Have you heard weird noises coming out of your baby monitor? Because I did and this is how a got rid of the interference with my baby monitor.
The weird noise coming out of your baby monitor is probably interference due to a weak signal or another wireless device interfering with your monitor. To fix the interference you should try to re-position the monitor into your home or change the channel on which your baby monitor is broadcasting. If the interference is still happening, you must consider the following options.
My baby monitor is making weird noises
If your baby monitor is making weird noises, don’t panic, it’s not a ghost. Many parents, like me, had heard strange noises coming from there baby monitor.
At first, it was freaking me out! I could hear knocking on the monitor coming from my baby’s room. It was like someone was tapping on the microphone, and I could see the red lights beeping. Every time I would rush into the nursery to find my baby well asleep, and nothing else was moving.
At that moment, I knew something was off, and I had to search for the source of those noises. So I start reading comments from parents experiencing the same weird noise with their baby monitor.
Parents describe the sounds like clicking or knocking. Many also heard white noise or static noise, like a constant buzzing sound coming from their monitor.
There’s 2 types of signal interference with baby monitors
The first type of signal interference will be the degradation of the sound or image quality of the monitor. It feels like the signal of your baby monitor is getting weaker. The image can look fuzzy or grainy and even out of focus. Also, you might be experiencing static noise.
The second type of interference is when you can hear voices or sounds coming from another wireless device. It’s very common for baby monitors to cross path if they are transmitting in close range.
Why does baby monitor interference happen?
To better understand why interference happens, you must learn the basics ropes of the baby monitor. Bear with me, as I try to keep the scientific mumbo-jumbo to a minimum.
How my wireless baby monitor work?
Your baby monitor, as to accomplish one simple mission and it’s to transmit the sound and image from your baby’s room to your receiver.
It works similar to a radio transmitter. Just like your favorite FM radio station, your baby monitor broadcast on a frequency. In my car, I always listen to 97.7. This frequency was licensed by the FCC to the radio station. So the 97.7 (MHz) is to be used only by my beloved rock station.
On the other hand, baby monitors are sharing a set of frequencies with other devices, like a cordless phone, microwave, and router. Your baby monitor will transmit on a fixed frequency that creates an FM signal.
FM = Frequency modulation
What is a frequency band?
A frequency band is like a radio or a TV station. It’s a radio communication signal, use to carry information like sound or image. There are different levels (channels) that can be used to transmit. Radio and TV station are given a unique channel by the FCC so they can broadcast without interference. Since baby monitors are meant for short-range transmission, they don’t need an individual channel. The government has designated a specific set of frequencies to be used without a license.
What frequency does my baby monitor use?
You must refer to the owner manual to know exactly on which frequency your baby monitor is transmitting. It could also be written on the actual monitor.
Here’s the list of frequencies used by baby monitors:
- 49 MHz
- 900 MHz
- 1.9 GHz
- 2.4 GHz
- 5.8 GHz
Most baby monitors use the 49 MHz, 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz and sharing those sets of frequency channels with other devices. Cordless phones use the 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz. Microwave and router use the 2.4 GHz. As you can see it pretty crowded on those frequency bands.
Which frequency bands have less interference?
The 1.9 GHz is the less congested frequency because it meant for voice-only transmitting devices. Baby monitors using the DECT technology are mostly transmitting on this 1.9 band.
DECT = Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology
What causes the interference?
To pinpoint precisely what causes the interference, you must be aware of all the other wireless device transmitting in your surrounding. Wireless devices can be transmitting on the same frequency, and it could cause the interference.
Which devices might cause interference?
We live in a highly interconnected world, and the number of connected devices per person will reach 6.5 by the year 2020. There’s no doubt that your interference could be caused by other wireless devices you have.
The interference could be created by other wireless transmitting devices such as; radio, cordless phone, router, TV, mobile phone, Bluetooth speaker, garage door opener, etc.
Also, it could be your microwave oven interfering with your baby monitor.
Even if you are not currently using the device, they could still be emitting a small signal while being in standby mode, which could interfere with your baby monitor.
Can WiFi interfere with baby monitors?
Many parents are experiencing interference with their baby monitor because of their WIFI signal. It’s possible that your home WIFI could be causing the interference. Most baby monitor who suffer from interference with WIFI, where using the 2.4 GHz band. Wireless computer networks and baby monitor are sharing this 2.4 GHz band.
How close do you live to your neighbors?
The interference could also be generated by the wireless device used by your next-door-neighbor. If you live in the city, there’s a significant possibility for your wireless signal to cross path with the neighbors. That is why I would suggest using a digital baby monitor with DECT if you live in a densely populated region.
On the other hand, you can get away with a standard analog monitor if you live in a rural area.
