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Best way to add 2.4 gHz ONLY devices to Orbi mesh network?
I have many different devices on my network that can connect only to 2.4gHz. Obviously, with a mesh network, the broadcast frequency is automatically chosen in the background. Because I have such g...
What FW is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials.What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Try disabling the following and see:
MIMO, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).If you updated to recent FW v.210, try enabling Daisy Chain. Some have mentioned that this seems to be working in reverse order, enabling means disabled actually.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Firmware-2-2-1-210-and-connection-problems-Skybell/m-p/1649275/highlight/true#M43001
Advanced Wireless Settings both 2.4GHz and 5GHz changed CTS/RTS Threshold to 2307.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-RBR40-RBS40-V2-1-4-16-mesh-network-drops-connection-to/m-p/1601598/highlight/true#M35230
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Have-to-keep-rebooting-my-RBR50/m-p/1658603/highlight/false#M44420
Change the CTR/RTS threshold values for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (2341 and 2345 respectively), changed preamble modes to long preamble, and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only.
robsquatch wrote:
I have many different devices on my network that can connect only to 2.4gHz. Obviously, with a mesh network, the broadcast frequency is automatically chosen in the background. Because I have such good coverage everywhere in my house now, it is impossible to force these devices on to the slower frequency. This is the case with my security cameras, wireless thermometers, etc. The only solution I seem to find is one that involves changing command lines which seems ridiculous to me. Is there a quick and easy way to turn off 5gHz temporarily to program new devices? I have also tried turning down the 5gHz power as well, with no progress.
This topic seems to "never die". If a device has ONLY 2.4G radios in it, it literally "doesn't matter" that some router is broadcasting 5G SSID's. The device CANNOT "talk 5G." I have all sorts of devices in my home (Nest Thermostat, Reolink Argus cameras, Simiplisafe base unit etc. that only do 2.4G, and had zero issues installing them. Most of those devices have a way for the user to input the SSID and password, either a keyboard or scanning a smart bar code. There are other devices, like "smart plugs", which rely on a smart phone app for setup. Their designers actually set them up to act as WiFi access points so that the smart phone app can find and connect to them. Once connected, the we key the SSID and password of the network we want them to connect to into the app and the app tells them to the device. From then on, they work like any other device (until we change the SSID and/or password, and everything stops working until we reconnect every device). Even though our smart phones are connected to the Orbi at 5G, when we run the app, it finds the 2.4G smart plug and configures it. On the other hand, when the device app is poorly written, it can be impossible to install the device at all. (See the thread about Whirlpool microwave.)
There is no need to turn off the 5G radio (or turn the signal down) to install 2.4G devices.
With that said, it is abundantly clear that some Orbi owners HAVE PROBLEMS getting 2.4G devices to work and are trying all sorts of things to get them installed. My (personal) belief is that the fault lies with the combination of the device and/or their smart phone, not with the Orbi.
I would REALLY like it if some some expert could figure out exactly what is going on that keeps this question coming up over and over.
It’s a common problem with some 2.4Gjz only devices trying to connect to ssid’s that broadcast on 2.4 and 5ghz. It’s very common in the enterprise world especially among hvac controllers, medical devices, and debit card terminals. To address this many wifi vendors allow you to spin up a separate SSID on only one channel.