It might sound surprising, but yes, a vacuum cleaner can interfere with Wi-Fi and other electronic devices in your home.
In my experience, it’s quite puzzling when you first encounter this. While you might immediately think it’s the Wi-Fi signal being directly disrupted by the vacuum, there might be another underlying cause leading to your Wi-Fi dropping out when the vacuum is in operation. It’s one of those quirky things about modern homes that you wouldn’t expect, but it happens!
Wi-Fi Drops Around Vacuum
Honestly, I’ve always found it fascinating how interconnected and sensitive modern household items can be.
If you’ve ever had your vacuum cleaner close to your Wi-Fi router or the broadband modem, you might have experienced some interference. The electric motor in vacuum cleaners is notably demanding on power, and these motors emit electromagnetic radiation (EMF). This EMF has the potential to mess with the signals of your router.
While I, personally, think it’s quite rare for the EMF itself to disrupt your Wi-Fi connection, what seems more plausible to me is the vacuum drawing so much power that it results in a brief power inconsistency, causing the Wi-Fi router to restart or momentarily lose power. It’s a reminder of the delicate balance of our modern tech-filled homes!
It’s Not Always Wi-Fi, But A Power Surge
If you have an older home and use a power-hungry vacuum cleaner, it’s not uncommon for the vacuum to pull so much power that other things on the same circuit can shut off or act oddly.
A vacuum cleaner is one of the most power-hungry devices you own in your home.
The best thing to do is get an electrician out to your home to check your wiring. For example, if turning on a vacuum cleaner is causing things to shut off, then something is not right with your home’s electrical system.
If you’re plugging the vacuum cleaner into the same electrical outlet, you may need the electrician to check that plug. Wall outlets do wear out over time and need to be checked.
Get A UPS
Another option is to get a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for your modem and Wi-Fi router.
A UPS will supply constant power to your router, and spikes or drops in power won’t affect it.
You can get UPS battery backup units here. (Amazon Link Ad)
Tip: A UPS unit is great to have, especially when the power goes out, as the internet connection is still there. With many devices relying on Wi-Fi, like electronic door locks, baby monitors, or even phones, it’s just a smart idea to have one on your modem and router.
Something Else To Keep In Mind
A bad or going bad Wi-Fi router could also be the reason your Wi-Fi stops when the vacuum cleaner turns on.
The constant vacuuming and drop in power wears out Wi-Fi routers faster than normal.
Also, Wi-Fi routers only last 3 to 5 years anyway. So if you have a Wi-Fi router older than 5 years, you need to get a new one.
What Other Things In Your Home Affect The Wi-Fi Signal?
It’s not just your vacuum cleaner motor or its power draw that can affect the Wi-Fi.
Other items in your home may draw a lot of power, like a dryer, heater, or even your computer if you have a big gaming PC. Any item in your home that uses a lot of power can suck power away from a Wi-Fi router, causing it to act funny and disconnect. A UPS unit we discussed earlier can help in this situation.
Other items in your home can affect the Wi-Fi in the aspect of the transmitted signal, like…
- Microwave
- TV
- Printer
- Washing Machine
- Dryer
Or anything with an electric motor can affect the Wi-Fi signal.
It’s best to keep the Wi-Fi router away from such items, or you run the risk of having a poor Wi-Fi signal.
I’ve even seen, in rare cases, a robot vacuum placed next to the Wi-Fi router cause signal issues.
Weak Spots
If your computer is far from the Wi-Fi router, an electric motor from a vacuum cleaner can break that connection.
The EMF coming from the electric motor can overpower the signal from the Wi-Fi router, and that can drop the connection for sure.
What you can do is get Wi-Fi repeaters (Amazon Link Ad) for your home. A repeater will extend your Wi-Fi signal and strengthen it, so things like turning on the vacuum cleaner won’t affect it too much.