To learn more on baby monitors picking up the neighbor’s signal, I suggest you read my article: Why Baby Monitors Can Pick Up Other Signals?
Can I use 2 baby monitors in my house without creating interference?
This is a common question among parents who are expecting a second child or twins. From what I learn, there are no definitive answers, and it depends on the brand you are getting.
Some will interfere with each other so badly, that you’ll feel like it’s satan playing electric guitar.
The good news is most baby monitors have the option to switch between channels, and this could stop the interference between the 2 monitors.
It also depends on how close the monitor are from each other.
Every year we go camping with friends, and when the kids are sleeping, we all meet around the campfire. Sometimes we have 4 different monitors operating at the same time. They will make weird noises If we walk too close to each other with the monitor in our pocket.
There’s a good chance that 2 monitors will interfere with each other. So It’s might be the monitor next-door interfering with yours. Perhaps you should ask if they are using a baby monitor?
How to stop the interference?
It’s frustrating to encounter interference with your monitor because you never know if the noise is actually coming or not from your baby’s room. Having to investigate the source of each sound, defeat the primary purpose of the monitor.
Also, interference issue could also be combined with privacy issues. Possibly it’s your neighbor or someone with a radio frequency scanner, who are interfering with your monitor.
Therefore, I will guide you through the steps to stop or at least reduce the level of interference.
1. Change the channel of your baby monitor
Most baby monitors provide you with the ability to change among channels. Depending on the models you are using, you may have between 2 to 6 channels.
The monitor with multiple channels will often automatically detects if other wireless devices are using the same channel in a certain range. If so, they will automatically change channels, until they find one less congested.
On the other hand, you might have a monitor who requires you to swap the channel manually.
Just change the channel until you find a good one. You might have to do some trial and error.
2. Try repositioning your baby monitor
If changing the channel didn’t work, you should consider repositioning your monitor. Because the interference could be caused by other devices operating too close from your monitor. Try to move away from microwave, tv, radio, cordless phone, wifi, router, etc.
Also, it could be the structure of the house who’s blocking the signals. Thinks about walls, pillars, staircases, doors and even large furniture which could be obstructing the signal. Furthermore, make sure your baby monitor is not placed on a metal surface. The metal could be interfering with the signal.
Ideally, you want to have a clear line between both ends of the baby monitor. This will ensure a strong and steady signal.
The problem could also be the range cover by your baby monitor signal. Especially if you live in a large house, it’s possible that your baby monitor can’t cover the whole residence. Even if on the package the manufacturer advertises a 1000 feet coverage in “open field,” in reality it could be reduced to 300 feet of “indoor” coverage.
To get to the bottom of the subject, I strongly recommend you read my additional article on long range baby monitor.
Can aluminum foil enhance the signal?
People from my generation remember the days where we had to move the TV antenna around the room to get a better reception. Back in those days, people were covering their antenna with aluminum foil to enhance the signal.
If the problem with your monitor is the strength of the signal, this grandpa tricks could also be working with your baby monitor. Try to wrap aluminum foil around the antenna of your monitor and see if it work for you.
3. Find which wireless device is interfering with your monitor
Many of the appliances or wireless devices you have at home could be the cause of the interference. To find which one is guilty, you must switch them off completely. By completely, I mean unplug from the wall, because they could be still emitting a standby signal.
Begin, by switching on your baby monitor and see if it’s working without interference. After, activate the other devices, one by one, until the interference starts again.
Now that you know who’s responsible for the interference, you must decide to what you want to do.
You have two options here.
The first is to keep the faulty device turned off when you want to use the baby monitor.
If this is not an option, you must change the channel on which this device operates.
Change the channel of your WIFI router
You did your testing, and you came to the conclusion that its router who’s causing the interference with your baby monitor.
This means your router is using the same frequency band as your monitor. For instance, both are using the 2.4 GHz frequencies.
To end the interference, you must change the channel on your monitor or router. If changing the channel on your monitor didn’t help, you might want to try to change the frequency of your router.
First, manually change the setting in your router. For router using the 2.4 GHz, I would suggest experimenting with channel 1, 6, and 11. But don’t try any other channels.
If your router support 5 GHz frequencies, I would recommend modifying the configuration to 5 GHz. If you do so, don’t forget to adjust the WIFI setting of your laptop or tablet.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Open an internet browser and enter the IP address 192.168.0.1
- When you’re prompt for a login and password, leave the user field empty and use the word “admin” as the password
- Now, choose Wireless from the main menu
- If you look at the 802.11 band selection, you can probably select 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz… so select 5 GHz
Ok but what if I’m using a WIFI baby monitor?
If your baby monitor is connected to your local WIFI via 2.4 GHz, you need a router that can transmit at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously. Therefore you will probably need a reliable router, maybe more expensive, but it’s a good investment.
