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Forum Discussion
Christmas light can't connect to 2.4ghz on my Orbi RBR50
Hi Netgear community, I am not an experienced user of wi-fi configurations and setup. I have these Christmas lights that I have been connecting to from the app to the wi-fi to the lights. After ...
I’m having the same probably with the XMcosy outdoor lights. They were connected. I had to reset one and now I can’t connect it. Keeps timing out. Says I need 2.4 connection.
Which specific XMCosy+ product is this? (Amazon has LOTS of lights by XMcosy+)
Yes, it is true that the product contains a WiFi radio which is capable only of 2.4G connection. As their FAQ points out, 2.4G WiFi has greater usable range than 5G WiFi. (In addition, such products require almost zero bandwidth and 2.4G WiFi chips are CHEAPER than 5G chips.) Thus, the product cannot detect if there are 5G WiFi systems nearby (or 6G, or AM radio, television, etc.)
A common problem with Internet of Things (IoT) products is poorly written smartphone apps. Rather than simply convey the WiFi credentials (SSID/password) to the device, the app attempts to "be smart". Either it (a) detects that the smartphone is connected to 5G WiFi and assumes that the credentials for 2.4G must be different. The app then complains and will not proceed. Or, the app tries to tell the device the hardware MAC address of the WiFi system, which is different for 2.4G and 5G - and thus the device cannot find the WiFi.
Since these IoT devices have no keyboard to enter WiFi credentials with and have no camera that can be pointed at a QR code, almost all of them create their own tiny WiFi access point with a unique name. The IoT app looks for a suitable WiFi access point and connects to it. During this process, the access point will be visible to any device looking for a WiFi connection. It might be useful to perform another reset of the product (holding down whatever button is required, or whatever) and start over. (maybe that first reset did not work completely)
On the RBR50 product, there is an option on the web interface, Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, WiFi settings to disable broadcasting the SSIS on 5G:
If you uncheck that box, click "Apply" at the top of the page, and wait for the Orbi WiFi to restart then you can:
- On the smartphone disconnect from the Orbi WiFi
- Count to 10 (say a Mantra)
- Select the Orbi WiFi, enter the password, and connect
- Open the smartphone app and go through the setup process.
- After the IoT device is working correctly, go back and re-enable the SSID broadcast on 5G
