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Forum Discussion
Installing Apps/Devices that cannot connect on 5g when trying to use Orbi and Pixel Phones
Scenario: 1. Orbi Mesh network installed where we cannot manually differentiate (i.e., name SSID separately our 2g and 5g) network bands because the mesh supposedly handles this in the background...
<<First, "give it a try". The majority of these devices get configured by broadcasting their own WiFi access point with an obvious name (SSID). The app or the user opens the smartphone WiFi manager and this goofy access point is connected to. Enter the Orbi WiFi SSID/password into the app. App sends them to the device. Device connects. Done.>>
Yes, this is often the case. The trouble is, it will not stay connect to this "device specific" WiFi access point. If I try to give it my Orbi WiFi SSID/password, it tells me the password is incorrect (even though I know I have not changed it).
I have not tried your second solution, however. I will try that when I get home. I'm on work travel until tomorrow and will do so (disabling the 5 to force everyone to 2).
The strange thing to me is some devices seemingly of the same "genre" will connect and some will not; case in point, some Amazon echos. Perhaps it is a generation thing.
TButcher wrote:Yes, this is often the case. The trouble is, it will not stay connect to this "device specific" WiFi access point. If I try to give it my Orbi WiFi SSID/password, it tells me the password is incorrect (even though I know I have not changed it).
I have not tried your second solution, however. I will try that when I get home. I'm on work travel until tomorrow and will do so (disabling the 5 to force everyone to 2). I should clarify. Telling Orbi to stop broadcasting SSID will not affect any device that is connected at 5G. That is why the phone has to be told specifically to "forget" the Orbi SSID and then search again for WiFi. The phone will connect to the only access point that is broadcasting SSID: the 2.4G one. Once the Orbi begins broadcasting SSID on 5G again, the phone will switch when it decides the 5G connection is better.
The strange thing to me is some devices seemingly of the same "genre" will connect and some will not; case in point, some Amazon echos. Perhaps it is a generation thing. It would be helpful to identify specific devices which are difficult to connect. If it meets my criterion (under $25), I usually purchase one to see what happens on my Orbi. Otherwise, some people who watch the forum have experience with many (many) devices.