WIFI - Can it be scrambled / jammed

C

chrissh

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Good Day,
I need some help please. I suspect that somehow someone in my neighborhood might be jamming my wifi signals perhaps intentionally or unintentionally?
I cannot connect any device to my modem as it simply does not find the wifi signals.
If I am lucky and do pick the wifi signal, it takes forever to connect and then loses connection never to connect again. This was tried on different laptops , mobile phones and tablets.

Some Background:
Everything was working fine up until a few days ago.
I do have internet connection via LAN cable that goes into the router/modem.
The router has been factory reset and powered off multiple times)
I went to the store and actually replaced the router with a brand new one and the same happens .
Have changed my channels to different numbers in the router config , no joy.
Took the router to my work office (which is out of the area I live in) to test and it works normally with my original router config and not changing anything. Thus proving the router is working as it should.

Is there any way , that I can run some sort of trace to see what is causing the interference and perhaps block that in any way?
Or do you know of someone that can assist to do this?

Would really appreciate any help or assistance

Also not sure if any mobile towers could affect this in anyw way ? We have rather large towers (not the normal one) not very far from us and not sure if the service providers have switched something on etc?
 
Probably just interference caused by either a lot of wireless network in your area or an electrical device, this app should tell you whats all going on
 
Thanks , Will try that. Everything was working fine and then at about mid day all wifi got disconnected. So I suspect something was switched on :-(
 
Yeah sounds like you and a neighbour are using the same channels...you might have to log in to the router and select a different channel. Use the app above to find out which channels are available.
 
Segg said:
Probably just interference caused by either a lot of wireless network in your area or an electrical device, this app should tell you whats all going on
Click to expand...

^^ This. WiFi Analyzer should point you in the right direction. WiFi signals are broadcast on the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz unlicensed bands. This means that there are many other devices that can use these bands for wireless services. Each band is then broken up into a number of channels. Your WiFi router will then broadcast your own wireless network on one of these channels. Using WiFi analyser, you'll be able to see other WiFi networks that are being broadcast into your house, and what channels they are using. You then need to switch your network to a channel that is free or not as heavily congested.

As to interference from cellphone towers, I highly doubt that this is the case. Mobile operators generally do not use the unlicensed 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz channels, unless they are offering WiFi services. They use licensed spectrum in the 900mhz, 1.8Ghz and 2.1Ghz bands.

With regards to general interference, yes anyone can corrupt your signal. All they have to do is broadcast garbage data on the same frequency and channel is your WiFi network, and it will cause issues. This is how mobile network jammers work. These devices are illegal, but are very easy to obtain.

You might also be getting interference from other electrical devices, microwave ovens, flourescent lights, etc. It could also come from other devices using unlicensed spectrum, like cordless phones, garage door /gate remotes, etc.

Unfortunately, WiFi analyser won't be able to tell you about this sort of interference. It can only pick up other WiFi networks. You'll need a spectrum analyser to deal with this.
 
Last edited:
Hi OP.please find that person.We might have a purpose to block the 5Ghz spectrum...will be handsomely rewarded...
 
Thanks, for all the replies. I can confirm that nothing has changed w.r.t any new appliances etc , especially in my case :-)
Will try the app and see what I can get. I have tried different channels as an option , but that so far has not worked :-(
 
I have a thing that you plug RCAs into (L,R and Video) to rebroadcast the DSTV signal from the decoder to the receiver in whatever other room. When that thing is on, WiFi goes haywire.
 
Yeah, the best option is to interrogate all my neighbors and try and determine whether any new devices were switched on etc. As it stands I get NO wifi whatsoever :-( even if the devices are literally 30cm away from each other. "No networks found". And as mentioned when the same router is at another location (out of the area) everything works as per normal....
 
Magnum said:
Now you know its for illegal purposes...
Click to expand...

Meh, spectrum is a natural resource and shouldn't be charged for, obviously there need to be licenses to avoid interference, but the fee should just cover the application cost
 
GreGorGy said:
I have a thing that you plug RCAs into (L,R and Video) to rebroadcast the DSTV signal from the decoder to the receiver in whatever other room. When that thing is on, WiFi goes haywire.
Click to expand...

This ..

That wireless video transmitter is one of the most effective 2.4Ghz jammers out there. My guess is one of the OP's neighbours got a new toy ..

OP, once you have the wireless scanner app, try walking around your house on the outside and check what direction/area the wireless gets flattened - don't know that you can expect your neighbour to turn his new toy off though, you might have to switch to a 5ghz router and hope all your devices can talk to it ...
 
I might be stating the obvious here, have you tried another wifi router or tried your router at someones house thats not near yours? To be certain there isnt a fault with the hardware.
 
Thanks , yes I have. It works fine with the original config on the router at a different location .
 
"Some Background:
Everything was working fine up until a few days ago.
I do have internet connection via LAN cable that goes into the router/modem.
The router has been factory reset and powered off multiple times)
I went to the store and actually replaced the router with a brand new one and the same happens .
Have changed my channels to different numbers in the router config , no joy.
Took the router to my work office (which is out of the area I live in) to test and it works normally with my original router config and not changing anything. Thus proving the router is working as it should."
 
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