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Forum Discussion
Cannot connect on 5GHz
Hi,
I have a DGND3700 router and just bought a WN2500RP to extend it. Both are are on latest firmware.
I went through the normal set up using TPS and it connects and shows the 2.4GHz connection. If I repeat the same many times, the 5GHz never lights up.
I know 5GHz is working on the 3700 because my iPad connects to the 5Ghz SSID and my iPhone connects to the 2.4GHz SSID.
I tried using the web interface to connect to 5GHz but it also fails to connect. I am certain the password is correct. I'm using WPA2-PSK (AES).
I am not using a wireless card access list.
My 2.4GHz SSID is called JOHNA-2.4G
My 5GHz SSID is called JOHNA-5G
Even though the 5GHz light is not lit on the 2500 and the web interface shows it is not connected, I see the following Networks on my iPad
JOHNA-2.4G
JOHNA-2.4G_2GEXT
JOHNA-5G
JOHNA-5G_5GEXT
If I connect to JOHNA-2.4G_2GEXT or JOHNA-5G_5GEXT and browse to the device I can see 5GHz is not connected. If I tell it to connect, it says it will take 2 minutes. I usually give up after 10 minutes.
Both devices are in the same room so it is not a distance problem - I hope.
In summary, no matter what I do, it will not connect at 5GHz.
A bit disappointed by this. I thought 2 new products from Netgear that support TPS would work flawlessly.
Any advice would be very welcome.
John.
32 Replies
- In order to try to eliminate any unknowns, I have just factory reset both the 2500 and the 3700 and I get the same problem. 2500 connects at 2.4 but refuses to connect at 5GHz. Fails whether I use WPS or the web interface
John. - I am having the exact same problem. Is there anyone from Netgear that can help?
- I am having the exact same issue
- Just in case, do you have a WiFi device that can see the 5GHz channels?
Install some like inSSIDer or Wifi Analyzer to view the signal strength from the location that you want to use the WN2500RP at to check the signal. The 5GHz signal is weaker that the 2.4GHz signal so it may not travel as well through walls and over distance.
Also I would actually set up the WN2500RP in the same room as the DGND3700 initially. This way you should be able to eliminate issues with signal strength.
Finally, which firmware versions are you using? There are already quite a few for the DGND3700 which are designed to fix various issues. - Hardware Version DGND3700
Firmware Version V1.0.0.17_1.0.17
Hardware Version WN2500RP
Firmware Version V1.0.0.26_1.0.54
I have both the router and the extender currently in the same room. The extender is picking up a signal strength of 94% for 2.4GHz and 82% for 5GHz from the router.
With my ipad I can connect to all 4 wireless networks
I have done factory resets on both devices to no avail. I have removed all security from the router and still can only get the 2.4GHz to connect. I have now tried WPA2-PSK (AES) with different passwords on both networks but still nothing on the 5GHz. - UPDATE: I have just done another factory reset to both devices and with no wireless security on I have been able to get the extender to connect to both bands. I will now try the process of elimination on the different securities.
- Ok, you have the latest full release firmware on the DGND3700. There are some Beta versions available if you want to contact Tech support.
I wonder if it is because of the WPA/WPA2 licensing issues? Just for the purposes of testing, could you disable the WiFi security and try connecting the two that way?
As for the signal strength, the difference is normal. Something to do with the way 2.4GHz and 5GHz work, essentially when pumping out both at the same strength, 5GHz will drop off before the 2,4GHz signal. bentanvil wrote: UPDATE: I have just done another factory reset to both devices and with no wireless security on I have been able to get the extender to connect to both bands. I will now try the process of elimination on the different securities.
lol - I was typing my post when you posted this.
This confirms what I was starting to think. Basically Netgear needs to pay extra licensing money to connect two routers via WPA & WPA2. WEP will work but is limited to 54mbps on the DGND3700.- So I just changed the 2.4Ghz security to WPA2-PSK (AES) and I lost the connection. 5GHz stayed connected fine.
I am now going to follow your suggestion and see if WEP works.
If I can't use WPA2-PSK (AES) to connect the 2 devices I feel that these products are pretty useless together and that NETGEAR has lead me up the garden path. bentanvil wrote: So I just changed the 2.4Ghz security to WPA2-PSK (AES) and I lost the connection. 5GHz stayed connected fine...
Just a small point, as I am loosing track a little. I though that you only needed either the 5GHz of 2.4Ghz to connect the DGND3700 and WN2500RP together. Unless you have specifically notice an improvement in throughput if both are connected simultaneously.
Are you able to connect to the WN2500RP using both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz all the time?
