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How to connect 2.4GHZ Devices
I just bought few smart plugs. But they only connect to 2.4 Ghz. How do i add them to my home network as they will not show up in App on my phone for a setup. I have a good coverage in my house so mo...
Kcobra1 wrote:I just bought few smart plugs. But they only connect to 2.4 Ghz. How do i add them to my home network as they will not show up in App on my phone for a setup. I have a good coverage in my house so most of the time phone is on 5Ghz.
While the smartphone apps for many (most?) Internet of Things (IoT) devices are able to deal with "mesh" WiFi networks, there are some which are poorly written and simply fail to work when the smartphone is connected at 5G. What has worked for many people (including me) is this:
- Access the Orbi web interface (http://orbilogin.net) using the admin credentials user "admin" and the Orbi router password (not the WiFi password)
- Navigate to the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings
- Uncheck the box "Broadcast SSID on 5G Channel"
This will not affect any devices which are currently attached to the Orbi at 5G. - On the smartphone settings, "forget" the Orbi WiFi
- Search for WiFi networks and select the Orbi WiFi
- Enter the WiF password and connect
- At this point, open the IoT app and go through the steps
- After the device is connected, reverse the steps
Check the box "Broadcast SSID"
"Forget Orbi WiFi"
Search for and connect.
This sounds like a lot of work, but doesn't take very long.
p.s. "Poorly written" may seem harsh, but GEEZ. My TP-Link, Belkin, Eufy, Teckin (and other) smart plugs connected immediately. I have only had one that required the above steps. For one plug, I simply ignored the warnings "MUST connect to w.4G" and kept hitting "Continue" until it worked. "TAKE THAT!", I said.
I tried following these instructions to connect my new Shark Robot vacuum. It did not work. any help from anyone?
What kind of phone do you have, and if iPhone, is it less than 2 years old?
If you have an iPhone 11 or earlier, there is no solution, other than replacing your Orbi system with the pro version. The consumer Orbi can't separate the 2.4 and 5.0 bands, unless you have the 960 series.
iPhone 12 or later has a compatability feature that can be turned on under Personal Hotspot, which forces the phone to use 2.4ghz. Android makes it a bit easier.
So the choices are:
1. get a new phone
2. upgrade your consumer-version Orbi to top of the line 960 series (a LOT more money)
3. trade your consumer Orbi for a pro version which has more features and controls (e.g. SXK80 - AX6000)
bad_guy wrote:
What kind of phone do you have, and if iPhone, is it less than 2 years old?
If you have an iPhone 11 or earlier, there is no solution, other than replacing your Orbi system with the pro version. The consumer Orbi can't separate the 2.4 and 5.0 bands, unless you have the 960 series.
This is misguided and erroneous. Many many people have successfully installed their IoT things with new iPhones. Unfortunately, Apple does seem to like to make things difficult, with measures like "random macs", but careful attention to detail get around that.
There is no need for separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
How to go about this has been explained here many times and depends on the end users circumstances as well as the devices involved.
Those devices are at the heart of the problem. Too many of them come from makers who just don't know what they are doing.
A good way to look for help is to search this place fr the model of the device you want to set up.
So the choices are:
1. get a new phone
2. upgrade your consumer-version Orbi to top of the line 960 series (a LOT more money)
3. trade your consumer Orbi for a pro version which has more features and controls (e.g. SXK80 - AX6000)
That is rubbish and is best ignored by anyone who wants to setup their IoT devices.
Sorry, but you are incorrect. It is neither misguided nor erroneous.
The solution given does not apply to everyone, and does critically depend on which versions of Orbi and iPhone you have as well as the brands of 'smart' devices you have. (I don't know enough about Android to say anything about that.)
I did just have to replace my garage door opener, and the new model pairs with my phone and network via wifi, and though it says that it doesn't support a 5G connection, it had no trouble connecting. However, pre-existing locks, video doorbells and lights cannot. New iPhones (12 or later) can be set as described, but a still relatively new iPhone 11 cannot. If you have a very old iPhone, and it has Hotspot functionality, then it might work.
Many people will find one of these workarounds works, but many will not, and I, probably like most people that arrive here, simply can't afford to replace everything that I spent a lot of money for because Orbi made bad design decisions.
You also conveniently ignore my update to this post which provides more detail and qualifies the answer.
As well, everything I've said has been verified by Netgear engineers. If you have the wrong gear, it can't be done without spending a ton replacing your stuff. There is not a universal solution to this problem, and we shouldn't be letting Netgear off the hook for taking away functionality that people need, and only adding it back to their most (extraordinarily) expensive consumer products.
bad_guy wrote:
Sorry, but you are incorrect. It is neither misguided nor erroneous.
You are free to believe what you like. My worry is that people will read your messages and take them as the gospel truth.
I know that you are beyond convincing, my reply was intended as a health warning for other people.
They have been warned.
