Orbi - Connecting 2.4 ghz only smart devices to Orbi network

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Dewesq55 wrote:

I am trying to connect a new smartswitch which only will connect to a 2.4 ghz network.  In an effort to get my Pixel 2 XL, running android 11 to be on the 2.4ghz signal, I followed the procedure from an older topic, which is to go to the web interface and disable the 5Ghz ssid broadcast.  I applied changes.  Then I "forgot" my network on the phone.  After forgetting, the phone will not reconnect to the network.  I can't get it to ask for the login credentials.  In the "available networks" list on the phone it says the network name and then "Available via Orbi" underneath.

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Most smart plugs and switches are not bothered by which band the smartphone connects on.  That warning in BIG BOLD TYPE "Must have 2.4G WiFi" means exactly what it says.  If there is not a 2.4G WiFi network, the device cannot work.  This is like a tv remote saying "Takes 2 AA batteries."  If there are only C cells, D cells and 9-volt batteries, the remote cannot function.  What happens when you just plunge ahead with the install and ignore the warnings?

Can you share the brand of smart switch?

There certainly is no harm in forcing the phone to a 2.4G connection, and in a few cases there are products with poorly written smartphone apps which stubbornly refuse to proceed if the phone is connected at 5G. (Why it is useful to know which brand this is.)  Can you double check that the 2.4G WiFi "Broadcast SSID" is still enabled?  What is supposed to happen with this technique is when WiFi is enabled again on the phone, it should bring up a list of every available WiFi network.  Sounds like the phone is doing this, and the Orbi network is one of them. (This is what happens on my Android 10 phone and Android 11 tablet.)  Selecting the Orbi WiFi does not bring up a password prompt?  It did not connect to the Orbi WiFi, did it?