Overview
- Beyond the often‑blamed microwave, new reports in Argentina highlight the washing machine as an overlooked source of Wi‑Fi slowdowns in homes.
- The drum and outer shell are large metal surfaces that reflect or block Wi‑Fi, which can create dead zones if the appliance sits between the router and your devices.
- During a wash cycle, the motor and power electronics emit electromagnetic noise that interferes with the signal and can cause drops or jitter nearby.
- Water in a full drum or in wet clothes absorbs Wi‑Fi radio waves, so signal strength falls further when the appliance is running or loaded.
- Practical fixes include moving the router away from the washer, keeping it out of that direct line of sight, switching devices to 5 GHz where possible, updating to a newer router, and—per one outlet’s advice—keeping roughly 1.5 to 2 meters of separation.