Just bought a WYZE smart outlet (plug) and it can only connect to 2.4 GHZ on my phone (galaxy S10+) - I dont see anywhere to temporarily force a drop from 5 to 2.4 GHZ, is this even possible without getting into complicated settings? I have an ORBI RBR50 AC3000 tri-band nest.

First, did you attempt to set up the Wyze smart plug using the Wyze app?(ignoring any warnings "2.4G ONLY REQUIRED !!!") Just go ahead and "do it"?ALL smart plugs on the market these days include only a 2.4G radio chip (every brand). That means if there is no 2.4G WiFi, they cannot connect. (If you have a diesel car and the gas station has no pumps with diesel, you cannot fill up.) The smart plug lacks the capacity to detect or connect to 5G. That does not mean that 5G has to be eliminated to configure the plug. If the Wyze app is written correctly, the app will detect the smart plug, tell the smart plug the SSID and password for the Orbi, and the plug will connect. Some devices have smartphone apps that are poorly written. In that case, what works is temporarily stopping the Orbi from broadcasting the SSID on 5G, having the smartphone disconnect from Orbi, search for WiFi, and reconnect to Orbi. Perform the setup, then go back and resume broadcasting SSID on 5G. This is done on the Orbi web interface, Advanced Tab, Advanced Setup, WiFi Setup. It would be a BIG FAVOR if you can confirm (a) that the Wyze setup program FAILS when you just go ahead and run it (shame on Wyze), and (b) if the app failed, were you able to shut off the 5G SSID and complete the setup. If (a) is true, then the Wyze plug goes on my list of "products to avoid". Belkin, Eufy, TP-Link, Teckin and others work just fine. Why purchase something that Amazon doesn't offer on Prime delivery if the app is broken? Sorry to rant. This is sort of a "hot topic" on the forum.

Oh, my. Did you do the step of telling your smart phone to "forget" the Orbi WiFi. Then, search for available WiFi networks, join the Orbi WiFi, and then verify that the phone has connected to Orbi at 2.4G? As far as "other plugs", I can say that I currently have these plugs that connected just fine: AukeyBelkinEufyKasa (TP-Link)Teckin All set up perfectly with my smartphone connected to Orbi WiFi at 5G. I also have a Sonoff plug that annoyed me no end because I had to use the "stop 5G SSID broadcast" procedure to get it to work. I will NEVER purchase another Sonoff plug. (I only bought it in the first place because someone asked about them and it was only $25.) Right this minute, Wyze smart plugs are on my "don't purchase" list. Please report if you have been successful connecting it using the "stop 5G SSID broadcast & reconnect the phone" procedure. That would move it from "doesn't work at all" to "works, but don't buy it".

ok, the Android phone did the trick. The problem is with iOS or the iPhone app. Thanks,Jeff

Yes I did try to just run the app, but it wont let you get past the "will not run of 5 GHZ" notice. It just wants to take you to the settings to change stuff. I have not (yet) had chance to try the power reduction/move out of 5 GHZ range option yet. Also, I have tried to install the WYZE app on older tables/phones, but (1) I get a msg about it not being compatible with my Samsung A8 and an (older) Verizon tablet, and (2), it will not load on any of my Kindles. I am getting to the point of returning the plugs (not quite there yet, though) as they really are not worth the effort they are causing.

Stopping the SSID broadcast on 5G might work. It would be a big favor to us on the forum if you would try. (I would purchase a Wyze smart plug myself - I love their little camera - but it's not on Amazon Prime. So, "the hell with THAT!"). We have this raging debate over whether Netgear should provide a method to completely turn off the Orbi 5G signal or let users "rename" the 5G signal to solve this problem. If not broadcasting the SSID on 5G allows you to install the Wyze plug, that's evidence in favor of Netgear doesn't need to make any software changes.

Connecting to wyze smart plugs | NETGEAR Communities

22 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru
Dec 26, 2019
First, did you attempt to set up the Wyze smart plug using the Wyze app?
(ignoring any warnings "2.4G ONLY REQUIRED !!!") Just go ahead and "do it"?
ALL smart plugs on the market these days include only a 2.4G radio chip (every brand). That means if there is no 2.4G WiFi, they cannot connect. (If you have a diesel car and the gas station has no pumps with diesel, you cannot fill up.) The smart plug lacks the capacity to detect or connect to 5G.
That does not mean that 5G has to be eliminated to configure the plug. If the Wyze app is written correctly, the app will detect the smart plug, tell the smart plug the SSID and password for the Orbi, and the plug will connect.

Some devices have smartphone apps that are poorly written. In that case, what works is temporarily stopping the Orbi from broadcasting the SSID on 5G, having the smartphone disconnect from Orbi, search for WiFi, and reconnect to Orbi. Perform the setup, then go back and resume broadcasting SSID on 5G. This is done on the Orbi web interface, Advanced Tab, Advanced Setup, WiFi Setup.

It would be a BIG FAVOR if you can confirm (a) that the Wyze setup program FAILS when you just go ahead and run it (shame on Wyze), and (b) if the app failed, were you able to shut off the 5G SSID and complete the setup.

If (a) is true, then the Wyze plug goes on my list of "products to avoid". Belkin, Eufy, TP-Link, Teckin and others work just fine. Why purchase something that Amazon doesn't offer on Prime delivery if the app is broken?

Sorry to rant. This is sort of a "hot topic" on the forum.
- Dibbs
  Aspirant
  Dec 29, 2019
  Yes I did try to just run the app, but it wont let you get past the "will not run of 5 GHZ" notice. It just wants to take you to the settings to change stuff.
  
  I have not (yet) had chance to try the power reduction/move out of 5 GHZ range option yet.
  
  Also, I have tried to install the WYZE app on older tables/phones, but (1) I get a msg about it not being compatible with my Samsung A8 and an (older) Verizon tablet, and (2), it will not load on any of my Kindles.
  
  I am getting to the point of returning the plugs (not quite there yet, though) as they really are not worth the effort they are causing.
  - CrimpOn
    Guru
    Dec 29, 2019
    Stopping the SSID broadcast on 5G might work. It would be a big favor to us on the forum if you would try. (I would purchase a Wyze smart plug myself - I love their little camera - but it's not on Amazon Prime. So, "the hell with THAT!"). We have this raging debate over whether Netgear should provide a method to completely turn off the Orbi 5G signal or let users "rename" the 5G signal to solve this problem. If not broadcasting the SSID on 5G allows you to install the Wyze plug, that's evidence in favor of Netgear doesn't need to make any software changes.

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Connecting to wyze smart plugs