For more than two months, both the home Wi‑Fi and mobile data signal have suddenly become extremely weak and inconsistent on every device in the house. The broadband and mobile providers are separate companies, and mobile data works normally as soon as I leave home. The router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, but switching between them has not helped. The problem began on the same day a new digitally controlled fan was installed, so I suspected interference, but unplugging it for over a month made no difference. I have also restarted and factory-reset the router without improvement. What could cause both Wi‑Fi and cellular reception to deteriorate inside one home, and how can I identify the source?
1 Answer
Because Wi‑Fi and mobile networks use different radio bands, a problem affecting both is more likely to be local interference, a faulty electrical device, or possibly a nearby signal booster rather than the router alone. Try a Wi‑Fi analyzer app to look for crowded channels and weak spots, and use a cellular signal app to monitor mobile signal strength and quality around the house. A useful test is to switch off as many electrical devices as possible, then power them back on one at a time while checking both connections. Even older equipment can start causing interference if it develops a fault, gets damaged, or begins transmitting more strongly than it should. Things such as power supplies, smart-home equipment, garage-door systems, microwaves, or a neighbor’s cellular repeater could potentially be involved.
That makes sense. The fan was the only new device, but I had not considered that an older appliance could suddenly develop a fault and start interfering. I’ll try turning everything off and bringing devices back online one at a time.