Changing the channel of my WIFI router didn’t help
If you try to change the channel of your router and it’s didn’t help or didn’t work, you might want to consider using a wired connection. This means you need to connect your computer to the router using an ethernet cable and disable the WIFI signal.
Change the channel of other devices
Maybe you found out that it’s another device who’s creating the interference with your baby monitor. Meaning that both are using the same frequency to broadcast.
In this situation, you could decide to change the frequency channel of this other device.
Before, you must check the owner manual and see if you have the opportunity to do so. I know that some cordless phone has this options.
3. Find the electrical device interfering with your monitor
Sometimes the interference can be caused by another appliance or device plugged into the same electrical network.
If your baby monitor is powered by the electric outlet on the wall, it might be competing with another device for power. Some appliances need a fair amount of watts to operate, and it could be at the expense of your baby monitor.
The interference could come from the fluorescent lights, mixers, power tools, fans, light dimmer, etc.
Usually, each room of your house is linked to a different socket in the electric panel. Each outlet can provide a maximum amount of power. Try to plug the monitor into another room, and see if the interference is gone. Maybe it’s the outlet where your baby monitor is connected who’s overloaded.
4. Use fully charged batteries with your monitor
Try to use full charge batteries, to see if the problem is not link to the power. A weak signal could also be the symptom of a weak battery.
5. The problem could be the monitor itself
If you try all the previous recommendations and nothing has worked, you have to consider that the problem could be with your baby monitor. Your monitor might have suffered from a fall, an internal wire could be loose, or the antenna might be damaged.
What to do if the interference is still there?
If you try to fix the interference with your actual monitor and it didn’t work, you might want to consider the following avenues.
1. Consider buying a new digital baby monitor
If you are using an analog monitor and you are experiencing interference, it’s probably a sign you should upgrade to a digital monitor.
Your analog monitor broadcast on a radio frequency signal and it’s more susceptible to interference. Also, you have almost no privacy with analog monitor, since anyone close enough can listen to you with their baby monitor.
A digital monitor is broadcasting on the 2.4 GHz frequencies, which is less crowded than the 900 MHz bandwidth. Additionally, most digital transmissions are encrypted, and therefore more protective of your privacy. The chance of your someone “accidentally” listing to you is less probable with a digital monitor.
Therefore the possibility for interference is less than with your analog monitor. Also, the signal of a digital monitor tends to be clearer and can cover more distance without interference.
Consider a digital baby monitor with DECT
Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology (DECT) is a common technology among wireless devices, such as cordless phones and baby monitors.
With this technology, you are remarkably cutting down your risk of interference. The interference possibilities are diminished because baby monitors using DECT are transmitting on the 1.9 GHz frequency band. This channel is for voice-only communication, and therefore less crowded with other wireless devices.
Consider a digital baby monitor with FHSS
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) is a technology that allowed baby monitor to transmit on random frequencies. This jumping pattern is meant to encrypt and secure the transmission. By using this encryption method, the baby monitors with FHSS are less vulnerable to eavesdropping interferences.
Consider a 5 GHz baby monitor
A baby monitor using the 5 GHz frequency will encounter less interference with other wireless devices. The 5 GHz is a fairly new frequency and therefore way less crowded than the 2.4 GHz.
Consider buying a WIFI monitor
If you can’t fight them, join them. So if your baby monitor is interfering with your WIFI, you could solve the dilemma by getting a monitor that transmit via your wifi network.
2. Save your receipt
If you just bought a baby monitor and you are experiencing interference, I would advise you only return it and get a new one. If you were not able to fix the obstacle with my previous solutions in less than 15 minutes, ask for a refund.
There are so many brands and models in the baby monitor department, especially online, it’s can feel like the Wild Wild West. To make sure you get a decent monitor in your first attempt, I would encourage you to go for a reputable brand. Also, make sure you can return it to the retailer in case you are not satisfied.
When you receive the monitor, carefully unpack the monitor and make sure to keep all packaging. Also, test the monitor right away. Don’t wait when it’s too late, and you can’t return it.
Place the monitor in your kid’s room and walk around the house and see if it’s working without interference. It would also be a good idea to test it outside since you might go into your backyard while your baby is napping.
You might have to test more than one baby monitor, to find the right one for your home.
This is how you get rid of the weird noises
If you are experiencing weird noises, like tapping or clicking, with your monitor, you have a fair good chance to fix it with the previous tips.
If it’s not working, I’m sure you can find a suitable monitor for your home.
P.S. If you’re seeking for the best baby monitor and hoping to find real reviews from real parents. You should check out this list I created of the top baby monitors.
To get the best insights and tips to find the best baby monitor, I read more than 300 reviews online and ask my friends or others parents. From all their insights and my own experience, I’ve built this list of the best baby monitors.