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Forum Discussion
Rob6805
Nov 06, 2022Tutor
Amcrest Pro HD 2.4GHz camera won't connect to Orbi WiFi
I just purchased an Orbi AX3000 (RBK653) mesh system. It works perfectly for all my WiFi needs except for my Amcrest cameras. Before I purchased the Orbi I made sure that it did support 2.4GHz wifi...
Rob6805
Nov 06, 2022Tutor
That is the directions I followed using the phone app. The phone needs to be on the 2.4 network to aquire the cameras.
I'm kinda past this step now. I'm ok using the extender. BUT.. now there is another issuem. Ugh.. The phone app live view works perfectly while I'm connected to the home wifi. But when I'm away it doesn't. It won't connect. I'm really getting tired of this. I've had three previous "regular" routers and never had an issue with the cameras or phone app. Now with this Orbi it's a mess... Ugh.....
I'm kinda past this step now. I'm ok using the extender. BUT.. now there is another issuem. Ugh.. The phone app live view works perfectly while I'm connected to the home wifi. But when I'm away it doesn't. It won't connect. I'm really getting tired of this. I've had three previous "regular" routers and never had an issue with the cameras or phone app. Now with this Orbi it's a mess... Ugh.....
Rob6805
Nov 06, 2022Tutor
Ok, I figured out what was going on. The extender lost it's signal. It's connected to the main router and not the satellite. How do I get the extender to use the satellite signal?
- CrimpOnNov 06, 2022Guru - Experienced User
Rob6805 wrote:
Ok, I figured out what was going on. The extender lost it's signal. It's connected to the main router and not the satellite. How do I get the extender to use the satellite signal?Using an extender is supposed to be a temporary fix to get the camera set up. Once the camera is learned the SSID/password of the Orbi WiFi, it should connect automatically. Have you turned off the Extender and then power cycled the camera?
(WiFi devices are designed to recover after power outages. They remember only the SSID/password and search for a WiFi access point when power resumes.)
- Rob6805Nov 07, 2022TutorHello,
No, I have not powered off the extender. I will have to try this method that you described. I thought the extender stayed. Dang, I wish I knew this earlier today. The house where the cameras are at is a second home and I am not there right now.- CrimpOnNov 07, 2022Guru - Experienced User
The discussion was probably not clear. The goal is to get the IoT device (camera in this specific case) connected to the Orbi WiFi network. Over 90% of the time, this is totally straight-forward. Open the smartphone app, follow the directions, and "done". For those few instances where the software developer has created a requirement for the phone to be connected at 2.4G before the app will function (which should be none of their damn business!), customers need a work-around. Once the IoT device learns the Orbi SSID/password, the need for a work-around goes away.
My (ancient, original) Orbi provides the ability to turn off broadcasting the WiFi SSID on the 5G WiFi, which forces smartphone to connect at 2.4G. Newer products eliminated that feature, so customers seek other alternatives. One method is to turn off the Orbi WiFi entirely and create a WiFi Hot Spot on a phone with exactly the same WiFi credentials as the Orbi. (I believe this requires two smartphones. One for the Hot Spot and one to run the smartphone app.) After the IoT device has been connected, the Hot Spot is taken down and the Orbi restarted. A WiFi Extender or access point can perform the same role, but it is more complicated. i.e. the Orbi SSID needs to be changed temporarily while the Extender broadcasts the desired WiFi SSID/password. Once the charade has accomplished the desired purpose (teaching the IoT device the WiFi credentials), the everything can go back to "normal".
Whew! Sorry for the tedious explanation.