Did you know that USB 3.0 causes wireless interference?

[gorcorps]

I didn't, until I started googling solutions for why my wireless mouse wasn't acting right (seemed like there were "dead spots" in the mouse movement, like it was lagging every few seconds).

I found a solution that said to move the USB receiver to a non USB 3.0 port, and as far away from 3.0 ports as possible. If you have a USB extender, use that. It didn't make a lot of sense to me, but sure as shit as soon as I used a USB extender things started working again. Then I started researching a bit more and found more confirmation than I expected:
https://www.reddit.com/r/technology...30_has_been_found_to_cause_interference_that/

I wouldn't have guessed that a wired connection could cause so much interference in the wireless spectrum, but I guess it does. Just an FYI for those that have similar problems.

 

[Elixer]

Yep... already covered here.
https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/2-4ghz-wireless-devices-usb-3-devices-issues.2463741/

 

[Imp]

Not until a week or two ago.

From what I've read (bla bla bla I ain't got the lurning on the electrics and RF), it's supposedly related to the USB 3.x data-lines. Something about causing RF interference that affects the 2.4 GHz band which covers Wifi, Bluetooth, cordless phones, etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2.4_GHz_radio_use

No wonder USB 3.x feels like a flyover tech -- already have USB-C and adoption of USB 3.x ports seems limited.

 

[gorcorps]

Yep... already covered here.
https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/2-4ghz-wireless-devices-usb-3-devices-issues.2463741/

I was gonna post something there, but I can't use the phrase "sure as shit" in the tech forums so that made my decision for me.

 

[GeekDrew]

No wonder USB 3.x feels like a flyover tech -- already have USB-C and adoption of USB 3.x ports seems limited.

USB 3 is a protocol. USB-C is a port. They aren't directly comparable.

 

[Imp]

^Okay, I mean the USB 3.x micro-B and large B ports don't really seem widely used despite being backwards compatible.

 

[Kaido]

This explains a lot. I roll out a ton of NUC computers with Logitech wireless keyboards & mice and I've had to put USB extenders on a lot of them because the Nano Unity receivers get intermittent mouse & typing lag. Logitech used to include a 1" or so extender with their keyboard/mouse combos but they don't anymore, so now I have to order them separately.

Good to know!

 

[DeathReborn]

I had to stop my dad from using USB3 devices in his old PC as the front ports are about 2 inches from the Wifi and it always cut out, his KB&M too as they were wireless became problematic. I bought him a USB 3 hub and plugged it in the back and the problem went away.

 

[Red Squirrel]

That is rather interesting. Wonder how this spec made it past all the compliance stuff and all that. Would be interesting to see this on a scope or spectrum analyzer.

 

[Imp]

^I'd like to check it out with my RF meter but no USB 3 ports.

 

[Elixer]

^I'd like to check it out with my RF meter but no USB 3 ports.

Why, it is clearly identified in the white paper in the other thread I posted above that it leaks, since they don't fully shield the devices & ports so it would mitigate the interference.

 

[Imp]

^My $150 RF meter doesn't read itself...