Can direct sunlight hitting a wireless router directly affect a Wi-Fi connection?

Question

We have a wireless network setup next to a window on the 10th of a building. There is direct sunlight hitting the box and I was wondering can that cause interference?

Answer 1

Sure ninesunz, EE major here (but it's been a while since undergrad :-) The other answers are generally correct, no, direct sunlight (and its associated visible and UV radiation) will not affect RF or WiFi signals in the 2.4 and 5GHz ranges. But one thing to keep in mind is that the sunlight can and will heat up the air surrounding the window, especially if there's a portion of rooftop or overhang below. This creates an area of "turbulence" that could theoretically cause some refraction of RF waves, but this would be more of an issue for infrared or free space optics, not WiFi. So basically your answer is no. Although as other answers pointed out, make sure the direct sunlight doesn't take the wireless router itself above its normal operating range, which is often in the 100F to 120F range.

Also, in addition to metal window frames as ninesunz pointed out, are they tinted windows? This could be a big deal, as tinted windows often use a thin metallic layer of aluminized mylar that can reflect RF signals and create a real mess, possibly requiring you to use external antennas outside the building.

Answer 2

No, but this is an electonic device and the may heat it beyond it's tollerance and that may effect your router of even cause it to fail. I would suggest you shade it with a peice of cardboard on the window - just a big enough piece that it shades the router.

Answer 3

Is the window frame metal? Don't take my word for it but I've had problems with wireless anything around metal frame windows. Any EE majors in the house?

Answer 4

No. Wavelengths are different. However, if your router get cooked, you can have problem. Electronics devices don't like heat.