Major WiFi problems when using Apple Bluetooth Keyboard

[baryon]

So I bought a wireless Bluetooth Keyboard (the Apple one) to use with my Retina MacBook Pro. Ever since then, I noticed that my WiFi signal gets dropped, slows down a lot, or fails to connect randomly, especially when waking the computer from sleep. It's almost unusable and even when it works the download speed drops from 20 Mbps to about 0.5 Mbps. As soon as I durn Bluetooth off, the problem disappears, and comes back as I switch it back on.

So I thought to myself, surely two modern, ubiquitous technologies were designed to not interfere with each other? Well nope! Apparently of the literally infinite number of frequencies, they use the same 2.4 Ghz frequency. I tried changing my router's WiFi channels to no avail, and I also switched it to 5 Ghz which resulted in there being no WiFi signal whatsoever, completely locking me out of my router and since I have no Ethernet port, cost me ton of money for the internet company to fix it. Not trying that again.

What the hell else can I do? Or is the Apple Wireless Keyboard designed to only work offline??

 

[Fishrrman]

[[ What the hell else can I do? Or is the Apple Wireless Keyboard designed to only work offline?? ]]

You asked for suggestions, so I'm offering mine:

Buy a WIRED USB keyboard, and put the bluetooth keyboard into the closet.

This -will- solve your problems, even though it may not be the "solution" you're hoping for...

 

[Weaselboy]

So I bought a wireless Bluetooth Keyboard (the Apple one) to use with my Retina MacBook Pro. Ever since then, I noticed that my WiFi signal gets dropped, slows down a lot, or fails to connect randomly, especially when waking the computer from sleep. It's almost unusable and even when it works the download speed drops from 20 Mbps to about 0.5 Mbps. As soon as I durn Bluetooth off, the problem disappears, and comes back as I switch it back on.

So I thought to myself, surely two modern, ubiquitous technologies were designed to not interfere with each other? Well nope! Apparently of the literally infinite number of frequencies, they use the same 2.4 Ghz frequency. I tried changing my router's WiFi channels to no avail, and I also switched it to 5 Ghz which resulted in there being no WiFi signal whatsoever, completely locking me out of my router and since I have no Ethernet port, cost me ton of money for the internet company to fix it. Not trying that again.

What the hell else can I do? Or is the Apple Wireless Keyboard designed to only work offline??

The Apple BT KB should work perfectly for what you are trying to do. I use mine exactly like that for days on end and never have the issue you are seeing. If you are still under warranty, I would take the Retina in to get it looked at because something is not right.

 

[baryon]

You asked for suggestions, so I'm offering mine:

Buy a WIRED USB keyboard, and put the bluetooth keyboard into the closet.

This -will- solve your problems, even though it may not be the "solution" you're hoping for...

Does this mean you also had or know of issues with the keyboard + WiFi?

The reason I got the Bluetooth one is because it's smaller and doesn't hog up a USB port (I only have 2 ports on my rMBP and they are both constantly in use for devices that need all the power, so can't use a hub). Also it would never have crossed my mind that these two technologies aren't compatible... It's a bit like car tires that only stay inflated if they're not mounted on a car.

The Apple BT KB should work perfectly for what you are trying to do. I use mine exactly like that for days on end and never have the issue you are seeing. If you are still under warranty, I would take the Retina in to get it looked at because something is not right.

Well it's most likely a problem with the keyboard interfering with the router, or the computers' WiFi antenna, rather than an issue with the computer.

 

[Weaselboy]

Well it's most likely a problem with the keyboard interfering with the router, or the computers' WiFi antenna, rather than an issue with the computer.

I disagree. That KB is made to work with exactly the setup you are using and I have read other posts from people having this issue and it was fixed by a hardware exchange.

 

[macnjack]

What the hell else can I do? Or is the Apple Wireless Keyboard designed to only work offline??

Have you switched to channel 1 or 11 on your 2.4 band? There is known interference issue with BT keyboard and channel 6 on 2.4.

 

[baryon]

Have you switched to channel 1 or 11 on your 2.4 band? There is known interference issue with BT keyboard and channel 6 on 2.4.

Yes I definitely tried channel 11 and a few others too, didn't help... I've heard 5 Ghz would probably work but when I switch it on, all WiFi signal ceases and I need an ethernet cable to re-enable 2.4... which my MacBook Pro doesn't support.

 

[wuush]

Yes I definitely tried channel 11 and a few others too, didn't help... I've heard 5 Ghz would probably work but when I switch it on, all WiFi signal ceases and I need an ethernet cable to re-enable 2.4... which my MacBook Pro doesn't support.

I use channel 13 on the 2.4 Ghz Band and it works flawlessly (BT Keyboard and Magic Mouse).

Which Router do you use? and does it support 5Ghz?

There might be a Problem with the Router or the Macbook (as pointed out by Weaselboy)

 

[baryon]

I use channel 13 on the 2.4 Ghz Band and it works flawlessly (BT Keyboard and Magic Mouse).

Which Router do you use? and does it support 5Ghz?

There might be a Problem with the Router or the Macbook (as pointed out by Weaselboy)

Thanks, I'll try channel 13. It does support 5 Ghz but it causes 2.4 Ghz to turn off (not sure if that's always the case with all routers). For some reason that means all WiFi signal disappears, as if I turned the router off. Maybe the router's hardware doesn't support it or has a problem or something... It's some crappy brand that comes from the provider, called Speedport W 724V.

 

[wuush]

Speedport are mostly rebranded avm routers (fritzbox), iirc.

And according to this page (http://www.telekom.de/privatkunden/geraete-und-zubehoer/wlan-und-router/speedport-w-724v) it should support 2.4 and 5 GHz at the same time. Somit might be a faulty router or missconfigured.