Connectivity metric
Interference
2.4 GHz channel congestion
Interference measures competing radio signals in the 2.4 GHz band that your LIFX devices operate on. When many devices or nearby networks share the same radio channels, available bandwidth shrinks and communication becomes unreliable, even if your signal strength looks fine.
Common sources of interference
Status levels
Low Minimal competing signals. Conditions are optimal. | Moderate Some competing signals. Minor performance impact possible. | High Heavy congestion detected. Reliability issues are likely. |
How to reduce interference
1 | Log into your router's admin panel and change the 2.4 GHz WiFi channel to 1, 6, or 11. These three channels don't overlap with each other, which reduces cross-channel congestion from nearby networks. |
2 | Enable automatic channel selection on your router so it can find the least congested channel as conditions change. |
3 | Move microwave ovens, baby monitors, and cordless phone bases further away from your router. |
4 | Move bandwidth-heavy devices like laptops, phones, and streaming TVs to your router's 5 GHz band. This frees up the 2.4 GHz band for your LIFX devices, which can't connect on 5 GHz. |
5 | If you have a mesh WiFi system, check that nodes aren't placed too close together, as they can create interference between themselves. |
6 | Reduce the number of active Bluetooth devices in the immediate area during heavy-use periods. |
When to contact support
| → | Interference remains High after you've changed channels and worked through the steps above |
| → | The problem affects only one LIFX device while others nearby are unaffected |
| → | Interference appears to be coming from inside your own network rather than neighboring ones |