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Orbi TriBand Whole Home Mesh WiFi System (RBK23) - Can I temporarily disable the non-2.4 ghz network
Orbi TriBand Whole Home Mesh WiFi System (RBK23) - Orbi AC2200 - Does anyone know, is it possible to temporarily disable the 5 ghz networks on this router? I love the router, and how it works, but I am running into trouble trying to set up some of my smart devices (lights, cameras, plugs, etc.) that will only work on a 2.4 ghz network. During set up, my iphone grabs onto the 5 ghz network, and the setup fails. I have read some of the other suggestions, like walking down the road until the 5 ghz network drops off, and then setting up the device from that location, but that's really not a convenient option, and even less convenient for things like smart plugs and smart lightbulbs, that have to be plugged in. So, it would be great if I could temporarily turn off the non-2.4 ghz networks on this router, run my set up, and then turn it back on. Thanks in advance for any input you can give!
RhondaK9 wrote:
But, the plug will only allow set up on a 2.4 ghz negwofk, so the set up fails.
This is because the plug is made by people who do not know what they are doing. I have installed IoT things that use 2.4 GHz and can happily set them up with a phone on 5 GHz. It is the same network after all.
If you can find the name of the plugs, then it may be possible to run a search here and to see if someone has worked out how to get it to cooperate.
The "move away to lose the 5GHz" trick seems to work for some people. You can leave the plugs connected to the electric, but move the phone down the road until 5 GHz fails. After all, 2.4 Ghz has better range at slower speeds.
It is a pity that all phone makers don't allow users to pick their bands.
Other users dig out an old wifi repeater, or something else that they can force on to 2.4 GHz, and then to set up using that. Once set up, these things tends to stick.
Agree, that the manufacturer should develop devices and apps that allow for both networks, and there are more expensive devices that works with both, but I usually buy the less expensive "four for the price of one" smart devices, and I have always been able to set them up, until recently. I don't know why it is a problem now, but this is definitely a common complaint, according to my research online.It is probably the growth of Mesh system. Netgear is not alone in hitting this brick wall.
7 Replies
Its not an option. You can't disable the 5ghz.
You can reduce the 5ghz signal and disable the "broadcast ssid signal". The 5ghz still broadcasts but it doesn't show as an ssid. then when you disconnect, reconnect your phone, theres a better chance it connects to 2.4ghz.
Another option i used to use was use a phone as a hotspot and name it the same ssid/password as my router. I'd disable my router and turn the hotspot on. then I'd setup my devices. Once setup, you could turn off the hotspot and turn the router back on.
RhondaK9 wrote:
During set up, my iphone grabs onto the 5 ghz network, and the setup fails.
No way to force it to use 2.4 GHz?
.... I am running into trouble trying to set up some of my smart devices (lights, cameras, plugs, etc.) that will only work on a 2.4 ghz network.What devices?
It is up to the device maker to tell you how to connect and to write apps that can handle Mesh wifi.
What are you doing and what happens? If you are just seeing a prompt that says "connect to 2.4 GHz" ignore it and see what happens. If the device can't see 5 GHz, then it won't try to connect to it.
This Orbi Router doesn't separate the 2.4 ghz network from the 5 ghz network, and the iPhone will connect to whatever is strongest. Which, when I am trying to set up a smart plug in my house, will be the 5 ghz network. But, the plug will only allow set up on a 2.4 ghz negwofk, so the set up fails. There is no error message (just trying to set up a smart plug, when I ran into this problem). The setup just doesn't work - the device's app on my iphone just says that the device wasn't found.
Agree, that the manufacturer should develop devices and apps that allow for both networks, and there are more expensive devices that works with both, but I usually buy the less expensive "four for the price of one" smart devices, and I have always been able to set them up, until recently. I don't know why it is a problem now, but this is definitely a common complaint, according to my research online.
Some people advise to take your phone and your device farther from your network, so that the 5 ghz network drops off, and you are only left with the 2.4 ghz network, and then do your setup. But, that's really not convenient to do, and almost impossible if you are trying to set up a device that needs electricity.
RhondaK9 wrote:
But, the plug will only allow set up on a 2.4 ghz negwofk, so the set up fails.
This is because the plug is made by people who do not know what they are doing. I have installed IoT things that use 2.4 GHz and can happily set them up with a phone on 5 GHz. It is the same network after all.
If you can find the name of the plugs, then it may be possible to run a search here and to see if someone has worked out how to get it to cooperate.
The "move away to lose the 5GHz" trick seems to work for some people. You can leave the plugs connected to the electric, but move the phone down the road until 5 GHz fails. After all, 2.4 Ghz has better range at slower speeds.
It is a pity that all phone makers don't allow users to pick their bands.
Other users dig out an old wifi repeater, or something else that they can force on to 2.4 GHz, and then to set up using that. Once set up, these things tends to stick.
Agree, that the manufacturer should develop devices and apps that allow for both networks, and there are more expensive devices that works with both, but I usually buy the less expensive "four for the price of one" smart devices, and I have always been able to set them up, until recently. I don't know why it is a problem now, but this is definitely a common complaint, according to my research online.It is probably the growth of Mesh system. Netgear is not alone in hitting this brick wall.
