User profile for user: Alwill
Alwill Author
User level: Level 1
36 points

Airpod interference with wifi?

Recently acquired Airpods with one of my main objectives being able to watch Netflix without disturbing others in the home. Except when I use the Airpods, it causes the stream to pause like every 30-15 seconds for several seconds before resuming, only to pause again. Very annoying. I have determined it is the Airpods as when I turn them off, the stream plays fine.


I don't have the fastest wifi but it has been very capable of playing HD Netflix streams. But does introducing the Airpods seem to have the ability to affect that speed?


BTW, I have read Apple's Potential sources of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interference - Apple Support


I'm wondering if it could be related to my router. I'm pretty sure I'm using 80211a and I'm using Channel 7. Wonder if I change that?

Posted on Aug 20, 2018 9:01 AM

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User profile for user: vazandrew
vazandrew
User level: Level 8
40,930 points

Aug 20, 2018 5:06 PM in response to Alwill

It would likely be interference. HD streaming requires at least 8mbps (verify via speedtest.net). If it’s at the minimum or fluctatiing to begin with then it won’t take much to cause an issue.


Try Apple TV on Ethernet

If you wanted to see the status of your network and troubleshoot you can get a report from istumbler, netstumbler or similar. This will show signal strength along with noise detected and nearby networks (including what channels they’re using)

You can change the channel on your router, refer to your manual if unsure. Also make sure it’s up to date.

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User profile for user: Alwill
Alwill Author
User level: Level 1
36 points

Aug 20, 2018 6:19 PM in response to vazandrew

I tried going with another channels on the router and that doesn't seem to make a difference. Really can't use ethernet as I don't have a phone drop anywhere near the Apple TV (that's why I use wireless, right?) Tried istumbler and it seems a little quirky nor does it seem to reference any particular channel for bluetooth. It shows my wireless signal is 66% with the router not two feet away from my iMac. (???) The Apple TV, in another room, shows a signal strength of five dots. I would think that's pretty good.


What I don't understand if it's an interference issue, why does it work and then hang, resume working, then hang and repeat? I would think if there is a conflict between a channel or frequency signal being used, the stream would eventually not play at all, because whatever device takes controls the channel/signal, it wouldn't tend to relinquish it, would it?


It's a real bummer that for all things not to work with these Airpods, it turns out to be the Apple TV, which was the clincher for me getting the buds.

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User profile for user: vazandrew
vazandrew
User level: Level 8
40,930 points

Aug 20, 2018 6:32 PM in response to Alwill

Istumbler has nothing to do with Bluetooth, it is for diagnosing your wireless network. 66% is not a great signal. It is the distance between your router and Apple TV that is the factor, other wireless devices as well as appliances running on the same frequency will also play a part. The signal shown on the device is not going to account for issues and won’t be accurate in that regard (istumbler is showing your actual signal strength for the network).


Interference often produces issues that are intermittent


Bottom line is that the issue is with your network, not the AirPods or Apple TV

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Airpod interference with wifi?

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