I have been trying to find a way to force my phone to use the 2.4ghz network so that I can set up my kasa smart plug which only works with 2.4ghz. I have found these and similar instructions but I don't have the option to check or uncheck "Broadcast SSID on 5G Channel". I'm using the RBR50v2. From https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/How-to-connect-2-4GHZ-Devices/m-p/2020739.Access the Orbi web interface (http://orbilogin.net) using the admin credentials user "admin" and the Orbi router password (not the WiFi password)Navigate to the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless SettingsUncheck the box "Broadcast SSID on 5G Channel"This will not affect any devices which are currently attached to the Orbi at 5G.On the smartphone settings, "forget" the Orbi WiFiSearch for WiFi networks and select the Orbi WiFiEnter the WiF password and connectAt this point, open the IoT app and go through the stepsAfter the device is connected, reverse the stepsCheck the box "Broadcast SSID""Forget Orbi WiFi" Search for and connect.

Thanks for reporting the success. Cell phone Hot Spot and WiFi Extender are well-established method of getting the IoT device to learn the WiFi SSID/password of the network when the smartphone app is poorly written and either a. Refuses to proceed when the phone is connected at 5G, or b. Attempts to pass the hardware MAC address of the 5G connection to the IoT device (which cannot possibly detect it). Since cameras work by creating a QR code containing that information, those work-around methods are not necessary. "Sounds like it connected" gives an impression that the original problem lay with the smartphone app. Now that the app is working with one camera, it would be a $40 experiment to see what happens if a second camera is added.

p.s. I completely agree. If Netgear had simply put the same option on the Orbi as it did on Nighthawk cameras (disable 5G radio and let all the existing 5G devices suck eggs while a new device is added to the network), then this controversy would not persist. (sigh)

I have no idea what I did differently but I got it to connect on my 3rd attempt tonight typing in my password manually but I don't think that was it because it didn't connect the first two times typing it manually. All three times I viewed the password and it was correct. I have more plugs to set up so I'll see if I can figure out the pattern. I'll post back here when I do. Got to eat now, it's 8:30pm my time. 😁

I posted those instructions. Here is where that option appears on my RBR50: However... I have eight KASA smart plugs, at least four different models, and they all connected to my RBR50 Orbi system without any fooling around at all. KASA is my "go to" smart plug. What sort of smartphone or tablet is the KASA app running on?

Subscribing to this thread - I'm having the same issue with helping my kid hook up with my previous RBR50 (I've upgraded) to a NetVue Webcam that also only hooks up to 2.4. I've tried disabling the 5GHz SSID broadcast and bringing it down to a 25% broadcast. Still won't hook up. I'm baffled why they don't give the option to turn the 5GHz off completely. He's been on the tec support with NetVue and they can't help either. I wish they would have a firmware update to enable the function.

Connection to 2.4ghz to set up kasa (tp-link) smart plug mini

19 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Dec 04, 2022
I posted those instructions. Here is where that option appears on my RBR50:

However... I have eight KASA smart plugs, at least four different models, and they all connected to my RBR50 Orbi system without any fooling around at all. KASA is my "go to" smart plug.

What sort of smartphone or tablet is the KASA app running on?
- PeatyR
  Aspirant
  Dec 05, 2022
  Subscribing to this thread - I'm having the same issue with helping my kid hook up with my previous RBR50 (I've upgraded) to a NetVue Webcam that also only hooks up to 2.4. I've tried disabling the 5GHz SSID broadcast and bringing it down to a 25% broadcast. Still won't hook up. I'm baffled why they don't give the option to turn the 5GHz off completely. He's been on the tec support with NetVue and they can't help either. I wish they would have a firmware update to enable the function.
  - CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Dec 05, 2022
    I have never had a problem connecting a camera. (at least five brands). In my experience, every camera gets set up by creating a QR code on the smartphone app and pointing the camera at the QR code.
    
    When I used an app to explain what the QR code contained, all it has was the WiFi SSID and password. Nothing about WiFi band (2.4G or 5G). Nothing about how the phone was connected to the system.
    
    What is the specific model number of this camera? If it is under $30 and is sold on Amazon, I'll have one in two days and connect it to my Orbi.
- lgreer161
  Tutor
  Dec 05, 2022
  CrimpOnThanks for the response. I too loved my Orbi (or will again once I can get the smart plugs working). I found the setting that you demonstrated in your screenshot. I turned it off and followed the rest of the steps but it still didn't connect. I just keep getting the message that Kasa was unable to connnect to my Wi-Fi Network after entering my Orbi password.
  
  I'm wondering something. My modem is also a router. I don't have my phone connected to it but could that possibly be interfering somehow?
  
  I welcome any further suggestions!
  - CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Dec 05, 2022
    If the modem/router/WiFi is broadcasting a different 2.4G WiFi SSID on a different 2.4G channel, there should not be any interference with the Orbi WiFi. (Although, most customers choose to turn off the modem/router/WiFi's WiFi radios if the device allows them to do so.)
    
    Can you take a screen shot of the error message and post it? I cannot remember if the KASA app has an option to display the WiFi password as "plain text" rather than those stupid "dots". My fat fingers really struggle with entering the WiFi password and it is reassuring to see the password as actual characters.
- jctruckca43
  Aspirant
  Dec 07, 2022
  So far the information is good but I need help connecting my Kasa Light Switch to my Orbi CBR750. The screenshot shared and the steps is for another Orbi Mesh device. Any chance someone can chime to show steps and screenshot reflecting Orbi750?
  - lgreer161
    Tutor
    Dec 08, 2022
    jctruckca43the screenshots that I shared were not orbi screenshots. They are screenshots for the Kasa (TP-Link) app used to connect their smart devices (in my case one of their plugs) to any network.

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Connection to 2.4ghz to set up kasa (tp-link) smart plug mini