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Microwave Oven Is Interfering With The TV In Our RV

by Donna June
(Newark de)


We have a 2007 Damon Astoria. Every time we turn on the microwave the picture on my tv goes crazy and if the microwave is on longer than a minute we lose the picture on the TV.

ANSWER: Hi Donna thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.


A couple of facts that I am missing here is whether you have a Digital TV or are using an Analog To Digital TV Converter Box on the original analog TVs that came with your RV. You also don't tell me if this problem has just started or has existed since you owned the RV.

My best guess based on the information you have provided is that your TV is being affected by Electromagnetic interference (EMI). EMI creates picture noise or static in a TV and is usually caused by electricalmagnetic interference in the electrical circuit that your TV and/or Analog To Digital TV Converter Box is plugged into.

EMI can be caused by items such as fluorescent lights, ceiling fans, microwave ovens, etc. TVs in RVs can also be affected by Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) commonly caused by be caused by WIFI Routers, close proximity to a radio station, Ham Radio and sometimes even CBs or Walkie Talkies Can cause Radio Frequency Interference in TVs and Radios.

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The easiest way to eliminate this problem is to buy a EMI/RFI filtering Surge Protector. One of these surge protectors should help reduce or totally eliminate the EMI/RFI interference you are experiencing on your TV. Just plug your TV and/or your Digital TV Converter Box into the surge protector and see if this solves the problem.

If this does not solve the problem or if you still have some interference you might want to try attaching some Ferrite Beads on the power cords and COAX cables going into your TV and/or Digital TV Converter Box as they could also further reduce the EMI interference.

What I have outlined above is the most common cause of the problem you described. If the problem persists other causes can be a defective microwave or problems with the electrical system in your RV.

I hope this helps.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

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Comments for Microwave Oven Is Interfering With The TV In Our RV

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starstarstarstar 		tv colour change
by: Antony

I kept my microwave near my TV,after some time my TV started changing colour. I use the same multi plug on TV,microwave n digital box decorder.Why is this happening?
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starstarstarstarstar 		We have also had ths issue
by: Anonymous

We have also had the issue of dtv going crazy when microwave is in use the picture will jump and jitter eventually freezing and then the only way to fix is to turn off the tv and turn it back on. on my last trip one station would go off completely for hours then come back onjust moved the antenna very slightly and had no other problem

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