Bluetooth/WIFI interference

[burkina76]

Hi all,

if I connect my Huawei MediaPad M3 to the Bluetooth headphones TX Concerto, the speed of the WIFI drops dramatically, preventing me to watch a movie in streaming without continuous buffering. This behavior is often associated to interference in the 2.4 Ghz between Bluetooth and WIFI, but unfortunately my router doesn't support 5 Ghz (and I'm not sure my tablet does it), so I couldn't test this solution.
However, I was confused when I connected the tablet to the Bluetooth Bose SoundLink, since in this case there are no issues! Distance does not matter: either close or far away, I always get issue with the headphones, none with the speaker. I haven't done specific speed tests yet, but the differences are clear (buffering vs no buffering with the same other conditions).

On the other hand, my Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet has nos issues in either cases, so it's definitely something related to the MediaPad (and likely other devices), but I don't understand why only with the headphones and not with the speaker.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Stefano

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome to Android Forums

I'd like to recommend creating a account so me or other members can assist you, as guest have limitations in replying here and if we need further Information to communicate with you.

I'll provide a link to register, please come back to your post so we can further assist

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[mustang7757]

Are they cheap pair of headphones?

 

[hallux]

I seem to recall some Huawei devices that had shared antenna for WiFi and Bluetooth, causing this exact issue.

Looks like you're not alone - the M5 and M3 seemed to have this issue... https://forum.xda-developers.com/mediapad-m5/help/wifi-speed-slow-bluetooth-t3767604

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! See if it helps to change the wi-fi channel in the router's settings.

 

[burkina76]

Unfortunately my router does not support 5 Ghz. I've already asked my internet provider if I can have a new one, I'm waiting for a reply.
However, it puzzles me why I have no issues with the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 and the Bose SoundLink, since the WiFi is always the same at channel 2.4Ghz...

Thanks,
Stefano

 

[burkina76]

Yes, I read that, but then I don't understand why I don't have issues with the Bose SoundLink...

 

[hallux]

Yes, I read that, but then I don't understand why I don't have issues with the Bose SoundLink...

Referring to my post? Are you connecting the SoundLink to the MediaPad? The issue in the link I provided is that there is one antenna in the device to service both WiFi and Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is using the antenna the WiFi is going to be slow. I don't think swapping the router will resolve the issue.

 

[burkina76]

Referring to my post? Are you connecting the SoundLink to the MediaPad? The issue in the link I provided is that there is one antenna in the device to service both WiFi and Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is using the antenna the WiFi is going to be slow. I don't think swapping the router will resolve the issue.

Well, if the issue is the antenna, then I don't understand why I have no issues when connected to the Bose SoundLink with the MediaPad. It is always Bluetooth, and I did the test streaming the same movie with the same conditions: with the headphones, the stream always gets on buffering, with the SoundLink never.

 

[B. Diddy]

Unfortunately my router does not support 5 Ghz.

If this was in response to my suggestion, then changing the wi-fi channel is different from changing from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz band. There are about 15 2.4 GHz channels a standard router can use. Typically, the router will automatically figure out which channel is best to use based on congestion, but the user can manually choose a channel.

 

[burkina76]

If this was in response to my suggestion, then changing the wi-fi channel is different from changing from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz band. There are about 15 2.4 GHz channels a standard router can use. Typically, the router will automatically figure out which channel is best to use based on congestion, but the user can manually choose a channel.

Sorry, I misunderstood you. I also tried to change channel, with no improvement. Then, again, I don't understand why this should affect only the connection to the headphones and not to the Bose speaker.

 

[hallux]

I don't understand why this should affect only the connection to the headphones and not to the Bose speaker.

Again, is the Bose Soundlink being connected to the MediaPad? The following section of a previous post indicates you're pairing it with a Samsung phone, is that the connection you're saying you have no trouble with?

However, it puzzles me why I have no issues with the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 and the Bose SoundLink,

 

[burkina76]

Again, is the Bose Soundlink being connected to the MediaPad? The following section of a previous post indicates you're pairing it with a Samsung phone, is that the connection you're saying you have no trouble with?

To summarize the tests:
-Mediapad+TX Headphones : slow WIFI
-Mediapad+SoundLink : WIFI OK
-Samsung Galaxy 10.1+TX Headphones : WIFI OK
-Samsung Galaxy 10.1+SoundLink : WiFi OK

 

[B. Diddy]

I wonder if it's an issue with the Mediapad's Bluetooth or wi-fi radio/antenna and/or the firmware that's controlling it. What hallux found in XDA would suggest that as well.

Did you already make sure GPS is turned on (i.e., Location set to High Accuracy)? That apparently helped someone in that thread.

 

[anon(10614692)]

I wonder if it's an issue with the Mediapad's Bluetooth or wi-fi radio/antenna and/or the firmware that's controlling it. What hallux found in XDA would suggest that as well.

Did you already make sure GPS is turned on (i.e., Location set to High Accuracy)? That apparently helped someone in that thread.

I saw that thread as well and someone said the latest security patch/update helped

 

[Rukbat]

Bluetooth is also channelized, like WiFi. If the Bose channel is far enough from the WiFi channels you're using, it won't interfere. If the Concerto channel is close, they will interfere. Make it a large change - at least half the range. In other words, even if you're currently on WiFi channel 6, change it to 1 or 11 (or, if you're not in North America, to 13. If you're near one end, try the other end. Changing it by 1 or 2 channels won't fix it.

Then again, the Concerto may be transmitting (yes, Bluetooth earphones transmit too) a lot of garbage along with the signal, messing up the entire 13 channel spectrum.

 

[burkina76]

I wonder if it's an issue with the Mediapad's Bluetooth or wi-fi radio/antenna and/or the firmware that's controlling it. What hallux found in XDA would suggest that as well.

Did you already make sure GPS is turned on (i.e., Location set to High Accuracy)? That apparently helped someone in that thread.

GPS on or off does not make any difference...

Stefano

 

[burkina76]

Bluetooth is also channelized, like WiFi. If the Bose channel is far enough from the WiFi channels you're using, it won't interfere. If the Concerto channel is close, they will interfere. Make it a large change - at least half the range. In other words, even if you're currently on WiFi channel 6, change it to 1 or 11 (or, if you're not in North America, to 13. If you're near one end, try the other end. Changing it by 1 or 2 channels won't fix it.

I tried channels 1,6 and 13: no difference...

Stefano

 

[burkina76]

Hi all,

I finally managed to get a new router from my ISP, and switched to 5 Ghz. This solved my issues! I'm not sure the solution is only in the change of frequency, because I also noted a significant improvement in the speed.

Thanks for all your suggestions,

Stefano

 

[me just saying]

Hi all,

I finally managed to get a new router from my ISP, and switched to 5 Ghz. This solved my issues! I'm not sure the solution is only in the change of frequency, because I also noted a significant improvement in the speed.

Thanks for all your suggestions,

Stefano

there is always the chance the router was just getting old.