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Forum Discussion
Orbi-Compatible Smart Plugs?
I see that all the smart plugs on the market are limited to the 2.4GHz WiFi band. Are there any recommendations for smart plugs that set up easily with the Orbi system, and don't require any "workaro...
By "disconnect", I assume you mean that, after rebooting, I should turn WiFi off on my phone, and not turn it on again until I'm ready to go thru the iPhone setup process? (Because it's never been able to "connect" to the appliance, which is what I've been faced with thus far).
If that's what you mean, I'll try that during my next session with Whirlpool. (Though I'm not sure if there's any difference between doing that and rebooting the phone after turning off the 5GHz radio, in which case the phone will automatically connect to the 2.4GHz band?)
One crazy thought in an "if it was me" moment. I still have my old router. I also retained the same SSID from that router to the Orbi. I would drag out my Asus RT-AC68U, pull the internet plug on the Orbi, fire up the old unit, cycle my phone hook up. I can manipulate the Asus to broadcast bands how I want. I would then go through all the set up for the appliance knowing my phone was hooked up to the 2.4GHz signal. When done, hopefully the appliance would then hook up to the SSID 2.4GHz signal for the Orbi. Not sure if any of this is possible with you, but just wanted to let you know what I would try if all the other things had failed. Just a thought.
Yeah...but even if I had my old router (Apple Airport Extreme) I don't think I had the ability to either separate the SSIDs between frequencies or turn off the 5GHz band (but it's been quite a while since I dug into that...might be wrong).
The puzzling thing to me is that even though the phone and microwave are on the 2.4GHz network, somehow the Whirlpool app (or my phone?) thinks they're on different networks. (I think this is what's happening...no idea if that's truly the case or not).
What will be interesting (to me, anyway) is how the setup goes with the TP Link Kasa smart plug that should arrive later this evening. It, too, is a 2.4GHz device, but was recommended here, so I'm thinking it should connect just fine to the Orbi. And if this device connects (and I can talk to it thru the app on my phone that's connected to the 5GHz band) then what do they do differently?
LOL...I'd no sooner finished posting my last message than the doorbell rang, and my TP-Link Kasa smart plug was delivered.
15 minutes after delivery this plug is now configured and works fine. (Using it to control our christmas tree lights). (Would have been quicker but it had to update the firmware on the plug).
And, although the plug is on the 2.4GHz band and my phone is on the 5GHz band, the setup was flawless, including linking it to our Amazon Echo.
So, obviously, TP-Link knows something Whirlpool doesn't!
- I've never used Whirlpool but can confirm that KASA (tp-link), MEROSS (very nice products) and SMART LIFE compatible devices (most chinese plugs) work with Orbi (used in AP mode).