NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
kiddycone
Sep 07, 2026Aspirant
RAXE500 2.4 band doesn't work at all, only 5G.
I've tried changing the channels; there are no new devices or even neighborhood networks that I can tell.
For devices that can use 5G, the devices use that. For ones that can't, such as the printer, this matters more and we can't use our printer because suddenly 2.4 doesn't work.
9 Replies
Have you tried:
- Reset the printer
- Connect the printer using the WPS button (page 20 of the user manual)
- kiddyconeAspirant
The wifi button is blinking on the printer, not the wifi. The wifi light is solid, because the network is visible on our devices, and on wifi detection app. Is there anything you can think of besides factory reset that I coudl fiddle with?
- FURRYe38Guru - Experienced User
So no other devices will connect to the 2.4Ghz SSID name?
Is Smart Connect disabled on the RAXE?
What firmware version is on the router?
If nothing connects, you'll need to factory reset and router and setup from scratch.
kiddycone wrote:
The wifi button on it is blinking
There are three WiFi LED's, correct? It is the 2.4G WiFi LED that is blinking. (which, of course, is not something it is supposed to do)
This may be a time to perform a Factory Reset.
- kiddyconeAspirant
No, nothing does.
The printer model is the MFC-L2717DW . The wifi button on it is blinking. We didn't notice about 2.4 until we went to print. Our PCs and mobile phones don't connect to 2.4 either.
- StephenBGuru - Experienced User
kiddycone wrote:
The printer model is the MFC-L2717DW
Double check that WPA2 security is enabled in the router.
If the printer is near the router, then you could try connecting the printer with ethernet to a router LAN port.
kiddycone wrote:
Our PCs and mobile phones don't connect to 2.4 either.
Not surprising if you are using the same SSID on the router for both frequencies.
OK. Are there any devices in the house that connect to the 2.4G WiFi?
What brand/model is the printer?
- kiddyconeAspirant
It isn't that it's not broadcasted, it's that my printer cannot connect to it, and my phone won't let me switch to it. It says it is trying to switch, then auto switches back to the 5G. Keep in mind this didn't use to happen. It's not a password change.
Assuming that this RAXE500 worked correctly before, but now it no longer broadcasts a 2.4G WiFi network?
(if it never broadcasted a 2.4G WiFi, then return it.)
Page 78 of the User Manual describes how to turn the WiFi radios on and off:
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RAXE500/RAXE450_RAXE500_UM_EN.pdf
Have you double checked that no one pressed the button by accident and turned off the 2.4G radio?