference is what you can face if you have an old TV or use a laptop. You can try to find an LED light that doesn't use pulse-width modulation, or you could use a different type of light bulb altogether. If you're still having trouble, there are a few other things you can try such as moving the light further away from your computer or turning it off completely. Besides, unplug the light or use a power strip with surge protection. So, don`t hesitate to try different methods to fix the LED light's WiFi interference.