I recently received messages from my neighbors saying that ever since I installed my WiFi, their remote-controlled ceiling fans and car key FOBs have been malfunctioning. For instance, one of them couldn't start their car until they were several blocks away. They believe my WiFi is the reason for this, but I've also installed remote-controlled ceiling fans and have experienced no issues with my key FOBs. I'm curious if anyone has any ideas about what might be going on and how to potentially fix this. Thanks in advance for your help!
6 Answers
This might sound odd, but I’ve noticed LED bulbs can interfere with remote controls more than WiFi. I once swapped an old incandescent bulb for an LED and it messed up the remote. Just something to consider!
Try turning off your WiFi for a while and see if their issues persist. I remember when our backup battery died, it created all sorts of strange problems with our garage door and car remote until we replaced it. You never know what can cause interference!
Thanks for the advice! I'll try turning off the router to see if it truly is linked to their issues. I think there might be some connection, but I doubt it’s the root cause.
It's hard to believe that your WiFi could actually be causing these issues. Have you thought about switching to a different WiFi band? Sometimes devices can interfere depending on how they communicate.
I'm using the eero pro 6e, which runs on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, plus it swaps channels to avoid congestion. I agree that it shouldn't cause interference. I'm thinking maybe their devices weren't set up right, which makes them more prone to interference.
A quick fix could be to change your WiFi name and tell them you got a new one that costs a fortune and is supposed to reduce interference. Just to ease their concerns, you know? 😂
Looks like I’ll have to figure this out while out of the country—my neighbors brought this up while I'm away and are communicating with my not-so-tech-savvy wife. I’ll keep this thread updated as I learn more!
It sounds like they might be trying to stir the pot since they know your wife isn't as tech-savvy. Just remember, WiFi operates on different frequencies than key fobs, so it's probably not your router at fault.
You could tell them it might be due to the geomagnetic storms we've been having lately. They could check NOAA Spaceweather to see if there’s any correlation with the days their devices act up.
That's an interesting take! It sounds plausible to me.
That actually makes sense! Lower frequency lights could definitely affect things like key FOBs.