HI could some help i am trying to set up my home with wi fi switches and they only work on the 2.3GHz how fo i split the SSID so i can pick this because they dont work on 5GHz Thanks advance for any help Lee

I feel obligated to report on my adventure. I was not willing to spend $60 on a 3-gang switch, so I purchased one Sonoff smart switch from Amazon. It arrived today, and I connected it to the Orbi. It was an hour-long adventure in frustration that was eventually successful. What worked in the end was disabling the "Broadcast SSID" on the 5G network. Telling my smartphone to "forget" the Orbi, then having the smartphone search for available WiFi, join the Orbi at 2.4G and then proceed to the device setup. The reason it took (literally) an hour, was that my smartphone seemed to connect at 2.4G and then automatically revert back to 5G. Same thing happened to a Samsung tablet. The eWeLink setup then failed over and over again. I was very angry, and saying very bad words (that the kids are not supposed to hear). I noticed that the Sonoff app (eWeLink) has an option, under all of the prominent options, to connect to a network that has both 2.4G and 5G with the same SSID (Called "Compatible Pairing Mode"). It involves doinr something the little product guide never mentioned. After holding the power button for 5 seconds to put the switch into pairing mode, I needed to hold the buttom for 5 more seconds to put it into Compatibility Pairing Mode. The help screen implied that it would "work automatically." I tried five times and failed each time. (More bad words.) Eventually, I looked at the Orbi "Attached Devices" screen and saw that my phone was again connected at 2.4G. Fired up the eWeLink app, went through the setup process, and it connected! I can now turn the switch on and off, even though my phone is once again connected at 5G. So, (a) yes, the mechanism of turning off 5G SSID broadcast did enable me to get this device connected. (b) The Sonoff claimed to be able to connect to WiFi networks like Orbi which offer both 2.4G and 5G with the same SSID, but I was unable to make it work. and(c) I plan to stick with brands that "just work", such as Belkin, Eufy, and TP-Link. Life is too short to fight a $16 smart switch.

What is the Mfr and model of these "WiFi switches"? There a link to there web site support page? Orbi doesn't allow to separate the SSID names officially on Orbi. However you can do this:https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/v2-5-0-38-undoes-SSD-split-is-there-a-fix/m-p/1816546/highlight/true#M73951Once you turn OFF The 5Ghz SSID broadcast, you should be able to setup the 2.4Ghz devices on Orbi. Yorkshirepud00 wrote:HI could some help i am trying to set up my home with wi fi switches and they only work on the 2.3GHz how fo i split the SSID so i can pick this because they dont work on 5GHz Thanks advance for any help Lee

First, make certain that there is actually a problem. Manufacturers emphasize (in LARGE TYPE) "Requires 2.4G Network. Does not work on 5G!!!" and people panic. Well, Orbi (and all of the other modern mesh routers) provide both 2.4G and 5G networks. So, you have a 2.4G network, just what the device needs. Chances are that when you go to set up the device, it will discover the Orbi network and be fine. My five brands of smart plug and several brands of video cameras did. For those rare instances where the smartphone setup program fails, the simple remedy is to use the Orbi web interface to temporarily stop broadcasting the 5G SSID. Tell the smartphone to "forget" the Orbi network and then join it again (at 2.4G). After the device is set up, go back to the web interface and resume broadcasting the 5G SSID.

I wasn't interested in a $60 3-Gang switch, so I purchased a regular Sonof Smart Plug for $15.95 Will arrive on Friday and I'll see what it takes to get it connected. (Buying random devices is a rather bizzare hobby, but I tell the wife, "It's cheaper than playing golf.")

Thanks I will give it go tomorrow and let everyone know how i get on.

WI FI frequency | NETGEAR Communities

18 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Dec 17, 2019
What is the Mfr and model of these "WiFi switches"?
There a link to there web site support page?

Orbi doesn't allow to separate the SSID names officially on Orbi. However you can do this:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/v2-5-0-38-undoes-SSD-split-is-there-a-fix/m-p/1816546/highlight/true#M73951
Once you turn OFF The 5Ghz SSID broadcast, you should be able to setup the 2.4Ghz devices on Orbi.
Yorkshirepud00 wrote:
HI could some help i am trying to set up my home with wi fi switches and they only work on the 2.3GHz how fo i split the SSID so i can pick this because they dont work on 5GHz

Thanks advance for any help

Lee
CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Dec 17, 2019
First, make certain that there is actually a problem. Manufacturers emphasize (in LARGE TYPE) "Requires 2.4G Network. Does not work on 5G!!!" and people panic. Well, Orbi (and all of the other modern mesh routers) provide both 2.4G and 5G networks. So, you have a 2.4G network, just what the device needs. Chances are that when you go to set up the device, it will discover the Orbi network and be fine. My five brands of smart plug and several brands of video cameras did.

For those rare instances where the smartphone setup program fails, the simple remedy is to use the Orbi web interface to temporarily stop broadcasting the 5G SSID. Tell the smartphone to "forget" the Orbi network and then join it again (at 2.4G). After the device is set up, go back to the web interface and resume broadcasting the 5G SSID.
- Yorkshirepud00
  Aspirant
  Dec 17, 2019
  Thanks I will give it go tomorrow and let everyone know how i get on.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Dec 17, 2019
    :smileywink:
- Yorkshirepud00
  Aspirant
  Dec 18, 2019
  I have tried what you said but it did not work i even checked that the router was on the 2.4 by looking it up on my Laptop do you think it colld be a switch faulty, could i ask you what make you have installed to yours its a light switch i have bought a Sonof
  
  I want to go wireless on all the switchies in the house but just thought i would buy one to see what its all about and how they work,
  
  whats your thoughts
  - michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    Dec 18, 2019
    Yorkshirepud00 wrote:
    
    I have tried what you said but it did not work i even checked that the router was on the 2.4 by looking it up on my Laptop ...
    
    What do you mean by that?
    
    It is not clear from your message that you turned off the 5 GHz SSID broadcast.

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