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Forum Discussion
ChuckMoose
Dec 13, 2021Aspirant
How to restrict Guest network to 2.4 Ghz?
I would like to create a Guest network with 2.4 GHz band ONLY. This is to allow products from WYZE to connect (cameras, power switches, robot vacuum cleaner). (With a tri-band network, they fail to c...
CrimpOn
Dec 13, 2021Guru - Experienced User
I have three Wyze cameras connected to my (older) Orbi. Opened Wyze app. Selected Orbi WiFi SSID. Entered password. App created QR code that the camera looked at, and... On Line. After the first camera, the app remembered credentials and it went even faster.
Also have Wyze plug that set up easily.
With Wyze:
- There is no need to create a special 2.4G only WiFi.
- The Wyze app works fine on Orbi.
Is the question in anticipation of a problem, or because of a problem?
ChuckMoose
Dec 13, 2021Aspirant
Because of a problem. I have 9 WYZE cams working, and a Robo vacuum that required me to set up a 'secured' guest network (with password). Now two WYZE walk outlet/switches don't work because this year they require (I'm told by the WYZE Wizards) 2.4 Ghz-only networks. Am I getting a WYZE runaround? The sockets worked last holiday season to control the wreath spotlights, etc.
- CrimpOnDec 13, 2021Guru - Experienced User
ChuckMoose wrote:
Because of a problem. I have 9 WYZE cams working, and a Robo vacuum that required me to set up a 'secured' guest network (with password). Now two WYZE walk outlet/switches don't work because this year they require (I'm told by the WYZE Wizards) 2.4 Ghz-only networks. Am I getting a WYZE runaround? The sockets worked last holiday season to control the wreath spotlights, etc.
This sounds like a trainee who is making the same beginner mistakes that many users do, "Requires 2.4G" does not mean the same as "Will not work if there is AM Radio, 5G WiFi, Sun Spots, or... anything else around). It just means the device can detect and connect only to 2.4G WiFi, and Orbi provides 2.4G WiFi, just as it did last year.
When there were so many questions about smart plugs, every time someone said one wouldn't work, I bought one from Amazon and tried it. I can get my Wyze plugs out and hook them up again.
Are you using the indoor or outdoor Wyze plug? Amazon says it will take until Dec 21 for me to get one of those. (Honestly, I cannot imagine the indoor and outdoor products having different electronics.)
Maybe it would help to provide more detail about the problem.
For example, were the Wyze plugs simply put away until this season, and not 'reset'?
Has the WiFi SSID/password changed since last season? (Every time I upgrade WiFi, I give the new system exactly the same SSID/password as the one being replaced. Avoids having to go around and reconfigure my devices. Plus, I can "go back' just by plugging in the old WiFi router.)
- ChuckMooseDec 14, 2021Aspirant
It's two successive WYZE 'trainees' who are making the same mistake, and telling me the devices require a 'secured (password-protected) 2.4 GHz network. I'd already set one up to accommodate their robot vacuum I bought this summer.
My two 'indoor' plugs both worked last year (to control holiday lights) before summer lightning took out my (unsecured) Apple Time Capsule router; now I have a new Orbi RBR750 Mesh system. The two WYZE plugs wouldn't re-connect this December (looking for a formerly unsecured and since renamed network). So I've been trying to re-set them up, afresh.
The WYZE wizard even suggested I move farther away from my router so their device would choose the (then) stronger 2.4 signal over the other bands. (Didn't work.)
My nine WYZE cams all work, although some are flaky and occasionally lose connection.
I appreciate this discussion and speculation. I'm thinking WYZE staff coders (and tech support) need help.
- CrimpOnDec 14, 2021Guru - Experienced User
This is fun. Got out my box of two Wyze plugs and removed them from the Wyze app. (I never got around to deleting them from the app after I got them to work.)
Plugged into the wall in the same room with my Orbi router blasting 2.4G and 5G at 100% power. Held button down for 5 seconds (or more) until LED began to flash blue. Learned some things:
- I have the original Wyze plug, model WLPP1.
- There is a newer model that is set up using Bluetooth. Apparently has a 'key' symbol on the back. (No idea why a 'key' is associated with Bluetooth.) Personally, I much prefer devices which set up using Bluetooth. Both 2.4G WiFi and 2.4G Bluetooth use the same radio chip, so there is no extra hardware cost. Avoids the entire "which G is your WiFi" discussion and the need to connect to a Wyze plug access point. (Did the Wizard ask which model you have?) Now I have two things to buy from Wyze (outdoor plug and 'new' indoor plug)
- After searching for several minutes (an eternity), the Wyze app finally asked which model of plug I have, and I selected the "Classic". Why not ask up front?
(One would think that after a Bluetooth search failed to find a new Wyze product, the app would try WiFi on its own.) - The Wyze app asked me to connect to the Wyze plug WiFi. This is definitely the weak link in the Wyze app. On both plugs, my Android phone grumbled about the Wyze WiFi not having internet access and I did not realize I was supposed to click the box "Don't ask about this again" and then "Yes" to stay connected. In other words, it took several tries to get connected (for both plugs). I kept getting to that step and being forced to start over. Just was not intuitive to me.
- Once connected, I got to 'name' the plugs and it announced there is new software, which got updated.
- Both plugs turn on/off using the app the way they should.
- Both appear on the Orbi list of Attached Devices. (Did not check the app Connected Devices. I prefer the security of 'Attached' rather than the false exclusivity of 'Connected'.)
I should point out that my smartphone running the Wyze app was actually connected to the Orbi Guest WiFi, rather than the primary WiFi. When the app asked me to select a network for the plugs, I chose the primary WiFi SSID and entered the password. So, this is not a case of the app refusing to connect because the smartphone is (a) connected at 5G or (b) not connected to the primary WiFi.
Bottom Line: Wyze Classic Plug connects to Orbi without doing anything to the Orbi, but is somewhat of a pain in the rear compared to setup of some other plugs. No changing power levels. No walking around. Just perservence.
Although I find Wyze a fascinating company, LOVE the price/performance of their cameras, and ENJOY the scale, I was not impressed with the Wyze app for adding these first generation smart plugs. My personal choice of smart plugs is TP-Link KASA. At some point, I need to purge my phone of all the random smart plug apps that have been installed over the past two years as I tested plugs. (to do list grows).