Why is my external monitor breaking my WiFi connection?
November 10, 2010 1:36 PM Subscribe
Why is my external monitor (a 23" Apple Cinema Display) slowing down my internet connection?
Every time I attach a computer to the display, its internet connection slows to a crawl. This happens with both my MacBook and my Mac Mini. The internet works fine until I plug in the display, so it is not a question of being out of range of my wireless network.
Possibly pertinent details:
- About 6 months ago, the display intermittently stopped powering on. I replaced the power brick and this seems to have resolved the issue. The problem with the wireless happens with both the new power brick and the old power brick.
- This seems like a recent issue. Six months ago, when the display would turn on, the internet worked fine.
- I am connecting to the internet via AirPort. I have an Apple extreme base station and an Apple express extending the wireless network.
- When connected to the display, the Airport icon in the menu bar still displays full signal strength. The internet seems to still be connected, but it is unbelievably, unbearably slow.
Any ideas?
Every time I attach a computer to the display, its internet connection slows to a crawl. This happens with both my MacBook and my Mac Mini. The internet works fine until I plug in the display, so it is not a question of being out of range of my wireless network.
Possibly pertinent details:
- About 6 months ago, the display intermittently stopped powering on. I replaced the power brick and this seems to have resolved the issue. The problem with the wireless happens with both the new power brick and the old power brick.
- This seems like a recent issue. Six months ago, when the display would turn on, the internet worked fine.
- I am connecting to the internet via AirPort. I have an Apple extreme base station and an Apple express extending the wireless network.
- When connected to the display, the Airport icon in the menu bar still displays full signal strength. The internet seems to still be connected, but it is unbelievably, unbearably slow.
Any ideas?
Best answer: I've found a couple of forums that are saying you have a known issue.
Odds are good that its the monitor throwing off the interference due to bad shielding. Some solutions:
1. Replace the monitor. It's expensive and pretty, so save that for a desperate last attempt.
2. Replace the video cable. It's possible that the DVI cable is damaged internally, destroying shielding.
3. Move equipment so that your computer is between the router and the monitor, taking the monitor out of the direct path between your computer and router.
4. Change the channel on your router as far away from your current channel as you can. If you are on channel 1, go to 11. If you are on 11, go to 1. It might be just enough of a different frequency to no longer interfere.
5. Plug the monitor into a different electrical outlet. There is a far off possibility that there is a grounding issue.
6. Aluminum foil on the back of the monitor. Over-heating may become an issue with this, not to mention it looks crappy. Be forewarned.
7. Wired ethernet. It stinks, but it is reliable.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 2:26 PM on November 10, 2010
Odds are good that its the monitor throwing off the interference due to bad shielding. Some solutions:
1. Replace the monitor. It's expensive and pretty, so save that for a desperate last attempt.
2. Replace the video cable. It's possible that the DVI cable is damaged internally, destroying shielding.
3. Move equipment so that your computer is between the router and the monitor, taking the monitor out of the direct path between your computer and router.
4. Change the channel on your router as far away from your current channel as you can. If you are on channel 1, go to 11. If you are on 11, go to 1. It might be just enough of a different frequency to no longer interfere.
5. Plug the monitor into a different electrical outlet. There is a far off possibility that there is a grounding issue.
6. Aluminum foil on the back of the monitor. Over-heating may become an issue with this, not to mention it looks crappy. Be forewarned.
7. Wired ethernet. It stinks, but it is reliable.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 2:26 PM on November 10, 2010
Response by poster: Without the display connected:
Ping: 34 ms
Download: 2.84 Mbps
Upload: 0.70 Mbps
With the display, I can't even get to the web page. (I should mention I'm trying both Chrome and Safari.)
posted by cosmic osmo at 2:35 PM on November 10, 2010
Ping: 34 ms
Download: 2.84 Mbps
Upload: 0.70 Mbps
With the display, I can't even get to the web page. (I should mention I'm trying both Chrome and Safari.)
posted by cosmic osmo at 2:35 PM on November 10, 2010
Response by poster: 4. Change the channel on your router as far away from your current channel as you can. If you are on channel 1, go to 11. If you are on 11, go to 1. It might be just enough of a different frequency to no longer interfere.
Aaaaaand problem solved. (I also checked "Use interference robustness," though I don't know if that made a difference or not.) Thank you Mister Fabulous!
posted by cosmic osmo at 2:42 PM on November 10, 2010
Aaaaaand problem solved. (I also checked "Use interference robustness," though I don't know if that made a difference or not.) Thank you Mister Fabulous!
posted by cosmic osmo at 2:42 PM on November 10, 2010
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Run a speed test on the laptop without the cinema display, then again with the cinema display connected. Let's get some numbers to work with here.
posted by Wild_Eep at 1:57 PM on November 10, 2010