Re: Orbi Router + Schlage Encode Smart Lock

It would be helpful to see the discussion that led to this post.

Internet searches reveal lots of problems connecting Schlage locks to various brands of WiFi systems.  Unfortunate that Schlage created a problem for their customers that so many other manufacturers were able to avoid.  Also amazing that customers with Google Mesh, Amazon eero, Asus Smart Connect, Netgear,TP-Link Deco, and others have not convinced Schlage to correct their software.

The obvious solution is to return the offending product and purchase a product "that works".  When this is not possible, there are a number of methods users have found to get products with poorly written smartphone apps to connect, including:

• Reduce the Transmit power of the 5G signal to the lowest possible and power off satellites so that the smartphone will be able to connect only to the 2.4G WiFi channel.  After the product is configured, return power levels to their original state.
• Temporarily set up a 2.4G WiFi system with the primary WiFi system credentials. Perform the setup and then restore the primary system.  Two methods seem popular:
  • Power off the primary WiFi entirely and activate a cell phone Hot Spot with the primary system WiFi credentials.  After the setup is complete, shut down the Hot Spot and turn the primary WiFi system back on.
  • Keep an old WiFi router around which can create different SSIDs for 2.4G and 5G channels or disable the 5G channel.  Temporarily change the WiFi SSID on the primary system so that the old WiFi router is the only available WiFi with those credentials. Perform the setup and then return to the normal operation.
• The very oldest Orbi systems have an option to stop broadcast of the 5G SSID.  Doing that temporarily allows the setup to complete.
• Most of the newer Orbi routers (but not all, unfortunately) have an option to create an "IoT" WiFi channel that broadcasts only at 2.4G.