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Forum Discussion
Forcing Guest SSID to be 2.4
Hi - I have seens lots of posts to talk about how you can manually go into debug mode and setup separate SSID's for various purposes. However, I've been unable to force my Guest network to only suppo...
Hi,
I went to disable the SSID 5 broadcast and it is not clear that you can do that for the guest network without disabling the 2.4 also. I want all of these bulbs on the guest network for security reasons and I only see one option for disabli/ng the SSID broadcast whereas for the primary network you can disable the two frequencies separetely. Therefore, I assume it disables both on guest? Can someone confirm before I try this? thanks.
Perhaps someone will find a way to disable the Guest 5G SSID. Meanwhile, I have a different solution:
Purchase a simple WiFi Repeater, such as the TP-Link TL-WA855RE
On Amazon $11 for refurb, $15 for new.
The User Manual on page 21 shows how to set this unit as an Access Point.
https://static.tp-link.com/2019/201905/20190517/1910012581_TL-WA855RE_UG_REV4.1.0.pdf
Here is what I propose:
Configure the repeater to have an SSID/password exactly matching the Guest network.
Tell the Orbi to stop broadcasting the Guest SSID.
On the smartphone with the IoT setup app, connect to the Guest SSID. Aha! There is only one access point broadcasting that SSID, and it is only on 2.4G.
Open the app, configure the IoT device, telling it the SSID/password of the Guest WiFi.
After the device is configured and working, turn off the repeater and tell Orbi to begin broadcasting the Guest SSID again.
Does someone know WHY this will not work?
I am spending $11 on Amazon right now. Will report back in 3 days.
"Should I have to do this?" Of course not. I am free to **bleep** and moan, complain about Netgear, listen to the family say, "Why isn't it working YET?" Or, I can spend $11 (plus tax) and get on with life. Actually, my IoT devices are on the primary network, so the disable SSID strategy works for me.
CrimpOn - just curious - did your solution of purchasing an inexpensive WiFi repeater work? I purchased a set of Feit color changing smart bulbs for use outside. Three of the 4 connect with no issue; the 4th one will sometimes connect, then goes offline - I can't get it to stay connected to the network. If your solution worked, I'll likely purchase one myself and install it in the garage, where it will be (much) close to the troublesome bulb.
Thanks!
Yes, it did work.You will have to reset the bulb and set it up again becasue the Extender creates a different WiFi SSID ("orbiwifi_EXT")
Whatever router is now assigning IP addresses will continue to do so. Plus, you will see a new device in the table (the extender).
For a 2.4G light bulb, I would get the cheaper ($20) 2.4G only extender. Actually, it could be any brand. I simply purchased Netgear because the forum asked about it.
Awesome - thanks! I just went out and managed to re-add the bulb, and (for the moment) it is connected to my network. If it drops out again, I think I'll try your solution. Appreciate the feedback!